Unity in Christ: The Church as a Spiritual Building
Summary
In Ephesians 2:20-22, Paul presents a profound image of the Church as a spiritual building, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. This metaphor illustrates the unity and purpose of the Church, emphasizing that believers are no longer strangers but fellow citizens and members of God's household. The Church is depicted as a living, growing temple where God dwells through the Spirit. This unity is not a superficial or mechanical one but a vital, organic growth rooted in the truth of the Gospel.
The foundation of this spiritual building is laid by the apostles and prophets, whose teachings form the bedrock of Christian faith. The apostles, having witnessed the risen Christ, were uniquely commissioned to preach the Gospel, and their teachings remain the authoritative foundation for the Church. Similarly, the prophets, both of the Old and New Testaments, received direct revelations from God, contributing to this foundational truth.
In today's context, the concept of unity is often misunderstood. True unity in the Church is not about uniformity or organizational alignment but is based on shared faith in the foundational truths of the Gospel. This unity is a result of purity in doctrine and life, not merely a collective agreement or institutional conformity. The Church's unity is centered on Jesus Christ, the cornerstone who holds everything together.
The sermon challenges us to examine our beliefs and ensure they align with the apostolic teachings. It warns against the dangers of adding to or subtracting from this foundation, as true unity and membership in the Church depend on adherence to these core truths. The message concludes with a call to reflect on our relationship with Christ and our understanding of the Gospel, urging us to be firmly grounded in the faith handed down by the apostles and prophets.
Key Takeaways:
- The Church is a living, growing temple where God dwells, emphasizing the organic and vital nature of Christian unity. This unity is not mechanical but is rooted in the truth of the Gospel, reflecting the spiritual growth and holiness of its members. [05:00]
- The foundation of the Church is the teaching of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. This foundation is essential for true unity, as it is based on the authoritative teachings of those who witnessed the risen Christ and received direct revelations from God. [15:31]
- True unity in the Church is not about uniformity or organizational alignment but is based on shared faith in the foundational truths of the Gospel. This unity results from purity in doctrine and life, not merely a collective agreement or institutional conformity. [38:23]
- The sermon challenges us to examine our beliefs and ensure they align with the apostolic teachings. It warns against the dangers of adding to or subtracting from this foundation, as true unity and membership in the Church depend on adherence to these core truths. [36:05]
- Our relationship with Christ and understanding of the Gospel are central to our place in the Church. We must be firmly grounded in the faith handed down by the apostles and prophets, recognizing that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone who holds everything together. [41:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:10] - Introduction to Ephesians 2:20-22
- [01:17] - The Church as a Spiritual Building
- [02:15] - Breaking Down the Middle Wall
- [03:47] - Unity and Privilege in the Church
- [05:00] - The Living Process of Growth
- [06:15] - Plans and Specifications of the Church
- [07:28] - The Importance of Understanding Unity
- [09:07] - The Dangers of Indifference
- [10:33] - True Unity vs. False Unity
- [12:12] - The Festival of Faiths
- [14:28] - The Foundation of Apostles and Prophets
- [16:09] - Characteristics of an Apostle
- [18:40] - Understanding Prophets
- [22:22] - The Teaching of Apostles and Prophets
- [24:51] - The Intolerance of the Gospel
- [31:41] - Apostolic Succession and Its Implications
- [36:05] - The Danger of Adding to the Foundation
- [38:23] - Purity of Doctrine and Life
- [41:59] - Reflecting on Our Beliefs and Relationship with Christ
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 2:20-22
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Observation Questions:
1. What metaphor does Paul use in Ephesians 2:20-22 to describe the Church, and what role does Jesus Christ play in this metaphor? [00:10]
2. According to the sermon, what are the two great principles that must be understood to grasp the Apostle's teaching on the Church? [03:47]
3. How does the sermon describe the unity of the Church, and what is it based on? [05:22]
4. What are the characteristics of an apostle as described in the sermon, and why are they important for understanding the foundation of the Church? [16:09]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of the Church as a spiritual building help us understand the nature of Christian unity? What implications does this have for how we view our role in the Church? [01:17]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of the teachings of the apostles and prophets. Why is it crucial for the Church's unity to be based on these teachings, and what dangers arise when this foundation is altered? [15:31]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern concepts of unity might differ from the biblical understanding of unity in the Church? [07:10]
4. How does the sermon challenge us to reflect on our relationship with Christ and our understanding of the Gospel? What does it mean to be "firmly grounded in the faith handed down by the apostles and prophets"? [41:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your understanding of the Church as a spiritual building. How does this perspective influence your involvement and commitment to your local church community? [01:17]
2. The sermon warns against adding to or subtracting from the foundational teachings of the apostles and prophets. Are there any beliefs or practices in your life that might not align with these teachings? How can you address them? [36:05]
3. Consider the concept of unity in the Church as described in the sermon. How can you contribute to true unity in your church, which is based on shared faith and purity in doctrine and life? [38:23]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of being firmly grounded in the faith. What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of the Gospel and strengthen your relationship with Christ? [41:59]
5. Reflect on the role of Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone in your life. How does this understanding impact your daily decisions and interactions with others? [39:26]
6. The sermon challenges us to examine our beliefs. How can you create a habit of regularly evaluating your beliefs to ensure they align with the apostolic teachings? [36:05]
7. Think about a specific area in your life where you might be seeking unity through organizational alignment rather than shared faith. How can you shift your focus to align with the biblical concept of unity? [07:10]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Living Temple
The Church is not just a building or an organization; it is a living, growing temple where God dwells through the Spirit. This concept emphasizes the organic and vital nature of Christian unity, which is rooted in the truth of the Gospel. Unlike a mechanical or superficial unity, the Church's unity reflects the spiritual growth and holiness of its members. As believers, we are called to be part of this dynamic process, contributing to the Church's growth and allowing God's presence to manifest in our lives. [05:00]
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV): "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to the growth and unity of your local church community this week?
