The Significance of the Church [35:16m]:
Play Now |
Play in Popup |
Download
Ephesians 1:15-23 [+/-]Ephesians 1:15-23
[15]For this reason, because I have heard of your faith
in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints,
[16]I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you
in my prayers, [17]that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of
revelation in the knowledge of him, [18]having the eyes of
your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope
to which he has called you, what are the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints, [19]and what is the
immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe,
according to the working of his great might [20]that he
worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and
seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,
[21]far above all rule and authority and power and
dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in
this age but also in the one to come. [22]And he put all
things under his feet and gave him as head over all things
to the church, [23]which is his body, the fullness of him
who fills all in all. (ESV)
The most prevalent image of the church in the New Testament is that of the church as the body of Christ with Jesus being the Head of the church. Jesus rules over the church and the church is the avenue through which Jesus rules. This is the most prevalent image that brings together indivisibly the person of Jesus with the people of God in the church. But it is not the most beautiful image. That belongs to the picture of the church in relationship to Jesus as the bride relating to the bridegroom. This image is found in the Gospels, the letters of Paul and the final book of the Bible. It is a beautiful image.
Learn more about this message by downloading the sermon notes here!
