TEXT:  Eph. 3:20-21

INTRODUCTION:

A.      THE CHURCH IS A WONDERFUL BLESSING FROM GOD.

          1.       An instrument of glory for God.

          2.       Must be perfect to glorify him.

B.      THE CHURCH IS SUFFICIENT TO DO GOD'S WORK.

          1.       No other institution can do that work.

          2.       Any effort to improve the church reflects on God's wisdom.

I.      WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE CHURCH?

        ( 1 Tim. 3:15;  Eph. 4:11-12 ).

II.     THE CHURCH IS A DIVINE PLAN DIVINELY EXECUTED.

A.      Heb. 8:1-5.  THE TRUE TABERNACLE( vs. 5;  1 Cor. 3:9-11 ).

B.      A PART OF GOD'S ETERNAL PURPOSE( Eph. 3:10-11 ).

C.      PROMISED BY JESUS( Matt. 16:18 ).

D.      BROUGHT ABOUT BY HIS DEATH( Acts. 20:28 ).

III.    DIVINE WISDOM & PURPOSE, IT MUST BE SUFFICIENT.

A.      TO DENY ITS SUFFICIENCY IS TO IMPEACH GOD'S WISDOM

                   ( Isa. 55:8-9;  Rom. 11: 33-36 ).

B.      ARE WISE ENOUGH TO IMPROVE ON GOD'S PLAN?( 1 Cor. 3:18-20 ).

IV.   IF THE BIBLE IS GOD'S PERFECT REVELATION, THE

        CHURCH IT REVEALS MUST BE PERFECT.

A.      A DIVINE REVELATION MAKES KNOWN ALL GOD'S WILL.

          1.       The H.S. revealed all truth to the Apostles( John 14:26 ).

          2.       All that pertains to Life and Godliness( 2 Pet. 1:3 ).

          3.       Able to make us perfect or complete( 2 Tim. 3:16-17 ).

B.      THE BIBLE SETS FORTH WHAT GOD WANTS.

          1.       Matt. 28:18-20.  "Observe all things I command you."

          2.       2 Pet. 3:15.  Paul's writings given by God( Gal. 1:11-12 ).

C.      THE WEAKNESS OF HUMAN WISDOM( Gal. 1:6-9;  1 Cor. 4:6 ).

D.      PERFECT REVELATION CAN'T SET FORTH IMPERFECT WAYS NOR

          AN IMPERFECT AND INSUFFICIENT INSTITUTION.

V.    THE FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH IS UNDER DIVINE

        AUTHORITY AND SUPERVISION.

A.      JESUS IS THE HEAD OF THE BODY( Eph. 1:22-23;  Col. 3:17;  2 John 9 ).

B.      THE APOSTLE'S TEACHINGS AUTHORITATIVE( John 13:20;  1 John 4:6 ).

VI.   THE CHURCH AS GOD DESIGNED IT, CHRIST BUILT IT, AND THE

        HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED IT REPRESENTS GOD'S WAYS AND

        THEY ARE ALWAYS NOT ONLY SUFFICIENT, THEY ARE THE

        BEST!( Jer. 10:23;  Prov. 16:25;  Isa. 55:8-9 ).  GOD'S WAYS ARE

        BEST BECAUSE:

A.      THE WISDOM OF GOD IS INFINITE AND HE KNOWS BEST.

B.      GOD CAN ALWAYS SEE THE END OF THE WAY FROM THE BEGINNING.

C.      GOD IS ALWAYS GUIDED BY HIS LOVE FOR US.

D.      GOD'S WAYS HONOR HIM AND DEMONSTRATE OUR FAITH.

E.      THEY SERVE HIS PURPOSE, NOT OURS!

CONCLUSION:

A.      ANY EFFORT TO IMPROVE ON THE WAYS OF GOD DEMONSTRATE A LACK

          OF FAITH IN HIM.

B.      HUMAN INSTITUTIONS - ORPHAN HOMES, MISSIONARY SOCIETIES, ETC. 

          INDICATE WE HAVE TURNED AWAY FROM GOD'S WAYS, THEREFORE

          FROM GOD.