Glorifying GodI. God
a. (1Tim. 2:5) "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"
b. (Gal. 3:20) "Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one."
c. (John 10: 30) "I and my Father are one.""
d. (1John 5:7) "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."
e. (John 5:22-23) "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."II. God receives glory through His Son
a. (John 17:4) "These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify they Son, that they Son also may glorify thee:"
b. (1Peter 2:5) "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ."III. The work Christ finished
a. (John 17:4) "I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do."
b. (1Tim. 1:15) "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief."
c. (Eph. 5:25-27) "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 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."
d. (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".
e. (Titus 2:11-14)" For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."IV. The Church - What is it?
a. Christ's own personal possession - (John 17:6) "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word."
b. His body in the world - (Eph. 5:30) "For we are the members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones."
c. An habitation of God - ( Eph. 2:19-22) "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."
d. The House of God - ( 1Tim. 3:14-15) "These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
e. Local congregations, complete within themselves - (Acts 15:22) "Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Bar'sabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:" (Rev. 1:20) "The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."
f. The pillar and ground of the truth - (1Tim. 3:14-15) "These things I write unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."V. Establishment of the church - when?
a. (Mark 13:34)" For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch."
b. (Heb. 3:4-6)" For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."
c. ( Matt. 28:18-20) "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. A-men'."VI. Perpetuity of the church
a. (Matt. 16:16-18) "And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjo'na; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 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."
b. (Eph. 3:21) "And unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all the ages, world without end. A-men."
c. (Rev. 2:26-27) "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON; AS THE VESSELS OF A POTTER SHALL THEY BE BROKEN TO SHIVERS; even as I received of my Father."
d. (2Tim. 2:11-12) "It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:"
e. (Luke 9:23) "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me."