Intro:
I. Jesus’ question
This is the church
II. The church’s origin
1Peter 1:20; Eph 1:3
III. The church in the OT
Exodus 12
IV. The church in the NT
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand…”
Luke 17:20, 21
A gathering - Acts 19:32, 39, 41
Upon this rock, I will build…
V. The church in eternity
And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…
Application #1: Gathering
Confession art. 27, 28
“religionless Christianity”
church & children
Application #2: Christ the Builder
Question: What do you believe concerning “the holy catholic church”?
Answer: I believe that the Son of God through his Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for Himself a community chosen for eternal life and united in true faith. And of this community I am and always will be a living member.
A promise
Application #3: Imperfect
Revelation 7