HERALD SERIES Part 3 (Loving the local Church)

Loving the Local Church: If you love Christ you must love his church! 1.     THE CHURCH IS THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF  CHRIST’S PASSION & PURPOSE 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 works.     2.     THE 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 do. Acts 20:28 (ESV) — 28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock     3.     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 preeminent. 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 faith in him. 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 buttress of the truth. 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.     4.     THE CHURCH IS OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE PASSION, PURPOSE, PEOPLE AND PUBLIC TESTIMONY OF CHRIST! 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 us use them… 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.