Citizens of the Kingdom (Part 4): Ekklesia

The Ekklesia is a group of Christ Followers who come
together to be the living body of Christ. We image him by living
in love and unity and continually being a witness to the Kingdom
Rule of Christ in the world.


4 Things the church is: a Bride, a House, a Body, and a
Family


Bride


Rev 19:7; Eph 5


House


Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Peter 2:1-10; 1 Cor 6:19


Body


1 Cor 12:12-30; Eph1:20-23; Col 1:21-29


Family


The church is described as New Birth, Children of God, sons of
God, brothers and sisters, fathers, an household in the New
Testament: Gal 6:10; Rom 8:29, Eph 2:19, 1 Tim 5:1-2, 1 Tim 3:15,
1 John 2:12-13, 1 John 3:14


How should the church family act?


The Members take care of each other. James 2:14-17, Eph 4:28,
Gal 6:2, Rom 12:13

Spend time with each other. Acts 2:42,46

Show affection towards each other.

Grow: internally (spiritually) and externally (in numbers)

Share responsibility

Reflect the triune God in their relationships 1 John 1:1-3,



The Lord’s Supper


In the Roman context they would have these banquets where there
were 3 parts.


First course was a meal together with people ranked from
greatest to least (remember Jesus’ saying about not seating
yourself in the pace of honor at a banquet?)

Second part was when a cup was raised (drink offering) to
Caesar and pledged allegiance to him

Third part consisted of poems, songs, speeches and etc in
honor of the emperor.



The church's banquets (meetings) were subversive. 


1 Cor 8-11


1 Corinthians 8 and 11:17-34: The importance unity in
relationships and community when taking communion.

1 Corinthians 9 and 11:17-34: Communion represents the
fellowship meal of the priesthood in the OT. The church is the
priesthood and communion is our fellowship meal.

1 Corinthians 10 and 11:17-34: We connect with God and
proclaim our allegiance to Him during communion.

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 and 11:17-34: the necessity for
equality within the Church and the importance of meeting needs in
the Body. We come to the table as equals.



Gifts and Meetings


Rom 12:6-6


1 Cor 12:8-10


1 Cor 12: 28-30


Ephesians 4:11


1 Peter 4:11


We need all the gifts in action because they display and model
Christ. We cannot elevate one over another (such as pastor or
teacher).


Church Unity


Rom 15:7; 1 Cor 1:11-13; John 17:20-23


In short, whenever the church gathers together, its
guiding and functioning principal is simply to incarnate Christ
(1 Cor 12:12)