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One Body: the Unique Church of Ephesians 4:1-6

One Body: the Unique Church of Ephesians 4:1-6. “Unto Him, be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, world without end. Amen.” Eph 3:21. Why the Church was Established. Matthew 16:18 The kingdom of death is a besieged city. This is the world we live in -- Satan’s world.

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One Body: the Unique Church of Ephesians 4:1-6

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  1. One Body: the Unique Church of Ephesians 4:1-6 “Unto Him, be glory in the church by Christ Jesus, world without end. Amen.” Eph 3:21

  2. Why the Church was Established Matthew 16:18 • The kingdom of death is a besieged city. • This is the world we live in -- Satan’s world. • The gates of this world will not keep the church out. Push against those gates. Revelation 12:10-11 “They overcame him.”

  3. Why the Church was Established • Since this is a warfare, the image of the Christian as soldier is often in the New Testament. Eph 6:10-18 – Put on God’s armor. 1Thess 5:6-8 – Remain on Alert. Rom 13:11-14 – Be always Ready. 2 Tim 2:3-4 – Prepare for a Hard Life. Do not avoid battle. Engage the enemy. 1 Tim 6:11-14

  4. The Church Exists To . . . • Uphold the Truth – 1 Timothy 3:15, put truth on display • Make God’s Wisdom Known – Eph 3:10,11 • Spread the Truth – 1 Thess 1:8 • Victoriously Spread God’s Knowledge like a fragrance – 2 Cor 2:14-17 (so Truth has come to the whole world – Col 1:5-6)

  5. The Church Exists To . . . • Give Financial Support to Christians dedicated to teaching the Truth – Phil 4:15-17, 2 Cor 1:8 • Teach its members to be grounded in the Truth – Eph 4:11-16 • Teach its members so they can pass on the Truth – 2 Tim 2:2 • Ground members to spread Truth – Col 1:23

  6. The Church Exists To . . . • Build up Christians by teaching them – 2 Cor 12:19 • Worship, which builds up members – 1 Cor 14:26 – for example in singing Eph 5:17-19 (This is why worship assemblies are so important – Heb 10:23-25).

  7. Does the Church in the Bible Include • Denominational Creeds? • Extra-Biblical Church Hierarchy? • Consecrated Buildings & Grounds? • Social Clubs? Entertainment Centers? • Religious Rites from the Middle Ages? • Dogma in Addition to Jesus Teachings? • A Clergy System? With Religious Titles? • World Hunger Relief? Eliminate Poverty?

  8. Does the Church in the Bible Include If none of these is in the Bible, why are these occurring in the Church? • Denominational Creeds? • Extra-Biblical Church Hierarchy? • Consecrated Buildings & Grounds? • Social Clubs? Entertainment Centers? • Religious Rites from the Middle Ages? • Dogma in Addition to Jesus Teachings? • A Clergy System? With Religious Titles? • World Hunger Relief? Eliminate Poverty?

  9. “One” Means How Many? • Jesus built only one church - Matthew 16:18 • Being many, we are only one - Rom 12:5; 1 Cor 12:12 • Only one organization brought salvation for Jews and Gentiles - Eph 2:14-22 • Peace is found in being one - Col 3:15

  10. Ice Creams Offer Choices Ice Cream is NOT the Church. And, the Church is NOT Ice Cream.

  11. One Church is as Good as Another? • Church Has One Head, the Christ. Eph 1:22,23 • Church Belongs to Christ/God so Bears His Name. Rom 16:16 • Church Prays through Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5 • Church supports the Bible. 1 Tim 3:15; John 17:17; 2 Tim 3:16,17 • Church Has Another Head on Earth. • Church Bears Name of Someone/ Something Else. • Church Prays Via the Saints or its Leaders. • Church Supports a Man Made Creed or Dogma

  12. One Church is as Good as Another? • Church Sings. Eph 5:19 • Church Baptizes Believers. Mk 16:16 • Church Worships God in the Assembly on Sundays. Heb 10:23-25; Acts 20:7 • Church Sings and Plays. • Church Sprinkles Infants, calling it Baptism. • Church Worships whenever it has time to get around to it, on Saturday afternoons.

  13. If none of these is in the Bible, why are these occurring in the Church? What They Say is Church’s Purpose “If a fraction of the money that is spent on new church buildings were spent on helping the poor, the elderly, widows and orphans, drug addicts and the homeless; then there would be no need for community outreach programs to do the job the church should be doing. Reading, studying and talking about the Bible is all well and good, but without active works of charity; it is all vanity. A church needs to reach out and help the poor and needy in their community, not sit in their plush pews once a week and pat themselves on the back for having the nicest building in town. What is the purpose of having a church if it is not to provide a place of help, rest, resources and hope for those who are hurting, suffering, addicted and at their wits end?” (mercyman53’s blog)

  14. Christ Himself, Alone • Offered Himself for His Church Eph 5:25,26 • Is The Head of His Church Eph 1:22,23; Col 1:18 Whom Else Should the Church Follow, but Christ?

  15. Christians Follow Christ Alone • 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 We have nothing in common with the world or its ways. • The Lord’s Supper is a time of Christians to commune (share, participate) with our Lord and Savior – 1 Corinthians 10:16,17 • When we work together, we are in fellowship - Philippians 1:5 • We are a family with God as our Father – 1 Timothy 3:15 • We have a common faith - Titus 1:4 • We have a common salvation – Jude 3

  16. Christ Prayed that Christians Be United John 17:21 Since Christ wanted us Christians to be united – let’s do what He says. Let’s Follow Christ – not a denomination!

  17. Can there be “Variety and Compromise” in His Church? 1 Cor 1:9, 10 - Same mind and same judgment 1 Cor 1:11-13 - Notice that Paul didn’t emphasize the commonality of the Corinthians. 1 Cor 3:1-4 - Division is from the World, not from God There is One Church – Eph 4:1-6

  18. These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:14-16

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