Ecclessiology: The Church Student Pastor Jason Salyer Too often we define the church by what we do, but it is so important to recognize and understand who we are. The word translated church means “called out” and “assembled together”. In Ephesians 3:9-11, we see that we are connected to Jesus and we are connected to others. The church is being brought forth into the light as we are being revealed as being united to Jesus. The Church is a Family Ephesians 3:14-15 shows us why it is important for us to identify with one another.The church is made up of brothers and sisters in Christ who have been adopted into the household of God. We are united and Christ is our “older brother”. We are not “like” a family…we ARE a family. Actually, in God’s economy, we are more of a family than our nuclear family. The Church is the Building of Christ Matthew 16:15-18 shows us that Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ is the foundation on which Jesus builds His church. 1 Peter 2:5 shows us that we are a building. In other words, we are a visual representation of the gospel to the world. We are “living stones” that all work together to represent Christ, with the Holy Spirit being the mortar that binds us together. Our uniqueness, not our uniformity, is what creates our unity. Ephesians 2:19-22 tells us that Jesus is the corner stone. We have structured signs (baptism and the Lord’s Supper) to carry out in the church. These reminders look back to the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. They help us respond in faith and obedience to His Word, and they look forward in anticipation of His final victory. We are built to serve one another. We have overseers (pastors, elders, shepherds) and servers (deacons) that the church appoints to lead under the authority of Christ so that all can use their gifts to love and serve one another. The Church is the Body of Christ 1 Cor 12:14-26 shows us that Jesus is the head of the body. We share in the life of the body together. A covenant God calls us to be in a covenant relationship with with Him AND with one another. This is an important commitment, which is why joining and membership is important because it shows dedication to one another as we are in covenant with one another. Ephesians 4:4-16 teaches us that in order to grow, there must be an investment in one another. The church is not established to meet every need in our life, but cheering one another on and meeting needs in their lives grows us into maturity in Christ. The Church is the Bride of Christ The church is about a relationship with Jesus. Ephesians 5:25-30 encourages us by revealing that the glory of Christ is pursuing His church. We are made in God’s image; made male and female to become one flesh in marriage. Marriages are a reflection of the church. Knowing this, the enemy will attack the church and marriages because they point most directly to Jesus. Satan hates Jesus. Since we look like him, he hates us too. Revelation 19:6-9 shows us in the end, we will all be united with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. This gathering in the end is what we are waiting for and practicing together now. The church cannot be replaced with a good Spotify playlist and a podcast. The gathering, uniting, and loving one another is what the angels long to understand and be a part of! Let’s encourage one another by being together. We recognize the gifts and abilities in one another that we often can’t see in ourselves. What a gift! Questions to Consider Do you love the church (both local and universally expressed)? How have you (or could you) find your place in the local church in worship, community, and serving? Have you been baptized? If you are not a member of a church, what is the barrier that has kept you from joining? What is one way you could get more invested in the life of the church at Carmel?