what is the church? four characteristics god expects to be present. ephesians 2-3:11

What is the Church? What is the Church? Four Characteristics God Four Characteristics God Expects to be Present.Expects to be Present.

Ephesians 2-3:11Ephesians 2-3:11

Ephesians 2:1-7Ephesians 2:1-7Ephesians 2:1-7Ephesians 2:1-711 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,22 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of in which you used to live when you followed the ways of

this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.

33 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.

44 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,mercy,

55 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.transgressions-- it is by grace you have been saved.

66 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

77 in order that in the coming ages he might show the in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:1-7Ephesians 2:1-7

1)1) The Church is Future-The Church is Future-OrientedOriented

Hebrews 11:8-10Hebrews 11:8-10

88 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.though he did not know where he was going.

99 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.

1010 For he was For he was looking forwardlooking forward to the city with foundations, to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.whose architect and builder is God.

Ephesians 2:1-7Ephesians 2:1-7Hebrews 11:25-26Hebrews 11:25-26

2525 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.

2626 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking looking aheadahead to his reward. to his reward.

2 Peter 3:13-142 Peter 3:13-14

1313 But in keeping with his promise we are But in keeping with his promise we are looking forwardlooking forward to a to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

1414 So then, dear friends, since you are So then, dear friends, since you are looking forwardlooking forward to this, to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.peace with him.

Other examples from historyOther examples from history


1)1) The Church is Future-The Church is Future-OrientedOriented

APPLICATION:APPLICATION:

If the Lake Merced Church of Christ is If the Lake Merced Church of Christ is to be what God is calling us to be, we to be what God is calling us to be, we must continually look aheadmust continually look ahead to what to what will be!will be!

Ephesians 2:8-17Ephesians 2:8-17Ephesians 2:8-17Ephesians 2:8-1788 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not

from yourselves, it is the gift of God--from yourselves, it is the gift of God--99 not by works, so that no one can boast.not by works, so that no one can boast.1010 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good

works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.1111 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth

and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)--circumcision" (that done in the body by the hands of men)--

1212 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.

1313 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.brought near through the blood of Christ.

1414 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

1515 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,of the two, thus making peace,

1616 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

1717 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.peace to those who were near.


2)2) The Church is a Loving, The Church is a Loving, Christ-Centered FamilyChrist-Centered Family


a) If we’re to be the church God calls us to a) If we’re to be the church God calls us to be, we must love be, we must love one anotherone another..

b) If we’re to be the church God calls us to b) If we’re to be the church God calls us to be, we must love be, we must love the people God sends usthe people God sends us..

Ephesians 2:18-22Ephesians 2:18-22Ephesians 2:18-22Ephesians 2:18-221818 For through him we both have access For through him we both have access

to the Father to the Father by one Spirit.by one Spirit.1919 Consequently, you are no longer Consequently, you are no longer

foreigners and foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and God's people and members of God's members of God's household,household,

2020 built on the foundation of the apostles built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.chief cornerstone.

2121 In him the whole building is joined In him the whole building is joined together and together and rises to become a holy temple rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.in the Lord.

2222 And in him you too are being built And in him you too are being built together to together to become a dwelling in which God lives become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.by his Spirit.


3)3) The Church is “Being Built The Church is “Being Built Together” – Involved in a Together” – Involved in a Growth Growth ProcessProcess

Two kinds of growth expected …Two kinds of growth expected …

Two Kinds of Growth Two Kinds of Growth Expected:Expected:

a)a) Spiritual growth Spiritual growth

2 Peter 1:5-92 Peter 1:5-955 … make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to … make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to

goodness, knowledge;goodness, knowledge;66 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance;

and to perseverance, godliness;and to perseverance, godliness;77 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness,

love.love.88 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will

keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:48Matthew 5:484848 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Two Kinds of Growth Two Kinds of Growth Expected:Expected:

b)b) Numerical Growth Numerical Growth

Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-201818 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority

in heaven and on earth has been given to me.in heaven and on earth has been given to me.1919 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

2020 and teaching them to obey everything I have and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.""always, to the very end of the age.""



