Will the Real Church Please Stand Up!

We culminate this summer’s series on biblical images of the church by going to the end of the Bible to see the New Jerusalem coming down out of heaven and the saints of God dwelling on the new earth. Here is when God truly dwells with His people. The scripture: John 14.1-3 and Revelation 21.1-7 The teaching: WE ARE THE NEW JERUSALEM The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP!

The Golden Lampstands are the Seven Churches of Revelation. Jesus, the High Priest, has charge of His temple lights. He stands among the churches with full authority as Lord, and He has a message and mission for each. The scripture: Revelation 1.9-20 The teaching: CHRIST AMONG THE LAMPSTANDS The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP!

Jesus followers are united in a way that transcend ethnicity, race, and political boarders. There is a unity of spirit, mission, and destiny. The scripture: Ephesians 2.11-22 The teaching: WE ARE THE NEW HUMANITY The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP

We are Ambassadors for Christ. Ambassadors represent their home country on foreign soil. They represent their country’s leadership and abide by the policies of their nation. The Bible says that “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3.20). As ambassador’s of Christ, we represent our new home country – heaven – and its king – Jesus Christ – on foreign soil – the earth (This world is not our home). The scripture: 2 Corinthians 5.17-21 The teaching: WE ARE AMBASSADOR FOR…

Not only has God called His ekklesia (church) out of the world, but places it back into the world as a royal priesthood. And although you may wonder what that is about, it is about standing in the gap for lost and needy world. We have more to say about this this Sunday. The scripture: 1 Peter 2.4-6, 9-10 The teaching: WE ARE A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP!

Household, family, belonging, home … a power image of the Church as God designed it. The scripture: Matthew 12.46-50 The teaching: WE ARE THE HOUSEHOLD OF GOD The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP!

An image of church and Savior that still speaks is that of a flock and shepherd. Jesus said: “My sheep hear My voice.” This is how we know to follow … We hear His voice. The scriptures: Psalm 23 and John 10.1-18 The teaching: WE ARE THE FLOCK OF GOD The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP!

We are not a club. We are not a religion. We are not the mere product of culture or society. We are a community marked, energized, filled with, led by, and empowered with the very Spirit of the Living God The scriptures: Mark 1.1-4,8 . 1 Corinthians 12.4-11; 14.1a . Galatians 5.22-25 The teaching: WE ARE THE SPIRIT-FILLED COMMUNITY The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP!

On this Independence Day we take a moment to specifically view how the community of faith is related to the life of the nation. The scripture: Matthew 5.1-16 The teaching: WE ARE SALT AND LIGHT The series: WILL THE REAL CHURCH PLEASE STAND UP!

The Church … a body … a team … an orchestra … an instrument God is using to leverage the kingdom of God in a world that has lost touch with the Creator. The world is in need of a Redeemer, and that is where WE come in. The church is made up of born again believers filled with the Spirit of Christ, and in our daily living and deep commitments we are His body … His hands … His…