Fitted Together

Ephesians 2:19–22 NKJV

Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

We are Part of the Church Jesus is Building

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

Ephesians 3:10 NKJV

to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places,

The Church has Suffered from an Identity Crisis

The church is not a building, organization, or denomination. The church is a people called out through repentance and faith in Christ to be God’s own special people.

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

We imagine we no longer need the church.

We imagine that the church does not need us.

We imagine that the church is optional in a list of other priorities.

We imagine that we are consumers rather than contributors. (What will I get out of it? What church has the most to offer?)

We imagine that watching a church service on live stream is the same as being in church. (The average view of a lives stream service averages around 3 minutes.)

We imagine that God set aside a day of rest so we can do what we want.

We imagine that God is happy with weekend visits once a month when He wants full custody.

We imagine that attending a service is the same as being connected to the church.

We imagine that being part of a ministry is the same as being part of in a church.

We imagine that “gathering” together is the same as “assembling” together.

We are Citizens of Heaven

Philippians 3:20 NKJV

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

We are fellowship citizens with the saints

We are together under Christ’s kingdom rule and government

We are Members of the Household of God

Ephesians 1:3–6 NKJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.

We are adopted sons and daughters in God’s family

We have a common heavenly Father

Jesus Christ is our Elder Brother

We are brothers and sisters in Christ

We are Living Stones in the Temple of God

Ephesians 2:21 NKJV

in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

1 Peter 2:5 NKJV

you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

We are the Body of Christ

Ephesians 4:11–16 NKJV

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 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; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

1 Corinthians 12:12 NKJV

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

We are Together the Bride of Christ

Ephesians 5:22–27 NKJV

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

We are Mutual Servants of Jesus Christ

Ephesians 6:5–9 NKJV

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

Jesus Christ is our King

Jesus Christ is our Lord

Jesus Christ is our Master

We are Fellow Soldiers in the Army of God

Ephesians 6:10–18 NKJV

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

Response to the Word

God has a purpose for your life.

God’s purpose for your life is connected to His purpose for His church.

Are you ready to experience the blessing of this grand Church that Christ is building?

Are you ready to get connected?

Are you willing to allow Christ to “fit” you into your place and contribute your part to help grow the church?