Good morning. Let's pray together first. Dear Heavenly Father, we are grateful for this Lord's Day and for this time you have given us to gather and study your Word together. Lord, we pray that you would help us to better understand your word today. Please help us to discern what a holy and healthy church truly looks like. We ask you in Jesus' name. Amen. Before we start Sunday School, let's take a look at the November monthly verse together. And if you open your bulletin, you will find it in the third section under the November monthly verse. First, let's say our memory verse is together starting at ending with the reference. After the time of reflection, we will say the verses one more time together. Let's do it. Revelation 1, 12, and 13. And I turned to see a voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of seven candlesticks, one eye went to the son of man, closed with her garment down to the foot, and heard about the past with a golden word. Revelation 1, 12, 7 to 13. Let's say the verses one more time together. Revelation 1, 12, and 13. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me, and being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks. And in the midst of the seven candlesticks, one like unto the Son of Man, close to the garment, down to the foot, and girded by the patch of the golden robe. Revelation 1, 12, 13. So as you know, we have been studying together under the theme of building the church. In the announcements of the section of the bulletin, it says that I will be speaking about the healthy church. When Pastor Brad asked me to speak on the marks of the healthy church, The first thing that came to my mind was this question, what is the church? Or nouns we can say, who is the church? This is the foundational aspect of the doctrine of the church. And as we all know, the foundations are always essential. So in particular, I believe that this foundational question will serve as an important bridge toward understanding the marks of the healthy church. So last time, we learned that the church is not simply a place where we gather to worship. Rather, the church is a gathering of the people, gathering assembly of God's people, who confessed that Jesus is the Christ, meaning the Savior. Jesus is our Savior. Jesus is my Savior. So therefore, the word church refers to gathered, refers to us here, gathered here together. So we know that the Church belongs to Jesus Christ because God purchased the Church by the blood of Jesus Christ. Then what is the specific relationship between those members of the Church and Jesus Christ? So if someone asks me what is the title of this today, title of the Sunday School today, I would say, the relationship where the Christ and the church, the relationship between the Christ and the church. To find out this relationship, I want to look at the Bible, 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 27. Please turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 27. 1 Corinthians 12, verse 27. This text is our first text. Verse 27, it says, Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it. Now you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it. The Bible teaches us that our relationship with Christ is tied to the church. So my main point is, my thesis is this. Because we are the body of Christ, we must commit to the church. So because we are the body of Christ, we must commit to the church. Now we know what the church really is. It is not the place of meeting. It is not the building. We are the church of Christ. However, the Bible also teaches us that we are the body of Christ. So I'm going to read one more time 1 Corinthians 12, 27. for you and then ask you a question. So it says, 1 Corinthians 12, 27 says, now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. So in verse 27, who does you refer to? Who does you refer to? Same question, but in a different way. To whom is Paul writing this letter? 1 Corinthians 1, verse 1 and 2 says, Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother, Caelesthenes, in verse 2, to the Church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who, in every place, call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours. So Paul is writing this letter to the Church of Corinth, the Church of God that is in Corinth, and to those sanctifying Christ, Jesus, called to be saved. So we can say that you refers, the you, plural, so you refers to the Church of God in Corinth. Therefore, when Paul states that you are the body of Christ. It can be interpreted as the church is the body of Christ. Church is the body of Christ. So doesn't this phrase familiar with? Sounds familiar? Doesn't this sound familiar? Because Ephesians chapter 1, 20 said exactly the same phrase there. So Ephesians 1.20 says, it says, Now the church is the body, his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. The same phrase there. So if the church is his body, if church is Christ's body, what specific relationship does it have with him, Christ? So what specific relationship between the church and his body? The church and Christ. I particularly want us to look at 1 Corinthians 12, verses 12 through 14. Verses 12 through 14. So, we are body of Christ, right? We are body of Christ. Verse 12, it says, Here it is, this verse is a little bit focused on not just the body, not just the body of Christ. It says we are one body of Christ with many members. So we are one body, not we are the body of Christ. Here it is. We are one body of Christ with many members. So Paul teaches us two points. First point is all believers are one body of Christ. All believers are one body of Christ. Paul explains that all believers are one body, just as we have a single physical body. So, I want to read verses 12 and 13 one more time, emphasizing emphasizing the part that I think represents the first point. First point is, all believers are one body. So verse 12, just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. Verse 13, for if one spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews were Greeks, slaves were free, and all were made to drink of one spirit. So all human beings have one body, not two. In