Christ and the Church
by Randy Cavender
As one reads the 5th chapter of Ephesians, he can see a marvelous relationship that Christ has with His church. Many do not think one should preach about the church, but I believe that if one preaches all the Gospel of Christ, it cannot be avoided. For example, when Philip went to Samaria, the Bible says he preached Christ to them and things concerning the kingdom of God (Acts 8:5,12). When one investigates the scriptures, he will find that the kingdom and the church are the same (Matthew 16:18,19).

Thus, Philip preached things concerning the church It is amazing to me that folks fail to realize that Christ has a special relationship to the church. There are seven different figures in the Bible that show this relationship. We will discuss three.

In John 10:1—18, our Lord taught the disciples several lessons. in verse 11 Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep". What does this show us concerning the relationship Christ has to the church? Christ is the Good Shepherd; he is the one who provides the leadership tar the sheep (John 10:27). As the Good Shepherd, he also provides protection for His sheep. In 1 Samuel 17:34,35, we read of David as a shepherd over his father’s flock. In these verses one can see the protection that David provided his sheep from the lion and the bear. Those who are "hirelings" do not care. They leave at the first sign of danger. But not the good shepherd. He provides the protection we need.

Christians, are the sheep. We make up the one flock (John 10:16). What is the flock? In Acts 20:28, we read the instructions that Paul gave to the elders of the church at Ephesus, in which he refers to the church of God as the flock. A sheep is one of the most helpless of animals. As sheep, we are utterly dependent on Jesus, our shepherd. This is why Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 10:16). Christ is the one we depend on as the way of salvation and example in life (Acts 4:10—12; 1 Peter 2:21,22). Truly, Jesus is the good shepherd of His sheep.

Furthermore, we have the figure of the Husband/Wife relationship. In Ephesians 5:22-33, we learn of the relationship that should exist between husbands and wives. Paul’s purpose here was not to teach a lesson on marriage and its responsibilities, but rather of Christ and the church (Eph.5:32).

Christ is pictured as the Husband, while the church is his bride (2 Cor. 11:2; Rev. 21:2,9). As the Husband, Christ loves his wife (church) Eph. 5:25,29. He purchased His wife by the giving of His own life (Eph. 5:26,27). As Husband, Christ has the Headship over His wife (Eph. 5:23,24). There is, however, the responsibility of the wife toward Christ. First, we are to be submissive to the will of our husband (Eph. 5:22,24). Are we following the authority of our Head, who is Christ? Second, the wife is to respect her husband! If the church will respect Christ as its Head and will respect her husband, then we are fulfilling our role as the bride of Christ. This is what will make the church "a glorious church, not have spot or wrinkle or any such thing" (Eph. 5:27). Finally, we see the picture of the vine and the branches. In John 15:1—8, Christ points out the necessity of Christians depending on Him. He said, "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me." (John 15:4). As the "vine", Christ is the one I can depend on for sustaining growth. I can grow up in Christ (Eph. 4:15). I can look to Him as the author and finisher of my faith (Hebrews 12:2). I must stay in Christ in order to be saved (John 8:31). But as a branch I must produce! I must produce that spiritual life Christ requires of me. This is the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22—26). We all know that when one cuts a branch from a tree, the branch will die. The same is true in this spiritual figure. Brethren, we must realize that we are to abide in Christ. If we do this, we will not be condemned (Romans 8:1). Jesus warned, if one fails to abide in Christ, then Jesus said, "he is cast out as a branch and is withered;" (John 15:6).

Oh, what a wonderful relationship Christ has with the His church! These relationships Christ has with us are special indeed! It is a great privilege to be a member of His body, which is the church (Eph. 1:22,23). If you are not a Christian, you have no part with Christ. You have no spiritual blessings. You are without hope in this world (Eph. 2:12). If you will obey the gospel, Christ will add you to His church, and you can enjoy these special relationships (Acts 2:47).