The Church Is Like Unto…

Various Scriptures

ONE GREAT TRUTH: God inspired His word to define the church in such a way that our greatest goal becomes to draw together around a common mission.

METAPHORS OF THE CHURCH…

1. The church is a fellowship. (Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35)

The implication – we share a common spiritual bond.
The application – we should strive for togetherness.

2. The church is a flock. (Acts 20:28-32)

The implication – we are the flock of the Great Shepherd.
The application – we need shepherd-leaders to lead, feed, and guard the flock.

3. The church is a body. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31)

The implication – we are a body, the head of which is Christ.
The application – we should have equality of value and function as members of one body.

4. The church is a family/household. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The implication – we are part of the family of God.
The application – we should operate on the basis of relationships.

5. The church is a building/temple/house. (Ephesians 2:19-22)

The implication – we house the Holy Spirit.
The application – when we come together, His Spirit is powerful among us.

6. The church is a bride. (Ephesians 5:21-33; Revelation 19:7-10)

The implication – we are as close to Jesus’ heart as a bride to a groom.
The application – we should be preparing for our complete oneness with Him.

There are other metaphors – we’re like an army, we’re like a crop growing up together. I think that as much as Paul talked about the Christian life being like an Olympic race, he would have compared the church to a team if he were writing today. The overall implication is that we’re bound together and bound to Christ. When there are difficulties, we pull together, because our mission is that important.