THE GLORIOUS CHURCH

                                      Eph.  J.-27
                                  INTRODUCTION

           None but the New Testament church entitled to this name and
                          only as it continues faithful to God

             1. IT HAS A GLORIOUS HEAD-CHRIST (Col. 1: 18)
                  1. Christ said, "I will build MY church." It is his.
                  2. The head remains the same and the BODY, the
                     church, must be the same as in New Testament times.
                        (a) Head and body must be in HARMONY.
                        (b) This implies unity with all members.
                  3. Christ has not surrendered his authority to man.
                        (a) He would then cease to be the head.
                        (b) His authority ONLY is to be recognized.
                  4. He is head over all things to the church. (Eph. 1:22.)

            11. IT HAS GLORIOUS NAMES
                  1. The head had AUTHORITY to name it.
                  2. It is called: church of God, body of Christ, kingdom
                     of heaven, house of God, churches of Christ. (I Tim.
                     3:5; Eph. 1:23; 4:12; 1 Cor. 3:15; Rom. 16:16.)
                        (a) These all show divine ORIGIN, RELATION-
                            SHIP and divine WISDOM.
                        (b) These all add GLORY to the head as the head
                            adds glory to the body.
                  3. Denominational names are blots on the fair name of
                     Christ.
                        (a) They give honor to human agencies and men.
                        (b) They perpetuate organic division. (I Cor. 1:12
                            13.)
                        (c) Without distinctive names there could be no
                            distinctive organization.
                        (d) Modern denominationalism would be- impossible
                            without the modern names.

           111.  IT HAS A GLORIOUS WORK
                  1. It expresses God's great PLAN and PURPOSE for the
                     redemption of man.
                       (a) The manifold wisdom of God is made known
                            through the church. (Eph. 3:10.)
                          (b) Its mission is God-ordained and spirit@ded.
                    2. Everything that its members do, that they should do,
                       gives glory to God. (I Cor. 10:31.)
                          (a) Glorify God in our bodies. (I Cor. 6:20.)
                          (b) Glorify God in speaking. (I Pet. 4:11.)
                    3. United, sympathetic work is demanded by the head.
                          (a) Division is disastrous for good results.
                          (b) Five things hinder the work now:
                                1. Denominational NAMES
                                2. Denominational CREEDS
                                3. Denominational AUTHORITIES
                                4. Denominational ORDINANCES
                                5. Denominational TESTS OF FELLOW-
                                   SHIP.
                    4. All our glory must be in the church. (Eph. 3:21.)

             IV. IT HAS A GLORIOUS DESTINY
                    1. It is finally taken as the Bride of the Lamb. (Rev. 21:9.)
                    2. To be presented as a pure virgin to Christ. (2 Cor.
                       11:2.)
                    3. The kingdom to be delivered to God. (I Cor. 15:24.)
                    4. Gathered with the spirits of the just. (Heb. 12:22-23.)

                                      CONCLUSION
                 All other churches shall be destroyed. (Matt. 15:13.)