SERIES: HEAVEN ON EARTH (3 OF 6)

NOTE: This sermon is part 5 and 6 of a 13 part sermon series. Two sermons outlines are included in this download.

PREVIEWS:

Part 5: The Church's Unity
Series: Heaven On Earth
Stuart Briscoe
Ephesians 4:1-6

Believers not only relate to Christ in a personal way, they also relate to the Church in a corporate dimension. The unity of this relationship is of great importance if the Church is to maintain her witness as God's Society to a secular society that has lost God.

I. The Theological Basis of Unity. vv. 4-6

A. One body-believers belong to one organism.

B. One Spirit-believers possess one life.

C. One calling-believers share one goal.

D. One faith-believers operate on one principle.

E. One baptism-believers make one witness.

G. One God-believers worship one God.

II. The Sociological Necessity of Unity.

The Church is:
A. The fullness of God's Son. 1:23

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Part 6: The Church's Activity
Series: Heaven On Earth
Stuart Briscoe
Ephesians 4:11-16

Christ spoke with great determination about His plans for the Church, and the Holy Spirit spoke with great detail about her functions and prospects. It is obvious that the Church is an important subject so having studied her "Unity" and "Diversity" we go on to her "Activity."

I. The Purpose of the Church's Activity.

A. The maturity of the Believers.
1. Mature in their spiritual increment. v. 13
Note: "Perfect" v. 13, lit. finished, complete, mature.
a. Through the knowledge of Christ.

b. To the fullness of Christ.

2. Mature in their scriptural insight. v. 14
a. There are many winds of doctrine.

c. There are many waiting to deceive.

3. Mature in their social involvement. v. 12
Note: "ministry" lit. "serving."
a. A mature appreciation of ministry. Matthew 20:26