? SLEEPING
? NOTHING
? DISOBEYING
? WORSHIPPING
|
Leadership in each is the challenge of character
Who rules over men:
• Must be just
• Ruling in the fear of God
• Be like the light of the morning
• A morning without clouds
• Like the tender grass
• By clear shining after rain
🡦
Although my house is not so with God
🡣
Yet He has made an everlasting covenant
Ordered in all things and secure
For this is my salvation and desire
|
(food, clothing)
┌──── 1) Superficial Choices – short term decisions.
│
───────┼──── 2) Longer Term – job, career, home, spouse
│
└──── 3) Spiritual Choices – determines fate of the soul.
(Whom we assemble, desires)
|
|
● Individual
● Community
● Advocate
|
┐
├─
┘
|
Decision Groups.
|
|
|
↓ ↓ ↓
|
Do we assemble for ourselves or God?
Human Form
- Israelites
- Mob
- Lawful Assembly
└─> Paul at Ephesus.
|
God Ordered
CHRIST
ROCK
ASSEMBLY
|
Spirit Form
Assembly
People
Us
Me
|
1. Kingdom has Come
2. Power - Name of Christ
3. Saved
|
|
|
Called for Structure for the church of Christ:
CHRIST
/ | \
Bishops Bishops Bishops
(Examples) (Elders) (2 or more)
/|\ /|\ /|\
Deacons Deacons Deacons
|
Each congregation should be centered on Christ
and not on an origination centered on man.
|
WINDOW
ON MAN
|
|
WINDOW
ON GOD
|
|
... And if one breaks in error ...
|
|
ALL BREAKS
|
|
PART BREAKS
|
|
● God’s plan has a built in safety net.
|
|
To find the church of Christ
you have to look to yourself and read the Word.
ASSEMBLY ──┐
BIBLE STUDY │ = DOES NOT MEAN YOU SEEK GOD
PRAYER ────┘
└─> If it is about you.
|
|
Bishop = Overseer = Shepherd = Pastor = Elder
|
|
|
Bishop = Overseer, Would be Shepherd
|
| |
|
|
Evangelist = Heralder of the Word
|
|
Who is the greatest leader that ever lived?
|
In Battle
|
In Business
|
In Religion
|
The Bible
|
|
Alexander the Great
|
Cornelius Vanderbilt
|
Buddhism – Buddha
|
Abraham
|
|
Napoleon
|
Henry Ford
|
Muslims - Muhammad
|
Moses
|
|
George Washington
|
Mary Kay
|
Hindus - Gandhi
|
Joshua
|
|
George Patton
|
Ray Kroc
|
Mormons - Joseph Smith
|
Solomon
|
|
Douglas Macarthur
|
Bill Gates
|
Scientology – L. Ron Hubbard
|
Paul
|
~ It depends who you are talking to.
|
Our biggest church problems are a result of
|
⭧
⭨
|
human philosophies.
|
|
human leadership.
