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WHAT IS RIGHT WITH THE CHURCH 1
Eph.5:25-27
We are constantly hearing the wrong of the church. I could give you a variety of things that are wrong. You could too. Most of the things we call wrong are really criticisms and criticism is a poor substitute for service. "I don't go to church because of this or that."
There are more things "right" about the church than there is "wrong."
- THE CHURCH IS BUILT ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION.
- Matt.16:18 and 1 Cor.3:11. The church is built on Christ not sinful Peter.
- The perfect foundation enables the church to withstand storm after strom.
- Holy Spirit issues.
- Miracles today.
- Marriage/divorce/remarriage.
- Liberalism.
- THE CHURCH IS RIGHT IN ITS MEMBERSHIP.
- Membership in the church depends on one obeying the gospel.
- Members do not vote as to who is added.
- God adds saved people to his church - Acts 2:47. After they have obeyed the plan of salvation.
- There are no unsaved people in the church.
- THE CHURCH IS THE MOTIVATING INFLUENCE FOR GOOD.
- Education.
- Always fought for right against the wrong.
- Women have a higher standing.
- Homes for dependent children - Jas 1:27.
- Practical Christianity.
- THE CHURCH IS RIGHT IN THAT IT HAS THE RIGHT MESSAGE.
- It is the message of redemption and hope. The message of salvation.
- The message is the same today as when it was first given by the Holy Spirit.
- Why change what God approves.
- The message is God's love for man - John 3:16.
- The message is Christ coming to be our saviour - Isa.53.
- The message is man's response to God's love - Acts 2:37-38.
- The message is the gospel - Rom.1:16.
- There are facts to be believed and commandments to be obeyed and promises to be had.
- The message offers light - Col.1:13. The lamplighter will light a street lamp and go on to another leaving the light. Ps.119:105.
- The message brings us to the cleansing foundation - Acts 22:16. We know our sins are many but Jesus washed them white as snow - Rom.6:4.
- This is the message the worlds needs.
- WHAT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO THE CHURCH?
- Too many of us treat the church lightly - Acts 20:28.
- We need to get into the church - Be born of water and spirit - John 3:3-5.
- The person who says church membership is unimportant is saying the church is of no value to him.
- A Christian is somewhat life a ship which comes to port and has been anchored tied to the shore or it will drift away. Unless we are active we will drift away.
- We need to pray for the church.
- We need to be faithful to all of its services. Heb.10:25.
- We need to support its work. You are in the greatest work on earth. It must make you feel good to be a minister, said a member. But the preacher said, you are also in the ministry.
- We can share the blessings of the church with others.
- We have been saved - share that message of salvation.
- We can be a light in a dark world.
- A farmer awakened one morning and found that several inches of snow had fallen. He saw a car near his gate. Arriving at the car he found two frozen bodies. He said, as long as I live I'll always keep a light burning so no one will ever be lost in the darkness again.
- Do not light your light go out - Matt 5:13-16.
- Too many of us treat the church lightly - Acts 20:28.
- THE CHURCH IS BUILT ON THE RIGHT FOUNDATION.