One Church

Introduction

God is good, amen. I hope you have your Bibles with you. I hope you will grab one, type in one, or somehow get to Romans chapter 5. Adam did an excellent job this morning speaking on the grace of God. And yet in Romans, we see a very curious conclusion that the people reached. But start with me in Romans chapter 5, and we will read into their misguided conclusion. In Romans chapter 5 and verse 18, Paul writes, Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification in life for all men. For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

So that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. How blessed we are to have the ability to access God’s grace. Amen. Unfortunately, the letter to Romans doesn’t end there, and there is some fortunate nature to that as well, of course. But read on with me, beginning in chapter 6 now. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means. Your translation may say something to the effect of certainly not. How can we who died to sin still live in it? You can see how in verse 20 how it says that now the law came to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.

I suppose you can kind of see the logic where they’d say, Well, we certainly want this grace stuff, which is so great, to abound all the more. And so you see their conclusion in verse 1. Uh that Paul’s having to come back. Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? What is a Christian supposed to do with grace? If God is offering grace, if grace covers our sins, if we must rely, as Adam correctly pointed out, wholeheartedly on the goodness and mercy and grace of God, then should we just not do what we do and let God’s love and his grace carry us everywhere? Well, there’s an aspect to where that answer is. Yes. But if you read, what was Paul’s answer to this hypothetical question?

Certainly not, by no means. Why not? How can we who die to sin still live in it? Now there’s a reason for that. It’s not just that, well, God’s grace is insufficient, it is more than sufficient. Adam again correctly pointed out that there is not one of us, not one even in the Bible, aside from Jesus, who could earn their salvation, who could merit, saying to God, give me what is due, that is eternal glory in heaven with you. I must say, we could ask, God give me what is due, but we would not like that answer and that sentence of condemnation that we do deserve. But we see this principle in verse 2. That we who die to sin should no longer still live in it.

Notice with me in verse 3. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried, therefore, with him by baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. And so you see, there is this life that we have. And the conclusion that a Christian should draw is, I’m not taking part in this sin anymore. What is sin? Sin is lawlessness. Sin is a transgression of the law. Well, whose law do we follow? That is God’s. I had a study this past Friday evening with a man, about five o’clock, if I can call that evening.

And I took a pen that he had and I put it in the middle of the table. And this works for anyone who’s not a universalist, that is believing that every single person will be saved. I said, What is the dividing line between those who will be saved and those who will be lost? After all, anyone who reads even just the teachings of Jesus will note that heaven and hell are not only real, but they are places to aspire to in the case of heaven and to flee from in the case of hell. And so, what is that dividing line? If this pen was the separation of the righteous from the unrighteous, what is it on that boundary that I can say I am with God, verse, I am following after the sins and the temptations of the devil.

And of course, that answer is found in Scripture. We’re quite fortunate in Matthew chapter 7 and verse 21. What does Jesus say? Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. Okay, well, we know who’s not getting in. That’s not everyone, but who does? But the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. And thus this line, this separation of those who are alive spiritually and those who are condemned to hell, are those who are found obeying or transgressing the law of God. Whatever the will of God is, we must do. And on an individual basis, we reach this conclusion with pretty good certainty, with quite a good bit of unity, really. Everyone says, Well, you have to obey God.

And yet, if we were to look at the New Testament church and recognize that, well, the church is subject to the will of God as well. All of a sudden, there’s a few less people on the bandwagon. That’s clearly evident. If you were to look around, even just out our back door, you would see a Christian church meeting over there. There used to be what I believe was a Mormon church. The building is still there. To your right, my left. And these different people, including us, worship God, but we do so differently. Now, how can that be if there is but one standard? Well, we need to know what that standard is. We need to know what it says. Now, is this something that I make up?

1. The Seed Is the Word of God

Is this something that the elders teach or that preachers at other congregations can make up? No, certainly not. Look with me in Luke chapter 8. We know, of course, that if we are going to do the will of God, we must look to the words of God. So we’re going to be going through several passages this morning. And if we don’t read them, I hope you write them down or even look yourself to make sure what I am saying is true and in accordance with the will of God. But in Luke chapter 8, we know the parable of the sower that began in verse 5, Jesus’ teaching. A sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell along the path and was trampled underfoot.

