Scripture Reading: Matt. 20:25-28; 1 Cor. 1:11-12; Eph. 2:15; 4:3,4-6, 14, 24

I. God’s goal is the church, and the church is a corporate matter. The book of Ephesians reveals the church in seven major aspects: the Body (1:22-23), the new man (2:15), the kingdom (2:19), the household (2:19), the dwelling place of God (2:21-22), the bride, the wife, of Christ (5:23-32), and the warrior (6:10-20).

A. God has only one goal. God’s goal is unique. God’s ultimate goal is the church—Eph.1:22; Rev.21:2.

B. God’s goal is to have a church today, a church in this dispensation, a church on this earth—Matt.13:45-46; 16:18.

II. The enemy Satan has used three main items to damage the church: Jewish religion, Greek philosophy, and human organization. These are the major sources of the church’s division, ruin, and corruption—Col.2:8; Rev.2:8.

A. From the erroneous teaching of Ignatius that bishops are higher than elders came the mistaken concept that elders are for a local church and bishops are for a region of churches. This led to the episcopal system of ecclesiastical government—Matt. 20:25-28.

B. When this philosophy became mingled with Christian teachings, it became known as Gnosticism, they denied the incarnation, redemption, and resurrection of Christ.

C. Due to the defending of the truth, different opinions were brought in among the so-called Christians. Then these opinions created great divisions.

1. Eventually, western Christianity became the Roman Catholic Church, and eastern Christianity became the Greek Orthodox Church. Besides these two great branches of Christianity, there were the Nestorians in Persia.

2. Besides these three great divisions, there were many free groups.

III. Within a short time after the completion of the divine revelation, the church fell into degradation, so there was the need of a recovery—Col. 1:25; 2 Tim. 2:17-18;

A. The Lord’s recovery began immediately after the degradation of the church came in —1 Jo. 1:1, 2:24.

B. We are in the recovery of the church, which includes the recovery of all the foregoing items—Dan. 1:2; Ezra. 1:3-11, 6:3-5.

IV. As long as we have the vision of the church and are so clear about God’s corporate goal, we are safeguarded. The church, the Body, the new man, the corporate goal of God’s eternal purpose, is our safeguard—Eph.4:4-6; 2:15.

A. The church, the Body, the new man, the corporate goal of God’s eternal purpose, is our safeguard—2 Tim. 2;19.

B. Because the church is the organic Body of Christ, it can have nothing to do with organization—Eph.4:16; John.15:5.

C. Today in the Lord’s recovery, the Lord desires to show us the ultimate goal of His purpose—the church life—Eph. 1:21-22.