Each individual is only responsible for what he contributes into the common funds. If the funds are not used in an approved way, all are responsible – not just the elders.
Individuals acting in concert, such as in the Lord’s Supper, prayer, Bible study, and giving.
Each individual is approved or not according to whether he takes part worthily or not.
Judgment is going to be individual, not congregational, but to be approved, individuals must participate in the three kinds of actions in approved ways.
[This outline is taken from David's handout for the sermon. Thanks, Dave!]
There is much religious diversity today. Which church is right? Look for a church which…
Depends upon God’s grace.
If God had not decided to extend His grace, then we would be utterly lost and without hope (Titus 2:11, Ephesians 1:7, 2:4-9, I Peter 1:13).
Look for a church which gives God the credit, depending on His grace for salvation.
Honors God above man.
The church belongs to and is subject to Jesus Christ. He is its Head and Savior (Acts 20:28, Ephesians 5:23-24).
Why is it that in many churches more attention is given to the people, and maybe the preacher, than to the Savior? A church ought to be busy giving glory to God by worshiping Him in spirit and truth and obeying His word (Romans 16:27).
Jesus and Paul honored God above men (John 8:29, 6:66, Galatians 1:10).
Churches should get back to the NT pattern of preaching of the gospel (Philippians 4:15), worshiping (I Corinthians 14), and helping needy members (Acts 6).
Encourages questions and independent study.
A church should encourage its members to follow the objective standard of God’s Word, the Bible (John 12:48).
All sources (preachers, churches) ought to be compared to God’s Word and either accepted or rejected based upon whether or not they harmonize with it (Acts 17:10-12).
Accepts the Bible as the sole authority.
There is “one faith” given “once for all” (Ephesians 4:5, Jude 3, Galatians 1:6-9).
Churches should follow the New Covenant of Christ, and not the Old Covenant of Moses (Hebrews 8:6-13, Matthew 5:17-18, Galatians 3:24-26). The NC involves singing (Ephesians 5:19), partaking of the Lord’s Supper (I Corinthians 11:26), praying (I Thessalonians 5:17), preaching the gospel (I Thessalonians 1:8), pooling money together on the first day of the week (I Corinthians 16:1-2), etc.
Is not ashamed to teach that “man is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
This is not a popular doctrine. Some churches vigorously teach against this.
What does the Bible say? James 2:14-26 (see also Matt. 7:21, II Cor. 5:10, Hebrews 5:9).
Teaches the whole story of salvation.
What is required for a person to be saved? God’s grace! (Ephesians 2:5)
But God Himself says there is more. We must believe (John 8:24), repent (Acts 17:30), confess (Romans 10:10), be baptized for forgiveness of sins (I Peter 3:21), and stay faithful (Hebrews 4:11). These are required and connected to salvation.
Different churches stop at various points along the line. Some say grace only, some say grace+belief only, etc.
Does any religious group have the right to edit the Bible? Which one of these can we omit? I encourage you to look for a church which teaches the whole story of salvation.
There are certainly more points we could consider. I appeal to you in all sincerity to read the Bible text for yourself and see what it requires.
[This outline is taken from David's handout for the sermon here. Thanks, Dave!]
The word gospel literally means “good news.” Let’s examine the good news about Jesus Christ.
The story of Jesus.
Jesus prepared people for the transition away from the Old Covenant (Matthew 5:17-18), and began revealing the New Covenant which would offer complete forgiveness of sins!
This was the very reason Jesus came to earth (John 1:29, Luke 19:10), and everything else Jesus said and did was in keeping with this Divine mission.
He chose 12 apostles, taught many, and exposed hypocrisy (Matthew 21:37-45, 23:13-14).
Jesus’ enemies couldn’t deny the miracles He performed (John 9:16, 32-33,Matthew 15:31).
Jesus was crucified, completing the perfect sacrifice for sins (Ephesians 1:7, Acts 20:28).
His resurrection sealed His Lordship and our hope (I Corinthians 6:14, 15:1ff, Acts 2:36).
The command of obedient faith.
Salvation is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8), but most do not receive it (Matthew 7:13).
What is the deciding factor? Why do some people receive this free gift and not others?
God’s condition for the gift of salvation is obedience (Matthew 7:21-27, 28:18-20, Acts 10:35, II Corinthians 5:10, Philippians 2:12, Hebrews 5:9, James 2:24).
Therefore, what is faith in Ephesians 2:8? It means faith which spurs one into obedient action (James 2:14-26).
The steps to salvation.
The first step is faith.
We must believe the truth about Deity (Acts 2:36, John 8:24, Hebrews 11:6).
Faith develops as a result of God’s Word affecting our hearts (Romans 10:17).
The second step is repentance (Matt. 4:17, Luke 24:46-47, Acts 2:38, 17:30, II Peter 3:9).
Repentance is a decision to turn away from sin and toward God (Matthew 12:41, Jonah 3:5-10) which is prompted by godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:9-11).
True repentance leads to action (Luke 3:8, Acts 26:20).
The third step is confession.
The Ethiopian was prompted to confess his faith (Acts 8:35-38).
Confession is authorized by Divine precept (Romans 10:9-10).
The fourth step is baptism.
Baptism saves us (Mark 16:16, I Peter 3:21), is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16), makes us partakers of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12), adds us to the church (I Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 1:18), and clothes us with Christ (Galatians 3:27).
Baptism is urgent (Acts 2:41, 8:36, 16:33, 22:16).
The fifth step is growth and service.
Christians must always try to improve (II Peter 3:18, Hebrews 12:28).
Though one is in a saved relationship with God, he has to maintain it (I Cor. 10:12).
