What Is the Church? (Matthew 16:16-18)
This sermon delves into the fundamental question of "What is the church?" It moves beyond organizational definitions to explore the profound spiritual identity and purpose of God's people.
The church consists of people called out by God through faith in Jesus Christ, becoming His unique possession. It is the living extension of Christ on earth, God's temple, branches in the vine, and the bride of Christ.
Overview
This sermon begins by addressing the fundamental question, "What is the church?" The preacher explains that the Greek word for church, "eklesia," means "called out ones." Believers are described as those who have been delivered from the "domain of darkness" and transferred into "the kingdom of his beloved son," making them a peculiar and unique possession of God.
The sermon then unpacks four distinct ways the Bible describes the church, starting with the "body of Christ." This identity signifies that the church is the extension of Christ's life on earth. Jesus promised to build His church upon Peter's confession of Him as the Christ, and the Holy Spirit's baptism at Pentecost marked the birth of the church, grafting believers into Christ's body.
Next, the church is likened to a "building" or "temple" of God, with Jesus Christ as the chief cornerstone and believers as stones being built together. This imagery emphasizes God's presence in the world through His people. Additionally, the church is described as "branches" connected to Jesus, the true vine. Apart from this vital connection, believers cannot produce fruit, highlighting their absolute dependence on Christ's indwelling life.
Finally, the church is presented as the "bride of Christ," an image reflecting Jesus' sacrificial love for His church, having given Himself for her. He desires to present His church to Himself "in all of her glory, having no spot or wrinkle." The sermon concludes by stressing that entry into God's church is not through an organization, but by faith and repentance, acknowledging Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Key points
- The Greek word "eklesia" defines the church as those "called out" by God from darkness into His kingdom.
- Believers are a "chosen race, a holy priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession."
- The church is the "body of Christ," serving as the extension of His life on earth since His ascension.
- It is also the "building" or "temple" of God, signifying His presence and worship among His people.
- Believers are the "branches" in Christ, the true vine, dependent on His life to bear fruit.
- The church is the "bride of Christ," reflecting His sacrificial love and desire for a holy, blameless people.
- Entry into God's church is through personal faith and repentance, accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
In Charles Stanley's words
“The New Testament word for church means those who have been called out of something.”
“We are not church members. We are the extension of the life of Christ on this earth because he has chosen to indwell each and every one of us.”
“Apart from me, ye can do nothing.”
Outline
- I. Introduction: What is the church?
- A. The Greek word "eklesia" means "called out ones."
- B. Called out of darkness into the kingdom of God (Colossians 1:13).
- C. Described as "a chosen race, a holy priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession" (1 Peter 2:9).
- II. Four words describing the church
- A. The Body of Christ
- 1. Christ is the head of the body, the church (Colossians 1:18).
- 2. Jesus promised to build His church upon Peter's confession (Matthew 16:16-18).
- 3. The Holy Spirit's coming at Pentecost marked the birth of the church and baptized believers into one body (Acts 2, 1 Corinthians 12:13).
- 4. The church is the extension of Christ's life on earth.
- B. The Building/Temple of God
- 1. Believers are fellow citizens, built upon the foundation of apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22).
- 2. The church is the temple of God, signifying His presence.
- C. The Branches in the Vine
- 1. Jesus is the true vine, believers are the branches (John 15:1, 5).
- 2. Being grafted into the vine means sharing Christ's life to bear fruit.
- 3. "Apart from me, ye can do nothing."
- D. The Bride of Christ
- 1. Paul betrothed the church to one husband, Christ, to present them as a pure virgin (2 Corinthians 11:1-2).
- 2. Revelation 21:9 refers to "the bride, the wife of the Lamb."
- 3. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her, to present her holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:22-27).
- 4. This reflects Christ's sacrificial love.
- III. Conclusion: Entry into the church
- A. Becoming God's unique possession, sealed by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1).
- B. One way to join God's church: faith and repentance, acknowledging Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Scripture references
- Matthew 16
- Matthew 16:16
- Matthew 16:18
- Colossians 1:13
- Colossians 1:18
- 1 Peter 2:9
- John 14
- Acts 2
- 1 Corinthians 12:13
- Ephesians 2:19-22
- 1 Corinthians 6
- John 15:1
- John 15:5
- 2 Corinthians 11:1-2
- Revelation 21:9
- Ephesians 5:22-27
- Ephesians 1
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
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;
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Insights
Being called out means belonging to a new citizenship in God's kingdom.
The church is meant to be the living extension of Christ on earth.
God's presence is made manifest through the gathering of His people.
Questions & answers
What does the Greek word "eklesia" mean?
It means "called out ones," referring to those who have been called out of the domain of darkness and sin into God's kingdom of light through faith in Jesus Christ.
What is the significance of the church being the "body of Christ"?
The church is the living extension of Christ's life on earth, with Jesus as the head. Believers, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, become His hands, feet, and voice in the world.
How is the church like a "building" or "temple"?
Believers are likened to stones fitted together, growing into a holy temple, signifying the presence of Almighty God in this world through His gathered people.
What does it mean for believers to be "branches" in the vine?
Jesus is the true vine, and believers are branches grafted into Him. This means they derive all life, nourishment, and ability to bear spiritual fruit directly from their intimate connection with Christ.
How does one become a part of God's church according to this sermon?
The sermon states that the only way to get into God's church is by faith and repentance of sin, acknowledging Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of one's life.
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