1. Revelation 3:7-13 THE MARKS OF A STRONG CONGREGATION

2.  The church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)  Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22-23)  As such, the body acts according to the command of the head FUNCTIONS LIKE A BODY

3.  The church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)  The body has many members  Not all members have the same function (Romans 12:3-8)  Each member must appreciate their own function (1 Corinthians 12:14-19)  Each member must appreciate the function of others (1 Corinthians 12:20-22) FUNCTIONS LIKE A BODY

4.  The church is the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27)  The body has many members  Each member of the body must fulfill their function (Ephesians 4:15-16) FUNCTIONS LIKE A BODY

5.  The church is the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15)  In Christ, we are children of God (Galatians 3:26-27) LOVES LIKE A FAMILY

6.  The church is the household of God (1 Timothy 3:15)  In a strong family, there is:  A civil end to disputes (Matthew 5:22-24)  Care and concern for one another (Romans 12:15; Galatians 6:1-2)  Love for one another (Colossians 3:12-14; 1 John 4:7, 11-13, 16-17, 19-21) LOVES LIKE A FAMILY

7.  The temple was designed to glorify God  Physically (1 Kings 6:21-22)  Spiritually (1 Kings 8:10-13) PRAISES LIKE A TEMPLE

8.  The temple was designed to glorify God  The church is God’s temple today (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)  We are also the priests who make sacrifices (1 Peter 2:5)  As his people, we proclaim his praises (1 Peter 2:9) PRAISES LIKE A TEMPLE

9.  The temple was designed to glorify God  The church is God’s temple today (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)  What sacrifices do we offer?  The fruit of our lips (Hebrews 13:15)  Good deeds (Hebrews 13:16)  Our lives (Romans 12:1-2) PRAISES LIKE A TEMPLE

10.  The church has been betrothed to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2)  Christ thinks of the church as his bride (Ephesians 5:25-29)  Christ died for the church to sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word (25-26)  He did this so he could present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle, that she might be holy and without blemish (27)  He nourishes and cherishes her (29) PURE AS A BRIDE

11.  The church has been betrothed to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:2)  Christ thinks of the church as his bride (Ephesians 5:25-29)  Someday the marriage will be complete (Revelation 19:7; 21:2-4)  As we wait, we must maintain our purity  In baptism (Acts 2:38)  Walking after the manner of God (1 John 1:7)  Confessing our sins (1 John 1:9) PURE AS A BRIDE

12.  Functions like a body  Loves like a family  Praises like a temple  Pure as a bride THE MARKS OF A STRONG CONGREGATION