What church do you attend?

1
What church do you attend?

• How would you answer?

2
What church do you attend?

• How would you answer?
• One of the problems we face in explaining any
  Bible subject is that the current
  culture has taken Bible words and used them to
  describe something else!

3
What church do you attend?

• How would you answer?
• One of the problems we face in explaining any
  Bible subject is that the current
  culture has taken Bible words and used them to
  describe something else!
• Take the word "baptism". Many think of
  sprinkling! What does the Bible say?
  (Col 212 Rom 64)

4
What church do you attend?

• Colossians 212 (NKJV) buried with Him in
  baptism, in which you also were raised with Him
  through faith in the working of God, who raised
  Him from the dead.

5
What church do you attend?

• Romans 64 (NKJV) - Therefore we were buried with
  Him through baptism into death, that just as
  Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of
  the Father, even so we also should walk in
  newness of life.

6
What church do you attend?

• When someone has the wrong definition of a word
  we then must explain what we mean when using a
  Bible word. (1 Pet 411)

7
What church do you attend?

• 1 Peter 411 (NKJV) - If anyone speaks, let him
  speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers,
  let him do it as with the ability which God
  supplies, that in all things God may be glorified
  through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory
  and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

8
What church do you attend?

• Another problem we face when dealing with
  churches is current state of division and
  confusion among those who call themselves
  Christians.

9
What church do you attend?

• Another problem we face when dealing with
  churches is current state of division and
  confusion among those who call themselves
  Christians.
• This again is man's doing and not God's. (1 John
  219 Col 218-19)

10
What church do you attend?

• 1 John 219 (NKJV) - They went out from us, but
  they were not of us for if they had been of us,
  they would have continued with us but they went
  out that they might be made manifest, that none
  of them were of us.

11
What church do you attend?

• Colossians 218-19 (NKJV) - Let no one cheat you
  of your reward, taking delight in false humility
  and worship of angels, intruding into those
  things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by
  his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the
  Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit
  together by joints and ligaments, grows with the
  increase that is from God.

12
What church do you attend?

• We can know the truth on the matter from a
  careful handling of Gods word. (2 Tim 113
  316-17)

13
What church do you attend?

• 2 Timothy 113 (NKJV) - Hold fast the pattern of
  sound words which you have heard from me, in
  faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.

14
What church do you attend?

• 2 Timothy 316-17 (NKJV) - All Scripture is given
  by inspiration of God, and is profitable for
  doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
  instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of
  God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for
  every good work.

15
The Church is People!

• The Greek word "ekklesia" from which we translate
  "church" has the root idea of "called out".

16
The Church is People!

• The Greek word "ekklesia" from which we translate
  "church" has the root idea of "called out".
• You do not call out a building or an object, but
  the people of God are "called out". (1 Pet
  29-10)

17
The Church is People!

• 1 Peter 29-10 (NKJV) - But you are a chosen
  generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,
  His own special people, that you may proclaim the
  praises of Him who called you out of darkness
  into His marvelous light 10 who once were not a
  people but are now the people of God, who had not
  obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

18
The Church is People!

• This calling is by the gospel. (2 Thess 213-15)

19
The Church is People!

• 2 Thessalonians 213-15 (NKJV) - But we are bound
  to give thanks to God always for you, brethren
  beloved by the Lord, because God from the
  beginning chose you for salvation through
  sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the
  truth, 14 to which He called you by our gospel,
  for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus
  Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and
  hold the traditions which you were taught,
  whether by word or our epistle.

20
The Church is People!

• This calling is to Jesus as our head and to the
  standard revealed in His word. (Lk 646 Jn
  831-32)

21
The Church is People!

• Luke 646 (NKJV) - But why do you call Me Lord,
  Lord, and not do the things which I say?

22
The Church is People!

• John 831-32 (NKJV) - Then Jesus said to those
  Jews who believed Him, If you abide in My word,
  you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall
  know the truth, and the truth shall make you
  free.

23
The Church is People!

• Without this obedient connection to Jesus as our
  head we are not part of Christ's church even
  though we might attend somewhere. (Mt 1513)

24
The Church is People!

• Matthew 1513 (NKJV) - But He answered and said,
  Every plant which My heavenly Father has not
  planted will be uprooted.

