Embodying the Church: Purpose, Praise, and Intimacy
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we delved into the essence and purpose of the church, drawing from Ephesians 5:22-33. The term "church" often conjures images of a building, but biblically, it refers to the "ekklesia," a gathering or assembly of believers. The church is not about the physical location but about the people who follow Christ. We explored three primary purposes of the church: praising God, ministering to believers, and ministering to the world.
Firstly, our primary purpose is to praise God. Worship is not a performance but a collective act of magnifying God's presence in our lives. When we praise Him, it changes our perspective and allows us to see Him more clearly, making our problems seem smaller in comparison.
Secondly, the church exists to minister to believers. Preaching and teaching the Word of God equips us to live out our faith. The power of preaching lies in its ability to proclaim the good news and transform lives. Each of us is on a unique journey, but God speaks to us individually through His Word.
Lastly, the church is called to minister to the world. We gather to be equipped and then scatter to be the light in our communities. Jesus said the gates of hell would not prevail against His church, emphasizing our role in advancing His kingdom passionately and boldly.
We also examined the metaphor of the church as the bride of Christ. This relationship signifies intimacy, protection, and shared rights. Just as a marriage is built on trust and mutual commitment, our relationship with Christ is deeply personal and intimate. Christ's sacrificial love for the church calls us to a life of holiness and blamelessness. Moreover, as His bride, we are under His protection, and we share in His glory and rights.
In conclusion, being the church means living out these truths daily. We are called to be the church in our homes, workplaces, and communities, reflecting Christ's love and grace in all we do.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Church is People, Not a Place: The term "ekklesia" emphasizes that the church is a gathering of believers, not a physical building. This means our focus should be on being the church wherever we are, embodying Christ's love and teachings in our daily lives. [37:01]
2. Purpose of Praise: Worship is a vital part of our purpose as the church. When we magnify God through praise, it shifts our focus from our problems to His greatness, allowing His presence to become more prominent in our lives. This daily act of worship can transform our outlook and bring peace. [38:57]
3. Ministry to Believers and the World: The church exists to minister to its members through preaching and teaching, equipping them to live out their faith. Additionally, we are called to minister to the world, sharing the gospel and being the light in our communities. Our mission is to advance God's kingdom passionately and boldly. [42:46]
4. Intimacy with Christ: As the bride of Christ, we are called to an intimate relationship with Him, built on trust and mutual commitment. This relationship is unique and special, reflecting the deep love and sacrifice Christ made for us. It calls us to live a life of holiness and blamelessness. [53:47]
5. Protection and Shared Rights: Christ's love for the church includes His protection and the sharing of His rights. Just as a husband protects his wife, Christ stands in the gap for us, offering His righteousness and glory. This profound truth should inspire us to live boldly for Him, knowing we are under His care and share in His eternal inheritance. [56:49]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[07:21] - Announcements
[09:42] - Opening Prayer
[18:26] - Visitor Welcome
[33:48] - Introduction to Ephesians 5
[35:01] - Wives and Husbands: A Deeper Meaning
[37:01] - The Church as Ekklesia
[37:54] - Purpose of Praise
[42:46] - Ministry to Believers and the World
[46:38] - Metaphors of the Church
[53:47] - Intimacy with Christ
[56:49] - Protection and Shared Rights
[01:09:55] - Invitation to Respond
[01:13:04] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Ephesians 5:22-33
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the term "ekklesia" mean, and how does it redefine our understanding of the church? [37:01]
2. According to the sermon, what are the three primary purposes of the church? [37:54]
3. How does the metaphor of the church as the bride of Christ illustrate our relationship with Him? [48:18]
4. What are the implications of Christ's sacrificial love for the church as described in Ephesians 5:25-27? [35:01]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does understanding the church as "ekklesia" change the way believers should view their role in their communities? [37:01]
2. In what ways does daily worship and praise to God transform a believer's perspective on their problems? [38:57]
3. How does the church's mission to minister to the world reflect Jesus' statement that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church? [44:26]