|
|
Jesus
|
⭧
⭨
|
was the greatest leader that ever lived
|
|
because
|
|
He was the greatest follower that ever lived
|
|
Jesus had Absolute Obedience
|
|
|
Obedience = Adhering to a System of Faith
|
| |
|
REAL OBEDIENCE
● Is not obeying only when others are watching
● Is not merely talking about obeying
● Is not casual obedience
● Is careful obedience
|
|
|
|
|
All the Saints = Faithful Believers, Flock of God
|
Wisdom incorporates knowledgeable obedience
● The LORD teaches sinners in the way
they should go
● Call to walk in the way of goodness in righteousness
● Blessed are those who keep God’s ways
● Hearing and trusting God allows one to know the way
● God calls one in the way not to practice lying
● Serve God with all your heart and with all your soul
● Reproofs of instruction are the way of life
● Keeping instruction is in the way of life
● Narrow the gate & difficult the way leading to life
● Wicked do not desire the knowledge of God’s ways
● All have a choice in the way of life or the way of death
● One careless of his ways
& hates correction will die
● God preserves the way of His saints
|
Christ supports all of His faithful saints
Saints
Apostles and Prophets
Jesus Christ Himself
|
Spoken of Saints on Earth
● Testimony of Ananias in Damascus
● Testimony of Paul in Jerusalem
● Testimony of Peter in Lydda
● Testimony of God
|
Saints spoken of across the known world
● Damascus
● Jerusalem
● Lydda
|
● Ephesus
● Philippi
● Colosse
|
● Corinth
● Rome
● Italy
|
|
|
① Saints are alive on the earth
② Saints are individuals in common with God’s will
③ Saints are called to have an understanding of the inheritance
④ The message of salvation has been given to His saints on earth
⑤ Saints are warned not to fall away from God’s word
⑥ Saints righteously love the Lord who is our protection
⑦ Saints are instructed to work along with one another
⑧ Saints know salvation in not of themselves
⑨ The Lord God loves His saints
⑩ Resurrection has been made known by God
⑪ Eternal life is promised to the saints of God
⑫ Our actions should please us as servants of the Living God
⑬ Acts of service and compassion should be done by those able
⑭ It is through our service that we find rewards of spirit
⑮ Though challenged in life our Love of God renders sacrifice
⑯ Saints are asked to actively practice their faith as examples
⑰ Saints are called to perform righteous act
|
|
Being a Christian is a physical challenge and commitment of strength.
|
Submission / Obedience / Conformity
|
• Seek out other brethren.
• Watch and reflect daily upon the word.
• So we have continuing faith.
|
How big is your world?
● Self?
● Friends and or associates?
● A few ~ a State ~ or Nation.
● Jesus instructed us: The World.
|
|
195 countries or nation on the Earth
63 colonies or territories
258 places
|
|
Through the centuries ...
Disciples have passed on to disciples the message of Jesus:
● To make disciples of all nations ← COMMANDMENT
● Baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
● Teach these disciples to obey my commandments
|
|
Current "Best Case" Scenario:
churches
of CHRIST
|
Population
|
Congregations
|
Members per
Congregation
|
Total
Members
|
Per
Person
|
|
USA
|
307 million
|
13,000
|
50
|
650,000
|
1 out of
472
|
USA
(Worst case)
|
307 million
|
2,200
|
50
|
110,000
|
1 out of
2791
|
REST OF
WORLD
|
6.4 billion
|
13,000
|
10
|
130,000
|
1 out of
49,246
|
|
|
Christian = Most Demanding = Most Rewarding
|
TRUE CHRISTIANS
● FOLLOW WHAT GOD ONCE DELIVERED TO MAN
● FAITH THAT HE IS THAT HE IS
● DO NOT TURN AWAY FROM HIS WORD
|
| |
|
|
COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIANS = LOST
|
|
↓
THE HARSH REALITY
● Some who think they are saved, are lost
● Some who think they love God, hate Him
● Some who think they are following Jesus are following Satan
|
|
TWO TYPES OF FAKE CHRISTIANS
● Those who know they are fake.
● Those who don’t realize they are fake.
|
|
IS CHRISTIANITY A
RELIGION
OR A
RELATIONSHIP?
|
|
1. Commitment to a personal relationship.
2. Commitment to Family of God, His church.
3. Commitment to the lost outside His church.
|
~ WITH FATHER ~
↕
↔ ONE ANOTHER ↔
|
GOD GOD
↕ ↕
Man ↔ Man
|
Verticle Fellowship
Horizontal Fellowship
|
| ↔ |
Assemble to build up strength in the House of God
|
↔ |
● Do you pray to God to send you the truth?
● Do we pray for circumstances to expose our errors?
