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The ChurchEphesians 2:11-22Over the past few weeks we have examined some things weneed as reminders in our lives. Salvation. The Trinity.Communion.I want us to look at the Church. What IS the Church?Growing up in church I have been one who has always lovedchurch. There is something strange about me, I know. Iactually LIKED going to church, even revival services. Wedon't do those anymore. It's when you actually come tochurch for several days
in a row.
Weird, I know.I have always had a love for the Body of Christ. There havebeen times when I've been disillusioned and wished thingswere different, and tried to invent something new.We struggle with what IS "church." In Pentecostal circles,we talk about "having church." It goes something like,"Wow! We really
had church
today! The preacher didn't getto preach!"There was a preacher in the KC area that was also a countrygospel singer and he would sing a song, "Crank up the musicand let's have church!"Sometimes we see church as an event. We go to church.But here is the reality: we ARE the Church. We leave today,we go out as the Church. Tomorrow, we will be the Church inour homes, our workplaces, our schools.The Church gets hammered on by those outside the Church andthose INSIDE. People grow up disillusioned and then spendtheir adult lives attacking the Church. People make lots ofmoney writing books about how the Church has it all wrong,and THEY have it all right. Aren't we thankful for THAT?
The Church102/15/09
 
But the Church is the Bride of Christ. We are the vehiclechosen by God to fulfill the Great Commission. It's us.Warts and all.We need to have a solid understanding about who we are asTHE CHURCH. Eph. 2:11-22 gives us a good look.The Church is about being IN CHRIST. It is the recognitionthat outside of Christ we face division, prejudice,alienation.IN Christ we have peace, unity, and strength. We arebrought near BY HIM. We are IN him.The worst part was being separated from Christ. It wasn'tbeing separated as Jews and Gentiles. It was beingseparated
from Christ
. Alienated. Now... we are broughtnear. Now, we are
in him
.He is our
 peace
.He is our
cornerstone
.Cornerstone. Capstone.We are members of his household. We are not foreigners, butfellow citizens. We have the foundation built by theapostles and prophets. Jesus is our cornerstone. It alllines up with him.We are not saved for our individual edification. We do notgrow up alone. Not in Christ. We have the Body, the Church.We are
built together 
, growing up into Christ. There is aplace for the Church. Christ started it this way. Heintends it to stay that way.The key: v. 22 -- "And in him you too are being builttogether to become a dwelling in which God lives by hisSpirit."
The Church202/15/09
 
THIS is the Church!We act IN Christ. What happens when we truly act IN Christas the Church?1. People are brought near.There aren't the serious divisions we thought there wouldbe. In ancient times it was Jews and Gentiles. How couldthat bridge be crossed? Was there even a bridge?In Christ, the Church rises up to call out, "All who arethirsty, come!"We don't have Democrats and Republicans. We don't haveblack and white. We don't have rich and poor. We have US...IN Christ!The Church is the place where all things are supposed to belevel at the foot of the Cross. What normally dividespeople does not HAVE to divide at the foot of the Cross. Wecome to the Cross, we are broken, and healing flows. Werise up new in Christ and realize how Christ is bringingchange.This is the place of a new humanity (v. 15). Race, color,creed... doesn't matter. We come to the Cross together.Christ does his work in us. We are brought near. We walknow in the power of the Spirit.The call to come near works in all kinds of places.It works in places of power, like Washington, D.C. Everyweek there are people reaching into the lives of verypowerful politicians, diplomats, and executives. They arequietly bringing the gospel to people who need to hear.It's not about being rich or being poor. It's about beingaway from God and needing to draw near.Through the Spirit's work in places like Washington, D.C.,the world can be touched. People are brought near to God.
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