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Intro.

1.  Eph. 5:25-27 - Christ’s love for His church compelled His death - Purpose was to set apart the body of saved ones unto God & apart from sin.

2.  Water & the word - Acts 22:16; 1 Pet. 1:22.

3.  v. 27 - The church is to maintain its purity & holiness (Tit. 2:11-14; Jas. 1:27; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). A pure church will be delivered up to God!!

4.  When we compromise with sin & lower the divine standards to those of the world, yet still profess to be faithful members of His church, we are deceived! (Lord didn’t die so Christians can defile themselves!)

5.  The Lord expects us, His church, to be pure in all things!

I.  PURITY OF DOCTRINE MUST BE PREACHED. ("teaching")

  A.  God’s Word Is Pure - Psa. 119:140. Truth purifies when obeyed - Eph. 5:26; Jno. 15:1-3; 17:17 (1 Pet. 1:22).

  B.  Truth’s Power To Purify Is Jeopardized By Error - 2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Tim. 4:3-4.

    1.  False teaching, human opinions, wisdom, creeds, doctrines.

    2.  Error is corrupting & condemning! - 2 Pet. 3:15-16

  C.  We Must Guard & Maintain The Purity Of God’s Doctrine - Jude 3; 1 Tim. 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13; 2 Jno. 9.

-When the word of God is polluted it will not sanctify & cleanse us from sin! - Eph. 5:26.

II.  PURE LIVES MUST BE LIVED.

  A.  The Church Is Not Pure Unless The Lives Of Every Christian Is Pure - cf. Rev. 3:4.

    1.  Pure in heart (2 Tim. 2:22); Pure in speech (Jas. 1:26); Pure in deed (2 Cor. 7:1).

    2.  Christ’s body must be pure! Eph. 5:27

      a.  Only the pure will be eternally saved (Rev. 21:27).

      b.  Christ is the Savior of the body (Eph. 5:23).

      c.  Therefore, the body He saves will be a pure body!

    3.  Don’t deceive yourself - Cannot be live in impurity & go to heaven!

  B.  Purity Of Life Is Constantly Threatened:

    1.  By indifference - Heb. 2:2-3.

    2.  By worldliness - 1 Jno. 2:15.

    3.  By ungodly influences - 1 Cor. 15:33.

  C.  Christians Must Maintain Purity Of Life.

    1.  Word must dwell in us - cf. 1 Jno. 3:9 (Eph. 5:26; Psa. 119:11).

    2.  Hope of heaven motivates us - 1 Jno. 3:2-3.

III.  PURE LOVE MUST BE PRACTICED.

  A.  Christian Love Is A Tremendous Responsibility.

    1.  Must love God properly - Matt. 22:37; 1 Jno. 5:3.

    2.  Must love each other properly - Jno. 13:34.

-As Christ loved us (Eph. 5:25).

  B.  Pure Love Is Always In Danger:

    1.  From ignoring the needs of others (phys. - 1 Jno. 3:17-18; spir. - Gal. 6:2).

    2.  From selfishness - Eph. 5:2.

    3.  From hypocrisy - Rom. 12:9-10.

-Let love be "free from sinister or improper motives."

  C.  Pure Love Is Learned & Developed.

    -By obeying the word of Christ! - Jno. 14:15

Conclusion

1.  Christ intends for His church to be pure in doctrine, life & love.

2.  We each have the responsibility for personal purity in these areas.

3.  As we each do our part - the church will be pure!