Ephesians 5:22-33 teaches us the nature of the church. We learn that the church has existed since the very beginning and is, therefore, ancient. The gathered worship of the church should reflect this antiquity by being historic. Some ways of embodying the historic nature of the church is through the use of the creeds and confessions, the singing of psalms and hymns, not being afraid of the language that has been passed down to us, and preaching the Bible and the old-time gospel.

After introducing those presuppositions that underlay the interpretation of this passage, we look in this sermon at how the Olivet Discourse helps us today. Jesus' words help us make sense of this present evil age, understand various events of life in light of Christ's coming again, find strength, have hope, and prepare for Christ's return.

Paul's instructions in this verse help us understand that gathered worship must be corporate. In other words, when their is full attendance by all the members of the covenant community and full participation in all the elements of worship, there is full benefit from that gathered worship.

Mark in this passage includes three scenes from the end of Jesus' teaching in the temple on the Tuesday of the Passion week. The aim of these events is to remind Jesus' disciples the nature of true religion. Herein, we learn that true religion gladly receives the teaching of Jesus, humbly serves, and fully trusts.

We learn from Jesus' own lips that gathered worship must be in spirit. In other words, acceptable worship is spiritual worship. What is spiritual worship? It is Spirit-empowered, simple, and sincere.

Mark's record of Jesus' interaction with a scribe in this passage teaches us about the true nature and role of the law. Herein we see that Jesus is the giver of the law, the law is spiritual, and that the law is not the instrument of our salvation.

The chief way a more pure, visible church upholds and support the truth is by their worship services on Sunday, which are according to the truth and filled with the truth. Consequently, a more pure worship service is one that is Totally holy, Radically obedient, Understandably important, Thoroughly biblical, and Healthily reverent.

Everything we have and are and everything we have experienced comes from God. The only reasonable response to it all is to offer ourselves to God. We in Romans 12:1-2 are reminded that we are to present to God our bodies sacrificially, livingly, holily, and acceptably by being not conformed to the world, but being transformed by the renewal of our mind.