Category: Church
Subject: Church
Sermon: Congregational Autonomy
A discussion and defining of the scriptural concept of congregational autonomy, coupled with an examination of historical abuses.
Sermon: The Church – God’s Family
The lesson discusses the various attributes that should be present in the church, which is described as God’s family. They are Love, Selflessness, Unity, Affection, Dependability and Encouragement.
Sermon: Desperately Seeking Relevance
The lesson seeks to establish the proper response of God’s people to a world that is indifferent to Christ and His church.
Sermon: Church of Christ FAQ Sheet
A number of Frequently Asked Questions about the Lord’s church, answered in this sermon.
Sermon: Some Identifying Marks of the Lord’s Church
The description given of the Lord’s church in the New Testament differs markedly from the denominations today. His church, however, exists and is identifiable in our time.
Sermon: Some Facts about the church of Christ
The Lord’s church is very different from the religious denominations you typically see in America. This sermon discusses some of the things that makes the church of Christ unique.
Challenges Confronting the Church
This class consisted of four lessons, taken from Mark Copeland’s topical sermon series. I chose four lessons from that series:
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Introduction
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Denominationalism
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Secularism
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Traditionalism
The class took place on each Wednesday evening in December, 2016. The material consists of:
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The four lessons (the material is the same as it appears on brother Copeland’s site, except for reformatting.
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The teacher’s notes (some highlighting, and the addition of scriptures)
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Audio of the four classes
Materials
Audio
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Lesson 1Challenges-Intro
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Lesson 2Challenges-Denominationalism
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Lesson 3Challenges-Secularism
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Lesson 4 Challenges-Traditionalism
“Having then gifts…let us use them”
Lesson 2 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.
God does not accept idleness in His people. Each of us has the ability and opportunity to do work for the Lord.
Sermon: The Church and Politics
There are civil laws governing how involved churches may become in the political arena. More importantly, there are guidelines that the church and individual Christians are given by God. These must be respected and obeyed!
The Patternists: What is the name of your church?
“What is the name of your church?” We are asked that question often. It is a question that often arises from a denominational mindset. The answer they are expecting is something along the lines: the Baptist church, or the Methodist church, or the Catholic church.
In the New Testament, the church is never given a proper name. The greek work (ekklesia) from which the word church is translated has reference to an assembly or congregation. It literally means “the called out.”
The only proper name given to God’s people is Christian (cf. 1 Peter 4:16).
Some are not satisfied with this, and will continue the question. “What is written on the sign in front of your building?!!” To which we answer, “West Side church of Christ.”
In this we designate that we meet on the west side of Fort Worth, and that we are an assembly or congregation belonging to Christ (cf. Romans 16:16). This is eminently scriptural.
Does your church name follow this scriptural precedent? Or does it indicate a denominational mindset?
To see The Patternists Page on Facebook, click here, and Like!
Mission: Possible!
Every TV episode and Movie begins the same way, with a recorded message containing the words: “Your mission, should you choose to accept it…”
I remember as a kid loving the Mission: Impossible television program. It had a group of “cool” spies who were able to accomplish the “impossible” because of their intelligence, bravery and gadgets. Each mission consisted of various stated objectives, authorized by some shadowy governmental agency. They were not freelancers, they followed the directives of the agency. Because of their abilities and position, they were give a job to do, and they did it.
The show came to mind recently as I involved myself in a study of the “mission” given by God to His church. The parallels are obvious, and illustrate the nature of God’s relationship to His people.
FB: The House of God
“But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).
The church of the living God is a house. The word house does not refer to a structure, but a family. God is the Father (Ephesians 3:14). Jesus is the Son over that house (Hebrews 3:6). Christians too are children, by adoption (Romans 8:15-17), and as such heirs of eternal life.
As a family, we have many blessings. These blessings are based upon our relationship with God. Among these blessings are the relationships we have with one another as fellow heirs. There is a primary obligation we have to one another, which is spelled out by John:
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:20-21).
Do you love your brethren? You should. We are part of a wonderful family!
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Invitation: The One Body
Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox
In 1 Corinthians 12 the apostle Paul uses the concept of a physical body as a metaphor for the church. The lesson teaches the necessity of each member, and the care each should show toward one another.
