The Church That Jesus Built

While Jesus Christ walked the earth He stated, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). In Ephesians 4:4 we learn that “there is one body” while from Colossians 1:18 we read that Christ “is the head of the body, the church.”  My church.  One body.  The body.  The church.  All of these terms are singular indicating that there is only ONE. 

Yet in today’s world there are thousands of churches all teaching different doctrines.  This one says you must be baptized – that one says you don’t.  Some tell you to worship on Sunday – others on Saturday or perhaps not at all.  It can be a mass of confusion.

But God does not create confusion.  He also does not accept people worshipping in man-made churches rather than the one Jesus died for.  If we want to be pleasing to God then we need to know more about the church that Jesus built.

1.  Know what it is -

    A.  The word “church” comes from the Greek word that means  

            those who are “called out.”

   B.  The church is the Body of Christ (Colossians 1:18).

   C.  The church is the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:22-27).

   D.  The church is the Family of God (I Timothy 3:15).

   E.  The church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth (I Timothy 3:15).

2.  Know the Founder -

   A.  Jesus promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18).

   B.  Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28).

   C.  Jesus is the Head of the church (Colossians 1:18).

   D.  The church is His spiritual body (Colossians 1:18).

3.  Know when it began -

   A.  It was promised in the last days of Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-4).

   B.  The church was near in John’s day (Matthew 3:1,2).

   C.  Jesus told His disciples that they should not taste of death till

            they see the Kingdom of God come with power (Mark 9:1).

   D.  They were told that they would receive that power when the

            Holy Spirit came upon them (Acts 1:8).

   E.  All these things came to pass on Pentecost (Acts 2).

4.  Know how it is described -

   A.  The Church of the Lord (Acts 20:28).

   B.  The Church of God (I Corinthians 1:1,2).

   C.  The Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12).

   D.  The Church of Christ (Romans 16:16).

5.  Know what God offers there -

   A.  Forgiveness of sins is in the Church (Ephesians 1:17).

   B.  Salvation is in the Church (2 Timothy 2:10).

   C.  Redemption is in the Church (Colossians 1:14).

   D.  All spiritual blessings are in the Church (Ephesians 1:3).

   E.  The saved are in the Church (Acts 2:47).

6.  Know how it worships -

  A.  The Church sings (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

  B.  The Church prays (I Thessalonians 5:17; Luke 18:1).

  C.  The Church gives (I Corinthians 16:1,2; Acts 20:35).

  D.  The Church teaches (2 Timothy 2:2; Acts 20:7).

  E.  The Church communes with our Lord (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-29).