What are some things that What are some things that hinderhinder Spiritual Growth? Spiritual Growth?

Being unteachableBeing unteachable Secret sinSecret sin Not being involved Not being involved Failure to exercise spiritual giftsFailure to exercise spiritual gifts



What are some things that What are some things that encourageencourage Spiritual Spiritual Growth?Growth?

Personal time with GodPersonal time with God Spending time with other Christ-centered peopleSpending time with other Christ-centered people Attending workshops/seminars/retreatsAttending workshops/seminars/retreats Reading spiritually uplifting booksReading spiritually uplifting books Spiritual conversationSpiritual conversation Greatest way to: Exercising your spiritual gifts – Greatest way to: Exercising your spiritual gifts –

getting involved in personal ministry (i.e. focusing getting involved in personal ministry (i.e. focusing on others instead of yourself)on others instead of yourself)



What are some things that What are some things that hinderhinder Numerical Numerical Growth?Growth?

Being unlovingBeing unloving IrrelevanceIrrelevance DispassionateDispassionate Unfocused/Unorganized regarding our missionUnfocused/Unorganized regarding our mission



What are some things that What are some things that encourage encourage Numerical Numerical Growth?Growth?

Learning to connect with people where they are. Learning to connect with people where they are. Knowing our community and addressing spiritual needs.Knowing our community and addressing spiritual needs.

Church-wide evangelistic equipping – every member Church-wide evangelistic equipping – every member confident in sharing their faith with outsiders.confident in sharing their faith with outsiders.

What we’re talking about this morning: being future-What we’re talking about this morning: being future-oriented, being a loving family.oriented, being a loving family.

Not just being a friendly church, but being a church that Not just being a friendly church, but being a church that is a friend.is a friend.

Individually being intentional about forming Individually being intentional about forming relationships with outsiders.relationships with outsiders.

Intentionally focused, church-wide outreach.Intentionally focused, church-wide outreach.

Ephesians 3:1-11Ephesians 3:1-11Ephesians 3:1-11Ephesians 3:1-1111 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you

Gentiles--Gentiles--22 Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was

given to me for you,given to me for you,33 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already

written briefly.written briefly.44 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the

mystery of Christ,mystery of Christ,55 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been

revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets.66 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with

Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.in Christ Jesus.

77 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.through the working of his power.

88 Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

99 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

1010 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

1111 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.Lord.


4)4) The Church is to Reveal the The Church is to Reveal the “Manifold Wisdom of God”“Manifold Wisdom of God”

Embodied in Jesus Christ!Embodied in Jesus Christ!

1 Corinthians 1:301 Corinthians 1:30

3030It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-- that is, our become for us wisdom from God-- that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.righteousness, holiness and redemption.


The Church is Jesus’ Body:The Church is Jesus’ Body:

Ephesians 1:22-23Ephesians 1:22-232222 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be

head over everything for the church,head over everything for the church,2323 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every

way.way.

Why did Jesus come to earth?Why did Jesus come to earth?

Matthew 20:28Matthew 20:282828 … the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to … the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to

give his life as a ransom for many."give his life as a ransom for many."

Luke 19:10Luke 19:101010 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."



The church is not a place, it’s a people. The church is not a place, it’s a people.

God wants to use God wants to use usus to reveal His to reveal His wisdom – Jesus – to the world!wisdom – Jesus – to the world!

Ephesians 2-3:11Ephesians 2-3:11

1)1) The Church is Future-OrientedThe Church is Future-Oriented

2)2) The Church is a Loving, Christ-The Church is a Loving, Christ-Centered FamilyCentered Family

3)3) The Church is “Being Built The Church is “Being Built Together” – Involved in a Growth Together” – Involved in a Growth ProcessProcess

4)4) The Church is Called to Reveal the The Church is Called to Reveal the “Manifold Wisdom of God” “Manifold Wisdom of God”

what is the church? four characteristics god expects to be present. ephesians 2-3:11

Documents