Story of Reality - Finale: The Church

Verde Valley Christian Church
Feb 12 – 18, 2023

Series: The Story of Reality - Finale
Sermon Title: The Church
Speaker: Jim Hammond

Mark 2:17
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

I believe the church is God's finale not His fizzled failure.

I. How we become MEMBERS of God's HOUSEHOLD

Ephesians 2:18-19
For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household,

II. Jesus called us "my CHURCH"

Matthew 16:18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Ephesians 3:10-11
His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

III. We are MEMBERS of his BODY

Romans 12:5
so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

John 20:21-22
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.

IV. We are DEEPLY and DEVOTEDLY LOVED!!

Ephesians 5:25-27
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.

The Book of Common Prayer