1. God & Church
Ephesians 1:15-23

2. God’s relationship to the church
Has had a “Called Out” group since the time of Moses
Acts 7:38 The church in the wilderness
God is the Architect of the Church
Acts 7:35 – Moses head of the church of the wilderness
Eph 1:22 – Christ head of the NT church
1 Cor 12:28 – Apostles, Prophets & Teachers in the NT church
God was actively involved in the establishing the Church
Acts 14:27 – Opened the door of faith to the Gentiles
Acts 15:4 – All things God had done with Paul and Barnabas
The NT church bears His name
Acts 20:28 – Church of God, purchase with his own blood
(Gal 1:13, 1Cor 1:2, 1Cor 10:32, 1Cor 11:22, 1Cor 15:9, 2Cor 1:1)

3. the church is A body of people “Called Out” The body of Christ
Ekklesia – “Called out by God”
The body of Christ
Col 1:24 – For His (Christ’s) body’s sake, which is the church
Col:1:18 – Head of the body, the Church
Eph 1:22 – Placed in that position by God
The House of God
2 Cor 6:17-18 – God is our Father, we are his sons & daughters
1 Tim 3:15 – That family lives in the House of God, which is the church

4. the Relationship between God & Jesus
Jesus is the Son of God
John 3:16-18 – His son, Only begotten Son
2 Pet 1:17 – As declared by God (Matt 3:17, 17:5, Mark 1:11, 9:7, Luke 9:35)
Luke 4:41 – Even as known by the demons (Matt 8:29, Mark 3:11, Luke 8:28)
Jesus and God have been working together from the beginning
John 1:1-4 – The Word, with God, was God, all things made through Him
Gen:1:26 – Our image, Our likeness
John 8:58 – Jesus was before Abraham
Jesus & God are One
John 10:38– He is in God, and God is in Him
John 10:30 – “I and my Father are one”

5. What can we learn? Examine the Facts Yes, God does = Church
God has always been directly involved with the church (Architect, opening doors)
The Church belongs to Christ (His body, He is the Head, The House of God)
God and Christ are One (Jesus is His Son, From the beginning, as claimed by Christ)
Yes, God does = Church
The issue with man falling from grace, we remove God from the picture
Children of Israel, Pharisees/Sadducees
Denominations of today
Let’s work diligently to put God back into the church where “Church = God”!
Treat our attendance, appearance and associations with that type of respect (Stop excusing absences, clothes and friends)
Conduct our service/worship with that in our hearts (Stop justifying our strange worship)
Follow His will believing in our service to God with this in our hearts (Not doing what is right in our hearts)

6. God’s plan for your salvation
Hear his word (as you just have) - Rom 10:17
Believe (be convicted of ) what you have heard – Acts 8:37
Repent of your sins (what you now know is in error) – Luke 13:3
Confess the name of Jesus (to the world) – Matt 10:32
Be Baptized to take away your sins (and start that new life) – Acts 2:38
And you will be on your way to serving God faithfully - 1 Cor 15:58