Loving the Local Church: If
you love Christ you must love his church!
CHURCH IS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF CHRIST’S
Mark 10:45 (ESV) — 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to
serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Acts 20:28 (ESV) — 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the
flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church
of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Hebrews 9:12 (ESV) — 12 he entered once for all into the holy places, not by
means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus
securing an eternal redemption.
1 Peter 1:18–21 (ESV) — 18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways
inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or
gold, 19 but with the precious blood
of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. 20 He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made
manifest in the last times for the sake of YOU 21 who through him are believers in God, who raised him from
the dead and gave him glory, so that YOUR faith and hope are in God.
Titus 2:13–14 (ESV) — 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the
glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to
purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good
CHURCH IS CHRIST’S BELOVED PEOPLE
John 13:35 (ESV) — 35 By this all people will know that you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Ephesians 1:15 (ESV) — 15 For this reason, because I
have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
(Colossians
1:4, Philemon 5, 1 Peter 1:22, 2:9, 4:8,
1 John 3:11, 23, 4:7-12, 2 John 5)
Hebrews 6:10 (ESV) — 10 For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and
the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still
Acts 20:28 (ESV) — 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the
CHURCH IS CHRIST’S PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Colossians 1:18 (ESV) — 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be
Ephesians 3:10–13 (ESV) — 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God
might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal
purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our
1 Timothy 3:15 (ESV) — 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in
the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and
1 Peter 2:9–10 (ESV) — 9 But you are a chosen race,
a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you
may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his
marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s
people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
THE
CHURCH IS OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE PASSION, PURPOSE, PEOPLE AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Romans 12:3–6 (ESV) — 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among
you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think
with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has
assigned. 4 For as in one body we
have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in
Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV) — 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one
another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever
serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in
everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and
dominion forever and ever. Amen.
