1. Church

2. Nature of the Church
The church is the community of all true believers for all time
Deut. 4:10; Acts 2:47
Heb. 12:1
The church is invisible, yet visible
The visible church is the church as Christians on earth see it
Includes those who profess faith in Christ and give evidence of that faith in their lives
Paul writes to the visible churches in Corinth… Thessalonica… church in Philemon’s house
The invisible church is the church as God sees it
Only God can see the spiritual condition of a person’s heart
2 Tim. 2:19; Heb. 12:23

3. Nature of the Church The church is local and universal
Rom. 16:5
Eph. 5:25
Metaphors for the church
Family – 1 Tim. 5:1-2; Eph. 3:14; Matt. 12:49-50; 1 John 3:14-18
Bride of Christ – Eph. 5:32; 2 Cor. 11:2
Branches on a vine – John. 15:5
Olive tree – Rom. 11:17-24
Temple – 1 Peter 2:5
Body – 1 Cor. 12:12-27
Body of Christ – Eph. 4:15-16

4. Purpose of the Church Ministry to God: Worship
Ministry to Believers: Nurture
Ministry to the World: Evangelism and Mercy
Which is the most important, or is one of these three less important than the others?