Introduction –
Our individualistic consumer age
Our faith together
The Definition of the church
We are [a local church is] a community of true
believers in Jesus Christ, established by God as His holy dwelling place, knit together in love by
the Holy Spirit, who gather together regularly in order to make the glory of God known through
the Gospel, using every biblical means possible [preaching, the Lord’s Supper, baptism, public
reading of Scripture, studying the Bible together, prayer, discipline, fellowship, singing, worship
, eating together, serving, caring for each other],under recognized spiritual leadership [qualified
elders and pastors], who care for and affirm each other’s salvation, and then are trained and sent
into the world to preach and practice the Gospel and multiply churches everywhere."
1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Hebrews 10:24-25;
1 Timothy 3; Titus 1; Matthew 28:19-20;
2. Some Imagery of the church
A Body I Corinthians 12
A Family Galatians 6:10
A temple of living stones I Peter 2:5