Christ Loves His Church
Your view of church should be shaped by Christ's view of church. Scripture speaks of Christ building His church, purchasing it with His blood, loving it, and sanctifying it.
- Read the primary Bible passages carefully and in context.
- Compare Scripture with Scripture before drawing the conclusion.
- State the main truth in plain words you could explain to someone else.
- Complete the Quick Checks and guided study before moving on.
Jesus said, “I will build my church”
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
The church is not an afterthought in Christ's plan. Jesus said He would build His church. Every generation of believers should therefore care about the work Christ said He would build.
The church was purchased at great cost
Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Paul charged the elders of Ephesus to feed the flock because the church is precious to God. The phrase purchased with his own blood destroys a casual view of the congregation. What cost God so dearly should not be treated cheaply by believers.
Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it
Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Christ's love for the church is sacrificial and sanctifying. He gave Himself for it and works through His Word to make His people holy. When believers commit themselves to a sound church, they are committing themselves to something Christ loves.
Church members will still be imperfect people. That does not reduce the value of Christ's design. It gives every member an opportunity to grow in patience, love, forgiveness, service, and truth while Christ continues His work among His people.
Compare Scripture with Scripture
Scripture trail: Matthew 16:18 • Acts 20:28 • Ephesians 5:25 • Ephesians 5:26 • Ephesians 5:27 • Matthew 16:18, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:26 • Acts 2:41-42 • 1 Corinthians 12:18-27
Do not rush past the references. Open them, read the surrounding verses, and make the Bible carry the weight of the conclusion.
Think it through
- What responsibility does the passage give to the believer, the congregation, or church leadership?
- Which parts of this command require real relationships in a local church rather than isolated Christianity?
- How would decades of obeying this truth shape a believer, a family, and a congregation?
Teach it back
Without looking at the lesson explanation, summarize Christ Loves His Church in two or three sentences and support your explanation from Scripture. If you cannot explain it simply yet, return to the passages and work through them again.
Slow down and work the text
Reopen Matthew 16:18, Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:25, Ephesians 5:26. Read enough before and after each verse to see the setting. Do not settle for remembering a slogan when you can inspect the wording for yourself.
- Write the main claim of Christ Loves His Church in one sentence.
- Underline or write down the exact words in the passages that support that claim.
- Compare at least two of the passages. What truth becomes clearer when they are read together?
- Ask what could be misunderstood if one phrase were isolated from its context.
- Name one concrete way this truth should change your faithfulness, service, relationships, or responsibility in a local church.
- What responsibility does this lesson give to a church member or leader?
- Why is this truth difficult to practice in isolation?
- What would long-term faithfulness to this truth look like?
If Jesus Christ builds the church, purchased it with His blood, and loved it enough to give Himself for it, His people should learn to love, serve, protect, and value the church too.
Preaching, Doctrine, and Spiritual Growth
19 min