Love For the Local Church: (Ephesians 2:19-22). Part Three

In our last lesson, we looked at the foundation of the church, and we saw that God founded the church on New Testament truth, with the Lord Jesus being central to everything! In this lesson, we're going to examine the formation of the church, and the fact that God is fitting and growing the members of His church together into a holy temple in the Lord. Paul says, "In whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord" (v 21). The phrase "In whom" is in reference to Jesus. Everything depends on being in Christ! Paul in speaking about "the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord" is using mixed metaphors. In other words, Paul is not speaking literally, but is using figures of speech. First, Paul refers to the church as stones in the temple, which were carefully fit together. But since "dead stones" is not an adequate image, Paul shifts to a living analogy, by saying that they're growing into a holy temple! Like apostle Peter, Paul looks at the church as "living stones" which is an intriguing oxymoron by itself! When speaking about the church Peter said, "You also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Pet. 2:5). The Lord Himself fits Christ followers together with one another, in ways that each "living stone" contributes an important and vital part to the whole building. Our Lord knows that individual stones are not of much value apart from the whole, but when the stones are fit together, the building is transformed into a wonderful and functional place where the Lord God is worshiped! As Christ followers, we must know and embrace that it's only in close relationships with other Christ followers that God uses us for His glory and honor. The end result is priceless! This is why you should love the local church! Your move. Be encouraged!