The Glorious Church Ephesians 5:27 I. Introduction. A. The church was built by Jesus Christ: Matthew 16:18. B. It is a unique institution. C. The Lord's church is not: 1. A product of men. 2. A denomination among denominations. 3. A social group, similar to a social club. 4. A non-essential, pick if you choose, organization. D. Paul explained: Ephesians 5:27. 1. Glorious(perfect): from Greek(endoxos)--"held in honor." a. Held in honor by Jehovah and His Son. b. Held in honor by the apostles. c. Held in honor by Christians. 2. Divinely built; Christ died for her. 3. To degrade the church is to degrade Christ. a. No comparison between her and denominations and other organizations of men. b. Since Christ is the head(Ephesians 5:23), any attack on the church is an attack on the Son of God. 4. Note: No spot or wrinkle, holy, no blemish. II. Body. A. A glorious(perfect) sacrifice purchased the church of Christ. 1. Note: Acts 20:28. 2. No higher price could have been offered. 3. No purer life could have been given. 4. Only the Son of God, and no other, could have been acceptable and/or worthy. 5. Hence: Romans 5:8. 6. Yet, there are those who degrade this divine institution by saying she is non-essential to one's salvation. 7. The perfect plan: sending Christ to die to purchase the church. B. A glorious(perfect) law governs the church of Christ. 1. Remember James 1:25. 2. Contains the sanctified(saints): I Corinthians 1:2. a. "Called out" by the word of God: I Peter 1:22. b. Sanctified by Christ's blood: Ephesians 5:26. c. Reflects the wisdom of God: Ephesians 3:10. 3. Hence: Ephesians 3:21. C. The glorious(perfect) church was structured by a divine architect. 1. In the mind of God: Jeremiah 31; Hebrews 8:10. 2. In the plan of God: Galatians 4:4, 6(writing to Galatian churches). 3. Accepted by Christ: Matthew 16:18.("I have power...") D. The glorious(perfect) church was "organized" by the Lord's commands. 1. Universal: Ephesians 1:22-23. a. Does not function on earth as a universal structure(entity). b. Jesus is not on earth to exercise his headship in a literal sense. c. And no one is his personal representative to occupy a seat of power in God's church: Colossians 1:18. 2. Locally, each congregation functions to carry out the Lord's instructions. a. Elders(Acts 20:28), deacons(I Timothy 3:13), evangelists(II Timothy 4:5), teachers (Ephesians 4:11), and saints(Philippians 1:1). b. Each congregation was self-governing with no ties to other churches beyond a common faith . (1 How wise(explain). (2 No superstructure, no binding together in massive works/plans, etc. E. The glorious(perfect) church followed a pattern of worship revealed by inspired men. 1. Remembered the Lord's death on the first day of the week: Acts 20:7. 2. Prayed to the God who created them: Acts 12:12. 3. Sang the praises of Jehovah: Ephesians 5:19. 4. Contributed of their substance: I Corinthians 16:2. 5. Edified by teaching of the word of God: Acts 20:7. 6. How simple; how profound; how glorious! F. The glorious(perfect) church was assigned her functions(work) by God. 1. Plain enough? Ephesians 4:11-12. 2. Do the members have a right to alter, change, exceed, or lessen what God has given? 3. The early church: a. Preached the truth: Philippians 4:15-16. b. Edified(built up) the saints: Acts 20:28. c. Cared for needy: Acts 11:29-30. 4. All functions were within the responsibility of the local church. G. The glorious(perfect) church is intended for man's salvation. 1. Savior of the body(church): Ephesians 5:23. 2. Note: I Timothy 3:15. 3. Contact with the blood is in the church for which Christ died: Acts 20:28. 4. The Lord, not man, adds to this glorious church. 5. If one quits "the church," that one quits the Lord! III. Conclusion. A. Let us always have respect , love and devotion for the Lord's church. B. Men may despise her, persecute her, and oppose her, but Christ died for her and she still stands!-jy