Feast 8, November 4, 2011.S
ubject: How to identify a church that is truly a church of Christ?
A. Name always comes first!
1. Matt.16:18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church,
and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
2. Eph.5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body,
of which he is the Savior.
3. Ro 16:16 All the churches of Christ send greetings.
4. Ac 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
B. Message of salvation to the world.
1. Mk.16:15-16
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
2. Acts 2:36-38
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus,
whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles,
"Brothers, what shall we do?"
Peter replied "Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
3. Acts 22:16
And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
C. Items of Sunday worship!
1. Ac.2:1
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2. Acts 20:7
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread.
Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day,
kept on talking until midnight.
3. Acts 2:41-42
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3000 were added to the church on that day.
They devoted themselves to apostles' teaching and to the fellowship,
to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
4. Heb.13:15
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--
the fruit of lips that confess his name.
5. 1 Cor.16:1-2
Now about the collection for God's people:
Do what I told the Galatians churches to do.
On the first day of every week,
each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income,
saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
6. Phil.4:15-19
Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel,
when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving,
except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica,
you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.
Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.
I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied,
now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent.
They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.
D. Mode of rule.
1. Titus 1:5-9
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that you should set in order the things that were wanting,
and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;
if any man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children that believe,
who are not accused of riot or unruly.
the bishop must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-willed, not soon angry,
no brawler, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but given to hospitality,
as lover of good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled;
holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching,
that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.
May the Lord bless you and keep you always!