1. Why Be a Member of the Church of Christ?“…we, being many, are one body in Christ…” Introduction: 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…” As Christians, we will be asked to defend our faith at times. It is a command, not suggestion, that we be ready to offer a defense. Many stand ready to answer trivial questions. –What’s the weather supposed to be like? –Who’s playing the Colts today? –What’s playing at the movies Yet, when it comes to some of the questions that deal with eternal life we are mute. Questions like… –What must I do to be saved? –Why do you believe in Jesus Christ? –Why are you a member of the church of Christ? The spiritual questions we are asked or might be asked are too important to ignore. The eternity of souls may depend on our answers. So, the question we hope to ask and answer today is “why should I be a member of the church of Christ?” Are you prepared to answer this question if you were asked? Our proposed question is a reasonable one. We might ask similar questions about other groups. –Why are you a Republican or Democrat? –Why are you in the PTA? –Why do you volunteer for a charitable organization? So, when I claim to be a member of the church of Christ it is fair for the world to ask why! In the United States, we can choose from up to 1,500 different Christian factions. This is a sad reality, that with one Christ and one Bible, we have so many groups. This does not include other world religions. Such a condition is enough to confuse any man and was not Christ’s wish (Jn. 17:20,21). So, out of all of these groups, why should the church of Christ be the one I pick? Some may choose a church on the basis of… –A spouse’s urging. –Tradition –Material interests (good food, free daycare for members, recreational facilities). –Popularity (biggest building, most members). –Social opportunities (friends your age, business contacts, etc). Is this the defense we were to give to questioners? In all seriousness, there ought to be one determining factor for why we choose a church. What does the Bible say in reference to church denominations and religious groups? The person who respects the Bible puts it first—above business, secular and material things. Thus, “what does God’s Word say?” should be our primary focus in answering this question. I. The Church of Christ has the Right Foundation A. The strength of any institution depends upon its foundation. 1. Upon what is the church of Christ founded? 2. Peter said in Matthew 16:16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 3. Jesus said in verse 18, “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” B. Jesus is the chief architect and head of the church (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22,23). C. Jesus is the builder of the church (Eph. 2:19,20). 1. “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” D. Jesus was to lay the only foundation (1 Cor. 3:11). 1. “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 2. Old Testament prophecy of Isaiah 28:16 teaches that the foundation of Christ is tried and tested, “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation…” 3. Jesus purchased His church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). E. Jesus built one church (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4). 1. He did not say “I will build My churches…” 2.He did not say, “Calvin, Wesley, Buddha, Confucius, Joseph Smith or Billy Graham will build My church.” 3. There is one church built by Christ, it is the church you read about in the Bible. 4. It is the church of which every Christian should be a member. II. The Church of Christ Has the Right Creed A. Some might ask, “What is a creed?” 1. The term “creed” simply refers to a “statement of belief.” 2. The church not only has the right creed, but the right discipline, confession of faith and manual. B. What is our “creed?” Answer: The Bible. 1. God’s law in the Bible is our church guide (2 Timothy 3:16,17). 2. Why would a church have a creed other than the Bible? 3. If it contains more than the Bible, isn’t it possible it contains too much? 4. If it contains less than the Bible, isn’t it possible it contains too little? 5. If it contains the same thing as the Bible, then why do we need two identical creeds? C. The Bible is the only discipline we need. 1. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2. The consequences of manmade creeds are too great (Revelation 22:18,19). III. The Church of Christ Has the Right Name A. The church we read about in the Bible was called by a few different names. 1. The church of God (1 Cor. 1:2). 2. The church of Christ (Romans 16:16). 3. The kingdom of God (Matt. 13:24,31,33). 4. The body of Christ (Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18). 5. The house of God (1 Tim. 3:15,16). 6. It is confusing for a seeker to look in his Bible and find churches without Biblical names! B. Members of the church of Christ also choose to be identified by Biblical names. 1. We are… i. “brethren” (James 1:2). ii. “saints” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2). iii. “pilgrims” (1 Peter 1:1). iv. “disciples” (Matthew 28:19,20). v. “Christians” (Acts 11:26). 2. After Paul taught King Agrippa, the king said, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian” (Acts 26:28). 3. Was Paul trying to persuade Agrippa to be a… i. Buddhist or a Baptist? ii. A Mormon or a Methodist? iii. A Lutheran or a Libertarian? iv. A Presbyterian or a Pentecostal? 4. No, these groups are nowhere found in the Bible, so why should they be found in the church today? C. In Ephesians 5:22-32 the church is presented as the bride of Christ. 1. Husbands: Would you want your bride to wear some other man’s last name? i. No, and a good wife would not want to do so. ii. Why would someone in the church, married to Christ, prefer some other religious leader’s name? 2. It is an insult to the Savior! D. Someone once said, “In heaven, we’ll all be unified and wearing the same name, so we’ll let God sort it out there.” 1. The Lord taught His disciples to pray, “Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10). 2. We need to get it figured out now, on earth. 3. If there will be no denominational names in heaven, then why do we want to wear them here? E. Let’s lay aside all denominational names and descriptions and follow Christ in the church He built. Conclusion: The religious world will never unite… –In a church built by some person or group or teaching other than Christ and His teaching. –Based on a manmade creed, confession of faith or manual other than the Bible alone. –By trying to persuade the world to join a denomination with unscriptural descriptions. Those who suggest such present a roadblock to unity. We will draw closer in unity when we “speak as the oracles of God” (1 Peter 4:11). Unity on the basis of God’s Word is the key to avoiding division. Paul wrote to Corinth, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1 Cor. 1:10). Become A Member of the Church of Christ Built on the cornerstone of Christ. Sustained by God’s Word, the Bible. Calling yourself His follower, a Christian.
by Joshua R. Welch |
Last Updated: 02/09/08
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