Aug. 04, 2024

Believe Again

The Church

Primary Text:  Ephesians 3:7–12    

1)  For the Body

Colossians 1:24–27:  Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.  I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness--the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints.  To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

DQ 1) What is “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages”? 

DQ 2) Define the Church.

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

2)  On This Rock

Matthew 16:14–19:  They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  “But what about you?” he asked.  “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” 

DQ 3) What are possible explanations of Jesus’ statement, “on this rock I will build my church”?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

3)  Through the Church

Ephesians 1:22–23:  And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Ephesians 3:7–12:  I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.  Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.  His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.  In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.  

DQ 4) What are the God-given roles of the church throughout history and today?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

4)  Fallow Ground

Hosea 10:11–13:  Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh; so I will put a yoke on her fair neck.  I will drive Ephraim, Judah must plow, and Jacob must break up the ground.  Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.  But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. 

DQ 5) Describe the unplowed (fallow) ground of the church in the United States for the last century? Why might God Himself have plowed it up?

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________