1. 1 A Glorious Church Ephesians 5:25-27

2. 2 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.

3. 3 Introduction Glorious Endoxos – “splendid, (figuratively) noble:--glorious, gorgeous(-ly), honourable.” Noble - Acts 24:3; 26:25; 1 Cor. 1:26 Strong’s Dictionary Glorious in the eyes of the Lord! Purchased by the blood of Christ – vs. 25.; Acts 20:28 Not popular with this world! – Rev. 3:14-18 1 Cor. 1:26; Matt. 7:13:14; Gal. 1:10 This glorious church has certain attributes!

4. 4 The Body Is the Church! Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18 Obedient people added by the Lord! Is this! Not this! Congregations are not added!

5. 5 It Is Spiritually Clean! Cleansed by the “washing of the water by the word.” vs. 26; Jn. 3:5; 1 Pet. 1:22-25 It is without “spot or wrinkle or any such thing” vs. 27; Jas. 1:27 Touches not unclean things! 2 Cor. 6:17-18; 1 Pet. 1:15-19 Its members obeyed the “Glorious Gospel.” 1 Tim. 1:11

6. 6 It Is Doctrinally Sound! It accepts and teaches “all the council of God.” Acts 20:27-31 It endures sound doctrine! 2 Tim. 4:2-4 It actively opposes false doctrine: Inwardly & Outwardly Tit. 1:9, 11; Jude 3

7. 7 It Is Active Faithfully! In doing only the will of Christ! Matt. 7:21-34 In worshiping “in spirit and in truth.” Jn. 4:24; Col. 3:17 In doing the work of the church! Evangelism – 1 Thess. 1:8; 2 Cor. 11:8 Caring for its needy – Acts 6 Edifying itself – Eph. 4:16 Discipline of the erring – 2 Thess. 3:6-15

8. 8 It Is Scripturally Organized! Many denominational organizations today! One-man pastor system! Women in leadership roles! Man-made committees! Area, district, national and universal rule! Christ has all authority! Matt. 28:18

9. 9 It Is Scripturally Organized! N.T. Church organized in a simple way! Bishops, deacons & saints – Phil. 1:1 Local in nature – Acts 14:23; 1 Pet 5:1-4 Can exist: Scripturally organized! When qualified men are serving as elders! Scripturally unorganized! Until men are qualified to serve as elders!

10. 10 It Is Scripturally Organized! N.T. Churches were Male-led! In the assembly Women not to teach or have authority over man! 1 Tim. 2:11-14 Elders & Deacons were men! 1 Tim. 3:1-12; Acts 6:3 Tit. 1:5-11

11. 11 Conclusion! What church are you a member of? This Glorious Church? Have you been washed and purified by the waters of baptism? You must to be added to the Glorious Church! Obey the glorious gospel and be added to the Glorious Church!