Title: The people of God are defined by a living faith.
1The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- When one trusts God they are motivated by the
presence and sight of God. (1 Tim 612-14)
2The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- 1 Timothy 612-14 - Fight the good fight of
faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you
were also called and have confessed the good
confession in the presence of many witnesses.
3The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life
to all things, and before Christ Jesus who
witnessed the good confession before Pontius
Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment
without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus
Christ's appearing,
4The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- When men know and fear the living God they will
be filled with zeal.
5The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- When men know and fear the living God they will
be filled with zeal. - These people do not look to get by or to let
others do their work.
6The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- As we studied last lesson, it the grace of God
moves us. (Titus 211-14)
7The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- Titus 211-14 - For the grace of God that
brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12
teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly in the present age, 13 looking for the
blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great
God and Savior Jesus Christ,
8The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem
us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself
His own special people, zealous for good works.
9The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- We are challenged to maintain that faith over
time and over generations.
10The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- We are challenged to maintain that faith over
time and over generations. - The church at Ephesus started with great zeal and
sacrifice. (Acts 198-10, 17-20)
11The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- Acts 198-10 - And he went into the synagogue
and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and
persuading concerning the things of the kingdom
of God. 9 But when some were hardened and did
not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the
multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the
disciples, reasoning daily in the school of
Tyrannus.
12The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- 10 And this continued for two years, so that all
who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord
Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
13The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- Acts 1917-20 - This became known both to all
Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus and fear
fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus
was magnified. 18 And many who had believed came
confessing and telling their deeds.
14The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- 19 Also, many of those who had practiced magic
brought their books together and burned them in
the sight of all. And they counted up the value
of them, and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of
silver. 20 So the word of the Lord grew mightily
and prevailed.
15The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- Paul later warned the Elders about the future.
(Acts 2028-30)
16The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- Acts 2028-30 - "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. 29 "For I know this, that after my
departure savage wolves will come in among you,
not sparing the flock.
17The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- 30 "Also from among yourselves men will rise up,
speaking perverse things, to draw away the
disciples after themselves.
18The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- Many years later we begin to see the first steps
away from God. (Rev 21-5)
19The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- Revelation 21-5 "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 2 "I
know your works, your labor, your patience, and
that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you
have tested those who say they are apostles and
are not, and have found them liars
20The people of God are defined by a living faith.
- 3 "and you have persevered and have patience, and
have labored for My name's sake and have not
become weary. 4 "Nevertheless I have this
against you, that you have left your first love.
5 "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 place -- unless you repent.
21God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- Church - (1) in a general sense, as a gathering
of citizens assembly, meeting (AC 19.32) (3)
as the assembled Christian community church,
congregation, meeting (RO 16.5) (5) as
the universal body of believers church (EP 1.22)
22God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- The common meaning of the word translated
church is an assembly.
23God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- The common meaning of the word translated
church is an assembly. - The Greek word ekklesia is from two words ek
out and kaleo to call.
24God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- When you read the word church in the Bible
always think of people!
25God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- When you read the word church in the Bible
always think of people! - The Lord Himself established one church. (Mt
1618)
26God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- Matthew 1618 - "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.
27God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- He is head of this church and there is but one.
(Eph 122-23 44-6)
28God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- Ephesians 122-23 - 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.
29God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- Ephesians 44-6 - 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.
30God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- What is the one true church? Is it a local
church? No!
31God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- What is the one true church? Is it a local
church? No! - This one true church is a relationship between
Jesus and every individual Christian. Baptism
is the final step into the one body. (1 Cor 1213)
32God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- 1 Corinthians 1213 - For by one Spirit we were
all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or
Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all
been made to drink into one Spirit.
33God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- This one church is not a functional body it is
comprised only of individuals.
34God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- This one church is not a functional body it is
comprised only of individuals. - Where is the headquarters of the church of
Christ? Where is our head?
35God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- The Lord also ordained local churches. (1 Cor
12 Rom 1616 Gal 12)
36God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- 1 Corinthians 12 - To the church of God which
is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in
Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who
in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord, both theirs and ours
37God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- Romans 1616 - Greet one another with a holy
kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
38God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- Galatians 12 - and all the brethren who are
with me, To the churches of Galatia
39God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- How can there be but one church and there be
churches of Christ at the same time? Even
though the same word is used (church) the context
shows we are talking about 2 very different
things!