● Do you pray for your faults to be revealed?
|
Believing the lies of man departs from God
Depart from the Faith:
● Heed to deceiving spirits
┗► Docrines of demons
● Speaking lies in hyprocricy
┗► conscience seared
● Forbidding to marry
● Commanding to abstain from foods
|
A Sign of the Times: Widespread False Doctrine
● Deceiving spirits and doctrines
● Speaking lies in hypocrisy
● Have conscience seared
● Forbidding to marry
● Commanding to abstain from foods
|
All lonely hearts seek God’s own comforts
Depart from the faith:
● Heeding deceiving spirits
⤷doctrines of demons
● Speaking lies in hypocrisy
● Conscience seared with a hot iron
⤷ forbidding to marry
● Commanding to abstain from truth
|
|
FAITH IN GOD ≠ FAITH IN MAN
|
| |
|
NOT FOUND IN NEW TESTAMENT WORSHIP
1. Gym
2. Kitchen
3. Sponsored ball team
4. Choirs and instrumental music
5. etc.
|
|
Musical media & false praise does not please God
Men of this generation:
Children sitting
in the marketplace
calling to one another
↓
● We played the flute for you
→you did not dance
● We mourned to you
→you did not weep
|
Some think these things:
● Prophecies
● Tongues
● Special Enabling Knowledge
|
... still exist.
|
Infancy State
of Christianity
|
=
|
Miracles, Tongues, Prophesies,
Supernatural Knowledge
|
|
| |
|
... But when that which is perfect has come, then that which
is in part will be done away. ~ 1st Corinthians 13:8-10
|
● Prophets
● Apostles
|
┐
├─
┘
|
Have come and established our foundation.
|
|
|
PHYSICAL KINGDOM ≠ SPIRITUAL KINGDOM
|
|
|
Charismatics = Believe they have gifts
|
All these religions claim the Holy Spirit directs them:
↓
1. Catholics
2. Methodists
3. Presbyterians
4. Lutherans
5. Baptists
6. Mormons
7. Jehovah Witnesses
8. 7th Day Adventists
9. Etc.
|
If they were all put in separate rooms ...
... to receive instructions from the Holy Spirit ...
... they should all emerge with the same doctrine ...
... for the Holy Spirit agrees as One.
... However, they are dramatically opposed to each other.
Concerning the truth, there is only one.
|
Hears God's Word
|
|
Does not hear God's Word
|
"... Is Christ divided? ... ~ 1st Corinthians 1:10-13
Some were claiming to be after Paul, Cephas = Division
Freedom of religion ≠ Responsibility God calls for.
|
Tolerating Doctrines outside Christ’s is profane
WARNING = Do Not Receive A Different Spirit
|
|
DISTURBING = NOT COMFORTABLE
|
|
PLANTED
|
= x
|
- Themselves -
◎ Religious Elite
~ the Conservatives
→ Pharisees, Scribes
|
|
IN THEMSELVES
|
|
|
Many Claim to be Planted in Christ:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
↓
|
● CHRIST
● Catholic
● Muslim
● Protestant
● Presbyterian
● Baptist
● Methodist
● Mormon
● Jehovah Witnesses
● ?
● 2015?
|
|
|
Just because a plant exists does not mean it is approved of by God.
