In this lesson, we consider what Scriptures teach about the local church’s purpose being distinct from the universal church. Part of a series on biblical fundamentals.

In this lesson, we begin to unpack the importance of understanding the distinct purpose of the universal church (individual Christians in fellowship with Jesus) compared to the purpose of a local church (Christians working together in fellowship). We find that God’s purpose for the universal church is to be at work in the world, while we will see in the next lesson in this series that a local church’s purpose is the work of Christians building each other up in the Lord. Part of a series on biblical fundamentals.

This is the third sermon in a series on the subject of understanding the nature of Christ’s church. In this lesson, the nature of the Jesus’ universal and local church are briefly reviewed, and then distinctions between these are defined.

It can be easy to take for sin for granted — not just in its consequence but in understanding what it truly is. In this lesson, we try to understand how God calls sin things that always deceive, defile, divide and destroy.

In this lesson, we consider how to practically apply Jesus’ teaching in Luke chapter 6, and how these applications demand that we dig deep into our faith.

In this lesson, we consider how to practically apply Jesus’ teaching in Luke chapter 6. Jesus gives radical instructions that challenge how you and I think about and treat others, especially when we’re wronged and mistreated.

In Luke chapter 6, Jesus teaches a sermon that He says is the foundation for His disciples. In this lesson, we consider lessons from the first part of Jesus’ sermon where He pronounces blessings and woes that radically challenge our values.

What does the Bible say baptism’s purpose is? In this lesson, we answer this question in Colossians chapter 2 and consider how this passage helps us to better appreciate what God does in baptism, and also equips us to talk to others who do not believe or understand that baptism is essential for salvation.