Why I Love the Church of Christ

I love the church of Christ because . . .

JESUS loves the church – Ephesians 5:25

    We speak of Jesus as loving the SINNER . . . and He does!

        Matthew 20:28

        Luke 19:10

        1 Timothy 1:15

    We speak of Jesus as loving the SAINT . . . and He does!

        John 13:34

        John 14:21, 23-24

    But Jesus also loves the CHURCH

        He gave HIMSELF for the church – Ephesians 5:25

        He NOURISHES & CHERISHES the church – Eph 5:29

It is a BLESSING to all who know her:

    in HEAVEN

        Ephesians 3:9-11

        1 Peter 1:10-12

        Luke 15:7, 10

    on EARTH

        Matthew 5:13-16

        Acts 4:18-21

        2 Corinthians 9:12-15

        Because the church has been a blessing to me, I owe her my LOVE and my LOYALTY.

Of her empowering HOPE

    Ephesians 2:11-16 – all have been WITHOUT hope

    Colossians 1:1-6 – hope is given in the GOSPEL

    1 John 3:1-3 – hope compels us to live lives of PURITY

    1 Thessalonians 5:13-18 – we LIVE and DIE in hope

    Hebrews 6:18-19 – hope is the ANCHOR of the SOUL