Promises ofGod
4.ChurchofGod
Ephesians5:29"Fornomaneveryethatedhisownflesh; butnourishethandcherishethit,evenastheLordthe church:"
Meaning:Therearemanypromisesconcerningthechurch. ThisoneinparticularstatesthatGodwillnourishandcherish thechurch.Achurchisalocal,visible,organizedassemblyof savedandbaptizedbelievers.Theword"nourisheth"inthetext meanstorearuptomaturity.Goddoesthisthroughthe preachingandteachingofHisWord.Theword"cherisheth" meanstobroodorfoster.GodprotectsandcaresforHischurch.
Application:ThechurchisthebodyofChrist. Justaswetakecareofourownphysicalbody,so willChristtakecareofthechurch.Thechurchis notman'sinvention,butGod'slivingorganism.
Spiritualgrowthandprotectioncomefrombeing partofHisbody,thechurch(Ephesians1:22,23).
BeingnourishedandcherishedbyGodisa promisetothoseinchurch.
OtherVersesforStudy:Matthew16:16-18;Acts20:28;IICorinthians 8:1;Ephesians2:20-22;5:23-27;Colossians1:13,18,24;ITimothy3:15
1.Whatisachurch?