25
The Church is People!

• There is a definite entrance into this
  relationship with Jesus.

26
The Church is People!

• Jesus plainly stated that there would only be one
  church as there would only be one head. (Mt
  1618 Eph 122-23 44-6)

27
The Church is People!

• Matthew 1618 (NKJV) - And I also say to you that
  you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My
  church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail
  against it.

28
The Church is People!

• Ephesians 122-23 (NKJV) - And He put all things
  under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all
  things to the church, 23 which is His body, the
  fullness of Him who fills all in all.

29
The Church is People!

• Ephesians 44-6 (NKJV) - There is one body and
  one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope
  of your calling 5 one Lord, one faith, one
  baptism 6 one God and Father of all, who is
  above all, and through all, and in you all.

30
The Church is People!

• How did Jesus build His church? (Acts 246-47
  36-41)

31
The Church is People!

• Acts 246-47 (NKJV) - So continuing daily with
  one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
  house to house, they ate their food with gladness
  and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and
  having favor with all the people. And the Lord
  added to the church daily those who were being
  saved.

32
The Church is People!

• Acts 236-41 (NKJV) - Therefore let all the
  house of Israel know assuredly that God has made
  this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and
  Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were
  cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest
  of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we
  do?

33
The Church is People!

• 38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let
  every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
  Christ for the remission of sins and you shall
  receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the
  promise is to you and to your children, and to
  all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God
  will call.

34
The Church is People!

• 40 And with many other words he testified and
  exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this
  perverse generation. 41 Then those who gladly
  received his word were baptized and that day
  about three thousand souls were added to them.

35
The Church is People!

• To be a Christian is to be in the church of
  Christ, or Christ's body. (Rom 63 1 Cor 1213)

36
The Church is People!

• Romans 63 (NKJV) - Or do you not know that as
  many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus
  were baptized into His death?

37
The Church is People!

• 1 Corinthians 1213 (NKJV) - For by one Spirit we
  were all baptized into one bodywhether Jews or
  Greeks, whether slaves or freeand have all been
  made to drink into one Spirit.

38
The Church is People!

• What do you mean by "the church of Christ?"
  Because of division and doctrines of men,
  one cannot determine God's way by the name on the
  sign alone.

39
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• There is a relationship based on the blood of
  Christ. (Acts 2028)

40
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• Acts 2028 (NKJV) - Therefore take heed to
  yourselves and to all the flock, among which the
  Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd
  the church of God which He purchased with His own
  blood.

41
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• When that relationship has ended then one has
  turned their back on the blood of Christ. (Heb
  66 1026, 29)

42
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• Hebrews 66 (NKJV) - if they fall away, to renew
  them again to repentance, since they crucify
  again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him
  to an open shame.

43
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• Hebrews 1026 (NKJV) - For if we sin willfully
  after we have received the knowledge of the
  truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for
  sins,

44
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• Hebrews 1029 (NKJV) - Of how much worse
  punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought
  worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot,
  counted the blood of the covenant by which he was
  sanctified a common thing, and insulted the
  Spirit of grace?

45
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• There can be no forgiveness without a life of
  repentance.

46
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• A Christian will then have a tender heart,
  willing to be taught and corrected. (Heb 312-15)

47
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• Hebrews 312-15 (NKJV) - Beware, brethren, lest
  there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief
  in departing from the living God 13 but exhort
  one another daily, while it is called Today,
  lest any of you be hardened through the
  deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become
  partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of
  our confidence steadfast to the end, 15 while it
  is said Today, if you will hear His voice, Do
  not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.

48
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• It is a difficult thing to maintain this kind of
  faith over generations.

49
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• It is a difficult thing to maintain this kind of
  faith over generations.
• There is a love based on the blood of Christ.

50
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• It is a difficult thing to maintain this kind of
  faith over generations.
• There is a love based on the blood of Christ.
• How does Jesus tell us to find His people? (Jn
  1334-35 1 Jn 420-21)

51
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• John 1334-35 (NKJV) - A new commandment I give
  to you, that you love one another as I have
  loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By
  this all will know that you are My disciples, if
  you have love for one another.

52
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• 1 John 420-21 (NKJV) - If someone says, I love
  God, and hates his brother, he is a liar for he
  who does not love his brother whom he has seen,
  how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And
  this commandment we have from Him that he who
  loves God must love his brother also.

53
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• I no longer value people by their relationship to
  me but by their relationship to the blood of
  Christ. (Rom 1415 1 Cor 811)

54
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• Romans 1415 (NKJV) - Yet if your brother is
  grieved because of your food, you are no longer
  walking in love. Do not destroy with your food
  the one for whom Christ died.

55
What are the Characteristics of a Christian?

• 1 Corinthians 811 (NKJV) - And because of your
  knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom
  Christ died?

56
What is a local church?

• While there is but one church, the Bible also
  describes "churches" (Rom 1616 1 Cor 161).

57
What is a local church?

• While there is but one church, the Bible also
  describes "churches" (Rom 1616 1 Cor 161).
• Is this a contradiction?

58
What is a local church?

• Romans 1616 (NKJV) - Greet one another with a
  holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.

59
What is a local church?

• 1 Corinthians 161 (NKJV) - Now concerning the
  collection for the saints, as I have given orders
  to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also

60
What is a local church?

• The one church is the relationship of all
  Christians to Christ. Local churches are God's
  people in an organized body at a particular
  location.

61
What is a local church?

• The one church is the relationship of all
  Christians to Christ. Local churches are God's
  people in an organized body at a particular
  location.
• What local church was the eunuch a member of?
  (Acts 836-39)

62
What is a local church?

• You can be a member of one without being a member
  of another.

63
What is a local church?

• You can be a member of one without being a member
  of another.
• In time every Christian will be a part of a local
  church. This is not optional. (1 Cor 161 1 Cor
  1025-29)

64
What is a local church?

• 1 Corinthians 1225-29 (NKJV)- that there should
  be no schism in the body, but that the members
  should have the same care for one another. 26 And
  if one member suffers, all the members suffer
  with it or if one member is honored, all the
  members rejoice with it. 27 Now you are the body
  of Christ, and members individually.

65
What is a local church?

• 28 And God has appointed these in the church
  first apostles, second prophets, third teachers,
  after that miracles, then gifts of healings,
  helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29
  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all
  teachers? Are all workers of miracles?

66
What is a local church?

• These local churches are to be subject to Christ
  as their head. (2 Cor 29 Rev 21, 5)

67
What is a local church?

• 2 Corinthians 29 (NKJV) - For to this end I also
  wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether
  you are obedient in all things.

68
What is a local church?

• Revelation 21 (NKJV) - To the angel of the
  church of Ephesus write, These things says He
  who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who
  walks in the midst of the seven golden
  lampstands

69
What is a local church?

• Revelation 25 (NKJV) - Remember therefore from
  where you have fallen repent and do the first
  works, or else I will come to you quickly and
  remove your lampstand from its placeunless you
  repent.

70
What is a local church?

• A local church can cease having Christ as their
  head!

71
What is a local church?

• A local church can cease having Christ as their
  head!
• If you base your attendance only by what the
  church calls itself, then you will may remove
  yourself from Christ.

72
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• You allow human attitudes and actions to be
  attributed to God. (Rom 34)

73
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Romans 34 (NKJV) - Certainly not! Indeed, let
  God be true but every man a liar. As it is
  written That You may be justified in Your
  words, And may overcome when You are judged.

74
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• There is a new (old) breed of holy warriors
  that try to take any negative
  example and attribute it to the legalism among
  the church of Christ.

75
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• There is a new (old) breed of holy warriors
  that try to take any negative
  example and attribute it to the legalism among
  the church of Christ.
• Do bad examples mean that there is no church of
  Christ?

76
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• There is a new (old) breed of holy warriors
  that try to take any negative
  example and attribute it to the legalism among
  the church of Christ.
• Do bad examples mean that there is no church of
  Christ?
• You begin to defend a human denomination rather
  than the Lord and His way.

77
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Some people are like the Pharisees and the
  Sadducees they will defend anything found under
  the party name.

78
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Some people are like the Pharisees and the
  Sadducees they will defend anything found under
  the party name.
• This approach will create a closed minded people,
  afraid to open and study Gods word. Creeds,
  written, and unwritten will then prevail.

