This podcast is based on a sermon Bob DeWaay preached on January 13, 2019 based on Ephesians 2:21, 22. The key issue is to biblically define the church. Many common assumptions about the church are taken from church history and not grounded in the biblical definition of the church. Liberalism typically uses equivocation with important terms about the church and does so in very deceptive ways. We explore what that looks like. There is a logical absurdity in trying to find a definition of the church and her practices from the pagan culture. We explain the problem in detail, giving examples. In contrast, Paul defines the church as the building of God. We explain what that means in Scripture and how Ephesians 2 is a key part of understanding the church. The church grows through conversions where God makes dead sinners alive through Jesus Christ. Those who are thus alive in Christ become building stones in the church. Creating bigger organizations is not church growth. We discuss the sources of church growth theory and we debunk some of their key ideas. We also explain the organic nature of the body of Christ and how those added to the church serve the Lord and one another by His grace. We also make it clear that we have to get our theology right and not focus on technology.
You can view the original sermon and download the handouts here:
https://www.ggf.church/sermons/sermon/2019-01-13/the-building-of-god-ephesians-2:21-22