4. What does it mean for believers to share in Christ's rights and protection as His bride? [56:49]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily life. How can you embody the concept of "ekklesia" in your home, workplace, or community? [37:01]
2. How can you incorporate daily worship and praise into your routine to shift your focus from your problems to God's greatness? [38:57]
3. Think of a specific way you can minister to a fellow believer this week. How can you support and encourage them in their faith journey? [42:46]
4. Identify one area in your community where you can be a light and share the gospel. What steps will you take to minister to the world around you? [43:59]
5. Reflect on your relationship with Christ. How can you deepen your intimacy with Him and build a relationship based on trust and mutual commitment? [53:47]
6. In what ways can you remind yourself of Christ's protection and shared rights in your daily struggles and challenges? [56:49]
7. How can you actively participate in advancing God's kingdom passionately and boldly in your everyday interactions? [44:26]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church is People, Not a Place
The term "ekklesia" emphasizes that the church is a gathering of believers, not a physical building. This means our focus should be on being the church wherever we are, embodying Christ's love and teachings in our daily lives. The church is not confined to a specific location; it is a living, breathing community of people who follow Christ. This understanding shifts our perspective from merely attending church services to actively being the church in our everyday interactions.
When we gather as believers, whether in a home, a park, or a traditional church building, we are the church. Our mission is to reflect Christ's love and grace in all we do, making His presence known in our communities. This calls us to live out our faith authentically, showing kindness, compassion, and love to those around us. By doing so, we fulfill the true purpose of the church as described in the Bible. [37:01]
Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: How can you embody the essence of the church in your daily interactions this week? Think of one specific way you can show Christ's love to someone in your community today.
Day 2: Purpose of Praise
Worship is a vital part of our purpose as the church. When we magnify God through praise, it shifts our focus from our problems to His greatness, allowing His presence to become more prominent in our lives. This daily act of worship can transform our outlook and bring peace. Worship is not about performance; it is about collectively acknowledging God's presence and power in our lives.
When we gather to praise God, we are reminded of His sovereignty and goodness. This act of worship helps us to see our challenges in light of His greatness, making them seem smaller and more manageable. It also brings us closer to God, deepening our relationship with Him and filling us with His peace and joy. [38:57]
Psalm 34:3 (ESV): "Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to shift your focus from your problems to God's greatness? Spend a few moments today praising God for His goodness and sovereignty.
Day 3: Ministry to Believers and the World
The church exists to minister to its members through preaching and teaching, equipping them to live out their faith. Additionally, we are called to minister to the world, sharing the gospel and being the light in our communities. Our mission is to advance God's kingdom passionately and boldly. Preaching and teaching the Word of God equips us to live out our faith, transforming our lives and enabling us to share the good news with others.
As believers, we are on a unique journey, but God speaks to us individually through His Word. This equips us to be the light in our communities, sharing the gospel and advancing God's kingdom. We gather to be equipped and then scatter to make a difference in the world, fulfilling our calling as the church. [42:46]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community this week? Think of one specific way you can share the gospel or show Christ's love to someone in need.
Day 4: Intimacy with Christ
As the bride of Christ, we are called to an intimate relationship with Him, built on trust and mutual commitment. This relationship is unique and special, reflecting the deep love and sacrifice Christ made for us. It calls us to live a life of holiness and blamelessness. Just as a marriage is built on trust and mutual commitment, our relationship with Christ is deeply personal and intimate.
Christ's sacrificial love for the church calls us to a life of holiness and blamelessness. This relationship signifies intimacy, protection, and shared rights. As His bride, we are under His protection, and we share in His glory and rights. This profound truth should inspire us to live boldly for Him, knowing we are under His care and share in His eternal inheritance. [53:47]
Ephesians 5:25-27 (ESV): "Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Christ this week? Spend some time in prayer, asking God to help you grow in intimacy and trust with Him.
