The Lord Builds His Church

THE LORD BUILDS HIS CHURCH (Outline)

September 18, 2022 – Pentecost 15 – EPHESIANS 2:19-22

INTRO: Without the Lord nothing is possible. With the Lord all things are possible. Even the impossible. "If the LORD does not build the house, it is useless for the builders to work hard over it. If the LORD does not watch over the city, it is useless for the watchman to stand guard" (PSALM 127:1). This truth is vitally important for us as believers. The Lord’s work is achieved by the Lord’s power. In other words, THE LORD BUILDS HIS CHURCH.

I. Built on Christ the Cornerstone. II. Joined together by Scriptures.

I. GOD’S CHURCH IS BUILT ON CHRIST, THE CORNERSTONE.

A. Verse 19. “…no longer foreigners and strangers…” All believers are inside the kingdom of God.

1. Early church had two types of believers: Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians.

a. Gentiles unfamiliar with Scriptures. b. Jews very familiar with Scripture.

2. Very different backgrounds and spiritual training. Now both cultures one in Christ.

3. “…fellow citizens with the saints and member of god’s household.” Believers. Family of God.

B. Verse 20. Each and every believer was saved by God’s grace (vss. 8ff). “You have been built…”

1. The foundation of their faith was built on apostles and prophets.

2. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit the apostles penned the New Testament. Prophets the Old.

C. Verse 20. “…with Christ Jesus himself as the Cornerstone.” Perfect Cornerstone.

1. The cornerstone was the most important part of the building. Needed to be level. Straight.

2. Rest of the building depended on accurate measurements taken from the cornerstone.

D. The foundation of “the Holy Christian church, the communion of saints” is completely based on Christ. Christ alone. This is our confidence. Joy. Strength. Salvation. There is nothing that can or will upset our Cornerstone. Christ is also the solid Rock Cornerstone for our Christian faith. I marvel at the fact that some do not know Christ as their Cornerstone. They do not have faith. They do not have any joy. Hope. Peace. Such an attitude is nothing new. “Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?” (MATTHEW 21:42). Jesus spoke these words to the Pharisees. Religious leaders of his day. They were the builders rejecting Christ. There are still many religious leaders who push Jesus aside.

E. What kind of faith does anyone have without Christ as our Cornerstone? Without Christ everything is useless. Hopeless. Joyless. Describes the world and society that we live in today. There is very little talk about any joy for the future. Or hope. The world does not have Christ as the Cornerstone for their solid footing. Friends, please, appreciate the miracle of faith. You do have Christ as the Cornerstone.

"Therefore, this is what the LORD God says: Look, I am laying a stone in Zion as a foundation, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone to provide a sure foundation. Whoever believes will not be put to shame" (ISAIAH 28:16).

F. To have faith. To know the Savior. To know God’s forgiveness… All of these and more are powerful acts of our heavenly Father’s grace. And his love. Listen to this: "For he who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified all have one Father. For that reason, he is not ashamed to call them brothers” (HEBREWS 2:11). By faith we know the relationship of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Three persons. One God. Now Jesus calls us his brothers. Sisters. Family. We who are sinners are given membership in God’s holy family. Amazing grace. We now have the same rights of sons. Eternal inheritance!

THE LORD BUILDS HIS CHURCH. The church, our faith is built on Christ, Cornerstone.

II. GOD’S CHURCH IS JOINED TOGETHER BY SCRIPTURE.

A. Verse 20. “…built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets…” Solid foundation is crucial.

B. Verse 21. “…the whole building is joined together and grows…” Stones and bricks do not grow.

1. The Lord is describing the living building known as God’s church. Believers.

2. “…grows into a holy temple in the Lord.” It is the Lord alone who causes and gives the growth.

C. Verse 22. “In him you too are being built together…” God’s work builds believers together.

1. Believers built together by God become the Lord’s church. It is God’s power not humans.

2. “…built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Holy Spirit works faith in hearts.

3. In the hearts and lives of believers the Lord Jesus lives. Flourishes. Faith grows.

D. While on earth Jesus pointed the disciples to the deep, spiritual meanings all around them. Still important for us today to know Jesus’ truths. At the temple the disciples commented about the massive stones that made up the temple building. Jesus told them stones would be destroyed. He also said that he would rebuild the temple in three days. Jesus was talking about his body. Jesus was the living temple. Our bodies house that same feature. "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own…" (1 CORINTHIANS 6:19).