Defining and Defending the Church (Audio & Outline)

Defining and Defending the Church
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                  Defining and Defending the Church

“…and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body’s sake, which is the church:”

                   -Colossians 1:24

1.) Defining the Church

· What is the church? 

· Colossians 1:24- We see that the church today is defined as “His (Christ’s) Body.”

· Ephesians 5:28-32- This section of scripture is often confined to “just” marriage between man and woman, but marriage is a God designed picture of the communion between man and God, via the Body of Christ. (Flesh of His Flesh)

· Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 12:20- Many Members in this One Body.

· 1 Timothy 3:15- House of God, God’s Church, Pillar & Ground of Truth

· Seeing that the church is literally a spiritual establishment of God, we should find ourselves diligently defending and serving in Christ’s Body.

2.) Function of the Church

· Why do we meet? What is the hopeful outcome?

· Ephesians 4:12-14- Perfecting(Maturing) of the Saints, Ministry Work, Edifying(Building and Strengthening) of the Body of Christ

· Colossians 1:9-11- Filled with Knowledge of God’s Will, Wisdom, Spiritual Understanding(1 Cor. 3:1), Walk Worthy  of the Lord (Pleasing Romans 12:1-2), Fruitful in Every Good Work(Eph. 2:10), Increasing in Knowledge (Col. 1:28), Strengthened with all Might (Eph. 6:10), Patience-Longseffering-Joyfulness (Philippians 4:13)

3.) Doctrine of the Church

· What sets us apart from other “churches?” 

· Location-Col. 4:15, 1 Cor. 3:16, Eph. 2:21-23 Church is not a building. We are the temple; we are the Church. We understand who we are; our identity.

· Pillar and Ground of Truth- Salvation and Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Romans 4:25, Eph. 1:13), Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth(2 Tim. 2:15-16), Fellowship of the Mystery (Eph. 3:9), Mature in Right Doctrine (Eph. 4:12-14), Baptized into Christ; into One Body (Rom. 6:3-4, 1 Cor. 12:12-13), Rooted in Christ over Worldly Tradition(Col. 2:6-8) Pillars and the ground are SOLID. 

· No Other Doctrine- This is where defense comes in. 

1 Timothy 1:3-7- “charge some that they teach no other doctrine”

2 Timothy 1:13- “Hold fast to the form of sound words”

2 Timothy 2:2- “Commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

· Paul uses the word “Doctrine” at least 23 times in his 13 epistles; an estimated 56 times in all of scripture. How important is doctrine in the dispensation of grace?