Full notes: I believe that the local church is the hope of the world. - Bill Hybels
The beauty of the church is the power to transform the human heart. This is the power of the love of Jesus Christ, the love that conquers sin and wipes out shame and heals wounds and reconciles enemies and patches broken dreams and ultimately changes the world one life at a time. The radical message of that transforming love has been given to the church. - Bill Hybels
We have in the church the message of God's great redemption, the guidance and example of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Ephesians 2:17-19 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
But through the power of Jesus' sacrifice, those two groups of people have been brought together into a new creation: the forgiven, the redeemed, saints.
Jesus has restored what was lost at the fall: relationship with God the Father.
Jesus has unified people of all backgrounds into one body by his Spirit. We have a home together, a place where we belong.
Is it perfect? No. Who of us belongs in a perfect church? Part of God's plan is that when we come together, we grow in Christ-likeness. We serve each other, pray, rejoice, weep together, forgive each other.
The challenge of church is that people have been hurt in churches, disappointed. If you haven't been disappointed here, you just haven't been here long enough. Some people experience more than disappointment, but hurt from church. Harsh leadership, sinned against by words or actions of church people.
Easy to lose faith in the church. But God's plan is for us to work out our salvation here, together.
Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Kind (good, not harsh, not bitter) Jesus use: "my yoke is easy, my burden light" Comparing himself and his teaching to the Pharisees. Don't be a Pharisee. Compassionate (tender hearted), having strong "bowels." Strong heart for each other. Forgiving (show grace, grant pardon). Just what we received from Jesus.
Why would Paul command us to be kind, compassionate and forgiving. Relationships cannot last without them. We will hurt each other, disappoint each other, miss seeing a need.
We learn how to forgive, but we also learn that we are in need of forgiveness. We learn that we can be selfish, self-centered, apathetic, careless. Jesus forgive the whole lot of us.
Ephesians 2:20-23 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
"Foundation of the apostles and prophets" good discussion.
Paul envisions a building Jesus is the cornerstone The parts Joined together Rising up to become a holy temple - the place where God dwells with man.
Paul takes OT structure of where God and man come together. He says that is the church - people together, living with God by his Spirit.
There is nothing like the church - people of all ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, united together by God's great work. The hope of the world.