|
ANCESTRAL GRAVITY = TRADITIONAL PRACTICES
|
|
|
False Precepts/Calvinism
|
Total Depraved
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints
|
-
-
-
-
-
|
Born Having to Sin
Have No Choice
Select Few will be Saved
God is Who Calls or Not
Once Saved Always Saved
|
|
|
|
The Incorrect View
|
The Correct View
|
|
People determine the standard
|
People discover the standard
|
|
People are originators of the standard
|
People are dependant on the standard
|
|
People enforce the standard
|
People are ministers of the standard
|
|
People regulate the standard
|
People are recognizers of the standard
|
|
People judge the standard
|
People are witness to the standard
|
|
People are the master of the standard
|
People are servants of the standard
|
False religion destroys sound doctrine
Questionable Religion
|
|
Jehovah witness
|
=
|
Deny Christ as deity
Restrict Lord's Supper
Denying salvation of blood
Claim they are the only true church
|
|
Catholic
|
=
|
Idol Worship ~ False Fathers
Excessive repetitive human doctrine
Re-sacrifice Christ in mass deception
Claim they are the only true church
|
|
Mormons
|
=
|
Trivialize Jesus; authority over Him
Secret chambers of hidden doctrines
Claim they are the only true church
Believe in Science Fiction
|
|
Baptist *
|
=
|
Introduce church/faith based salvation
Improper implementation of gospel
as a dogma justification study
"Once saved, always saved"
|
|
Jewish
|
=
|
Deny fulfillment of their own prophecy
~ Pride over their Shame
Search for an earthly kingdom
|
|
Islam
|
=
|
False doctrine justifying a god of
hate and war; invalidates Jesus,
~ twists the Bible into a lie
Idol worship bowing to a dead rock
|
|
Buddhism/Zen
|
=
|
Self centered worship of self
No Supreme Creator
|
|
Atheism
|
=
|
Trust in self / God of Denial
|
Scientology
|
=
|
A bad bet
Justifies insanity
|
Churches
of many names;
Not using Bible
as Authority
|
=
|
False Religion; cult
|
|
* - Some Baptist churches acknowledge that not once saved always saved.
The Lord’s church is made by individual’s, not human hierarchies.
|
PREDESTINED ≠ Once Saved Always Saved
|
We are predestined to have the opportunity for eternal salvation.
PROBLEM:
|
CHRISTIAN
|
ISLAM
|
● Jesus = God
● Jesus CLAIMED Deity
● Jesus = Creator
● Jesus ACCEPTED worship
● Jesus Crucified
● Jesus Raised from dead
● Jesus the Sin Bearer
● The Son of God
|
● Jesus NOT God
● Jesus DENIED Deity
● Jesus created
● Jesus NOT ACCEPT worship
● Jesus NOT crucified
● Jesus NOT raised
● NO mediator..
● NOT the Son .. Only a messenger
|
|
|
Corrupted?
● Given by God – inspired
● Jews preserved it
● Bible a guide unto man …
● Should believe the Bible …
● Believe the Bible → Heaven
NO CHARGES OF CORRUPTION!
|
|
|
Copies of the Bible We NOW Have
|
Codex
|
Dated
|
● Vaticanus
● Sinaiticus
● Alexandrinus
● Ephraemi Rescriptus
● Bezae
● Claromontanus
● Codex Freerianus
|
● 325-350
● 4th century
● 450
● 345
● 450-550
● 550
● Late 4th, early 5th Century
|
|
|
Translations of the Bible We NOW Have
|
Translations
|
Dated
|
Language
|
● The Old Latin
● The Latin Vulgate
● Coptic
● Peshitta
|
● As Early as 180
● 382-405
● 292-346
● 400
|
● Latin
● Latin
● Coptic/Egyptian
● Syriac
|
|
|
● Muhammad lived from 570 AD to 632 AD.
● We have Bible COPIES – 300’s
● We have Bible TRANSLATIONS – 300’s
● Early writings, fragments, etc…
● He had, knew, and accepted what WE now have
without claiming corruption.
|
|
|
A man ≠ God in the flesh.
|
|
Hearsay reduces to diminishing truth.
Exalting men over God is not God’s will.
Muhammad
Any proud proclaimer
|
=
=
|
False Prophet
False Prophet
|
|
|
God’s Word is Salvation’s manual
The Bible Alone ――――――――► Christian
Bible + Vatican Doctrines ―――► Catholic
Bible + Methodist Discipline ――► Methodist
Bible + Baptist Manual ――――► Baptist
Bible + Book of Mormon ――――► Morman
Bible + Koran ―――――――――► Muslim
Denominationalism necessitates different seeds!
|
Headquarters of the church?
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
|
● Rome
● New York
● Salt Lake
● Jerusalem
● Mecca
● Etc.
|
|
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
↓
|
⭨ ⭩
→ It is in Heaven! ←
|
Reactor
