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Faith in the Religious World - the church

Larry Dickens

October 19, 2014 PM

 

Introduction:        

         A.      Faith comes by hearing, seeing, observing (Rom 10:17; Ps 19:1; Heb 11:3)

         B.      The Nature of Denominationalism

                  1.      The product of human history

                  2.      Embracing some of the Truth

                  3.      Holding to some error

                  4.      Inclusive in nature

                  5.      Exclusive in nature

                  6.      Denominational fictions.

                           a.      Christian first, then denomination member.

                           b.      Christ is in Fellowship with all (most).

                           c.       True Church intermixed within all

                  7.      Overriding attitude: Embrace Some Truth while tolerating some errors!

         C.      The church is not “just another denomination.”

                   1.      Not  “we are not the only Christians”                   

                   2.      If no “one true church,” one is as good as another, and...

                           a.      Evangelism is reduced to nothing.

                           b.      Local Churches accept the unconverted

                           c.       Proselytizing replaces conversions (Matt 23:15).

         D.      Truth about the Church  

                    1.      The Church is the Lord's, not ours (Matt 16:18; Eph 4:4-6; 5:23; Col 1:18)

                           a.      The Lord added to His Church (Acts 2:47)

                           b.      All Local Churches were “Churches of Christ” (Rom 16:16)

                    2.      The Church is the pillar and support of the truth (1 Tim 3:15 )

                    3.      The Church is spiritual, not social (John 18:36; Rom 14:17; 1 Cor 11:22)

 

I.       The Church evidences faith by teaching the sound doctrine (1 Tim 3:15; Eph 4:15; Titus 2:1; 1:9).

         A.      The problems with false doctrines.

                  1.      False doctrine nullifies efforts to acceptably worship God (Mt 15:9)

                  2.      False doctrine nullifies our fellowship with God (2 John 9-11

         B.      Sound doctrine includes truth along morality (Rom 6:1-2; Matt 5:32; Matt 19:9; Titus 1:1)

         C.      Sound doctrine is the only means to unity (Lk 11:17; Acts 23:6-9; 1 Cor 1:10; Rom 15:5-6; 1 Cor 2:16; Phil 2:5; 1 Cor 4:17; 7:17; 1 Cor 14:33)

                  1.      Teaching and practice must be the same.

                  2.      Ecumenical (unity) movements do not achieve unity.

 

II.      The Church evidences faith by truth spoken in love (Ep 4:15; 1 Cr 13:4; 1 Th 2:7-8) 

         A.      Love does not compromise truth (1 Thess 2:2, 5

         B.      Love exhorts, encourages, and implores as a father (1 Thess 2:11)

         C.      Love teaches difficult things (1 Thess 3:8, 13; 4:3; 5:11; 2 Thess 2:3, 15; 3:6) “keep aloof from every brother who leads an unruly life. . .”

 

III.    Truth spoken in Love is Evangelistic - tells all men what they must do to be saved (Acts19:3).

         A.      Believe (John 8:24)

         B.      Repent (Luke 13:3)

         C.      Confess (Matt 10:32)

         D.      Be Baptized (Mark 16:16)

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