GLORIFY GOD IN THE CHURCH
April 18, 1999 AM
Sermon Outline
Eph 3:14-21
INTRO: There are those who say the church is not important. There are those who say any church will do. There are those who forget Whose the church is. But I want you to listen to two statements: Eph 3:10 - ... known by the church the manifold wisdom of God and Eph 3:21 - Unto Him be glory in the church ... The church belongs to Him by right of purchase, design and government. It is when these things are forgotten that the emphasis shifts from God to man! Glorify God in the church ...
I. IT IS THE BODY OF CHRIST
A. When I think of the body of Christ ...
1. I think of His visible form - Jno 1:14
2. I think of His ministry - Acts 10:38
3. I think of His death/sacrifice - Heb 10:10
4. and I would not neglect, minimize, belittle any one of these
B. Note this: Col 1:18,24
1. the church is the body of Christ - Eph 5:30
2. why, then, would I treat it with any less respect, regard than His physical presence, body?
3. if Jesus should be here personally, I would most certainly glorify God for His presence ... but scripture says, Glorify God in the church!
II. BY FOLLOWING GODS DIRECTIONS FOR IT
A. I am remembering Lev 10:1-3
1. by altering Gods directions they did not glorify God!
2. yes, there was a religious observance
B. Mt 16:18 I will build my church
1. the design - in every particular - is His
2. what He has revealed through inspired New Testament writers must be observed - so, 1 Tim 3:15 - 1 Cor 4:17
3. making any modifications means that God will not be glorified ... will not accept
C. This needs careful thought from us
1. we must distinguish between opinion and doctrine
2. we must, at times, distinguish between what may be permissible ... but not expedient
3. both knowledge and attitude are issues here
III. BY PROMOTING PEACE IN THE BODY
A. Think about 1 Cor 14:33
1. the nature of God is order, orderliness
2. this orderliness in the physical realm is kept by naturess being subject to His law
3. nature submits to His law - and cosmos
B. Some texts to consider
1. 1 Cor 12:25 no division in the body
2. Gal 5:15 bite and devour? not spiritual
3. Phil 2:14,15,16 murmurings, disputings will reflect negatively on the ability of the body to hold forth the word
4. so, Eph 4:1-3 (not peace at all costs if peace on that basis compromises truth or is otherwise harmful to the body)
IV. BY LOVING THE CHURCH
A. Eph 5:25 The Lords love for the church
1. there is no escaping His love for it - sacrificial
2. the church is the bride of Christ ... He love her and promotes her well being
B. If the church is the body of Christ ...
1. can we love Jesus without loving the church?
2. unashamed love for the church will bring God glory in her - I love your church, O God - because she is the apple of your eye!
CLOSE: Whom do we glorify in the church? Ourselves? Or God?
Cecil A. Hutson
18 April 1999