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Northwest Church of Christ 3904 38th Street NW Canton, Ohio 44718 330-492-5523 Fax: 330-493-7119 |
“Are We Really |
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I. Introduction.
A. What prompted this lesson – telephone conversation with
lady. Spoke about her mother.B. Looking back from years to come, historians may say that,
religiously, ours is a time of some frustration, much
uncertainty and searching, and more openness about what
people believe, or don’t believe. Might also be seen as
time when people felt betrayed, or abandoned, by churches
that were altering many traditional beliefs, and practices.C. Yet, another factor in turning people away from “religion”
is the “electronic church,” and commercialization of
religion.1. But while some have openly abandoned, and
ridiculed, biblical teaching, and have wondered far
from the truth of God’s word, that truth itself, has
not changed.2. God’s people, His church, still has the mission of
teaching that truth to a world in sin, and of being a
distinctive, positive, force in this world.D. So, let’s ask a pertinent question: “Can you tell people
what is really different, distinctive, about Lord’s church?”
And, a second question: “Are we really ‘the only ones’
who hold certain views on biblical principles, and
teachings?”1. The phrase “the only ones” not always used in
complimentary way (“Oh, you think you’re the
only ones going to Heaven, etc.”).2. Maybe some people’s attitudes have inspired that
kind of remark. But, in response, can cite
Matthew 7:21: Who’s going to Heaven? “. . . he
who does the will of My Father in heaven.”E. In fact, we are not “the only ones” who believe, and
practice, biblical commands. Look at some examples; then
draw a conclusion, from Bible, as to who is “doing the will
of [the] Father.”II. The Church Is Not The Only One.
A. As Lord’s church, we are not only ones who recognize and
respect Bible as God’s Word. In fact, most “religious”
people, and groups, do.1. There are those, even in churches, who question
inspiration of Bible, and who reject parts of it as
myth.2. But, Bible proclaims its own authenticity as God
speaking to people, and many do see it that way.
Can believe, and teach, truth of II Peter 1:20-21;
Read.3. We ought to make no apology for believing this;
need not be defensive about this.4. But, we’re not the only ones who accept this
principle. This, alone, is not what makes Lord’s
church distinctive.B. We’re also not only ones to recognize the difference
between the Old Testament law and the New Testament
law.1. In Jeremiah 31:31, God promised to establish a
“new covenant” with people: “Behold, the days
are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a
new covenant with the house of Israel and with
the house of Judah.”2. That new testament, that new covenant, has come:
“For the law was given through Moses, but grace
and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
We now live under, are subject to, that new
covenant.3. We still believe in the inspiration of the Old
Testament, and still study it “for our learning”
(Romans 15:4), for the examples it provides. But,
we look to Christ for our salvation by grace, not to
the tenets of “dead” law.4. But, we’re not only ones who understand this. Most
Christian religious organizations meet on first day
of week, and no longer practice animal sacrifice,
and a host of doctrines associated with Old
Testament. They, like us, believe Colossians 2:14:
“having wiped out the handwriting of requirements
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and
He [Christ] has taken it out of the way, having
nailed it to the cross.”)C. Then, third, we’re not only ones who worship without
instruments of music.1. While majority of churches use instruments,
some others do not.2. Historically, instruments of music did not become
part of Christian worship until about A.D. 670. As
late as 1700’s, one of Wesley brothers (founders of
Methodism) said it was alright to have a piano or
organ in worship – so long as it was neither seen
nor heard!3. Some cite the fact instruments were used in Old
Testament worship to justify their use now. (In
fact, God permitted this, but did not command this.)a. Have already mentioned the difference of
two covenants, so that argument carries no
weight.b. But, beyond that there is also a difference
between the worship of Old Testament
(with much ritual and routine) and New
Testament, which is to be from the heart
and “. . . in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:24).c. Instead of using a mechanical substitute,
Christians are to sing “. . . making melody
in [the] heart to the Lord.”
(Ephesians 5:19).d. Also, singing becomes a part of the teaching
of the church in a way no mechanical
instrument can be: Colossians 3:16 – “Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all
wisdom, teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual
songs, singing with grace in your hearts to
the Lord.4. But, others believe truth of Old Testament when it
comes to matter of singing in worship (e.g.
Primitive Baptists; some orthodox churches).
D. Another of our observances is not unique: taking Lord’s
supper on a weekly basis.1. We do this as a memorial, one with both great
purpose, and great meaning.2. Those who reject idea of a weekly remembrance
argue that it becomes too commonplace, and loses
its significance.3. One could argue that infrequency can have same
effect: it loses its meaning; we forget its real
significance, and it becomes something we do
along with other religious rituals.4. Then, some say the Bible does not specify taking
Lord’s supper every first day of week.a. Acts 20:7: “Now on the first day of the
week, when the disciples came together to
break bread, Paul . . . spoke to them, . . .”b. While word “every” does not appear here
(would be out of place in context anyway),
the terminology still identifies how often
disciples “came together to break bread.”c. I can say: “My birthday is August 3rd”.
That doesn’t usually prompt the question
“Of what year?” My birthday is understood
to be a yearly event, because every year has
an August 3rd.d. If you collect Social Security, and you get a
check on the 3rd day of the month, no one
needs to ask “Which month?” Every month
has a 3rd day. Every week has a first day.
That’s day disciples met for worship and “to
break bread.”5. Some other churches practice this and remember
Christ’s death each week. We’re not only ones.E. Nor are we only ones to teach, and practice, baptism by
immersion for the remission of sins. Some other churches
believe this is the scriptural way to “put on Christ” and
complete obedience to Gospel command to “repent and be
baptized.”F. There are other groups who also believe in congregational
autonomy, and stress that Christ is head of church, not
some individual, or governing body.G. Certainly, there are others who are identified by scriptural
names (such as “Church of God” or variations of the
“Church of Christ”), who stress Bible teachings on
godliness, holiness, and being separate from the world and
its ways, and who believe in, and practice, benevolence and
evangelistic work to relieve human suffering and spread the
gospel.III. Conclusion.
A. If Lord’s church is not the only one which holds to all
these beliefs and practices, is there a way in which it is
distinctive and different?1. Answer is “Yes.”
2. Even though there are religious bodies that teach,
and practice, some of the same doctrines as those
found in Lord’s church, there is still one big
difference: It is only in the Lord’s church that you
find belief, and practice, of all of these doctrines
at the same time.B. You may find a church that believes in baptism by
immersion, but doesn’t baptize for remission of sins. Then,
you can go to church that baptizes for remission of sins, but
uses instrumental music in worship services. It’s possible
to attend a church with a scriptural name, but they do not
observe Lord’s supper every week, or even to find a group
that stresses righteous living, but doesn’t meet on first day
of week.1. Many churches have a mixture of one, or two, or
more of these doctrines of faith and practice, but do
not put them all together.2. You find dozens of groups practicing parts of the
truth, but the Lord’s church emphasizes faithfulness
to all Bible teaching when it comes to matters of
worship and daily living.C. We are called to be Christians – and Christians only. We
are called, and commanded, to be Bible-believing and
Bible-adhering people, dedicated to doing the whole will of
God as set forth in His Word. We are called to be people
who believe and are fully committed to “. . . the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace” reflected in the “seven ones” of
Ephesians 4 (Re-Read verses 4-6).D. The way to Heaven is “. . . [to] do the will of [the] Father
in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). The way to Heaven is
through Christ: “He who believes and is baptized will be
saved; . . .” (Mark 16:16).E. Come – and become part of the “one body.”