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We’re Looking for a church, part 2

The Preacher Leave a comment

Last week we began to answer those who say, “We’re looking for a church.” To answer we had to first describe what the church is NOT.

  • It is not a DIVISION.
  • It is not a BUILDING.
  • It is not just a NAME.
  • It is not an ORGANIZATION for general benevolence.
  • It is not for ENTERTAINMNET.

In this article we will look at a few things to consider when looking for a ‘church.’

By the way; we use this language accommodatively. We’re looking for Christians who are coming together as a church to do the work of the Lord in a local area.

We must search the scriptures with honest hearts and answer such requests in a kind, loving and scriptural way. We also need to be careful not to treat the church of Christ as just another denomination by using denominational language. (1Peter 4:11)

What are you looking for in a CHURCH?

Are you looking for the church (people) that CONFORMS to the scriptures in the New Testament, or one that conforms to the CULTURE of our times? Are you looking for God’s people that CONFORM themselves to the doctrine of Christ, or one that conforms to your schedule, your likes, your daycare needs?

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” [Rom 12:2; 2John 1:9]

Are you looking for a church whose HEAD is Christ, sitting in HEAVEN on His throne, or one that has a HEADQUARTERS on earth with unqualified men at its head?

“And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.” [Mat 23:9; Acts 2:30-36; Col 1:18]

Are you looking for a church that is scripturally UNIFIED with Christ, or one that is UNIFIED only in their diversity of practices, and tolerance of sin?

“Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” [Eph 4:3-6]

Are you looking for the church that will be RAISED up on the last day, or the many that will be REFUSED by Christ for their works done without His authority? Christ will only RAISE one church, His church.  

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” [Mat 7:21-23; Luke 6:46; Eph 5:23]

Are you looking for the one that is being CONSTRUCTED by Christ, or the one that is being built in a way that is CONTRARY to Christ?

“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” [Mat 16:18; Eph 2:19-20; 2Cor 11:4; Gal 1:6-10]

Are you looking for the church that you can read & HEAR about in the Bible, that requires a HEARTFUL obedience to God’s instructions? The one we can’t join, but are added to when we obey from the HEART that form of doctrine (water baptism).

“But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” [Rom 6:17; cf 3-4; Acts 2:38-47; Col 2:12; 1Pet 3:21]

Much more can be said about how to Identify the Lord’s church. Would you like to learn what the Bible says about the church of Christ? We want to help you to be set free by the truth of God’s Word. [John 8:32]

— spencer

7 Lessons for FATHERS

The Preacher Leave a comment

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 19.5 million children, more than 1 in 4, live without a father in the home. Source: U.S. Census Bureau. (2018). Living arrangements of children under 18 years old: 1960 to present.

Those are troubling numbers. FATHERS are vital to any society, but what can the church do about it. We can do what we have been appointed to do, train the brethren who are, or hope to be FATHERS. Let’s look at 7 things the Bible Teaches about FATHERS.

Fathers, and all Christians, are to be FEARLESS & FAITHFUL. An example of both is found in the Parents of Moses when they hid him from Pharoah [Heb 11:23; Ex 2:1-4; cf. Rev 21:8]. “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.”

The second thing, as is seen in the stats above, Fathers are to ABIDE with their children’s mother. Marriage is honorable (Heb 13:4), and it is not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18). Peter wrote, “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1Peter 3:7)

With these first two in place, then the third becomes easier. Fathers are to TRAIN their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Eph 6:4; cf. Heb 12:12:3-11). Numerous Proverbs & other Old Testament passages say the same. “Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul.” (Prov 29:17)

The fourth thing is somewhat unpopular at the moment, but is still the Truth. Fathers are to be the HEAD of the Household. He is to lead his house both for their physical needs, but especially for their spiritual needs. (1Tim 3:4; Eph 5:23; 1Cor 11:3) Leading the home is a qualification of Elders in the church.

The fifth thing is a warning to fathers not to ENABLE their children. He is to care for them, but that doesn’t mean he is to enable their sin. An example of this is found in Eli of 1Samual 2:27-36 & 3:13-14. “For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.”

RESPECT is to be given to fathers by his family, this is the sixth thing (Heb 12:9; Eph 5:33). But respect must be earned, it cannot be forced. Therefore, this is within his ability to do. Earning RESPECT from anyone requires the person desiring it to be worthy of respect. A good starting place might be 2Peter 1:5-10. “…add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ:”

Lastly, Fathers are to provide for the SECURITY of their family. This means that he is to work to provide for the physical needs of his house; “But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1Tim 5:8) Looking again at the stats at the beginning of this article, one can easily see what happens when a father fails in his duty to provide for his house. Their may be special circumstances that hinder his ability to work, but these do not negate any of his responsibilities. There are many examples of godly men providing for the security of their families, but Job stands out among them all. “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” While we don’t offer burnt offerings today, we fathers must continually pray for our whole family, especially for our children.

Years ago, I was taught how to pray for my children. I pray 5 things for my boys still today.

  • I pray for their Physical health (3John 2).
  • I pray for their Emotional Protection. (Pr 4:23)
  • I pray that they have positive Associates to influence them. (1Cor 15:33)
  • I pray that they may be Coupled in marriage to Godly women. (1Cor 7:39)
  • I pray that they be faithful to God and have an Eternal home in Heaven. (2John 4)

Fathers, we have a vital role to play in the lives of our children, let us do it with purpose & joy.