Week 4 – The Preeminence Of Christ In The Church - Part 1

Series: The Vision of the Church

Text: Ephesians 2:11–22

Theme: The Church is the spiritual dwelling place of Christ, who holds preeminence over all creation and all that belongs to God.

Introduction – The Church: Christ at the Center

If you think the Church is just a human institution, you are mistaken. Yes, it involves people — but it is far more than human effort, organization, or culture. The Church is divine in origin and heavenly in purpose. At its core is not a human leader, a denominational structure, or a cultural tradition — at its core is Christ Himself.

Christ is both the foundation of the Church and the exalted Lord over the Church. He is the Cornerstone that aligns the building and the Head that governs the body. The Church is not merely “about” Christ; Christ inhabits it. His presence defines her purpose, power, and identity.

1. Christ’s Preeminence is the Foundation

Ephesians 2:20 – Chief Cornerstone.

Colossians 1:18 – “In all things He may have the preeminence.”

Without Him, the Church collapses.

2. Christ Brings Reconciliation and Unity

Ephesians 2:14–16 – He is our peace, making Jew and Gentile one.

John 17:21–23 – Unity reveals Christ to the world.

His presence demands peace among His people.

3. The Church: The Bride Birthed from Christ

Genesis 2:21–23 – Eve from Adam’s side.

John 19:34 – Blood and water from Christ’s side.

Ephesians 5:30–32 – We are His body and bride.

Born from His sacrifice, we share His life and glory.

4. Christ Dwells in His Church

Ephesians 2:21–22 – God’s dwelling place in the Spirit.

Colossians 1:27 – Christ in you, the hope of glory.

The true measure of the Church is His manifest presence.

5. Christ’s Preeminence Commands Our Worship and Obedience

Hebrews 3:6 – “Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are…”

Psalm 24:7–10 – “The King of glory shall come in.”

Revelation 5:12–14 – Heaven and earth erupt in worship because the Lamb is worthy.

VI. Christ Is the Lampstand of the Church

· Revelation 1:12–18 “Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.”

1. Christ is the Light of the Church – The lampstand holds the light, but the light itself is Christ (John 8:12; John 1:4–5). Without Him, the church is just a stand with no flame.

2. Christ is the Center of the Church – In Revelation, He is not on the outside looking in; He is in the midst, examining, correcting, and empowering His people.

3. Christ is the Source of the Church’s Witness – Just as a lampstand’s purpose is to hold forth the flame, the Church’s purpose is to display the light of Christ to the world (Matthew 5:14 - 16; Philippians 2:15 16).

· Zechariah 4:1–6 – The golden lampstand fed by the oil of the Spirit reminds us: “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the LORD.

· Psalm 36:9 – “In Your light we see light.”

· 2 Corinthians 4:6 – “It is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

Key Truths:

“That in all things He may have the preeminence.” – Colossians 1:18

“In whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” – Ephesians 2:22