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As Glorious as God • Jul 01st 1997

The Glory That Makes The Church as GLORIOUS As GOD Himself – Ephesians 1 Teaching

Eternal Purpose Fellowship First Century New Testament Organic Church The Epistles

In this powerful teaching from the Swiss Conference series, Gene Edwards explores one of the deepest themes in the New Testament: the church as the corporate body of Christ.

Drawing heavily from Ephesians chapters 1 and 2, Gene explains that believers were chosen “in Christ” before the foundation of the world—not merely as isolated individuals, but as part of a spiritual assembly, the ecclesia, the living body of Christ on earth.

This message challenges modern individualistic Christianity and presents a larger vision of the church: a people joined together in Christ, called into unity, holiness, and participation in God’s eternal purpose. Gene teaches that God’s intention from eternity past was to reveal His glory through a corporate people who express the life of Jesus Christ together.

Throughout this teaching, viewers will discover:

  • What it means to be chosen in Christ
  • The biblical meaning of “ecclesia”
  • God’s eternal purpose in Ephesians
  • The relationship between Christ and His church
  • Why Christianity was never meant to be lived alone
  • The spiritual significance of the body of Christ
  • The church as the bride and expression of Jesus Christ

This message also explores profound themes such as predestination, grace, glory, holiness, spiritual identity, and the unfathomable riches of Christ. We repeatedly emphasize that believers are not merely attendees of religious meetings, but members of a living spiritual organism created according to the eternal counsel of God.

If you are seeking a deeper understanding of the church, spiritual community, and the eternal purpose of God, this teaching offers rich insight rooted in Scripture and centered on Jesus Christ.

Whether you are studying Ephesians, exploring New Testament church life, or searching for deeper Christian fellowship, this message will encourage and challenge you to see the church through God’s eyes.

 

The Church in Ephesus Part 2 – Swiss Conference July 1997 Message #3

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Do you now understand what your assignment is? Okay. Are you going to do this?

You have a name. You don’t have a name, and you don’t have a name, and you don’t have a name, and you don’t have a name, and you don’t have a name…but you’ve got a name. I bet you’ve never heard this before in your life. Do you know what your name is? I’m not speaking of the name of Christ. You yourself have been given a name by the Lord. As a corporate body of believers, you have been given a name. Do you know what that name is? You have the right to go by this name. Regina, life gets rough; you need this name. You probably need this name as badly as you need anything in this world, other than the Lord Himself, and this is part of Him. It’s one word. You have a name. You have this name because this is what you are. You know what your name is. Do you know what your name is? Do you know what your name is? Your name is Holy.

Your name is Holy. I couldn’t think of anything on earth I need more than that name. I am his holy one. My name is Holy. That doesn’t mean that the name that I have is holy; it means I have a name, and it is Holy. When you come to that passage tomorrow, you come boldly, for you have access to Jesus Christ, and you come in there and begin declaring the riches that are in Christ in you, and I don’t want you to back up for anything. I don’t want to hear—I’m not going to hear it anyway—but I would not want to hear, “and Lord, I thank you that someday…”

Now then, I need two Chicagoans, and we’ll go. I need two Chicago sisters and two Chicago brothers. Would you come up here and join me for just a moment? Would you please do that? I need your help. This won’t take but just a moment. Do we need another brother? I have, I have chapter 2, verses 1-3, as to what your second state was. What’s the other passage I gave you? Verses 11 and 12. Thank you. 1, 2, 3, 11, and 12. I want you to take Ephesians chapter 2 verses 1, 2, 3, 11, and 12. I want you to turn them into prayer. The second state. See, did you see them flinch? Darlene, Ephesians 2:1, 2, 3, 11, and 12. Okay, Ozzie, chapter 2, verses 1, 2, 3, 11, and 12. Sister, you got it?

I have got one thing to say to you, and that’s all. Take the high ground. Find it and take it. Tomorrow you’re going to come in here, and each one of you is going to tell the brothers and sisters how you came to pray those five verses. Every one of you. Don’t be influenced by the others. In fact, I may take you in here one at a time so you can’t hear the other three. Okay, that’s what we will do. You four will all sit outside. Each one of you will come. Take the high ground. Take the high ground. Take the high ground. If you can find the high ground, I will not have lived in vain, and this conference will not have been a waste. Lots of pressure. Lots of pressure.

Now, the reason I’m doing this is that if you find a passage in Ephesians 1 that causes you to stumble, take the high ground. Find it and take it. You hear me? Do you understand? Gene, I don’t know what you mean. May the Holy Spirit show you. You have heard enough tonight that you ought to be able to find the high ground. Darlene, I can hardly wait to hear what you have to say tomorrow.

Alright, thank you very much. Do we have any announcements? No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, don’t leave. Okay, you’re going to get together with someone. You’re going to do this tonight, get together with someone tomorrow morning, and we’ll hear some reports then.

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