Why the Church? I Love Thy Kingdom Lord

An Overview of Ephesians

Introduction: American society’s general view of religion is at an all-time low. There are a number of contributing factors to this problem:

1. Increased secularization of formal education (denial of God, embracing of atheism/evolution).
2. Decreased belief or interest in objective (absolute & unchanging) truth.
   1. Existentialism – What is true for me may not be true for you.
   2. Belief in objective truth is confused with being close-minded.
3. Consumerism in religion.
   1. We are reaping the fruit of the “have it your way” generation.
   2. Many seekers are looking for religion that suits their preconceived ideas and felt needs.
   3. What the Bible teaches is of little or no consequence.
4. Privatization of religion.
   1. In 1969, Tom T Hall wrote and released his hit, “Me and Jesus.” The opening lines were “Me and Jesus got our own thing going; Me and Jesus got it all worked out; Me and Jesus got our own thing going; We don’t need anybody to tell us what it’s all about.”
   2. “I’m not religious, but I’m spiritual.”

Body: Why the Church?

1. Because the Church is the Body of Christ (1:22-23). What does the Bible show us about people and the body of Christ?
   1. The sinful woman saw salvation in His feet – Luke 7:36ff
   2. The woman with an issue of blood saw healing in the hem of His garment – Luke 8:43ff
   3. Mary Magdalene desired to hold him forever – John 20:11ff
2. Because Reconciliation is in the Church (2:16).
   1. Reconciliation is the work and prerogative of God
   2. 2 Corinthians 5:18-20
   3. Colossians 1:20-21
3. Because God is Glorified in the Church (3:20-21)
   1. John 12:27-28
   2. John 17:4-5
   3. Romans 16:27
4. Because there is Unity in the Church (4:1-6)
   1. Psalm 133:1
   2. Philippians 4:2
5. Because the Church is the Bride of Christ (5:22-23)
   1. A woman is never so beautiful as she is on her wedding day – Jeremiah 2:32
   2. 2 Corinthians 11:1-3
6. Because the Church is the Army of God (6:10-18)
   1. God’s army is forever unconquerable and victorious
      1. 1 John 5
      2. 1 Corinthians 15:53-58
   2. Setbacks may come, but victory is always assured.