Renewing Respect for the Lord’s Church

Renewing Respect for the Lord’s Church

We live in a time when respect for many things—especially spiritual matters—has greatly diminished. Our culture no longer esteems the Lord’s church as it once did, and even among believers, respect can fade. This lesson calls us to renew our respect for the Lord’s church: to understand why it is worthy of such regard, to consider what is right about it, and to see what we can do to restore that honor. The Bible knows of only one church—the body of Christ—not a multitude of man-made institutions. Ephesians 5 tells us Christ came to sanctify the church. In God’s design, there is one singular body, and it is this church that deserves our renewed respect.

Why the Church Deserves Respect

First, the church was in God’s eternal purpose. Ephesians 3:10–11 reveals that through the church, the manifold wisdom of God would be made known according to His eternal purpose accomplished in Christ Jesus. The church was not an afterthought or reaction to failure—it was foreseen and planned before the foundation of the world, launched precisely in Acts 2 as God intended.

Second, Christ Himself built the church. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared to Peter, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” No other religious body or denomination can claim this divine origin.

Third, Christ is the head of the church. Colossians 1:18 identifies Him as “the head of the body, the church.” This unique relationship—Christ as head and the church as His body—is exclusive to the church He purchased with His own blood.

What Is Right About the Church

The message of the church is right. In 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, Paul summarizes the gospel he preached: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Without this truth, there would be no salvation. This is the central message the church proclaims.

The purpose of the church is right. Luke 19:10 gives Christ’s mission: “to seek and to save that which was lost.” That mission has been handed to His church; it is not a civic club, entertainment venue, or political organization—its work is the saving of souls.

The doctrine of the church is right. Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for receiving the word eagerly and searching the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard was true. The church upholds this standard by testing all teaching against the inspired word of God.

How to Renew Respect for the Church

We must be unashamed of the gospel. Romans 1:16 says it is “the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes.” No truth in it should embarrass us, for it is the very means by which God saves.

We must be unashamed of keeping God’s commandments. 1 John 5:3 tells us that loving God means keeping His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome. Obedience, whether in moral conduct, worship, or daily living, honors God and reflects the church’s integrity.

We must fight religious error. 1 John 4:1 commands believers to test the spirits because many false prophets have gone into the world. Knowing God’s word well enough to recognize and refute error builds respect for the church’s faithfulness.

We must reach out to others. Christ reached out to those whom society ignored or despised: the Samaritan woman, tax collectors, the sick, and the marginalized. Following His example shows the church’s compassion and inclusiveness.

We must demonstrate care and compassion. James 2:14–17 warns that faith without works is dead, and 1 John 3:17–18 calls us to love in deed and truth. Meeting the needs of those who are hurting proves the sincerity of our faith.

Renewing respect begins within. The Lord’s people must first honor the church as the unique, precious body of Christ. We are a royal priesthood and a peculiar people—set apart as God’s prized possession. Recognizing this identity motivates us to live and speak in ways that bring glory to the church and to its Head.

Renewing Respect for the Lord’s Church Sermon Outline:

• Introduction

  • Observation of the loss of respect in society, especially for the Lord’s church (Ephesians 5)

  • Statement that there is only one church in Scripture

  • Goal: understand why we should respect the church, what is right about it, and how to renew respect

• I. Why the Church Deserves Respect

  • A. It was in God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10–11)

    • Not an afterthought or accident

    • Planned before creation, launched in Acts 2

  • B. Christ built it (Matthew 16:18)

    • Only one church He established

  • C. Christ is the head of it (Colossians 1:18)

    • Unique relationship: Head and body

• II. What Is Right About the Church

  • A. Its message is right (1 Corinthians 15:1–4)

    • Death, burial, resurrection of Christ according to the Scriptures

    • Foundation of salvation

  • B. Its purpose is right (Luke 19:10)

    • Seeking and saving the lost is central mission

    • Not a social or political organization

  • C. Its doctrine is right (Acts 17:11)

    • Testing all teaching against Scripture

    • Maintaining fidelity to God’s word

• III. How to Renew Respect for the Church

  • A. Be unashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16)

    • God’s power to save; no embarrassment over any teaching

  • B. Be unashamed of keeping God’s commandments (1 John 5:3)

    • Obedience as a demonstration of love for God

  • C. Fight religious error (1 John 4:1)

    • Knowing and defending truth

  • D. Reach out to others

    • Follow Christ’s example of engaging the overlooked and marginalized

  • E. Show care and compassion (James 2:14–17; 1 John 3:17–18)

    • Love in deed and truth; meeting real needs

• Conclusion

  • Respect must begin within the church

  • We are a royal priesthood, peculiar people, God’s prized possession (1 Peter 2:9)

  • Christ still commands belief, baptism, and faithfulness (Mark 16:15–16)

Call to Action

If we truly believe the church is God’s eternal plan, built by Christ, and under His headship, then we must live in ways that renew and display that respect. Let us be bold in the gospel, steadfast in obedience, vigilant against error, and compassionate in action. The world may not understand the uniqueness of the Lord’s church, but our faithful living can help them see its beauty and truth.

Key Takeaways

• The church was in God’s eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:10–11)

• Christ built the church (Matthew 16:18)

• Christ is the head of the church (Colossians 1:18)

• The gospel message is the heart of the church’s teaching (1 Corinthians 15:1–4)

• The mission is to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10)

• All doctrine must be tested by Scripture (Acts 17:11)

• Renewing respect requires boldness, obedience, defending truth, outreach, and compassion (Romans 1:16; 1 John 5:3; 1 John 4:1; James 2:14–17; 1 John 3:17–18)

Scripture Reference List

• Ephesians 3:10–11 – Eternal purpose for the church

• Matthew 16:18 – Christ building His church

• Colossians 1:18 – Christ as head of the body

• 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 – Gospel foundation

• Luke 19:10 – Mission of Christ and the church

• Acts 17:11 – Testing teaching by Scripture

• Romans 1:16 – Unashamed of the gospel

• 1 John 5:3 – Love of God shown through obedience

• 1 John 4:1 – Testing spirits to avoid falsehood

• James 2:14–17 – Faith proven by works

• 1 John 3:17–18 – Love in deed and truth

• 1 Peter 2:9 – Royal priesthood and peculiar people

• Mark 16:15–16 – Gospel call to salvation

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO