INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. A church which is Unique
2. A church which is Unconquerable
3. A church which is Undenominational
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing a theme, which is very important, and that is, the church Christ promised to build. This lesson is important because the Holy Bible, as well as history, has taught us what Christ promised to build is completely, and totally different, to the ideas conceived and taught by religious leaders today. Christ never promised to build another church, but his Church. He never mentioned some churches, but one church. He never promised a denomination, but his church. One denomination may be as good as another--but one church cannot be good as another--seeing He only built one!
2. First, what Christ promised to build was a unique church. Unique in every sense of word and purpose. As there is only one Son of God, one only begotten Son of God, than there can only be one unique church - the church Christ built. It stands alone as the hope of man, the cure for sin, and the means of salvation. Peter declared him to be the Son of God, and on that confession - the truth of it, Christ promised to build his church. Paul declared His Sonship when he says: "He was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead," Romans 1:4.
3. Secondly, what Christ-promised to build was his church, which is unconquerable. He stated, "death and hell shall not prevail against it." Just as the prophet of old said, "it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." Dan 2:44. Unconquerable also because it has stood the test of time. From a small beginning, it has grown to encompass the whole world. Even through the "darkest of times," there was always a ray of Son shine. During times when bibles were burnt, hidden, and chain to pulpits, there abided a flame, which flickered in the darkness to provide hope and inspiration to a determined people. The Lord has built his church as he promised and it includes all, and excludes none!
4. Lastly, what Christ promised, would be undenominational in its construction and purpose. It has no earthly head; no roots, but the bible; no voice other than "thus saith the Lord;" and it endeavors to "speak where the bible speaks and commands silence where it is silent." Undenominational, because it is neither Catholic, Protestant, nor Jew. Undenominational because we are "of Christ" and not of men. We are just Christians, nothing more or nothing less. I ask today, "can one be just a Christian?" The answer is, yes. But, only if you want to be a member in what Christ promised to build!
BODY OF LESSON
I A CHURCH WHICH IS UNIQUE
A. Unique because it stand alone as the promise of Christ, the hope of mankind, for the cure of the illnesses of sin. "In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and uncleanliness," Zechariah 13:1. It is unique, it is exclusive - there is no other institution or religious body that can save. Illustrate: UN and Red Cross. He built the church upon himself. What Christ promised to build stands alone in its pledge for the hope and salvation of all mankind. It is the only cure for sin and uncleanliness. Also, John 1:29 "Behold the Lamb of God...." Remember the angel’s words to Mary: "For he shall save his people from their sins," Matthew 1:21.
B. Unique because of His position of Sonship. Notice Peter again: "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God." No other builder can claim this position.
1. He is the Christ. Messiah! “Thou art the Christ…” 16:16. Martha said of Jesus: “…Thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world,” John 11:27. Peter on Pentecost, Acts 2:36.
2. He is not a son, but The Son of God. The "only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth," John 1:14. He is the Son of God. Thus God himself, John 5:18, Hebrews 1:8-14.
3. He is the Son over his own house. "For every house is builded by some man, but he that built all things is God. And Moses verily was faithful in all his house as a servant...But Christ as a son over his own house, whose house we are,…if we hold fast unto the end," Hebrews 3:4-6.
4. He is God with us! “They shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us,” Matthew 1:23.
C. Unique because it alone was the subject of prophesy. In Prophecy.
1. When will it be built? "In the last days," Daniel 2:44.
2. Where shall it be built? "In the city of Jerusalem," Zechariah 1:16.
3. Who shall be its builder? "Except the Lord build..." Psalms 127:1.
4. Who shall be its members? "All nations shall flow unto it," Isaiah 2:2-3.
5. What shall announce its coming? "I will pour out my Spirit," Joel 2:28-29, Mk 9:1.
6. Fulfillment, Luke 24:44-49, Acts 1:8, 2:1-5, 14 18, Hebrews 1:1-2.
D. Unique because it promotes the divine pattern, Hebrews 8:4.
1. In purpose. “Prepared before the foundation of the world,” Matthew 25:34, Ephesians 3:8-11.
2. In preparation. “The kingdom of God is at hand,” Mark 1:14-15; Matthew 4:17, 10:5-7; Luke 10:9.
3. In preaching. “That he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross…” Ephesians 2:11-17; 3:1-7; 4:4-7, 11-16.