Day 5: Protection and Shared Rights
Christ's love for the church includes His protection and the sharing of His rights. Just as a husband protects his wife, Christ stands in the gap for us, offering His righteousness and glory. This profound truth should inspire us to live boldly for Him, knowing we are under His care and share in His eternal inheritance. As His bride, we are under His protection, and we share in His glory and rights.
This relationship signifies intimacy, protection, and shared rights. Christ's sacrificial love for the church calls us to a life of holiness and blamelessness. Knowing that we are under His care and share in His eternal inheritance should inspire us to live boldly for Him, reflecting His love and grace in all we do. [56:49]
Romans 8:17 (ESV): "And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Reflection: How does knowing you are under Christ's protection and share in His rights impact the way you live your life? Think of one specific way you can live boldly for Him this week, reflecting His love and grace in your actions.
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You and I, we're called to be the church. If we are a Christ follower, we're called to be part of the church. And one of the things that I've learned about being in church over several years now is that the more I'm in the church, if we are not careful, we can get so lost and caught up in doing church that we forget to be the church." [37:01](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When we bless the name of God and when we magnify the name of Jesus, guess what? It allows His presence. It allows His presence to grow bigger in our life. It allows us to see Him better. You know, I would ask you this morning, what is it in your life right now that maybe you're magnifying?" [39:45](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "As we worship and magnify His name daily, you will start to notice that your problems begin to decrease because He starts to increase. Now, let me kind of elaborate on that a little bit because this is not prosperity gospel. I'm not saying your problems are going to go away because they're not. I'm not saying give your heart to Jesus, you'll never struggle because that would be a lie." [41:26](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When we preach, when we proclaim we are being used by God to help save people from hell. You ever thought about that? That should excite you. That God would tell you to do that. That God would choose you to play a part in somebody's life in saving them from hell. That means that you and I get to partake in an eternal change in a person's life. Just by proclaiming that Jesus is king. Just by sharing the good news." [45:30](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Because of Jesus, when we put our trust and faith in him, and we make him Lord of our life, then we, at that point, obtain his rights. We get to experience all of the glory and splendor of heaven because of him. Today, your righteousness, because of Jesus. And when we pray, the Bible says that the prayers of a righteous man, they availeth much." [01:07:10](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Oftentimes, we get so lost and caught up in doing church, we forget to be the church. And so in thinking about the church, in thinking about that, what's the purpose of the church? Well, the fact of the matter is it's actually threefold, but the first thing, the first purpose is our praise to God. You know, when we gather here, we're to praise and bless the name of Jesus." [37:01](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The second purpose of the church is also ministry. It's ministry to believers. Man, I love this part because like what I'm doing right now, preaching. Man, I get the opportunity to preach and right now preaching means to proclaim, right? We stand up here, me and Pastor Phil or whoever's preaching and we proclaim the good news. That doesn't happen all over the world." [42:46](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And so we have a job to do. That means when you're at work be the church. Be the church. When you're at school, be the church. When you're at home, be the church. When you're in your neighborhood or the community be the church. Because that's the reality. Jesus said upon this rock I'll build my house and the gates of hell shall not prevail." [44:26](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so as we step into the darkness of this world we need to let the light of Jesus shine so bright that everybody sees it. And so as we study God's word one of the things that we see when it comes to the ecclesia, the church there are a lot of different metaphors that are used in the Bible to describe the church. Right? There are a lot of different ideas that are used to help us understand what the church is for." [46:08](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so my challenge to you today, church, is it's time for us to stand up like we never have before. Because here's the thing, the best is yet to come. I don't think we have lived our best yet. Mount Pleasant, I don't think you've lived your best yet. I think the best is yet to come. That ought to excite you. That ought to pump you up and get you ready. It's time to not get lost in doing church, but instead it's time to declare and decide that we're going to be the church." [01:07:47](Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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