Garden City Church of Christ - THREE FIGURES OF THE CHURCH

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THREE FIGURES OF THE CHURCH

Ephesians 1:22-23

The subject of the church is one that we will never be able to exhaust; let alone discuss in a short period of time like this. It had its beginning in the mind of God before times eternal with the human family as the object of being blessed by it. There are several figures of speech used to picture the church; we want to study three of them that were used to discuss the church with the church.
1. The Temple of God. Eph. 2:20-22; 1 Cor. 3:9,16
  1. The background for this expression is found in the Old Testament, where there the temple served as a type of the church.
    1. The pattern for the temple was given by God. I Chron. 28:10-19
    2. The material for the temple came from another kingdom. I Kg. 5:8,9
    3. The material was paid for before hand. I Kg. 5:11
    4. The stones were prepared before transported. I Kg. 5:18; 6:7
    5. The material had to come across water. I Kg. 5:8
    6. It was the place of ordained service. Dt. 12:1-4; I Kg. 9:1-3
    7. It was the place of God's presence. I Chron. 17:1-12; 1 Kg. 8:6-21
  2. The church is known as God's only temple today. (Study the antitype:)
    1. It was built according to a divine pattern. Mt. 16:18; Heb. 8:5
    2. The members have come from another kingdom. Col. 1:13
    3. We were purchased beforehand. I Pet. 1:18,19; Heb. 2:9, Rom. 5:8
    4. We were fitted and prepared by Faith and Repentance. Acts 2:38
    5. We have come through water. Jno. 3:5; Acts 10:47; Gal. 3:26,27
    6. We are priest in a spiritual house. I Pet. 2:5,9
    7. In the church, we enjoy His presence. Mt. 18:20; 26:29; 28:20
  3. Although they are different in nature; both enjoy the approbation of being beautiful. I Kg. 6:20ff; Isa. 64:11; I Cor. 3:9,16,17; Eph. 5:25ff
2. The Flock of God. Acts 20:28; John 10:16
  1. Common things are used to teach us spiritual lessons.
    1. Sheep need shepherding; so do men.
    2. Sheep need food; so do men.
    3. Sheep need protection; so do men.
    4. Sheep need rescuing from self-imposed danger; so do men.
  2. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, meets the needs of all men.
    1. He leads us into green pastures. Mt. 9:36; Isa. 53:6
    2. He provides our spiritual food. I Pet. 5:1-4; 2:2; II Pet. 3:18
    3. He warns us of false teachers. Mt. 7:15; Acts 20:29,30
    4. He is always ready to save us. Lk. 15:4; 19:10; Jno. 10:11
  3. There is just one flock and one chief shepherd. Jno. 10:16; Eph. 4:4-6
3. The Body of Christ.
  1. Direction for the spiritual body comes from The Spiritual Head.
    1. The head is the source of all authority. Mt. 28:18; Eph. 1:22,23
    2. We are to be subject unto.the head. Mt. 17:5; Acts 3:22ff; II Jn. 9
    3. We are to glorify the Godhead. Eph. 3:10, Mt. 5:16
  2. Members of the body must function together in unity. I Cor. 12:14-27
  3. Union with Christ is impossible without being a member of His spiritual body, the Church. I Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:38,47
Our plea is for men and women to break with sin and error, whether it be doctrinal or moral problems; and be Christians in thought, word, and deed; and to be Christians only. I hope this study has deepen your appreciation for what the Lord intends for the church to be in this world of darkness and decay.

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THREE FIGURES OF THE CHURCH

Ephesians 1:22-23