The Purpose of the Church

Scripture reference: Ephesians 3:2-12

Until the coming of Christ, God kept in himself, hidden from the world, a great mystery. (A truth or fact which is hidden.) This mystery was revealed the world through the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ Jesus. God then called Paul to convey and explain this mystery to world through his mission to the Gentiles. "This mystery is that through the gospel (the message that Jesus is the Christ and was sacrificed and raised from the dead for the propitiation of sins) the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:6 NIV)

The wisdom and grace of God are made clear by the existence of the church. For it is in the church that God's great mystery, the unity of Jews and Gentiles, is made manifest. The very purpose of the church, in the final analysis, is to give glory to God. The glory that flows through the Son, Christ Jesus, and the saving grace which was manifest unto all men through His atoning sacrifice.

God is glorified because through Christ he has fulfilled His promise to Abraham to bless all peoples; to save all the world. Through the death and resurrection of Christ, God has shown himself to be both just and the justifier. The sins of all are paid for, and all are made right with God. Through the church, all mankind receives both the message of the gospel and the the fellowship of God's family. Through the church, God is worshiped and glorified. And that is the purpose of the church.

May the grace and glory of God be with you through Christ Jesus. Amen.

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