the same way, the body of Christ is one. So however, here Paul seems to be teaching us one more important thing, that is, the second point, So one body of Christ has many members. One body of Christ has many members. One body with many members. Yes. It means monster. Yeah. Yeah. All right. You know. Your fingers. Your one body with many parts. So. Out of your nose. And first Corinthians. It's hard, difficult to explain. Yes, I understand. I understand. I was just joking. Just kidding you. Yeah. So one body of Christ has many members. So let me read verses 12 through 14, emphasizing the second point. So verse 12, for just as the body is one, has many members, and all the members of the body, though many are one body, so it is with Christ. And verse 13, for in one spirit we were all baptized into one body. Jews and Greeks, slaves were free, All were made to drink of one Spirit. Verse 14, for the body does not consist of one member, but of many. So Paul is saying that the one body of Christ has many members. But here, so look at verse 15 through 26. This verse again describes the idea of a body having many members. So then in verse 27, Paul concludes once again. Verse 27, now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. the 1 Corinthians chapter 12, that passage is clearly a metaphor describing Christ's relationship with the church. And I think about how to describe being one body of Christ with many members. So I first think of an orchestra playing as a team. As you know, there are many famous orchestras around the world known for their exceptional performance. For example, in Germany, there is a Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, in Austria, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, in the United Kingdom, London Symphony Orchestra, in the USA, the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. So have you ever watched an orchestra practice? So imagine an orchestra with about 100 musicians, 100 musicians playing at least 15 instruments. They practice around their conductor, just one conductor. If one player makes a mistake, the conductor stops playing and tells him or her what she or what he did wrong. They practice by listening to each other's instruments. And finally, a beautiful piece of music comes into existence. So in the same way, the body of Christ, the church, also has many members And God provides gifts through the Holy Spirit to each one of them for the purpose of building up the Church of Christ. So, so far in the relationship between Christ and the Church, we have seen through scriptures that we are one body of Christ with many members. Now, I want to look at this relationship in terms of Christ, in terms of Christ. So that passage is, please turn in your Bible to the Book of Ephesians, the Book of Ephesians chapter 1, the Book of Ephesians chapter 1, verses 22 and 23. That passage says, the relationship between the church and Christ in terms of the emphasis is Christ. Ephesians chapter one, verses 22 and 23. Verse 22, it says, and he put all things under his feet. and gave him as head over all things to the church. Verse 23, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. These two passages illustrate the next point I want to make. Christ is the head of the church. Christ is the head of the church. So in verse 22, Paul says, and he put all things under his feet. Paul is clearly quoting Psalm 86. Psalm 86 says, you have given him dominion over the works of your hands, then you have put all things under his feet. That is Psalm 86. you have put all things under his feet. And then Ephesians 1.22, he put all things under his feet. So this shows that Psalm 8 is a promise that will be fulfilled in Christ. And that is that their passages were fulfilled in Christ. However, Paul doesn't stop at that promise. He goes on to add something further. In other words, Paul is saying that God gave Jesus Christ as head over all things to the church. God gave Jesus Christ as head over all things to the church. So one commentary explains this verse this way. Jesus Christ is the Lord over all, but in particular, this is His relationship to the Church. For the Father made Him the Head of all things for the Church. There is given to the Church, and for the Church's benefit, a Head who is also Head over all things. So in verse 22, Paul describes Christ as the head of the church. In verse 23, Paul describes the church as the body of Christ. So Christ is the head of the church. The church is the body of Christ. So from these two passages, we can see more clearly that Paul is describing the relationship between Christ and the church. as that of head and body. So Ephesians chapter 5, verse 23, the same point but different way, it says, for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its savior. So although figurative, it's clear that Paul understands Christ and the Church as one, one organism. So let me give you an example from the Bible to illustrate the relationship between Christ and the Church. Everybody knows that illustration. have already thought of it. So that is the Gospel of John, chapter 15. The Gospel of John, chapter 15. Jesus says, I am the true vine, and you are the branches, right? So verse 1, chapter 15, verse 1, I'm going to read it for you. I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Jesus said that he is the true vine. Verse four, abide in me and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine. Neither can you unless you abide in me. Jesus tell us to abide in him. And if we don't, we will not bear fruit. Verse 5, why? Jesus says, I am the vine, and you are the branches. It's almost a similar illustration. Christ is the head of the church, and we are the body of Christ. Jesus says, I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." So Jesus likens his relationship with us to that of the true vine and its branches. So John 15 helps us understand that the relationship between Christ and the church is inseparable and organic, inseparable and organic, one organism. So did you notice what Jesus commands us to do in verse four? Verse four said, abide in me. That is command. That is command, abide in me. That