Adam McMahen teaching

What is the church - Temple

Todd Malone teaching

What is the Church - Body

In Acts 20, Paul gives a farewell speech to the leaders of the Ephesian church. In the speech, Paul uses the metaphor of the church as a flock. The metaphor indicates both the dangers and protection in the local church.

This week's passage emphasizes the church as God's people, made by Him and made for Him. We will also be reminded of the purpose of the church's existence.

As we continue our Define the Relationship summer series focused on who we are as the church, we look at another image: the church as God’s holy temple. God’s Word shows us not only who we are but how to live in light of who we are.

We continue our Define the Relationship series by looking at one of the better-known images of the church: The Body of Christ. The passage shows that church members are mutually dependent but have distinct roles.

Paul writes 1 Timothy to help his young spiritual son, Timothy, lead the church in Ephesus. At the center of the book, Paul makes a remarkable statement about the identities of Jesus and the church Timothy leads.

This passage is the beginning of a brief period Jesus took for quiet reflection away from the crowds. This was a significant time, a time when it would be made clear to the disciples who Jesus was and what that meant in terms of rejection and suffering and death. The topics Jesus takes up in today’s verses relate to Jesus’ identity and His work to build the church.

Deuteronomy is made up of three sermons given by Moses to prepare the people to enter the Promised Land. In chapter 6, Moses addresses who God is. Now in chapter 7, Moses turns his attention to who the people are and how they should relate to God.

Numbers records God's faithfulness in keeping His promise despite the Israelites' unfaithfulness to Him. In this passage, the people reject entering the Promised Land, thereby rejecting God.