DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CHURCH I. TEXTUAL THOUGHTS 1. Jeremiah 31:33- They shall
be God's people. 2. Matthew 16:18-19- Jesus to
build His church. 3. Acts11:26- Disciples called Christians. 4. 2 Corinthians 6:16-18-
Christians are God's family. 5. 1 Peter 2:9-10- Christians
are a royal priesthood. II. MAIN THEME: The church is to glorify God.
Jesus is the head of the church, which is His body. The church is not given a proper name, but
is described in different ways as it relates to God and Jesus. Members of the church are named
Christians. 1. Descriptions of the church
showing ownership: a. Church of
God, 1 Corinthians 1:2, 2 Corinthians 1:1. b. Jesus
described His church, Matthew 16:18. c. Called
churches of Christ, Romans 16:16. 2. Descriptions of the church
showing character: a. Called out
people, 1 Peter 2:9-10. b. The elect,
1 Peter 1:1-2, Ephesians 1:4-5. c. A holy
nation, 1 Peter 1:15-16, 2:9. d. Saints,
Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1. 3. Descriptions of the church
showing relationship: a. The body of
Christ, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, Ephesians 1:22-23. b. Jesus is
head of the church, Colossians 1:15-18, Ephesians 5:23. c. Christians
are members of His body, Ephesians 5:29-30. 4. Descriptions of the church
as the kingdom: a. Everlasting
kingdom, Matthew 16:19, Hebrews 12:28. b. Jesus is
king, Acts 17:7, Colossians 1:13, 1 Corinthians 15:24-25. 5. Descriptions of the church
as God's family: a. Jesus
described God's family, Mark 3:31-35. b. Called the
household of God, Galatians 6:10, 1 Timothy 3:15. 6. Descriptions of the church
as God's temple: a. Christians
make up a Holy Temple, Ephesians 2:20-22. b. Christian's
bodies are called God's temple, 1 Cor. 6:19-20, 2 Cor. 6:14-18. c. God's
dwelling to be holy, 1 Corinthians 3:9-17, 1 Peter 2:4-5. III. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS 1. There is one name in which
we are to suffer gladly, 1 Peter 4:16, Acts 11:26. 2. The bible doesn't give just
one name to the church, and we should be careful to respect the authority of the scriptures, 1 Peter 4:11. 3. Remember that Christians
belong to Christ, and we should be filled by Him, Ephesians 1:22-23, Jeremiah 31:33. IV.
MEMORY VERSE: 2 CORINTHIANS 6:16
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