40God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- The local church is a functional body that has a
beginning and over time an end.
41God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- The local church is a functional body that has a
beginning and over time an end. - The assembly of Christians is also called
church or churches.
42God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- The local church is a functional body that has a
beginning and over time an end. - The assembly of Christians is also called
church or churches. - Sometimes it can refer to a mob of
non-Christians. (Acts 1932)
43God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- Acts 1932 - Some therefore cried one thing and
some another, for the assembly was confused, and
most of them did not know why they had come
together.
44God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- It can mean a specific kind of gathering of
Christians. (1 Cor 1433-37)
45God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- 1 Corinthians 1433-37 - For God is not the
author of confusion but of peace, as in all the
churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep
silent in the churches, for they are not
permitted to speak but they are to be
submissive, as the law also says.
46God has given us the local church for Christians
to work together
- 35 And if they want to learn something, let them
ask their own husbands at home for it is
shameful for women to speak in church. 36 Or did
the word of God come originally from you? Or was
it you only that it reached? 37 If anyone thinks
himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things which I write to you
are the commandments of the Lord.
47The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- The local church is the only organization that
God has given us to work together.
(Phil 11 Acts 1423 1 Tim 31, 8 1 Pt 51-2)
48The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Philippians 11 - Paul and Timothy, bondservants
of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ
Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and
deacons
49The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Acts 1423 - So when they had appointed elders
in every church, and prayed with fasting, they
commended them to the Lord in whom they had
believed.
50The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 1 Timothy 31 - This is a faithful saying If a
man desires the position of a bishop, he desires
a good work.
51The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 1 Timothy 38 - Likewise deacons must be
reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much
wine, not greedy for money,
52The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 1 Peter 51-2 - The elders who are among you I
exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of
the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of
the glory that will be revealed 2 Shepherd the
flock of God which is among you, serving as
overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not
for dishonest gain but eagerly
53The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Men have tried to make the universal church a
functional body.
54The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Consider the progression of Catholicism to
eventually having a pope in 606 AD.
55The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Consider the progression of Catholicism to
eventually having a pope in 606 AD. - In the 1800s brethren tried a partial effort to
supplant the local church in the missionary
society.
56The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Consider the progression of Catholicism to
eventually having a pope in 606 AD. - In the 1800s brethren tried a partial effort to
supplant the local church in the missionary
society. - Those that opposed these things were
quarantined and labeled as anti.
57The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- In the 1900s another effort was made through the
sponsoring church arrangement.
58The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Brethren took passages where churches sent money
to another church during a temporary famine and
then use theses example for a permanent work.
59The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- In the scriptures churches sending money to
another was always on a temporary basis for the
purpose of relieving needy Christians. (Acts
1127-20 1 Cor 161-3 2 Cor 812-15)
60The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Acts 1127-30 - And in these days prophets came
from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them,
named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit
that there was going to be a great famine
throughout all the world, which also happened in
the days of Claudius Caesar.
61The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 29 Then the disciples, each according to his
ability, determined to send relief to the
brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also
did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of
Barnabas and Saul.
62The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 1 Corinthians 161-4 - 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.
63The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 3 And when I come, whomever you approve by your
letters I will send to bear your gift to
Jerusalem. 4 But if it is fitting that I go
also, they will go with me.
64The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 2 Corinthians 812-15 - For if there is first a
willing mind, it is accepted according to what
one has, and not according to what he does not
have. 13 For I do not mean that others should be
eased and you burdened 14 but by an equality,
that now at this time your abundance may supply
their lack, that their abundance also may supply
your lack -- that there may be equality.
65The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- 15 As it is written, "He who gathered much had
nothing left over, and he who gathered little had
no lack.
66The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- Churches began assuming works beyond their means
to accomplish. One church decided to oversee
all the preaching in Germany while another
assumed the work of preaching on national
radio and TV (Herald of Truth broadcast).
67The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- What would you tell one that assumed the work
of giving beyond his means?
