Introduction:
A. People see the church as...
     1. A man made religious organization.
         a. Matthew 16:18.
         b. Ephesians 3:10-11.
     2. A big business.
         a. But, the church is not a business at all.
         b. Funds are only obtained by the free will offerings of those who are a part of it (I Corinthians 16:1-2).
         c. And, the only works it is to be involved in is: evangelism, benevolence, and edification.
     3. Social club.
         a. Although those in the church ought to enjoy the company of one another (Acts 2:46).
         b. The church is not a social club.
B. We need to see the church through God's eyes.
     1. God has told us what he intends for the church to be, and it is far different from what man sees the church as.
     2. Since the church is His we ought to see what He wants it to be.

God sees the church as...
 
  I. The bride of Christ (His Son).
      A. Israel was God's bride in the O.T.
          1. Jeremiah 3:14.
              a. God said Himself that He was married to Israel.
              b. God looked at His relationship with Israel in comparison to that of a husband and bride.
              c. God: chose her, gave her a home (the land of Canaan), provided for her, and loved her.
          2. But, Israel was not faithful to God.
              a. Jeremiah 3:1.
              b. Hosea.
      B. The church is Christ's bride in the N.T. 
          1. Romans 7:1-4.
              a. The Jews are no longer married to the old law, for Christ fulfilled the old law, and nailed it to His cross - Col.2:14.
              b. They now can be married to another = Christ.
          2. II Corinthians 11:2.
              a. Paul here says that the church in Corinth had been espoused (given in marriage) to one husband (Christ).
              b. The church as a whole, likewise is married to Christ.
          3. Ephesians 5:23-32.
              a. Paul is using the analogy of the church as the bride of Christ.
              b. Jesus died that He might sanctify and cleanse her and present her as a glorious church w/o spot or wrinkle (25b-27).
              c. But, Paul also makes the point that the church/bride of Christ needs to be subject to Him.
                  1) She must do what He says, and only what He says.
                  2) He has told us what He would have her to do in N.T.

 II. An army.
      A. Many passages suggest that He sees the church as an army.
           1. Christians are reffered to as:
               a. Soldiers - II Timothy 2:3-4.
               b. At war - I Timothy 1:18.
           2. We have been given orders:
               a. To fight the good fight of faith - I Timothy 6:12.
               b. Contend earnestly for the faith - Jude 3.
               c. To arm ourselves - Ephesians 6:10-17.
           3. We are in a battle.
               a. Satan is our enemy (I Peter 5:8).
               b. False teachers are also enemies of the truth whose mouths must be stopped (Titus 1:11).
       B. We can be victorious in our warfare.
            1. If we do what God has told us...
                a. Satan will flee.
                b. Truth will prevail.
                c. We will stand.
                d. We'll be rewarded with a crown of righteousness - II Tim 4:7-8.
            2. To be victorious, however, we need certain things.
                a. We need desire to study, so that we can defend ourselves.
                b. We need good elders to protect the flock - Acts 20:28-31.
                c. We need faithful preachers to preach the truth - II Tim.4:1-5.
                d. We need teachers who will teach others (II Timothy 2:2).
                e. We need members who will: warn, comfort, support, be patient - I Thes.5:14.
                f. We need faith that will endure, and hearts that are tender.

III. The family of God.
      A. The church is described as a family.
           1. God is our Father.
               a. Matthew 6:9.
               b. I Cor.1:3; II Cor.1:2; Gal.1:1; Eph.1:2; Phil.1:2; Col.1:2.
           2. We are His children.
               a. Galatians 3:26.
               b. Romans 8:14-16.
           3. Christians are brethren.
               a. Acts 14:2.
               b. I Corinthians 5:3.
               c. I Corinthians 7:15.
               d. Philemon 16.
      B. Function of these relationships.
          1. Father.
              a. Loves - John 3:16.
              b. Provides - James 1:17.
              c. Disciplines - Hebrews 12:6-9.
          2. Children.
              a. Love - I John 4:19.
              b. Obey - John 14:15.
              c. Rely - Matthew 7:7-11.
          3. Brethren.
              a. Love - I John 4:7.
              b. Help - Galatians 6:10.
              c. Correct - Galatians 6:1; I Cor.5:11.
              d. Anything - I John 3:16.

 IV. Body.
       A. Jesus is the head of the body.
           1. Ephesians 1:22-23.
               a. Made the head by the Father.
               b. Preeminence.
           2. The body.
               a. The church.
               b. Must obey the head - Ephesians 5:24.
           3. And, He is the head over only one body/church.
               a. Ephesians 1:22-23 - body =church.
               b. Ephesians 4:4 - one body = one church.
       B. The body.
           1. Has many diverse members.
               a. Romans 12:4-5.
               b. I Corinthians 12:1-12; 15-25.
               c. And, the body needs each member to do it's part.
           2. Needs harmony to thrive.
               a. Romans 12:5.
               b. We effect one another - Romans 14:7.
               c. How do we have harmony - Ephesians 4:1-3; Col.3:121-13.

V. Conclusion:
A. God sees the church as:
     1. The bride of Christ.
     2. An army.
     3. A family.
     4. The body of Christ.
B. One day Jesus is going to return for His church. 
     1. Are you a part of her?
     2. If not you need to be!
     3. If you: believe, repent, confess, and are baptized God will add you church - Acts 2:47.