Spiritual nature of the church

  • Also spoken of as the kingdom
    • Church – called out – I Peter 2:9; Ephesians 5:8
    • Kingdom
      • Jesus – not of this world – John 18:36
      • Not physical – Romans 14:17
      • Entered through a spiritual change – John 3:3-5
  • Don’t conform to this world – Romans 12:2
  • Things of this world are contrary to the kingdom – John 12:31; Ephesians 2:1-2
  • Saved from this world into the kingdom – Colossians 1:11-14

Membership in the church

  • Membership in the church – Acts 2:46
  • There is one way in – Matthew 7:13-14
  • Jesus maintains the list of those allowed to enter – Revelation 21:27
  • II Peter 1:10-11

Structure

  • Designer and builder – Hebrews 11:9-10
  • Physical death powerless to stop it – Matthew 7:13-14
  • Foundation – I Corinthians 3:8-11
    • Foundation stones – Revelation 21:14
    • Foundation and corner stone – Ephesians 2:19-22
    • Walls – I Peter 2:4-6

Relationships

  • Heavenly Father – whose Father?
    • Matthew 10:32-33; Ephesians 1:3
    • Luke 20:34-36; Romans 9:26
    • What does that make us? Luke 8:19-21
    • How can this be? John 1:12-13; Romans 8:12-17; Galatians 4:1-7; Ephesians 1:5-6
    • What special right do we attain? Hebrews 9:15

Inheritance – reward

  • Eternal life
    • Matthew 25:46; John 3:16; Romans 6:22; Galatians 6:8
    • Rest – Hebrews 4:9
    • Presence – John 14:2-3
    • Lots of space – John 14:2-3
    • Likeness of Christ – I John 3:2
  • Rooms vs. mansions
    • John 14:2