1. T HE C HURCH AS G OD S EES IT ! Ephesians 5:23-33 1

2. E PHESIANS 5:23-27 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 2

3. E PHESIANS 5:28-33 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. 3

4. I NTRODUCTION Importance of the Church to God seen in this text: Vs. 23 – Christ is the Head & Savior of this church Vs. 24 – Church is in subjection to Christ Vs. 25 – Loved by Christ & gave Himself for it Vs. 26 – It is sanctified and cleansed by Christ Vs. 27 – He desires to present it holy & unblemished Vs. 28 – Loves it as a husband & wife is to love each other Vs. 29 – Loves & cherishes it Vs. 30 – It’s members are of His body Vs. 31 – It demands a “leave & cleave” relationship Vs. 32 – This “mystery” describes Christ & the Church 4

5. I NTRODUCTION Man in general sees the church in a different way: A place for fleshly gratification: For Social benefits For Physical recreation For Emotional uplifting For Sensual gratification Recent news about the “unchurched” – how many in the US view God & Religion. Gods sees the church as a spiritual institution! For the salvation & spiritual strengthening of man! Ephesians 4:1-16 “the pillar and ground of the Truth” 1 Timothy 3:15 – “But if I tarry long that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to hehave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth”. 5

6. T HE I MPORTANT Q UESTION TO C ONSIDER ! How Does God View The Church? 6

7. T O G OD, IT IS THE “B ODY ” O F H IS S ON O VER W HICH H E IS THE H EAD ! Ephesians 1:22-23 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. No other Head! In heaven or on earth! Christ has ALL authority! None left for any other! Matthew 28:18-19 – … All power is given unto me in heaven and earth. (19) Go ye therefore, and teach all nations. Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. (20) teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen 7

8. T O G OD, SAINTS ARE TO “ COME OUT FROM AMONG ” THOSE IN THE WORLD ! 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." 17 Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty."  Must be pure and “unspotted from world!” James 1:27 – “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world”. 8

9. T O G OD, THE CHURCH MUST DO ALL AND ONLY ACCORDING TO H IS AUTHORITY ! Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. NKJV 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Test all things; hold fast what is good. We must do His will in all things! Not our own ! Matthew 7:21-23 – Lets Read 9

10. T O G OD, THE CHURCH MUST ABIDE IN THE DOCTRINE OF C HRIST ! 2 John 9-11 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. No other Doctrine is permitted! 1 Timothy 1:3 – “…..that thou mightiest charge some that they teach no other doctrine”. No other Gospel is to be preached or believed!  Galatians 1:6-12 - 2 Thessalonians 2: 10-15 10

11. T O G OD, THERE IS NO TOLERATION FOR THE “ COMMANDMENTS OF MEN ” ! Matthew 15:7-9 7 "Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 8 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'" Many religions have their creeds: Nicene Creed Catholic Catechism Baptist Manual & 1689 Confession of Faith Book of Mormon, Doctrines & Covenants Presbyterian Confession Of Faith Westminster Confession of Faith Pillars of Adventism Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverb 30:7, and Revelations 22:10 11

12. T O G OD, FOR SAINTS TO BE “ RIGHT ” IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE WISDOM OF THIS WORLD”! James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Worldly “wisdom” will not save! 1 Corinthians 1:20- …..”hath not God made foolish, the wisdom of the world”? Isaiah 55:8-11 “Unity in diversity” is not acceptable! Unity must be based on & in God’s word! John 17:1-23 12

13. T O G OD, THE CHURCH IS TO “ CONTEND EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH ”! Jude 3 Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. We must boldly defend the faith! Acts 22:1 – The Apostle Paul Did!!!!!! Philippians 1:17 – “…..knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel”. Ephesians 6:10- ”Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and the power of his might, put on the whole armor of God, that we might be able to fight the wiles of the devil”. 13

14. T O G OD, THOSE IN THE CHURCH SHOULD REMAIN LOYAL, EVEN IF IT KILLS THEM ! Revelation 2:10 "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Polycarp – “Eighty and six years I have served him, How then can I blaspheme my King and Saviour? Bring forth what thou wilt.” Polycarp was burned at the stake for refusing to burn incense to the Roman Emperor. Apostles were willing to suffer! Acts 15:26 – “Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Acts 21:13; 20:22-24 14

15. G OD ’ S V IEW OF THE C HURCH Is very different than man’s view The church must… Be content to be under His headship! Come out from among the world & be separate! Submit to the authority of Christ! Be content to abide in His doctrine! Not yield to doctrines & commandments of men! Unite in Truth not diversity or numbers! Follow the example of Christ & His Apostles! Not pervert the purity of the revealed truth! Contend earnestly for the faith! Disrupt error, not accommodate it! Be willing to suffer to the point of death to serve Christ! 15

16. A Q UESTION T O P ONDER … How do YOU view the Church? Like Man or Like God ? Which One Is It? 16

17. W HAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED ? Hear The Gospel – Romans 10: 17 “Faith Comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” Believe The Gospel – Mark 16: 16 “ He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned.” Repent of Sins – Luke 13: 3 “Repent or You will Perish” Confess Christ – Romans 10: 9-10 “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteous; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Be Baptized – Acts 2: 38 “Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” 17