Viewpoints of the Church in Ephesians #2

Introduction:
 I. Last week, we looked at three different viewpoints of 
    the church as seen by Paul in the book of Ephesians.  
    They are:
    A. The church is the body, the fullness of Christ.   
       1:15-23
    B. The church is the New Creation of God. 2:1-10
    C. The church is the Body of the reconciled. 2:11-18
II. Tonight, we will look at three more viewpoints of the  
    church in the book of Ephesians.

Body:
  I. The church is the kingdom of Christ. Ephesians 2:19
     A. The word “Fellow-citizens” suggests a kingdom.
        1. Pre-millennialism.  It’s doctrine of Christ-
           church-kingdom (Christ came to set an earthly  
           kingdom, the Jews didn’t want him as king so 
           church was set up as a substitute for kingdom – 
           will return to earth one day to set up an 
           earthly kingdom.)
        2. At least at one time, the Jews wanted to make 
           Jesus king. John 6:15
        3. We see the kind of kingdom that Jesus was going 
           to reign over in John 18:36.
     B. Other Scriptures showing that the kingdom is now in 
        existence.
        1. Colossians 1:13
        2. Hebrews 12:28 (read from Goodspeed’s 
           translation)
        3. Revelation 1:6 (RSV), 9
     C. The terms of entrance into the kingdom. John 3:5
     D. As citizens in Christ’s kingdom, we have a 
        responsibility of obeying the King’s laws.
        1. We cannot change the law.
        2. Only the king can change the law.

 II. The church is the household (family) of God.
     A. God’s “house” identifies His family. 1 Timothy 3:15
     B. God’s children are in His family. Romans 8:14-17
     C. The family metaphor emphasizes:
        1. The closeness of God and His people.
        2. God’s love and concern for His children.
        3. The honor involved in church membership.
        4. The responsibility to live as a child of God. 
           Ephesians 5:8-11 – Note: “children of light” 
           have no fellowship with works of darkness.
     D. Entrance into God’s family is by adoption.
        1. Ephesians 1:5
        2. Galatians 4:5
        3. Romans 8:15-16

III. The church is a Holy Temple – A habitation of God. 
     Ephesians 2:19-22
     A. It has a good foundation (the apostles and 
        prophets).
        1. The chief-cornerstone is Jesus.
        2. This is the only foundation on which to build. 1 
           Corinthians 3:11
        3. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
     B. It is fitly framed together.
     C. It is an habitation for God.
     D. One of the purposes of the temple in the Old 
        Testament was to worship God.  In the new temple is 
        where the only acceptable public worship is to be 
        found.


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