4. In practice. His Wife, one wife, Ephesians 5:23-32. Illustrate: How many wives?
E. It stands alone as the prize possession of Christ. Purchased by his own precious blood. Acts 20:28 "Take heed unto yourselves and to all the flock..." And, 1 Peter 1:18 21 "Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by traditions from your fathers; but with the precious
blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." Without the shedding of blood there can be no remission, Hebrews 9:22.
1. Notice, Revelations 5:9-10, "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; and hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."
2. Consider. Revelation 13:8, "...The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."
3. The prophets asked in old times: "Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" Jerimiah 8:22.
4. Jesus came and provided the answer to Luke 5:31-32. "They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance." He is the great physician.
II A CHURCH WHICH IS UNCONQUERORABLE
A. Jesus promised, "death and hell shall not prevail against it." What did he promise here? He says, "death or the grave, hell or the hadean world," the world of the unseen shall not prevent him from building the church. True, I'm going to be crucified, and die, but I will rise again. And in this resurrection conqueror death and hell. And in this victory, I will build my church.
1. Peter preached his resurrection. Acts 2:29 36, "His soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption," Psalms 16:8-10.
2. Paul preached his resurrection. "God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is written in the second Psalms. Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him from the dead," Acts 13:33-34; Psalms 2:7, Acts 4:23-31.
3. The resurrection destroyed Satan. "Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage," Hebrews 2:14-15. He went down into the grave and into the hadean world to destroy the evil one's power over death, forever.
4. He has the keys of death and hell. Notice Revelation 1:17-18, John said: "And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead and, behold I am alive forevermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." See also Romans 8:1-4; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 and 1 Thessalonian 4:13-18.
B. Unconquerable in that, "it shall never be destroyed." It shall stand forever. The kingdom Jesus promises shall never be destroyed.
1. Notice Daniel the prophet. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever," Daniel 2:44.
2. Isaiah’s prophecy. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of host will perform this,” Isaiah 9:7.
C. Unconquerable in that "of his kingdom there shall be no end." Notice Luke 1:31-33 "And, behold, thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there shall be no end." Illustrate: Missionaries in Ethiopia. They found a primitive form of religion. Acts 8:26ff.
D. Unconquerable because it is "unmovable." Hear the Hebrew writer: "Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear," Hebrews 12:28. It can be identified today, as it could be in the first century. Jesus promised, "death and hell shall not prevail against it." What should one look for? Name, Place, Builder, Date, Worship, Terms of Entrance.
E. Unconquerable because it is "heaven connected." To Peter Jesus said: "And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven," Matthew 16:19. Peter used the keys - the terms of entrance into the kingdom on Pentecost, Acts 2. See other Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 8, 9, 16, 18 and 19. Membership is by gospel obedience. Illustrate: Lydia's House, Acts 16:15, 40.
III CHURCH WHICH IS UNDENOMINATIONAL
A. Undenominational in its origin and promise. Christ never promised to build a church, but the church. He never promised to build some churches, but the church. Christ never promised to build a denomination, but the "ekklesia," or the "called out ones."
1. Denomination. Illustrate: "duminos." Latin for sect, parties, or parts of the whole. Illustrate: Dollars come in many denominations.
2. But Jesus promised "I will build my church." Gr: "ekklesian." I will build the whole or entire body of Christ. I will build my assembly, chosen people, or "called out ones.” It will need no additions - it will be complete when it is built.
3. Chosen generation. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, and holy nation, a peculiar people, that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out (kalesantos) of darkness into his marvelous light," 1 Peter 2:9.
4. Peter the rock? Illustrate: Petros, (masculine-stone) John 1:42. And, Petra (feminine-cliff). He did not promise to build the church on Peter, but upon the truth of Peter’s confession - "thou are the Son of the living God." I - Will - Build - My - Church.
B. Undenominational in its construction. It is not "of men," but "of Christ," 1 Corinthians 1:10-12. All denominations are "of men," starting with the first one - the Roman Catholic denomination. Built by Boniface III, in 606 AD. History will attest to this, and the Catholics will not deny it. From this denomination came all the rest (Protestants - from the word protest). Over 500 different religious bodies, with there own religious beliefs and doctrines from men. All claiming to be part of the body of Christ. But which ones? Illustrate: First 10 years, or 1000?
