Why a church of Christ among all these other churches?
It is like asking: Why did Jesus come to die on the cross to establish the church! Mt.16:18, Eph.4:4-6, 1 Pe.2:1-2
It is like when there is no church, someone started a church there!
A. First of all, I am instructed to imitate Apostle Paul as he imitates Christ. 1 Cor.11:1
He said: It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I
would not be building on someone else's foundation. Rather, as it is written: Those who were not told
about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand. Romans 15:20-21
B. The existing churches in the same vicinity have names other than church of Christ!
1. This means no one in the vicinity is preaching the one gospel which Paul preached! Luke 8:11
2. This means all the people in all these churches will be condemned! Gal.1:8
3. If they all preach the same gospel which Paul preached, they would all be churches of Christ! Ro.16:16
4. Apostle John said if I participate in any of these churches I be doing evil! 2 John 1:9-11?
Whosoever goes beyond and abides not in the teaching of Christ, has not God: he that abides in the
teaching, the same hath both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes unto you, and brings not this
teaching, receive him not into (your) house, and give him no greeting: for he that gives him greeting
partakes in his evil works.
5. I must be sure of all these, otherwise I may end up in hell for starting a church of Christ!
I know if these others churches can go to heaven, the church of Christ will go to hell!
If there is no other reason, the one that cause division would be enough!
D. When comes to the name of the church here are 2 of the whys! Eph.5:22-32, Col.1:18
1. Can you imagine if someone look at your face and say your body is someone else body!?
Brother Smith, would you mind if someone look at you and say your body is Mr. Brown’s body?
My best advice for brother Smith is this--> run as fast as you can! He is looking for a fight with you!
This is what it amount to, when people picked a name for a church!
Please always remember, the body does not have its own name! It always go with the head!
2. Can you imagine if someone look at your wife and say this is Mrs. Someone else?
Can you find a worse insult to a man in the world than this one?
This is what it amount to, when people picked a name for a church!
Please remember, when a woman married a man, she naturally become Mrs. her husband!
This is why the church name has to be church of Christ!
E. As Apostle Paul did in Corinth, I give them a chance first! Acts 18:1-9
1. After these things Paul departed from Athens and came to Corinth. 18:1
2. And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks. 18:4
3. But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his
clothes in protest and said to them: Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility.
From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 18:6
4. Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
And Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his house; and many of the
Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized. And the Lord said unto Paul in the night by a vision,
Be not afraid, but speak and hold not thy peace: for I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to
harm thee: for I have much people in this city. Acts 18:7-10
5. Yes, if they refused to teach and practice worshiping God according to what says in the New Testament
Bible, I start a church of Christ right next to theirs if I have!
F. All must be reminded of Titus 3:10-11-->
1. Warn a denomination person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do
with him. You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
2. My instruction in the New Testament Bible is this--> 1 Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the
ability which God gives: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be
praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
3. To teach and worship God according to this instruction, I have to start a church of Christ!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this in San Diego April 21, 2013.