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Metaphors of the Church Introduction:
First let me define the word “metaphor” --a figure of speech in which a term
or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in
order to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our God.” I)
We often speak of the church. A)
Understanding the church refers to the people and not a building. B)
The church is a particular group of people – the called out. 1.
Those that have been saved by the blood of Christ. 2.
If you are saved you are a member of Christ’s church and if you are not saved
then you are not a member. Acts 2.47 3.
Various passages that points out the importance of the “church”
a. Matthew 16.18 “upon this
rock I will build MY church” the church belongs to Christ
b. It was purchased with the blood of Jesus, Acts
20.28
c. It was planned before the beginning of time, Ephesians
1 speaks of that
which God predestined. C)
Important not just to be a part of the church but to be doing what the
“church” does. 1.
Have we stressed the church to the exclusion of what the we as members are to be
doing? 2.
The qualities of the church are brought out in a number of metaphors. II)
Metaphors of the Church A)
Vineyard of the Lord, Matthew 20.1 1.
Christ is the owner of the vineyard, Matthew
20.7
a. He determines the conditions of employment in his vineyard
b. He rewards as He has promised 2.
Individuals are workers
a. A vineyard is a place of work! Recently we drove through
vineyards and they take work. Must be pruned, sprayed,
fertilized, watered, picked, etc.
b. Similar to a hay field, or a tobacco patch
c. We are to be faithful workers in the vineyard of the Lord 3.
Character of work is don’t work you don’t eat, 2
Thess. 3.10
a. Too many think of the church as a place to sit back and wait
b. Too many want the church to be alive and active but not with
their help
c. In order to have a “working church” you have to have “working
members”
i. Before one can be a member of the church one has to
believe in Jesus as the Son of God and this is a work, John 6.28- 29
ii. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
Phil.
2.12
iii. The office of an elder in 1
Timothy 3 is speaking of the
work
of an elder; he desires to do a good work
iv. Later on in 2 Timothy 3.16-17 we
read of the
scriptures and its ability
to make us ready for “every good
work”
v. Be zealous for good works, Titus
2.14
d. If you don’t work you don’t go to heaven.
Hebrews 4.1ff, 8-
10 4.
If there is no work then the local vineyard gets in need of repair.
a. What happens when a local congregation dies? It quits working.
b. How can you tell when a congregation is dead? Do not see it
working.
c. A congregation without working members will not have working teachers,
preachers, deacons, elders, etc. B)
Vine of God, John 15.1 1.
Christ is the trunk, the roots from which everything else grows
a. Through Him the vines (we live)
b. He gives us all we need just as the trunk gives the vines all they
need, John 15.7 2.
We as individual Christians are the branches (as opposed to denominations or
congregations)
a. We are to grow, John 15.2
b. We are to bear “much fruit” John
15.5
c. Bearing fruit is not specifically talking about converting others
but changing ourselves.
e. Even if I have not taught one person I can still be bearing fruit
by living the Christian life. 3.
If I abide in Christ then I will indeed bear fruit, Ephesians 5.9 C)
The Bride of Christ 1.
Christ is the husband, Ephesians 5.23
a. Just as the bride is subject to her husband the church is subject
to Christ
b. Christ has shown His bride His love 2.
Individuals make up the bride
a. We are to be subject to Him because we are joined to Him
b. We are to study His word and then obey Him. 3.
The Bride is pure, 2 Corinthians 11.2
a. A bride is dressed in white to represent her purity; the church
has been cleansed by the blood of the lamb, Ephesians
5.26
b. A bride that is pure is holy and blameless; so are the Christians, Revelation
7.14 D)
The body of Christ, Ephesians 1.22-23 1.
There is one body, Ephesians 4.4
a. No denominations and no division in the body
b. The body can have only one head and that is Christ,
Colossians 1.18,24
c. If you are a part of the body you must accept Christ as the
head, Ephesians 5.23b, 24a 2.
The individuals are members of the body
a. The parts are joined to each other, Romans
12.4-5
b. Each part has a function and place in the body, 1
Corinthians
12.12-20 3.
There is the character of unity in the body
a. No divisions, 1 Corinthians 12.25
b. Each unit works for the good of the body and not itself,
Ephesians 4.15-16 E)
1.
Christ is the foundation, 1 Corinthians
3.11
a. A building is only as strong as its foundation; the foundation is
Jesus the Son of God, Matthew
16.18.
b. The rest of the temple must be built right, Hebrews
8.5 2.
Individuals are stones or parts of the temple, Ephesians 2.19-22
a. Stones must be fitted and bound together, 1
Peter 2.5
b. Jews and Gentiles must be fitted and bound together 3.
Character of the
a.
b. Keep the church sacred and holy. Don’t track mud and dirt into
the temple. Remember the charge against Paul in Acts 21.28, 1 Corinthians 6.18-20 Conclusion:
How to be a part of Christ’s body, the vineyard of the Lord, the temple of
God, the bride of Christ, the vine? Through obedience to the Gospel of Christ, Romans
1.16; this requires us to be “born again” as stated in John
3.5. Are you ready to do so? |