The Church: Christ's Living Body and Bride

Summary

In our journey through the series "Proclaim," we have delved into the profound truths of our faith, recognizing that our beliefs shape our actions. Today, we focus on the doctrine of the church, or ecclesiology, which is the study of the church's nature, purpose, and functions. This doctrine is not a mere academic exercise; it is the heartbeat of our Christian walk, for the church is the community of all true believers for all time.

The church, both universal and local, is God's design. It is not a building or a weekly gathering; it is a living, breathing movement of people called out by God, united in mission. Jesus Christ Himself is the architect and builder of the church. In Matthew 16, He declares that He will build His church on the rock of the revelation that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. This promise has held true for over two millennia, as the church has withstood persecution, trials, and the passage of time.

Moreover, Jesus bought the church with His precious blood, as we are reminded in Acts 20 and 1 Peter 1. The church is not a cheap commodity; it was purchased at the highest price, signifying its immeasurable value. This understanding compels us to invest in the church wholeheartedly, recognizing it as the hope of the world when functioning as intended.

The church is often metaphorically described as the bride of Christ and the body of Christ. As the bride, the church is pure, honored, and destined for an eternal celebration with Christ. As the body, each member plays a critical role, and we are called to function in unity, supporting and honoring one another.

A healthy church is marked by sound doctrine, strong localized leadership, and the practice of ordinances such as communion and baptism. These practices are not mere rituals; they are acts of obedience and remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

As we partake in the Lord's Supper, we do so in remembrance of Christ's suffering and victory, which brings us spiritual and physical healing. We are also called to pray for the church, recognizing it as the bride of Christ, and to be the church, representing Jesus in the world.

In conclusion, the doctrine of the church matters because Jesus is actively building it, and He has bought it with His blood. It is a privilege to be part of this divine institution, and we are called to invest in it, pray for it, and be it.

Key Takeaways:

- The church is not an institution of human creation but the very heartbeat of God's plan for humanity. Jesus Christ is the builder and sustainer of the church, and it stands unshaken through the ages because of His divine power and purpose. The church's resilience is a testament to the truth that it is not built on human wisdom but on the revelation of Christ as the Son of God. [31:14]

- Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was not only for individual salvation but also for the corporate redemption of the church. The church was bought at the price of Christ's blood, signifying its preciousness in God's eyes. This profound truth should stir us to cherish the church and recognize our place within it as a purchased people, called to live in the light of such a costly grace. [33:38]

- The metaphor of the church as the bride of Christ illustrates the purity, honor, and celebratory nature of our relationship with Him. Just as a bride is adorned for her groom, the church is being prepared for an eternal union with Christ. This imagery invites us to live in a manner worthy of the calling we have received, as a bride eagerly awaits her wedding day. [37:26]

- The church as the body of Christ emphasizes the importance of unity and diversity within the community of believers. Each member has a unique role to play, and the health of the body depends on the functioning of each part. This metaphor challenges us to value every believer's contribution and to work together in harmony for the advancement of God's kingdom. [40:47]

- The local church is not an optional add-on to the Christian life; it is the context in which we live out our faith. The assumption in Scripture is that believers are part of a local body where they can grow, serve, and practice the one-another commands. Our commitment to a local congregation is a reflection of our commitment to the body of Christ worldwide. [41:18]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 16:13-18 - "When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, 'Who do people say the Son of Man is?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.' Jesus replied, 'Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.'"

2. Acts 20:28 - "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."

3. 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 16:13-18, what is the foundation upon which Jesus builds His church?
2. In Acts 20:28, what is the significance of the church being bought with Jesus' blood?
3. How does 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 describe the relationship between the different parts of the body and the body as a whole?
4. What are the two metaphors used in the sermon to describe the church, and what do they signify? [28:27]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is the revelation of Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, crucial for the foundation of the church? [29:34]
2. How does understanding that the church was bought with Jesus' blood affect our view of its value and our commitment to it? [33:38]
3. What does the metaphor of the church as the body of Christ teach us about the importance of each member's role and function within the church? [40:15]
4. How do the practices of communion and baptism serve as acts of obedience and remembrance within the church? [48:32]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your personal commitment to the local church. Are there areas where you can invest more of your time, talents, or resources? How can you take a step towards deeper involvement this week? [52:48]
2. How often do you pray for the church, both locally and globally? What specific prayers can you offer for the church's growth, unity, and impact in the world? [54:02]
3. Think about the metaphor of the church as the bride of Christ. How does this imagery influence the way you view your relationship with Jesus and the church? What steps can you take to live in a manner worthy of this calling? [37:26]
4. In what ways can you contribute to the unity and health of the church body? Identify one specific action you can take to support and honor another member of your church this week. [40:47]
5. How can you practice the ordinances of communion and baptism in a way that deepens your faith and understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? What can you do to prepare your heart for these practices? [48:32]
6. Consider the importance of sound doctrine in a healthy church. How can you engage more deeply with the teachings of your church to ensure you are grounded in biblical truth? [42:21]
7. Reflect on the role of localized leadership in your church. How can you support and pray for your church leaders to help them fulfill their responsibilities effectively? [43:23]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church's Divine Architect
The church is not a human invention but a divine creation, intricately designed and sustained by Jesus Christ. It stands as a testament to God's wisdom and power, enduring through the ages on the foundation of Christ's identity as the Son of God. This truth is not just historical; it is a living reality that continues to manifest in the church's resilience against trials and persecutions. The church's existence and perseverance are not based on human efforts but on the revelation of Jesus Christ, the cornerstone that holds everything together. As believers, recognizing the church's divine origin inspires awe and a deeper commitment to be part of this unshakable institution.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."