Day 2: The Foundation of Apostolic and Prophetic Teachings
The foundation of the Church is built upon the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone. This foundation is essential for true unity, as it is based on the authoritative teachings of those who witnessed the risen Christ and received direct revelations from God. The apostles and prophets laid down the bedrock of Christian faith, and their teachings continue to guide and shape the Church today. As believers, we are called to align our beliefs with these foundational truths and to build our lives upon them. [15:31]
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 (ESV): "According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Reflection: How can you ensure that your beliefs and actions are aligned with the foundational teachings of the apostles and prophets?
Day 3: True Unity in the Church
True unity in the Church is not about uniformity or organizational alignment but is based on shared faith in the foundational truths of the Gospel. This unity results from purity in doctrine and life, not merely a collective agreement or institutional conformity. The Church's unity is centered on Jesus Christ, the cornerstone who holds everything together. As believers, we are called to pursue this unity by remaining faithful to the Gospel and living lives that reflect its transformative power. [38:23]
Colossians 3:14-15 (ESV): "And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."
Reflection: What steps can you take to promote true unity within your church, focusing on shared faith and purity in doctrine and life?
Day 4: Guarding the Foundation
Believers are challenged to examine their beliefs and ensure they align with the apostolic teachings. The danger of adding to or subtracting from this foundation is real, as true unity and membership in the Church depend on adherence to these core truths. It is crucial to guard the foundation laid by the apostles and prophets, recognizing that any deviation can lead to division and confusion. As members of the Church, we must be vigilant in preserving the purity of the Gospel and resisting any attempts to alter its message. [36:05]
Galatians 1:8-9 (ESV): "But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed."
Reflection: Are there any beliefs or practices in your life that may not align with the foundational truths of the Gospel? How can you address them?
Day 5: Our Relationship with Christ
Our relationship with Christ and understanding of the Gospel are central to our place in the Church. We must be firmly grounded in the faith handed down by the apostles and prophets, recognizing that Jesus Christ is the cornerstone who holds everything together. This relationship is not static but requires ongoing reflection and growth. As believers, we are called to deepen our understanding of the Gospel and to allow it to shape every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our faith remains vibrant and transformative. [41:59]
2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV): "You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."
Reflection: How can you deepen your relationship with Christ and grow in your understanding of the Gospel this week?
Quotes
The Apostle taught us that the building is something that's going on it's a lively a living an active process growth it's something that growth and we're all fitly framed together not mechanical we must never think of unity in terms of mere mechanics or statistics simply adding together no no it's it's something vital growth it's this living process. [00:05:00]
The foundation of the apostles and prophets now share is the only basis of true human t what's he mean well I've got to ask the question what's an apostle what is an apostle because I can't understand this whole method of unity unless I know what an apostle is and what a prophet is because the church is founded on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. [00:15:31]
You don't start with unity unity is something that results from something else you can't create unity take for instance this picture that the Apostles used about a family the unity between the members of their family is not something created artificially the unit is inevitable because of their relationship and every form of unit is the same unity is a result. [00:38:23]
The only basis of unity today as it was in the early church is the airpo Stalag message and whatever men may think I'll say we must assert this let them call us intolerant isolation is say what they like we take our stand with this men of God it's not my opinion or anybody else's opinion that matters what does the word teach what did the Apostles teach. [00:36:05]
There is no unity apart from Jesus Christ it is our relationship to him it is our dependence upon him he is central he is vitally is all-important I repeat again these striking phrases in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord in who he also built it together for an avocation of God through the spirit. [00:41:59]
The Apostle Paul defines it for us in 1 Corinthians 14 first verse he that profesor profesor he says speakers unto men to edification and exhortation and to comfort and there is no doubt that in the Christian church in the early days there were these people called prophets you see we hadn't got they haven't got the New Testament Scriptures then they haven't the Gospels. [00:18:40]
The unity of the church is the result of two things purity of doctrine purity of life it is a holy temple in the Lord it is a habitation of God it is on the foundation of the apostles and prophets and oh how he hastens to ad this built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone. [00:38:23]
The Apostle taught us that the building is something that's going on it's a lively a living an active process growth it's something that growth and we're all fitly framed together not mechanical we must never think of unity in terms of mere mechanics or statistics simply adding together no no it's it's something vital growth it's this living process. [00:05:00]
The foundation of the apostles and prophets now share is the only basis of true human t what's he mean well I've got to ask the question what's an apostle what is an apostle because I can't understand this whole method of unity unless I know what an apostle is and what a prophet is because the church is founded on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. [00:15:31]
You don't start with unity unity is something that results from something else you can't create unity take for instance this picture that the Apostles used about a family the unity between the members of their family is not something created artificially the unit is inevitable because of their relationship and every form of unit is the same unity is a result. [00:38:23]
The only basis of unity today as it was in the early church is the airpo Stalag message and whatever men may think I'll say we must assert this let them call us intolerant isolation is say what they like we take our stand with this men of God it's not my opinion or anybody else's opinion that matters what does the word teach what did the Apostles teach. [00:36:05]
There is no unity apart from Jesus Christ it is our relationship to him it is our dependence upon him he is central he is vitally is all-important I repeat again these striking phrases in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth into an holy temple in the Lord in who he also built it together for an avocation of God through the spirit. [00:41:59]
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