The Biblical Church - Ephesians 2:19-22

 In light of the pandemic of 2020 and 2021,  somebody had said that the church is "made for times like these."  Recent polls however indicate that the church has suffered much due to what COVID-19 brought, isolation, separation and distance proximity.   Let's remember the promise of the Lord about what the church is:

Here are the six characteristics of a biblical church as indicated by Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22

1.  The Biblical Church is a about family (relationships, communion and fellowship, v.19b, you are fellow citizens with God's people)

• Have you been born again? (John 1:12, John 3:16)
• Have you been baptized?  (Acts 2:38, Matthew 28:19-20)

2.  The Biblical Church is about membership (commitment, respect, and obligation, 19c, and members of his household)

• Are you willing to grow intimately? Acts 2:42
• Are you willing to give faithfully? 2 Cor. 9:1-8; Malachi 3:10
• Are you willing to serve selflessly? 2 Cor. 9:12-13; Eph. 4:12
• Are you willing to be accountable?  Acts 20:28

3.  The Biblical Church is about learning (the bible, trends, issues and current discussions, v. 20, Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone. 

• Is there a class to learn about God, life, and critical issues of the spiritual life? 
• Are people willing to mentor others?  2 Tim. 2:2
• 1 Chronicle 12:32 - from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;

4.  The Biblical Church is about serving and ministering (making a difference to people and to the community, 21, the whole building is joined together)

• Are spiritual gifts identified and cultivated?  Eph 4:11-15

5.  The Biblical Church is about worship (holy living and faithfully attending, v. 21b, and rise to become a holy temple)

• Is the holy lifestyle advocated and is faithfulness promoted?  

6.   The Biblical Church is about evangelism and missions (welcome the world; we go the wolrd, v 22 being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit

• Is the church reaching and going out into the world?  Daniel 7:12-13

Group Discussion:

• Can you identify out of the six what you think is hard for you to commit to?  
• Where are you in the concentric relationship to the local church?  And what commitments will you make to make better your spiritual life?