Two Senses of The Church…

 

The Church is _______________ (Ephesians 5:25, Hebrews 12:22-23, Matthew 16:18)

 

The Church is _______________ (1 Corinthians 1:1-2, 16:1)

 

The Definition of the Church...

 

A Local Church is a group of Christians who regularly gather together with a Common ___________  in Christ, a Common _______________ to one another, and a Common ______________ to extend the gospel to the world.

 

A Local Church is a Group of Christians who regularly gather together… (Matthew 16:18, Acts 1:13-15, 1 Corinthians 11:18)

 

...with a Common Faith (Matthew 7:24-25, Ephesians 2:19-20, 4:4-6)

 

...with a Common Commitment to One Another (Matthew 16:19, 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 12:14-20)

 

...with a Common Mission to extend the gospel to the world.

 

Applications:

 

To the Church: Your Investment in the Local Church is _______________

 

To the Church-Less: Stop claiming to love Jesus while rejecting His ____________

 

To the Church-Hurt: No one has experienced more church hurt than ______________ and He ain't given up on her yet! (Ephesians 5:25-27, Revelation 19:6-9)

 

Memory Verse: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Matthew 16:18 ESV