(15) The Glory of the Church

In a world of mega-churches, TV churches, celebrity preachers, business model strategies and programs for church growth, its sometimes hard to see the true glory of the Church being demonstrated. It seems that the glory of the church and its pastor is the most important goal for some churches. But this is a huge distortion and masking of the true glory of the church.

In Ephesians three, Paul talks about the glory of God’s "eternal plan" to bring together Jews and Gentiles in the Body of Christ, the Church. He marvels over this incredible plan and the magnificence of the Church.

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.. . . . 10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord, . . . . 14For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith- that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:6, 10-11, 14-21 ESV)

God created the cosmos to demonstrate His glory. All of the 330,000 species of plants, all of the nearly 1.3 million species of animals, the beautiful and magnificently varied terrain, the sometimes delightful, sometimes terrifying elements of weather, and the billions and billions of stars and planets in the universe were all created by God to display His glory. Now, Paul tells us that God created the Church to demonstrate His glory as well.

How does Paul describe the glory of the Church? He sees millions upon millions of people from Jewish and gentile background – in fact, from many unique backgrounds (Gal. 3:28) all brought together as members of one Body, one Church. He sees brothers and sisters in one family. And He sees the glory of God.

The glory of the Church is all wrapped up in the unity of the Church. The glory of the Church is seen when the redeemed set aside secondary differences like worship style, dress, hair style, etc., and even minor doctrinal differences, accept one another without passing judgement on each other in these secondary issues, and live together in unity and love. Scripture makes it clear that the areas for separation or division are matters of significant doctrine such as denial or perversion of the person of Jesus Christ (1 Jn. 4:4-5) or the work of Jesus Christ (Jude 4, Gal. 5:1-12). Paul clearly outlines the areas where agreement is essential:

There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 ESV)

It is around these essentials that Paul says we must "maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

The church is not some invisible, virtual group of wonderfully gifted and holy individuals who fulfill all God intended for us. Rather it is the ordinary people gathered week by week, warts and all, who struggle to worship and serve God, and together seek to understand his love. It is his power at work in us, and not our virtues, that bring him glory. – Bob Morris

The glory of God in the Church is seen in the beauty of love and unity. This is not a unity based on complete uniformity or conformity, but rather in the presence of diversity.

To God be glory in the Church!


Soli Deo Gloria

Next: The Glory of Eternity