The church as Biblically describedUniversal church – Hebrews 12:15-24; Acts 9:31Local congregation – Galatians 1:21-24; I Corinthians 1:1-3Both have membersLet’s look at a Christian’s attitudes with respect to:The universal churchThe local churchOther church membersThe universal churchThis is what Jesus said He would build – Matthew 16:18He bought it with His blood – Acts 20:28Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for it – Ephesians 5:25-29He wants His church to be pure, blameless, and holy - Ephesians 5:27He both nourishes and cherishes His church - Ephesians 5:29That comes from baptism and from His word - Ephesians 5:26It is maintained in His word - John 17:17Referred tp as His body – Romans 12:4-5We are not just individualsWe are members of each otherAs such, we are one body – I Corinthians 10:16-24We should seek our neighbor’s goodWe should desire that all be pure – Colossians 1:21-23If you’ve been saved, you’ve been added to it – Acts 2:41,47The local churchWhere all collective activities are undertakenWorship – Acts 20:7Where saints have much or most of their Christian associations – Acts 2:44-47Analogy of the body – I Corinthians 12:12-27If one is a baptized believer, one is a member of the bodyAs such, each member is part of the wholeWe all work together – Philippians 2:1-4We maintain a single-minded purposeEach member has value in thisEach member has function – Ephesians 4:11-16This body assembles and associates for purposeKeep each other in paths of righteousness – Hebrews 3:12-19Encourage and stimulate fellow Christians – Hebrews 10:23-25Maintain our focus as a congregation – I Corinthians 9:24-27Maintain our identity as Christians and as a church – Revelation 2:2-6In summary:Remember who we areMembers of our Savior’s churchMembers of our local churchMembers of one anotherTreasure what Jesus treasuredHis churchIts membersIts message to the world
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