68The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- What would you tell one that assumed the work
of giving beyond his means? - After decades of debate colleges started by
Christians began to demand that churches support
them.
69The historic first steps in apostasy occur in
organization
- What would you tell one that assumed the work
of giving beyond his means? - After decades of debate colleges started by
Christians began to demand that churches support
them. - Preachers and churches that did not go along were
marked and avoided.
70The fruit of compromises in organization
- It takes away from the work and oversight of
local churches.
71The fruit of compromises in organization
- It takes away from the work and oversight of
local churches. - When all a church does is give money then it has
surrendered its work.
72The fruit of compromises in organization
- It takes away from the work and oversight of
local churches. - When all a church does is give money then it has
surrendered its work. - We can in a local church let another man or men
do our work as well.
73The fruit of compromises in organization
- It takes away from the work and oversight of
local churches. - When all a church does is give money then it has
surrendered its work. - We can in a local church let another man or men
do our work as well. - Human institutions come to control local
churches. When the institution changes so
do the churches.
74The fruit of compromises in organization
- There is no accountability to local churches.
75The fruit of compromises in organization
- There is no accountability to local churches.
- Men of power often rise to positions of power. It
becomes a place to undermine.
76The fruit of compromises in organization
- There is no accountability to local churches.
- Men of power often rise to positions of power. It
becomes a place to undermine. - How many want a man to preach that is trained by
a church college?
77The fruit of compromises in organization
- There is no accountability to local churches.
- Men of power often rise to positions of power. It
becomes a place to undermine. - How many want a man to preach that is trained by
a church college? - What has happened to every college set up by
brethren after 100 years?
78The fruit of compromises in organization
- How many preachers have been fired because of a
college? Consider the symbiotic
relationship between local church and a college
in the same town.
79The fruit of compromises in organization
- How many preachers have been fired because of a
college? Consider the symbiotic
relationship between local church and a college
in the same town. - It always is the beginning of decline.
80The fruit of compromises in organization
- Which is more powerful, one good preacher or an
entire church filled with faith? (Acts 83-4
Acts 176 Col 123)
81The fruit of compromises in organization
- Acts 83-4 - As for Saul, he made havoc of the
church, entering every house, and dragging off
men and women, committing them to prison. 4
Therefore those who were scattered went
everywhere preaching the word.
82The fruit of compromises in organization
- Acts 176 - But when they did not find them,
they dragged Jason and some brethren to the
rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have
turned the world upside down have come here too.
83The fruit of compromises in organization
- Colossians 123 - if indeed you continue in the
faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved
away from the hope of the gospel which you heard,
which was preached to every creature under
heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister.
84The fruit of compromises in organization
- It is very wasteful. Consider the cost of a
typical institution that can only exist by
successful fund raising. (Ex. Member who gave a
dollar and then a dime)
85The fruit of compromises in organization
- Local churches unencumbered by human institutions
and loyal to them can more effectively work
together and make needed changes without outside
interference.
86The fruit of compromises in organization
- Local churches unencumbered by human institutions
and loyal to them can more effectively work
together and make needed changes without outside
interference. - Consider the Sponsoring churches of the 1950s
and the colleges that sought church
support in the 1950s. Where are they now?
87The fruit of compromises in organization
88The fruit of compromises in organization
- Questions to Consider
- 1. What happened to the church in Ephesus over
time? What happens when we lose our first
love for the Lord?
89The fruit of compromises in organization
- Questions to Consider
- 1. What happened to the church in Ephesus over
time? What happens when we lose our first
love for the Lord? - 2. Name some differences between a local church
and the body of Christ.
90The fruit of compromises in organization
- Questions to Consider
- 1. What happened to the church in Ephesus over
time? What happens when we lose our first
love for the Lord? - 2. Name some differences between a local church
and the body of Christ. - 3. Why does apostasy often occur in the
organization of the church?
91The fruit of compromises in organization
- 4. Did the early church spread the gospel to the
whole world with just local churches?
92The fruit of compromises in organization
- 4. Did the early church spread the gospel to the
whole world with just local churches? - 5. Why is dependence upon human institutions a
sure sign of decay in faith?