79
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Some people are like the Pharisees and the
  Sadducees they will defend anything found under
  the party name.
• This approach will create a closed minded people,
  afraid to open and study Gods word. Creeds,
  written, and unwritten will then prevail.
• Gods people will not shy away from applying the
  word. (1 Jn 41, 6 2 Jn 9)

80
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 1 John 41 (NKJV) - Beloved, do not believe every
  spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of
  God because many false prophets have gone out
  into the world.

81
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 1 John 46 (NKJV) - We are of God. He who knows
  God hears us he who is not of God does not hear
  us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the
  spirit of error.

82
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 2 John 9 (NKJV) - Whoever transgresses and does
  not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have
  God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has
  both the Father and the Son.

83
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• False standards will be used to determine who the
  Lords people are.

84
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• False standards will be used to determine who the
  Lords people are.
• What we practice will either show Jesus as our
  head or a desire to please men and their
  traditions. (Mt 158-9 Jn 1248)

85
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Matthew 158-9 (NKJV) - These people draw near
  to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their
  lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9 And in
  vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the
  commandments of men.

86
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• John 1248 (NKJV) - He who rejects Me, and does
  not receive My words, has that which judges
  himthe word that I have spoken will judge him in
  the last day.

87
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• The names we use tell much about whom we serve.
  (1 Cor 110-13)

88
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 1 Corinthians 110-13 (NKJV) - Now I plead with
  you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
  Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and
  that there be no divisions among you, but that
  you be perfectly joined together in the same mind
  and in the same judgment.

89
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 1 1For it has been declared to me concerning you,
  my brethren, by those of Chloes household, that
  there are contentions among you. 12 Now I say
  this, that each of you says, I am of Paul, or
  I am of Apollos, or I am of Cephas, or I am
  of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul
  crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the
  name of Paul?

90
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Our willingness to rebuke and correct sin also
  shows where our hearts are. (2 Tim 41-4 2
  Thess 314-15)

91
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 2 Timothy 41-4 (NKJV) - I charge you therefore
  before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will
  judge the living and the dead at His appearing
  and His kingdom 2 Preach the word! Be ready in
  season and out of season. Convince, rebuke,
  exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

92
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 3 For the time will come when they will not
  endure sound doctrine, but according to their own
  desires, because they have itching ears, they
  will heap up for themselves teachers 4 and they
  will turn their ears away from the truth, and be
  turned aside to fables.

93
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 2 Thessalonians 314-15 (NKJV) - And if anyone
  does not obey our word in this epistle, note that
  person and do not keep company with him, that he
  may be ashamed. 15 Yet do not count him as an
  enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

94
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• How do they worship? (1 Cor 161-2 Acts 207)

95
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 1 Corinthians 161-2 (NKJV) - Now concerning the
  collection for the saints, as I have given orders
  to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also
  2 On the first day of the week let each one of
  you lay something aside, storing up as he may
  prosper, that there be no collections when I
  come.

96
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Acts 207 (NKJV) - Now on the first day of the
  week, when the disciples came together to break
  bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke
  to them and continued his message until midnight.

97
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• You refuse to examine your lives.

98
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• You refuse to examine your lives.
• It is possible to have the collective practices
  right while there are individuals who are
  separated from God within a local church. (Rev
  34)

99
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Revelation 34 (NKJV) - You have a few names even
  in Sardis who have not defiled their garments
  and they shall walk with Me in white, for they
  are worthy.

100
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Jesus pointed out there are two kinds of people!
  (Jn 319-21)

101
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• John 319-21 (NKJV) - And this is the
  condemnation, that the light has come into the
  world, and men loved darkness rather than light,
  because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone
  practicing evil hates the light and does not come
  to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
  21 But he who does the truth comes to the light,
  that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they
  have been done in God.

102
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Philippians 38 (NKJV) - Yet indeed I also count
  all things loss for the excellence of the
  knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I
  have suffered the loss of all things, and count
  them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ

103
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Men may stir your emotions and talk a good fight,
  but in the end they may destroy you. (2 Pt
  218-19)

104
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• 2 Peter 218-19 (NKJV) - For when they speak
  great swelling words of emptiness, they allure
  through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness,
  the ones who have actually escaped from those who
  live in error. 19 While they promise them
  liberty, they themselves are slaves of
  corruption for by whom a person is overcome, by
  him also he is brought into bondage.

105
Consequences of human concepts of the Lords
Church

• Are you part of the people of God?