THE DESIGN OF THE LORD’S CHURCH

    Introduction

          A.  When Jesus met with His disciples in Caesarea Philippi, He promised to build His

                church.  Matthew 16:13-19 (717)

                1.  Jesus promised to build His church on the fact that He is the Christ, the Son of

                     God.  Vv16-18

                2.  Jesus gave the apostles the authority to open the doors of the kingdom of heaven,

                     which is the church.  Vv18-19

          B.  Let’s look at three functions of the design of the church.

      I.  The church was designed to teach salvation.

          A.  The sinner has the need to:

                1.  know the truth.  John 8:32 (787)

                2.  believe and obey the truth.  Romans 6:16-18 (833); Romans 6:3-7

          B.  The truth of salvation depends on the church to teach and defend it.  Mark 16:15-16

                748); Galatians 1:6-12 (859)

    II.  The church was designed to constitute the saved.

          A.  The sinner needs salvation.  Romans 3:23 (831); Romans 6:23a (833)

          B.  The saved are in the church. 

                1.  The church is God’s family.  2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (855

                2.  The saved are added to the church.  Acts 2:47 (802)

                3.  Those who have been baptized into Christ have been baptized into the

                     church. 

                4.  Jesus is the Savior of the church.  Ephesians 5:23,25 (866)

   III.  The church was designed to demonstrate salvation.

          A.  The church was created for good works.  Ephesians 2:8-10 (864)

          B.  The church is to live acceptable faith.  James 2:14-17 (892)

          C.  The church is to reflect Christ and bring glory to God.  Matthew 5:13-16 (705)

Conclusion: 1) The church was purchased with the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28,p821). 2)Review