And the birds of the air devoured it. And some fell on the rock, and as it grew up, it withered away because it had no moisture. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. And some fell into good soil and grew and yielded a hundredfold. As he said these things, he called out, He who has ears to hear, let him hear. Now, as was common, the disciples didn’t quite fully understand, so they were asking for an explanation. At least we do know they were asking for an explanation. Because in verse 9, and when his disciples asked him what this parable meant, he said, To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God. For others, they are imperable so that they so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

Now the parable is this. The seed is what? Look in your Bibles with me. The seed is the word of God. Now, if we take that idea that the seed is the word of God, what is gonna grow from a seed that is the word of God? Well, let’s use our common sense here. If I were to plant, I asked both my parents and Brandon, my brother-in-law, to know what you could plant and grow, because I’m a little bit scientifically challenged. I didn’t want to say something wrong and have people focus on that. But if you’re to plant an orange tree seed, I have assurances that people do that. If I were to plant an orange tree seed, what’s going to grow up from that? Well, hopefully an orange tree.

2. There Is One Body, His Church

Now, it might be unsuccessful, but I can tell you what’s not going to happen. It’s not going to be some other type of fruit. It’s either an orange tree or nothing. And so if we plant the seed, which is the word of God, if we as a church were to only do what the word of God commands, allows, or shows, what practices would we be exactly like in every way? The church that was in the New Testament. And why is that so important? It’s because Jesus says in Matthew chapter 16 and verse 18, it is his church. Look with me in Ephesians chapter 4. In Ephesians chapter 4. Beginning in verse 4, we all understand and believe, most people acknowledge there is one God and Father of all.

But in verse 4, we read about several ones. There is one body. Note that, we’re going to come back to that one. And one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. So there is one body, one spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all. And we look at several of those, and for the most part, those are without contest, except for a couple of them. But I want to look at this one body. What is that one body? We see one Lord elsewhere, we see one spirit, one God and Father of all.

But fortunately, Paul has already defined this for us in this very book. So look at me, Ephesians chapter 1. And this is where the crux of the matter lies, as we examine the characteristics of the New Testament church as it would grow from the seed of the Word of God. Ephesians chapter 1 and verse 22, and he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Now, did you see what that was? Who is head over the church? Christ. Christ is head over the church. What does that mean? Does that mean he sees, he looks? Well, potentially, but that’s not the point of that passage.

It is Christ’s church to govern, to rule. It is his authority that we must submit to. But note what the church is: His body. The church at the end of verse 22 goes into verse 23, which is his body. There is one body. There is one church. So we need to make sure that we are part of that church. Because if you remember the words of Romans chapter 6, what was it that we were baptized into? Christ Jesus. Now, if Jesus is our only hope of salvation. Now, this is really important. So try to understand this. If Jesus Christ is our only hope, he says, I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through me, then we must be with Him.

3. A Biblical Name and No Creed

And if there is but one Lord, one body which is His Church, we better be in that church. There is to be no dispute about it. And so what is in that church? Well, I’d like to look at several facets this morning. What were some characteristics of the church? Does it matter? Of course it matters. Let’s see. Think about name. Now there’s several names that you could go with. There’s it is referred to as a body. I see my my uncorrected power, my uncorrected keynote is here. I actually corrected that, but I guess I didn’t save it efficiently. So strike one for technology and zero for myself this morning. We have the body. We have the it’s referred to as the church of God in 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 2.

There are the churches of Christ mentions in Romans chapter 16 and verse 16. I can’t help but sharing. I have read that there was a dispute among those to say, church of Christ is never found in the Scripture. It is only churches of Christ.

But consider that these are biblical names. There are other biblical names given, but the point is if we are to be like the New Testament church, we should take on a name of the New Testament church. If we are to identify ourselves correctly, we would be Christians. We don’t call ourselves Buddhists. Why? Because a name is an identifier. This not only works with what I have up on the keynote, which are designations for the church, but even for individuals. What are some names in the New Testament? Well, we see saints in Philippians chapter 1 and verse 1. We’re going to come to that text later because I think it’s very useful for seeing organization of the church. But consider also Christians. Where was that passage? Acts chapter 11 and verse 26.

Those at Antioch were first called Christians. Remember it was those brethren. And even in Acts chapter 9 and verse 2, who was it that Saul was persecuting? Well, they were given a designation there. They were followers of the way. Any of these designations would be alright. Because they correctly identify us as that who we are. Followers of Jesus. Followers of, remember Jesus said, I am the way. So we certainly would be followers of the way. But what about creeds? If you note many different churches have many documentation that will bind them together. In fact, I find it quite useful if I am studying with someone to find. I know I’ve studied at least with one Seventh-day Adventist woman, and I can go on to a Seventh-day Adventist website, and I can figure out what they believe.

