The Church in 3D
Defined. The word “church” is a translation of the Greek word ekklesia, which is defined as “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” The church is not a building, a place, or a meeting. The church is people—people who have received every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3), people chosen by God (Eph. 1:4) for His own possession (1 Pet. 2:9), people who by grace have been saved through faith (Eph. 2:8), forgiven people (Col. 1:14), people no longer condemned (Rom. 8:1) but declared righteous (Rom. 5:8). The church is people in whom the Spirit of God dwells (Eph. 1:13), people who imitate God (Eph. 5:1), ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20). We are the Church!
Described. These are among the metaphors we find in the Bible which describe the church. They make clearer who we are. The church is a flock of sheep who follow the good Shepherd (John 10:1–15), branches connected to the vine who is Christ (John 15:1–10), God’s building (1 Cor. 3:9), God’s temple—where He dwells (1 Cor. 3:16), the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim. 3:15), a kingdom (Rev. 1:6), the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23–32), the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:12–27), and God’s family (Eph. 2:19, 1 Tim. 3:15). This is us. We are the church!
Dynamic. The church is dynamic. We are marked by continuous and productive activity and change—activity that represents the purposes of God and change that reflects a growing likeness to His Son, Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29, 2 Cor. 3:18). We are dynamic in our worship (Psa. 95:6–7, Rom. 12:1, 1 Cor. 10:31, Col. 1:18), in our nurture (Col. 2:6–8, Col. 3:16, Eph. 4:11–16, 2 Pet. 3:18), in our discipline (Matt. 18:15–17, Gal. 6:1, Heb. 12:11), in our evangelism (Matt. 28:19–20, 1 Pet. 3:15) and in our one-another care (John 13:34–35). This how we roll. We are the church.
Christ is building His church, and nothing will prevail against it (Matt. 16:18). Are you in?
The following resources and questions are provided for additional study and application:
Recommended Resources:
Expository Listening by Ken Ramey
How to Walk Into Church by Tony Payne
Life in the Father's House by Wayne Mack and Dave Swavely
The Loveliest Place: The Beauty and Glory of the Church by Dustin Benge
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church by Mark Dever
The Master's Plan for the Church by John MacArthur
31 Ways to Be a One Another Christian by Stuart Scott
Application Questions:
A friend is moving out of town and asks you, “What should I look for in a church?” How would you answer?
What are the more challenging or difficult aspects of being part of a church family? What steps will you take to more fully and faithfully engage God’s people for God’s purposes here at Christ’s Church?
Heb. 10:24–25. Who will you reach out to this week to encourage in their faith? (How and when will you reach out?)