1. The church Christ built. He is its head; and elders are the overseers of the flock, Colossians 1:18; Acts 20:28-32. Elders - "shepherd the flock of God," 1 Peter 5:1-4.
2. And, Ephesians 4:11-15, "And he gave some, apostles, and some prophets; and some evangelist; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ; Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,…which is the head, even Christ."
C. Undenominational in its terms of membership. Remember in our study of the conversions?
1. Which denomination did Paul belong too?
2. The Jailer and his family?
3. The Samaritans? None.
4. The early saints were merely Christians, Acts 11:26, 1 Peter 4:16, Acts 26:27-28.
5. None were Catholic, Baptist, or Methodist. Why?
6. These denominations did not exist then. Should they exist now?
7. They exist as a “departure from the faith…,” 1Timothy 4:1-5.
8. Obey the gospel with "a good and honest heart," and you can be saved. And then the Lord will add you to the church he built, Romans 6:17-18; Acts 2:47.
D. Undenominational in its teaching. Every seed will reproduce fruit after its own kind, Genesis 1:11-12, Luke 8:4 15. Illustrate: Boy Scout Manual. "Seed is the word of God," 1 Peter 1:23.
1. It has no earthly head; no roots, but the bible; no voice but "thus saith the Lord" or "this is that," Acts 2:14-17; Philippians 3:16. Illustrate: Alexander Campbell's Statement. We endeavor to "speak where the bible speaks and commands silence where it is silent."
2. Colossians 2:8, "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
3. 2 Corinthians 4:1-4, "Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But if our Gospel be hid..."
E. Undenominational in its worship, John 4:24. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayer," Acts 2:42.
1. It practices the same acts of worship as the early church. Singing; praying; preaching; communing; and giving, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:1-2.
2. "NT contains all the authority for the practice and worship of the NT church." If it is not part of the New Testament, than it is not a part of the NT Church!
3. To manual, guide or man-made constitutions to governor or direct the church in its worship, terms of condition or government.
4. The word of God is its rule, authority and guide in all its practices.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. A church which is Unique
2. A church which is Unconquerable
3. A church which is Undenominational
B. Summarize main points.
1. What Christ promised was a church, which is unique in every way. Unique, because salvation is in it. If you are to be saved, you must be in it. Illustrate: Salvation is where God chooses to place it. Ark, City of Refuge, Ship, the church. Ephesians 5:23, "He is the Saviour of the body," Romans 16:16 Acts 27:31. Salvation in the body and name of Jesus Christ, Acts 4:12.
2. A church which has stood the test of time, and conquered all. It is unmovable, indestructible, and promises to "stand forever."
3. A church which is undenominational in its name, its teachings, and its construction. The church Christ promised is not a denomination. These all have their origin from men. They only claim to be built by Christ. Salvation alone is in Christ, and in the church He built.
4. Will you become a member of this grand institution, the church of Christ? Romans 16:16. And find the salvation you seek for and so desperately need? I pray you will. It will take courage and determination to turn from men and their institutions, and come to Jesus to enjoy his blessings.
C. Invitation. And here's how you must do it. Hear the word and believe it, Romans 10:17. Remember the Jailer asked: "What must I do to be saved?" The answer: 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ," Acts 16:30-34. Those on Pentecost asked: "Men and brethren what shall we do?" They were told to: "Repent and be baptized,” Acts 2:36-38. Paul asked: "Lord, What wilt thou have me to do?" He was told "Arise and go into the city and it will be told thee what thou must do." When the preacher came he commanded: 'Now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord," Acts 22:16. These are the terms of entrance into the kingdom, the keys to the kingdom of heaven, which Peter preached, and all other gospel preachers proclaim to mankind every day.
D. Motivation. Matthew 11:28 30, "Come unto me all ye that labour..." "And the Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely," Revelations 22:17. There is room in his house for you.
E. Persuade. 2 Corinthians 5:10 11, Acts 2:40 41 Will you come, as we stand together and sing the song of invitation?
