Let me ask you tonight before we go any further: How important is the church? Is it really, honestly important? Is it possible for man to be saved outside of the church? Well, if so, he can be saved outside of the blood, because that blood “purchased” that church, Acts 20:28. And the Bible said the “saved” are in that “church,” not outside of it, Acts 2:47. And “Christ is the Savior of that body,” Ephesians 5:23, and that “body” is “the church,” Colossians 1:18.

Based upon those and other passages, let’s think of this in this fashion: When a man is in that “body” of Christ, he’s in “the church” of Christ, because that “body” is “the church,” Colossians 1:18. When a man is “in Christ,” he’s in the church of the Lord, because that church, or body, is “in Christ,” Romans 12:4 and 5. When a man is in the family of God, he’s in the church, because the church is the family of God, 1Timothy 3:15. When one has been purchased with the blood of Christ, he’s in “the church” because it was “the church” that was “purchased,” Acts 20:28. When a man is a part of the Lord’s family, or “household,” or “habitation of God,” as mentioned in Ephesians 2:19 to 21, he’s in the church, because the church is also described as those things.

That church was prophesied in the Old Testament. In Isaiah 2, verses 1 to 4, it was said that in Jerusalem “on top of the mountains,” the Lord would “establish” that “temple,” or “church,” or “house,” and “all nations would flow into it.” And then we’re told that “of His kingdom there will be no end,” Luke 1:33. And it would “stand forever,” Daniel 2:44. “And the gates of hell,” or even death itself, “would not prevail against it,” Matthew 16:18, because the Lord died before the church was established. But even that death [the Lord’s death] wouldn’t prevail against it, because this was God’s order. Then in Hebrews 12:28, we’re told that it “cannot be shaken.”

The Lord started His reign at God’s right hand on the Day of Pentecost. How do we know? Zachariah 6, verses 12 and 13. The prophet said He “shall sit and rule on His throne. He shall be a priest” at the same time He would be king upon that throne. In Hebrews 8:4, we’re told that He could “not be a priest” “on earth.” Well, if He were priest and king at the same time, then He couldn’t be a king on earth. And yet, in John 6:15, time was when they tried “by force to make Him king.” Isn’t it strange? Isn’t it ridiculous? They tried “to make Him king” “by force”! And then they crucified Him because He claimed He was going to be King! It didn’t make sense, did it?! And when He was crucified, the plaque above His head said, “This is Jesus, the King…” [Matthew 27:37].

God, as well as Pilot, had a hand in that! It was written in three different languages—the three great languages of the world: Greek, that’s the language of culture; Latin, that’s the language of government and the language of the Romans from whom we’ve gotten some government; and then it was written in Hebrew, that’s the language of religion, the language of God’s people. Written in Greek: “This is Jesus the King,” God was saying, in essence, “I want Him to be King in the realm of culture.” But is He? There’s a culture that leaves Him out! And it was written in Latin, the language of government: “This is Jesus the King,” and God was saying, in essence, “I want Him to be King of the realm of government.” But is He? There are governments that leave Him out, despite the fact that Proverbs 14:34 said, “righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” Then David said, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,” [Psalm 33:12].

God still intervenes in the affairs of men. He hasn’t set the world off like a clock, to run down by itself. No, He still intervenes in the affairs of men. That’s why we’re told in 1 Timothy 2:1 and following to pray for “all who are in authority.”Pray for people of other nations? Right! Even nations with which we’re not real friendly? That’s Right! Pray for “all who are in authority.”So that means that God still intervenes in the affairs of men. But God’s kingdom will last where these other earthly kingdoms will not! These others will soon come to an end, but not the kingdom that Jesus is King over.

Jesus sat at God’s “right hand” on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2. And on that day, He began reigning as King, and since that time His “kingdom” has been spoken of as being in existence (Colossians 1:13, for instance).

Well, the Lord said that the “kingdom” was “at hand” when John was preaching, Matthew 3:2. But it wasn’t quite there yet! And the kingdom referred to the church, or the family of God, or the household of God –God’s people. Then Jesus began to preach that it was “at hand,” Matthew 4:17. But it wasn’t quite yet! Then He selected the twelve and sent them out to preach, Matthew 10, verse 5 and following, and then later, He selected the 70 and sent them out two by two and they preached that it was “come nigh unto them,” Luke 10, verses 9 and 10. But the Lord said that the kingdom would come, and it would come with “power,” and there would be “some standing there” who would “not see death” until that kingdom came, Mark 9:1. Well, they’re pretty old if the kingdom hasn’t come yet!

The Lord said that kingdom would come when the “power” came, and the “power” would come when the “Holy Spirit” came, Acts 1:6 to 8. On the Day of Pentecost, as we begin reading Acts, chapter 2, that Holy Spirit came with a mighty roar. He came with great power, and it was on that day that Peter used, as it were, the “keys to the kingdom” that was mentioned to be given in Matthew 16:18 and 19. The Bible says, “The Lord added to the church” those that were “saved,” Acts 2:47. And since that time, mention is made of His kingdom as being in existence. In 1 Corinthians 15, verses 24 and following, the Bible says that He’s reigning and, “He must reign until” “all enemies” have been put “under his feet, the last” of which “is death.” The Lord is now “King of kings and Lord of lords,” Revelation 19:16. He’s that “blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” 1 Timothy 6:15.