• The church as Biblically described
    • Universal church – Hebrews 12:15-24; Acts 9:31
    • Local congregation – Galatians 1:21-24; I Corinthians 1:1-3
    • Both have members
    • Let’s look at a Christian’s attitudes with respect to:
      • The universal church
      • The local church
      • Other church members
  • The universal church
    • This is what Jesus said He would build – Matthew 16:18
    • He bought it with His blood – Acts 20:28
    • Jesus loves the church and gave Himself for it – Ephesians 5:25-29
      • He wants His church to be pure, blameless, and holy - Ephesians 5:27
      • He both nourishes and cherishes His church - Ephesians 5:29
      • That comes from baptism and from His word - Ephesians 5:26
      • It is maintained in His word - John 17:17
    • Referred tp as His body – Romans 12:4-5
      • We are not just individuals
      • We are members of each other
      • As such, we are one body – I Corinthians 10:16-24
        • We should seek our neighbor’s good
        • We should desire that all be pure – Colossians 1:21-23
    • If you’ve been saved, you’ve been added to it – Acts 2:41,47
  • The local church
    • Where all collective activities are undertaken
      • Worship – Acts 20:7
    • Where saints have much or most of their Christian associations – Acts 2:44-47
    • Analogy of the body – I Corinthians 12:12-27
      • If one is a baptized believer, one is a member of the body
      • As such, each member is part of the whole
      • We all work together – Philippians 2:1-4
        • We maintain a single-minded purpose
        • Each member has value in this
      • Each member has function – Ephesians 4:11-16
    • This body assembles and associates for purpose
      • Keep each other in paths of righteousness – Hebrews 3:12-19
      • Encourage and stimulate fellow Christians – Hebrews 10:23-25
      • Maintain our focus as a congregation – I Corinthians 9:24-27
      • Maintain our identity as Christians and as a church – Revelation 2:2-6
  • In summary:
    • Remember who we are
      • Members of our Savior’s church
      • Members of our local church
      • Members of one another
    • Treasure what Jesus treasured
      • His church
      • Its members
      • Its message to the world