The Church Place

“THE CHURCH PLACE”

TEXT: Ephesians 3:1-21 W. Max Alderman

INTRODUCTION: The church is the Lord’s. All that we enjoy in regards to the church is because of the way Christ built the church. I wish to view that church in regards to its place as a called out assembly of baptized believers.

I. THE CHURCH IS A SAVING PLACE (Acts 2:47)

Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2:47)

A. As Indicated By the Churches Message (1 John 1:5-7)

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:5-7)

B. As Indicated By the Churches Mission (Matthew 28:19,20)

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matt 28:19-20)

C. As Indicated By the Churches Ministries

10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (1 Peter 4:10)

II. THE CHURCH IS A STRENGTHENING PLACE

(Eph 6:10)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

A. At the Church You Should Find the Presence of God Where You Get Your Fellowship

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matt 18:2)

3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. (1 John 1:3-4)

B. At the Church You Should Find the Pardon of God Where You Get Your Forgiveness

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

C. At the Church You Should Find the Provision of God Where You Get Your Future

19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:19)

D. At the Church You Should Find the Power of God Where You Get Your Freedom

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, (2 Tim 1:6-9)

III.THE CHURCH IS A STABILIZING PLACE (1Corinthians 15:58)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

A. There Will Be Preaching to Help Keep Your Mind Right

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: (Phil 2:5)

B. There Will Be Preaching to Help Keep Your Morals Right

2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Tim 4:2 )

27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; (Phil 1:27)

C. There Will Be Preaching to Help Keep Your Marriages Right

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, (Eph 5:24-26)

IV.THE CHUCH IS A SERVING PLACE