Garden City Church of Christ - The Church! How Can We Know?

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The Church! How Can We Know?

Matthew 16:13-19

Introduction
1. The church of Christ is not only singular in the fact of its one-ness but also in its distinction and separateness from every human institution on earth.
2. It is the obligation of every Christian to maintain and preserve the separate and distinct character of Gods church.
3. The adoption of human names, creeds, practices, or organizations will denominationalize the church and bring the displeasure of God upon those who participate therein.
4. How can we know that this church is "of Christ"? 2 Cor. 10-12
1. Built According to the Pattern Hebrews 8:5
  1. We are workers or builders together with God- I Cor. 3:8,9
  2. We must follow the instructions of God.
    1. Doctrine of Christ - John 7:16,17
    2. Apostles Doctrine - Acts 2:42
    3. The things received should be our guide. Phil. 4:9
  3. Examples of the NT church - I Thess. 1:6,9
  4. God will refuse to recognize houses built by humans plans - Matt. 15:13; 7:21-23; Psa. 127:1
2. Measuring the church by Human standards.
  1. Various reasons offered to justify human denominations!
    1. Doing some good - Matthew 7:21-23
    2. Good people in it - Acts 10:2,22; 11:14
    3. Teaches some truth - 2 Cor. 11:11-15
    4. Enjoyable associations -
    5. The same things can be said of the most human organizations!
  2. Such who make such claims:
    1. Dishonor God - Reduces God's ways - Isaiah 55:8,9
    2. Shows disrespect to His Word. 2 Tim. 3:16,17
3. The church measured by the divine standard.
  1. The Word must be the measuring reed. Rev. 11:1; John 12:47-49
  2. Compare the church to which you belong with the church described in the NT. 2 Cor. 10:12-16 - Don't compare denominationalism with the church of Christ!
  3. What is the description of the NT church!
    1. Name. Can you find the name you wear in the New Testament?
      1. Church of God - I Cor. 1:2
      2. Churches of Christ - Romans 16:16
      3. House of God - Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15
    2. Worship. Are you following the doctrines of men? Matthew 15:7-9
      1. John 4:24 - Truth - Singing, Lord's Supper, Giving.
    3. Doctrine. Do you teach only what Christ and the Apostles taught. Gal. 1:6-11
    4. Organization. Are you trying to serve Christ through human organizations? Eph. :22,23
    5. Mission. Is the work of the church confined to spiritual matters? Romans 14:17
    6. Character. Does the church demand purity of life and character? Eph. 5:26,27
Conclusion
1. To corrupt God's Plan in any point is to lose its identity. Rev. 2:4,5
2. Are we protecting the identity of the Lord's Church in our lives?

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The Church! How Can We Know?

Matthew 16:13-19