Ephesians 05:23-33 – Why I Love The Church – Audio

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Text: Ephesians 5:23-33 (Reading by Andy Anderson)

Introduction to Why I Love The Church

1. There are many people who are cynical when they speak of the church

2. They see the church as a cold, sterile, formal institution

3. However, some people see the church as I do: Something to love

4. I grant the human side of the church remains in a constant state of renovation and repair, but that’s really no reason not to love it

5. Allow me to share with you four reasons why I love the church

Why I Love The Church

I. I Love the Church Because Jesus Loves It

A. My greatest aim in life is to be a Christian

1. I’ll never be perfect

2. But I hope and pray I look more like him today at 73 than when I was 23 years old

B. Jesus loved the church – Ephesians 5:25

II. I Love the Church Because the Church Is Family

A. Members of the church are called sons of God – Galatians 3:26

1. Fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters – 1 Timothy 5:1-2

B. Because we’re family, we have support

C. We don’t have to go through life alone

1. Matthew 12:46-50

2. Mark 10:28-30

III. I Love the Church Because Of Its Impact on the World

A. Don’t we all lament the state of the world?

B. Just think what this world would be like without the influence of the church!

C. Matthew 5:13-16

D. The church is a moral voice and a conscience in our society

IV. I Love the Church Because It Is the Saved

A. Jesus Saves, not the church; but it is the church that Jesus saves!

B. Ephesians 5:25-30; Acts 2:47, 20:28

C. If I’m not a part of the church, then no matter what else I may accomplish in life, it’s all been for nothing – Matt 16:24-26

Conclusion to Why I Love The Church

1. The greatest gift you could ever give the Lord is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely

2. The greatest gift you could ever give to your spouse is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely

3. The greatest gift you could ever give to your children is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely

4. The greatest gift you could ever give your neighbors and friends is to love the church of Jesus Christ supremely