THE CHURCH MUST BE MILITANT

Meaning of the word "Militant" - serving as a soldier...warlike...combative...conflict of opposing
or influences.

Militant is heard quite often in our world today.  Often associated with those who create riots,
burning of buildings, killing innocent people...opposing police, disrupting educational process,
etc.

We do not mean that the church must be associated with this sort of thing.  We do mean that the
church must be: Christ's army - 2 Tim.2:3.  Aggressive in carrying out its mission in preaching -
Mark 16:15-16.

As an army the church faces a battle...a fight...Therefore must be aggressive.

In the first century the church faced religious indifference and also the influences of the Roman
Empire.

Yet, the church was charged with - Acts 17:6 and was - Acts 28:22.  Yet the church carried the
gospel into all the known world - Col.1:23.

Today, we are not turning the world upside down...even among members the church is often
neither hated or admired...so what an attitude.

Largely the church is unknown:
1.  Is it because we are not doing what the church of the 1st century did?
2. ............................................................................................................. the way they did it?

Just why did the 1st century church make such an impact on the world.

I.  THEIR INFLUENCE WAS GREAT BECAUSE OF THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD.
     A.  They did not believe the one and one true God was a God among many God, similar in       
            size and nature.
     B.  They declared one God, only one God, only one true God, only one true and living God.
     C.  This was preached in kindness and love, yet with firmness...never compromising.
     D.  They never sounded an uncertain sound about it. - Acts 17:24-31; Eph.4:4-6.

II.  THE CHURCH WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE IT REFUSED TO STAND IN SILENCE      
      IN THE FACE OF THE VIEW THAT CHRIST WAS ONLY ANOTHER "SAVIOUR"           
     AMONG MANY SAVIOURS OF LIKE POWER.
     A.  They preached salvation through Christ - Acts 4:12.
     B.  Acts 3:19-22; 2 Thess.1:7-9; John 8:24.



III.  THE CHURCH WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE IT OPENLY DECLARED THAT THE       
       GOSPEL WAS THE POWER TO SAVE.
       A.  Eph.4:4-6; Rom.10:17; Rom.1:16; 1 Cor.15:1-4.

IV.  THE EARLY CHURCH WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE IT PREACHED THE SAME         
       MESSAGE EVERY WHERE.
       A.  Among the Jewish doctors....the Lawyers......Christ crucified was preached.
       B.  From the O.T. scriptures Jesus was proved to be the Messiah

V.  THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE BODY OF CHRIST...THE CHURCH, MADE THEM    
      SUCCESSFUL.
      A.  Eph.1:22-23.
      B.  Reconciliation could be had only through the body - Eph.2:13-16.
      C.  The church...the body...was purchased by the blood of Christ - Acts 20:28.

VI.  A TREMENDOUS IMPACT WAS MADE ON THE WORLD BECAUSE MEMBERS          
       LIVED SINCERE AND DEDICATED LIVES.
       A.  Bodies presented a living sacrifice - Rom.12:1-2.
       B.  They knew the greatest battle was between the forces of good and evil.
       C.  They would rather die than surrender - Acts 21:13.
       D.  The only way ti really live for the world was to die to the world - 2 Cor.5:17-19;               
             Rom.6:3-5.
       E.  They were willing to take up the cross daily and suffer for Christ - Luke 9:23-24.

CONCLUSION:  
1.  We could have the same today if we were willing to pay the price.
2.  Love for the truth of the Bible...love for our souls...love for the souls of lost men and women
will cause us to be militant.