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