“Paul,calledasan apostle of Jesus Christbythe will of God, andSosthenes ourbrother, Tothe church of God which is atCorinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus,saintsby calling, with all who in every placecall on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, theirLordand ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thankmy God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,that in everything you wereenriched in Him, in allspeech andall knowledge,even asthe testimony concerning Christ was confirmedin you,so that you are not lacking in any gift,awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,who will also confirm you to the end, blameless inthe day of our Lord Jesus Christ.God is faithful, through whom you werecalled intofellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 NASB 95

• The Church is PEOPLE not a building or institution.

“Tothe church of God which is atCorinth to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus,saintsby calling, with all who in every placecall on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, theirLordand ours.”Vs.2

Ekklesia: A people called out from the system of this world and called into the way of the kingdom of God. An assembly of called out ones.

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 NASB 95

“Do you not know thatyou are atemple of God andthatthe Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB 95

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB 95

• The Church is CHRIST’S not ours nor anyone else’s.

“I will build MY Church.” Jesus (Matthew 16:18)

• The Church is a PORTRAIT of His grace.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thankmy God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus,that in everything you wereenriched in Him, in allspeech andall knowledge,even asthe testimony concerning Christ was confirmedin you,so that you are not lacking in any gift,awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ,who will also confirm you to the end, blameless inthe day of our Lord Jesus Christ.God is faithful, through whom you werecalled intofellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Vs. 3-9

• The Church is IMPERFECT PEOPLE being transformed by a perfect Savior.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB 95