What is the Church and Who Are the Saints?

Sermon Outline:

1. Intro
   • Culture and how we use language hurts our perspective on certain words.
   • Church - how do we use it?
   • Greek word literally means assembly.
   • It was a common word and almost every city had an assembly akin to today's city council.
2. The Church
   • The church is not a building - it is an assemboy
   • The church is not an individual
     • Collectively, WE are the church (Matt 18:18-20)
     • You cannot be part of the church if you are not with the Assembly
   • The church is the Body of Christ
     • 1 Cor 1:1-3 - We are the assembly
     • 1 Cor 12:12-13, 27-31 
       • We, who have been baptized into Christ, are part of the Body.
       • We all have different roles, but every role is needed.
       • Should we strive to be more? Of course, but not everyone is a leader.
     • Ephesians 4:15-16
       • Christ is the Head of the Body.
       • We are to work together to acomplish His purpose.
   • The church is a temple (1 Cor 3:16-17)
     • The word, "Your" is plural in the Greek.
     • Together, we are the temple of God.
   • The church is made up of Saints
3. Saints
   • Greek Word: Hagioi - Root word is Hagios
   • Someone who is set apart for God.
4. What is a Saint?
   • One who is set apart for God
   • We have been sanctified.
   • We have been justified.
   • We have been redeemed.
5. Conclusion
   1. We are the church.
   2. We are saints.