is not, you have, you, I want you to abide in me. That is the command. Abide in me. We are look at Ephesians 5, 23, right? But we haven't look at verse 22 and 24. We look at Ephesians 5, 23, but we haven't look at verse 22 and 24 yet. Verse 22, wives submit to your own husband as to the Lord. Verse 23, the reason is there. Four, because the husband is head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church. His body and His self is Savior. Verse 24, Now, as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husband. In Ephesians 5, Paul teaches that the church is to submit to Christ. Church is to submit to Christ. And it explains why. Why? Verse 23, because Christ had. of the church, Christ the head of the church, and because Christ is our Savior. The reason that the church is to submit to the church, Christ, first, Christ is the head of the church, second, Christ is our Savior. So do you remember the orchestra illustration? during orchestra illustration. So you know that the members of an orchestra play under the direction of one conductor. So if the conductor signals to play fast, I don't know how how they do, how he do, he does. But if the conductor signals to play fast, the orchestra members must play fast. And if the conductor signals to play slow, the orchestra members must play slow. If the conductor signals to stop playing, the orchestra members must stop playing. So orchestra will be formed into a perfect team under the direction of the conductor. In order to do that, they must listen to the conductor, right? They must listen to the conductor. So while this illustration cannot fully explain the relationship between Jesus Christ and the church, But it does help us understand it to some degree. So how can we commit to the church? How can we commit to the church? That is important section. That is kind of application of this, our topic. So how can we commit to the church? I want to look at 1 Corinthians 3, verse 16. 1 Corinthians 3, verse 16. In chapter 3, beginning in verse 1, Paul used the analogy of a building to explain the true foundation of the church, which is Jesus Christ. So I want to read Do you not know that you are God's temple, and that God's Spirit dwells in you? This verse, we need to note that you is plural, not singular. Therefore, you refers to the gathered church, like us, based on the context. then gives the members of the church a word of warning in verse 17 verse 17 says if anyone destroys God's temple God will destroy him for God's temple is holy and you are that temple so I believe that the destruction of the temple of God relates to an act of division based on the context of the preceding chapters. That relates to an act of division based on the context. Here is an application we need to commit for the Church. First, we must remain holy as God's Church. We must remain holy as God's church. In other words, we must love one another as brothers and sisters. We there must not have an act of division. Some group and some group. My former workplace, there were not there are two. There were several groups there. first group, second group, third group, and more. They didn't like each other. But in the body of Christ, in the church, as a church, we must not have an act of division. So we must remain holy as God's church, one church. Ephesians 4, 15 and 16 says, rather speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ. Verse 16, from whom the whole body joined, the hell gathered by every joint with which it is equipped, when its part is working, properly makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. So 1 Corinthians 16, 18, there is a second application. 1 Corinthians 6, verse 18 also says, flee from sexual immorality. Because, verse 19, your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and because you are not your own for the reason, verse 20, you were bought with a price. The price means we need to sacrifice death. So the conclusion is this, verse 20. So glorify God in your body. Glorify God in your body. We have to remember each individual. Each individual is also a church, right? We are a church. But each individual is also a church. So we can think of this logically. But the Bible also teaches this. So 2 Corinthians 6.16 says, you are the temple of the living God. That is, you is singular. So you is singular. Each of them, each one of them is the temple of the living God. So we should be able to apply this individually, individuals, but we apply it to the church. So as an individual, We must also remain holy as a collective group. We must also remain holy. This is God's will and one way you can come in to the church. So I don't know if you guys know one hymn So title is, We Are Your Church. So I think it's not that hymnal is not in this hymnal. This hymn is not in this hymnal. But I want to read first stanza and refrain. So God has built his church on one foundation Jesus Christ, the living cornerstone crucified and risen to redeem us. We adore and worship him alone. We are your church, your bride, the people of your name. In your strength, we live, we worship unashamed. For your cause, we serve, we joyfully proclaim, we are your people, we are your church. So just as these lyrics says, Jesus has built his church, serving as the foundation and living constant. It is crucial that we remember we are Christ's church, and you are a member of church. So one theologian says, this is very, I like that phrase, but one theologian says, this local church is the central agency of God for our reach. on earth. So can you joyfully proclaim we are God's people and we are Christ's church? So are we willing to make a commitment to the church? So may God give us the strength to do so. Let's pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this time. Thank you for Studying your word together, as we look at your word together, we saw that Christ is the head of the church, and that we are the body of Christ. Please grant us the grace to devote ourselves to the Lord Jesus Christ, both individually and collectively, as members of Soul Bible Church. We need your help. You are our good shepherd. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.