SUNDAY LESSON, 6/6/21
THE CHURCH: IMPERFECT, BUT GREATLY NEEDED (1)
Matthew 16:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Hebrews 10:23-25
Our SUMMER SERMON SERIES kicks off this Sunday. For the next few weeks, we will be taking an honest and practical look at “THE CHURCH” from the perspective of eight different churches (congregations), starting with the seven church of Asia from Revelation 2 and 3 and the Jerusalem church from Acts 2. In this study we see the church at it best and worst, and learn valuable and practical lessons from both to help us become more like Christ collectively as a church and individually.
Before getting into the practical and relevant study of these eight churches, I want us to understand why the church, although imperfect, is so important to true followers of Christ. In this lesson we will learn why we greatly need the church–the bride and body of Christ, and how dismal and incomplete our life would be without her.
Matthew 16:18b
“…on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades[b] will not overcome it.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Hebrews 10:23-25
23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
