The holy catholic Church The Communion of Saints The Forgiveness of Sins The Resurrection of the Body And the Life Everlasting, Amen
The holy catholic Church Ekklesia to call out (from, for) To call out from what? A sinful lost world! To call out for God! Hagious holy one catholic universal, having a sense of unity holy (from God) ones called out of the world into the family of God (for God) to serve in unity (assembly)
The holy catholic Church Ephesians 4:1-6 speaks of this serving unity.
Ephesians 4:1-6 (NASB) 1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, 3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.
The holy catholic Church Ephesians 4:1-6 speaks of this serving unity. One Body One Spirit One Hope One Lord One Faith One Baptism One Father 1 Corinthians 3:11
1 Corinthians 3:11 (NASB) 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
The holy catholic Church We know the Church is not a building 1 Peter 2:4-5
1 Peter 2:4-5 (NASB) 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
The holy catholic Church We know the Church is not a building 1 Peter 2:4-5 a denomination perfect To live up above with the saints that we love, that will be glory. But to live down below with the saints that we know, that is another story.
The holy catholic Church We know the Church is One unified body (Unity does not mean unanimity!!!!) Holy because Jesus is Holy catholic or universal in The message of Christ (Gospel) Preaching to all people in all generations The heart of God for all kinds of people Apostolic follow the teachings of the Apostles Acts 2:42
Acts 2:42 (NASB) 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
The holy catholic Church What do we know about the Church? A worldwide body of true believers in Jesus, who go against this world s system, whose faith is based in Scripture alone, and who preach the Gospel to every nation. The Church is a supernatural society of God s redeemed people. J.I. Packard
The holy catholic Church What does the Church tell us? We are part of something big! Bigger than us! We need each other! We need united action! We need a worldwide focus! We need the Church and the Church needs us! Are you a player or a spectator?
The Communion of Saints The holy catholic Church teaches that the Church spans the globe. The communion of saints teaches that the Church transcends time. The holy catholic Church speaks of a vertical connectedness. The communion of saints speaks of a horizontal connectedness.
The Communion of Saints Koinonia fellowship as in sharing together This fellowship of the saints in the Gospel was for everyone Romans 1:16.
Romans 1:16 (NASB) 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
The Communion of Saints Koinonia fellowship as in sharing together This fellowship of the saints in the Gospel was for everyone Romans 1:16. Communion (fellowship) with Christ Communion (fellowship) with saints on earth Communion (fellowship) with saints in heaven Hebrews 12:1-2
Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB) 1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
The Communion of Saints Koinonia fellowship, as in sharing together This fellowship of the saints in the Gospel was for everyone Romans 1:16. Communion (fellowship) with Christ Communion (fellowship) with saints on earth Communion (fellowship) with saints in heaven Hebrews 12:1-2 Even death cannot destroy fellowship!!!
The Forgiveness of Sins Why do we need forgiveness of sins Psalm 130:1-4?
Psalm 130:1-4 (NASB) 1 Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD. 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications. 3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
The Forgiveness of Sins Why do we need forgiveness of sins Psalm 130:1-4? The biblical view is we have a problem from within we do not measure up to God s standards, nor can we. The world s view is we have a problem that comes from outside us but you can do it!
The Forgiveness of Sins Modern people feel like sinners but are independent of guilt. Franz Kafka The Bible says we all know that we sin! We can t change that. The guilt that comes with that sin is strong. But if we change the rules, we can remove the guilt and suppress the truth.
The Forgiveness of Sins There are two problems with this God s rules do not change! The truth is that the problem is within and change can only come from without (God). So what hope do we have? God is compassionate Exodus 34:6-7.
Exodus 34:6-7 (NASB) 6 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.
The Forgiveness of Sins There are two problems with this. God s rules do not change! The truth is that the problem is within, and change can only come from without (God). So, what hope do we have? God is compassionate Exodus 34:6-7. God is merciful Isaiah 55:7.
Isaiah 55:7 (NIV) 7 Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
The Forgiveness of Sins What happens when we are forgiven? This leads to worship. We are free.
The Resurrection of the Body The sum of all fears. Death is a fundamental human problem. Will we live again? Job Without the resurrection of the dead, we are hopeless 1 Corinthians 15:32!
1 Corinthians 15:32 (NASB) 32 If from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it profit me? If the dead are not raised, LET US EAT AND DRINK, FOR TOMORROW WE DIE.
The Resurrection of the Body We all face death! The bodies we have will not last forever. Death is certain Hebrews 9:27.
Hebrews 9:27 (NASB) 27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment;
The Resurrection of the Body We all face death! The bodies we have will not last forever. Death is certain Hebrews 9:27. Death is not the end. Jesus defeated death 2 Timothy 1:10.
2 Timothy 1:10 (NASB) 10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
The Resurrection of the Body We all face death! The bodies we have will not last forever. Death is certain Hebrews 9:27. Death is not the end. Jesus defeated death 2 Timothy 1:10. Death remains the last enemy 1 Corinthians 15:26.
1 Corinthians 15:26 (NASB) 26 The last enemy that will be abolished is death.
The Resurrection of the Body Death came into the world via sin Romans 5:12.
Romans 5:12 (ESV) 12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned
The Resurrection of the Body Death came into the world via sin Romans 5:12. Heaven has no sin Revelation 21:3-4.
Revelation 21:3-4 (NASB) 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.
The Resurrection of the Body Death came into the world via sin Romans 5:12. Heaven has no sin Revelation 21:3-4. Therefore, death is unnatural! Death is finally destroyed in our resurrected bodies. The state between the unnatural (world) and the natural (heaven) Ecclesiastes 12:7
Ecclesiastes 12:7 (NASB) 7 then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
The Resurrection of the Body The resurrection of the body is God s answer to the human problem of death! 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 tells us this body change is instantaneous, announced by a trumpet, and a complete transformation.
1 Corinthians 15:51-55 (NASB) 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. 55 O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?
The Resurrection of the Body The resurrection of the body is God s answer to the human problem of death! 1 Corinthians 15:51-55 tells us this body change is instantaneous, announced by a trumpet, and a complete transformation. 1 Corinthians 15:35-37 tells us this is a new body that is somehow different in nature.
1 Corinthians 15:35-37 (NASB) 35 But someone will say, How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come? 36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; 37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else.
The Resurrection of the Body The resurrection of the body becomes proof of complete saving. Saved from the penalty of sin at the point of salvation JUSTIFICATION Saved from the power of sin in our lives as believers SANCTIFICATION Saved from the presence of sin in heaven GLORIFICATION
And the Life Everlasting, Amen Home is where the heart is 2 Corinthians 5:8!
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NASB) 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.
And the Life Everlasting, Amen Home is where the heart is 2 Corinthians 5:8! We are not of this world Hebrews 13:14!
Hebrews 13:14 (NASB) 14 For here we do not have a lasting city, but we are seeking the city which is to come.
And the Life Everlasting, Amen Home is where the heart is 2 Corinthians 5:8! We are not of this world Hebrews 13:14! We belong in heaven where Jesus is Luke 23:43!
Luke 23:43 (NASB) 43 And He said to him, Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.
And the Life Everlasting, Amen Home is where the heart is 2 Corinthians 5:8! We are not of this world Hebrews 13:14! We belong in heaven where Jesus is Luke 23:43! Where is home for you?
And the Life Everlasting, Amen Amen! So be it. I agree with it. Yes, this is all true.