1. T HE C HURCH AS G OD S EES IT ! Ephesians 5:23-33 1 Main Points from the article, “Which Church Do You See” by Aubrey Belue

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 5

6. 1 T IMOTHY 3:14-16 6 14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

7. T HE I MPORTANT Q UESTION TO C ONSIDER ! How Does God View The Church? 7

8. 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. NKJV No other Head! In heaven or on earth! Christ has ALL authority! None left for any other! Matthew 28:18-19 8

9. 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." NKJV Must be pure and “unspotted from world!” James 1:27 9

10. 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. NKJV We must do His will in all things! Not our own ! Matthew 7:21-23 10

11. 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. NKJV No other Doctrine is permitted! 1 Timothy 1:3 No other Gospel is to be preached or believed! Galatians 1:6-12 11

12. 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.'" NKJV 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 12

13. T O G OD, FOR SAINTS TO BE “ RIGHT ” IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN FOR THEM TO BE “ ONE ”! 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. NKJV Worldly “wisdom” will not save! 1 Corinthians 2:6-7 1 Corinthians 1:20-31 Isaiah 55:8-11 “Unity in diversity” is not acceptable! Unity must be based on & in God’s word! John 17:1-23 13

14. T O G OD, WHAT H IS INSPIRED TEACHERS TAUGHT AND DID IS INTENDED AS A MODEL FOR C HRISTIANS NOW ! Philippians 4:9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. NKJV Must follow the inspired writers & faithful of old! 1 Corinthians 4:16 1 Corinthians 11:1 Ephesians 5:1 Philippians 3:17 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:14 Hebrews 6:12 1 Peter 3:13 14

15. T O G OD, PERVERTING H IS GOSPEL RESULTS IN A “ CURSE ” UPON THOSE WHO DO SO ! Galatians 1:6-9 6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed. NKJV Damnation comes to any who add to or take from God’s Word! Revelation 22:18-19 15

16. 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. NKJV We must boldly defend the faith! Acts 22:1 Philippians 1:7, 17 1 Timothy 6:12 2 Timothy 4:6-8 2 Timothy 2:3, 4 Ephesians 6:10-20 16

17. T O G OD, THE CHURCH IS TO BE A DISRUPTIVE FORCE IN THE WORLD AND TOWARD THOSE IN ERROR, NOT AN “ ACCOMMODATOR ”! Acts 17:6-9 6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too. 7 "Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king--Jesus." 8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things. 9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go. NKJV Paul in Athens – vss. 16-34 Acts 28:22-24 22 "But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere." 23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. NKJV 17

18. 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. NKJV 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, 5:28-42 Acts 21:13; 20:22-24 18

19. 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! 19

20. A Q UESTION T O P ONDER … How do YOU view the Church? Like Man or Like God ? Which One Is It? 20