“Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:1-9 NASB 95

• The Church is PEOPLE not a building or institution.

“To the church of God which is at Corinth to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.”Vs.2

Ekklesia: A people called out from the system of this world and called into the way of the kingdom of God. An assembly of called out ones.

“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” Matthew 18:20 NASB 95

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB 95

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?” 1 Corinthians 6:19 NASB 95

• The Church is CHRIST’S not ours nor anyone else’s.

“I will build MY Church.” Jesus (Matthew 16:18)

• The Church is a PORTRAIT of His grace.

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Vs. 3-9

• The Church is IMPERFECT PEOPLE being transformed by a perfect Savior.

“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB 95