Now, whether her particular beliefs line up perfectly with that is obviously varies from person to person. But I can at least know what they believe because of that central headquarters. But is a creed a biblical idea? Well, what did Paul have to say about that? Look at me in Galatians chapter 1. I really want to challenge us to think about this point, perhaps as much as any other. In Galatians chapter 1 and verse 6, Paul has some strong words. He says, I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel. Not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Note this strong warning. But even if we, even if we, he’s referring to himself, or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preach to you, let him be accursed. Why is this so important? Because there is one gospel. There is one message. Nothing is to be added to it. Now here’s the problem. Here’s the crux of the matter. You think about what a creed is. Now no one’s going to say, well, we just changed the word of God. Well, let’s see about that. If you have a document that describes the Bible or sets up your rules and regulations, assuming it’s not a commentary, which is not how creeds are used and followed, there’s only one of two conclusions.

Either it adds or subtracts something from the Word of God, or it is a useless document because we have the Word of God. So I would challenge anyone who thinks that we as men have authority to bind laws for ourselves or other churches that we call fellowship, we say we have fellowship with, then tell me which category does your creed fit into. Is it one that adds to or takes away from the word, or is it one that does nothing but what the word does and it is a vain, useless document? You see very quickly that Paul both addressed that no extra revelation would be necessary. And so when someone claims to be a prophetess or a prophet or to have received revelation from God, they are not only adding to the word, they are claiming that what we have is insufficient.

And that is a very dangerous doctrine to hold to.

Excuse me, all scripture is what? Inspired by God. If all scripture is inspired by God, if the Bible is sufficient, why do we need anything else? And by whose authority is the anything else coming under. We must be very careful that when we consider, are we of this seed? Is this seed, are these plants, are these branches that we have in the New Testament church from God or from men? I’ve often used as an illustration when we talk about how out of the heart. We can’t garbage, excuse me, the garbage in, garbage out principle. No one can say words that they haven’t learned yet. Right? I can’t say the word taken if I haven’t first read and been instructed on the word taken. I compared it perhaps, but I would have had to have heard it first.

If we were to only know the scriptures, if we were to take the word of God and only know the Bible, not what men have done through the centuries, not what the Restorationists have done, not what the Catholic Church has taught, only what the Bible says. Where would we stand on various issues? Whether social or in terms of church order.

4. Organization of the Church

And let me tell you, brothers and sisters, that is where to be found standing. With God, with our whole hearts. But consider other characteristics. Organization. I told you we come back to Philippians chapter one. Let’s go there now. Philippians chapter one and verse one. I love this passage because it very quickly gives us every bit of organization that we need. In Philippians chapter 1 and verse 1, Paul writes, Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus. Now it doesn’t mention Christ Jesus as head, but Paul and Timothy are servants of him. We understand Paul to be an apostle. He submits to the authority of Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church. Verse 1 continues, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.

So we see thus three offices. We understand that Christ is the head. We understand that elders or overseers or pastors are in the church, that deacons are in the church, and that there are saints or Christians or followers of the way. But what are these offices to do? Look with me in 1 Peter chapter 5. What is an elder? What is an elder and what is an elder not, in fact? Again, if we were to only do what the scriptures say, what would that mean for this office of overseer? In 1 Peter chapter 5, beginning in verse 1. So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder, note that thought, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed.

Shepherd the flock of God that is all around you, right? That is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly as God would have you, not for shameful gain, but eagerly, not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility towards one another, for God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. What do you see time and time again? Not this, but that.

What are the not? Selfish gain. What is the purpose of elders? Is it because we just we just can’t function without leadership? Well, I think if you look at churches around that have elders and those that don’t, you can see the benefit and God’s providence in that very clearly. But consider what they are to do, to shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight. This is a position to have eagerly, to be done willingly, as God would have you. Elders are to care for the souls of their flock, if you can allow me to continue the expression of shepherds. They are to care for those of us who are here and under their guidance and their protection. This isn’t about domination. And in fact, in 1 Peter chapter 5, we see very clearly, this is not the work of true biblical shepherds.

What is a true biblical shepherd? Someone who eagerly and willingly seeks to help people. Go back to verse 1, though. What was Peter? Not only a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory, is going to be revealed. The offices of a church are held and they all have their distinct function, but it all comes back to one goal. One singular thought in mind, and that is to get to heaven. Why does it matter what the Word of God said? Because these are the words of life. Why does it matter to do what Jesus said? Because He is the way.

5. That Spirit of Unity and Love

So don’t go ahead and reach for the song books that we don’t really reach for anymore because of the PowerPoint. I want to make a point. Oftentimes, in lessons like these of Bible authority, we make the point of what has the church done? What is the church like? But there’s something else that’s not just very black and white in nature that the church was. I want you to look in Ephesians chapter 2 with me. Beginning in verse 11. In Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 11, notice something. You’re going to see very clearly who Paul is addressing. If we’re going to be like the church, this is critically important. This is the end all of the lesson, if there is one from a personal trait. Ephesians chapter 2 and verse 11.

Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands. Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Where were these people? Without hope. Why? Because they didn’t have God. They weren’t part of fleshly Israel. Verse 13, but now, in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ, for he himself is our peace who has made us both one. And it’s broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace.

And might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross and thereby killing the hostility. Christ not only tore down the wall of hostility, we can now be part of that body as Gentiles. What is that about? It’s about having passion and drive and thankfulness that we can be saved. What was this point to the Gentiles? You weren’t saved before. You were lost. You didn’t have hope, but now you do. Christ tore down the wall that separated the Jews and the Gentiles. And we better be of that spirit of unity and kindness and love and zeal for God. A characteristic of the New Testament church that must always be held is one where we connect with others and care for their souls because God cared for us.

And who are we to be any different? You think about the story of Jesus that he told in Matthew chapter 18. It’s punctuated by what? We are to forgive as our Father has forgiven us. Consider with me that as Christians, we must never lose the thankfulness. And we must always exhibit the love and grace and mercy that we take from God to all others for any reason, regardless of their background, their race, religion, or prior church membership. We are to love one another and don’t be fooled. That is very much a New Testament church characteristic, as much as any other this morning.

6. Worship and the Purpose of the Church

We see various different aspects. In Acts chapter 2, what were they doing? They are meeting together and praying. There is singing. If there is music to be made in the assembly, it should follow those laws which govern it in the New Testament. In Ephesians chapter 5 and verse 19, what’s the beginning of that verse? Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord in your heart. What are we supposed to do with one another, with fellow Christians? Address one another. How? Singing. What type of songs? Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. I spoke about that last week. There’s also the Lord’s Supper to be taken. When? On the first day of the week. When is the first day of the week?

Each week. Some say, well, the Bible doesn’t command every week. I can tell you, if I take of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week, I know I fulfilled God’s commands. If you do it any different, can you say that you have fulfilled God’s commands? We need to make sure we come back to the seed, the word of God. See once again that my uncorrected keynote has stood. With the purpose of the church. Christian benevolence, edification, and evangelism. In 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 15, how is the church described? It is the what? Pillar and ground of truth. This is the place. This is the combining of individual Christians that not only worship God, but should be a beacon of light to the world.

Showing people what Christians united, how they act, how they worship God, and how they recognize who Jehovah is. There’s edification to be fulfilled. There’s Christian benevolence in Acts chapter 6. We know of the distributing to the widows. Why did the apostles not want to help the widows? Did they just not care? No, it wasn’t right that they serve tables and leave the word of God in the process. We must be careful to not only take care of our own, but to be teaching the word. And to not only teach the word, but to take care of our own. It is all together, it is all the purpose of God. And if it is the purpose of God, if it is the design of God, we have not only failed in following him, God’s plan to reach out to people in this area may very well be halted because of my selfishness or lack of understanding and zeal for trying to fulfill the words of God.

Conclusion

If we don’t reach out into the community, if we don’t help our own, who will? We need to make sure in all things and in all ways we do what the will of God is. But I want to go back to Romans chapter 6 to conclude this morning. Go back with me there. There is one other question that we have to answer. Many people often may have the thought in their heads, does it matter which church that I go to? And I think we see that it most assuredly does. We better go to Christ’s church. It has nothing to do with saying Christ’s church on the sign. It has to do with people who want to take on the name of Christ. It has to do with people who want to fulfill the commands of God.

How do we do that? Romans chapter 6 and verse 3. Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried, therefore, with him by baptism into death in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Do you want to walk in newness of life this morning? Do you want to be a part of the body, the church of which Christ is head? Then we need to be in the body of Christ. And how do we do that? We are baptized into Him. What a blessing to be able to say what Paul did to the Romans in verse 2.

How can we who died to sin still live in it? Because it means that they died to sin. It is time to die this morning if you haven’t yet. Die now so that you can live for all of eternity. Take advantage of the grace of God. Know that, yes, the grace is there. His word, the will of God is available to you. If you will just take it, if you will accept his message of hope and salvation, you can grab on to his grace, you can sit on the bucket, as Adam said this morning, and allow God’s grace to pull you up. If you will trust him, if you will just simply trust and obey. If there is any way that we can help you this morning, whether it’s to talk with you about past life or to be baptized and have your sins washed away so we can begin living new lives in Christ.

Come forward right now as we stand and sing the invitation song.