“But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles Lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20‬:‭25‬-‭28‬

• The Bride of Christ

• The Body of Christ

• The House of God (temple/tabernacle)

• The Family of God

“Ephesians teaches us that the purpose of God stands far outside the reaches of redemption. In eternity past, God the father has been after a bride and body for his son and a house and a family for himself. These four images, the bride, the body the house and the family- comprise the grand narrative of the entire Bible.”

-Frank Viola, Reimagining Church

The church stood plain and strong, not in brick or stone, but the people—weathered by time, tested by trials, yet steadfast in their faith. They gathered close in homes, not out of duty, but because they wanted to be there. They spoke simply, laughed easily, and prayed with their whole hearts.

No one asked where a man stood on politics. No one cared what a woman thought of the Rapture. The end of days would come when it came, and they had work to do until then. The kingdom was not built on theor…