Reflection: How does understanding the church as God's design change your view of its importance in your life? [07:40]

Day 2: The Priceless Value of the Church
The church's worth is immeasurable, signified by the price paid for its redemption—Jesus Christ's own blood. This profound truth elevates the church beyond a mere gathering of individuals to a sacred assembly of those redeemed for a divine purpose. As members of this purchased people, there is a call to cherish the church, to invest in its life, and to recognize the weight of grace that has brought us into this community. The sacrifice of Christ was not only for individual salvation but also for the corporate gathering of believers, which should stir a deep reverence and commitment to the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: In what practical ways can you invest more deeply in the life and community of your local church? [33:38]

Day 3: Adorned for the Eternal Union
The church is the bride of Christ, a metaphor that speaks of purity, honor, and the joyous anticipation of an eternal celebration with Him. As a bride prepares herself for her wedding day, so the church is being prepared for an everlasting union with Christ. This imagery invites believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, to be holy and blameless in love, eagerly awaiting the day when they will be united with their Savior in glory. The church's relationship with Christ is not just a future hope but a present reality that shapes how believers live today.

Revelation 19:7-8 (ESV)
"Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints."

Reflection: How can you prepare yourself today as part of the bride of Christ for the eternal celebration to come? [37:26]

Day 4: Unity and Diversity in the Body
The church, as the body of Christ, is a community where unity and diversity coexist. Each member has a unique role, and the health of the body depends on the harmonious functioning of all its parts. This metaphor challenges believers to value the contributions of every individual and to work together in harmony, reflecting the manifold wisdom of God. The church is called to be a place where differences are not just tolerated but celebrated, where each person's gifts are used for the common good and the advancement of God's kingdom.

1 Corinthians 12:22-25 (ESV)
"On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another."

Reflection: What unique gifts do you bring to your local church body, and how can you use them to foster unity and growth? [40:47]

Day 5: Committed to the Local Church
Belonging to a local church is not optional for believers; it is the context in which faith is lived out and nurtured. Scripture assumes that followers of Christ are part of a local body where they can grow, serve, and practice the "one-another" commands. This commitment reflects a broader commitment to the universal church and is a tangible expression of being part of the body of Christ. The local church is where believers are equipped, held accountable, and sent out to live the mission of God in the world.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can your active participation in a local church body demonstrate your commitment to the global church? [41:18]

Quotes

- "The church is not a building that you sit in; it is a movement that you are a part of." [30:06](Download | Download)

- "The local church is the hope of the world when it's working like it's supposed to because it's God's plan." [52:48](Download | Download)

- "If we're not invested in the church, we're missing out on what God has for us. Invest in the church; it's the best investment you can make." [53:26](Download | Download)

- "All of us, no matter our role, is critically important to the body of Christ. It's critically important to be a part of the church and for the health of the body." [39:07](Download | Download)

- "Jesus has been, he is, and will continue to build his church until the very end... For 2,000 years, Jesus has been building his church, and it's not slowing down." [31:14](Download | Download)

- "Jesus paid for the church, and the cost was not cheap... He bought the Church of God with his own blood." [33:02](Download | Download)

- "The bride wears white because white symbolizes purity and honor... that's why in Revelation... it says that we were dressed in white linen." [36:55](Download | Download)

- "The local church is not an optional add-on to the Christian life; it is the context in which we live out our faith." [41:18](Download | Download)

- "A healthy church will have and teach sound doctrine... the sign of a healthy church is a healthy church is doing that." [42:21](Download | Download)

- "The church grows broader through Ministry... praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." [50:34](Download | Download)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?