Five Discourses in Matthew

The Church and Unity in the Body of Christ

Rhetorical Questions:

1. Are you aware of people who profess Christianity yet they do not go to church?

2. Are you skeptical about joining any church?

3. Have you ever thought about leaving church?

Provocative Question:

1. What would you tell to someone who doesn't see the need for church?

The Church is referred to as the body with Christ as the head. Ephesians 1:22-23 "And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way." Εκκλησία: Church "The called ones, those who have been called, those who have an assignment.” The Acts of the Apostles, p.599 "The church is God’s agency for the proclamation of truth, empowered by Him to do a special work; and if she is loyal to Him, obedient to all His commandments, there will dwell within her the excellency of divine grace. If she will be true to her obedience, if she will honor the Lord God of Israel, there is no power that can stand against her." Ephesians 2:19-20 "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Ephesians 5:25-27 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless."

1 Corinthians 12:12–13

"Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

As believers, we are joined for worship, fellowship, Bible study, the Lord's Supper, and service.

Acts 2:42, 46-47

"And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers... 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

Ephesians 4:11-13

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ."

The Church is a body with many members.

John 17:20-23 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

Church Manual, p.59 - Safeguarding Unity of the Church

"Christians should make every effort to avoid tendencies that would divide them and bring dishonor to their cause. “It is the purpose of God that His children shall blend in unity. Do they not expect to live together in the same heaven? . . . Those who refuse to work in harmony greatly dishonor God.”—8T 240. The church should discourage actions that threaten harmony among its members and should consistently encourage unity." Galatians 3:27-29 "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Regular weekly attendance is an essential spiritual habit. Slide 19 - Luke 4:16 "So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read."

Hebrews 10:24-25 "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching."

Illustration

Recap:

1. The Church is referred to as the body with Christ as the head.

2. As believers, we are joined for worship, fellowship, Bible study, the Lord's Supper, and service.

3. The Church is a body with many members.

4. Regular weekly attendance is an essential spiritual habit.