CAN ONE BE A CHRISTIAN OUTSIDE THE CHURCH?




1.       This is an age of indifference to spiritual ideas.

    (a) More interested in going to the moon--than heaven.

    (b) Bible no longer gets daily reading--but a weekly dusting.

    (c) More unblievers in places of spiritual influence than

       believers.

    (d)Everyone has got an opinion--closest they have been is a

         funeral or court!

2.       We cannot seperate Christianity and common sense.

    (a)  "One church as good as another"--that blames God for

         confusion.

    (b)  "All headed to same place "--true of buses with same schedule

         of rules.

    (e)  "Right if you think it is right"--then 9x9=80.

    (d)  "Nothing in a name"--so you're married to Jezebel?

3.       Jesus intended religion to be practical--and--appeal to good

         common sense,Mt. 7:24-27; Jn. 14:15.

4.       In answer to question do you say--l'yestl., "no".. "I'm

        undecided-"




I.       Modern Excuses That Undermine The Importance Of The Church.

      A. "People lived and died before it was established."

         1. Judged by law they lived under--Rom. 2:12; Tit. 2:12

      B.    "Excludes Death-bed Repentance-"

         1. If there is such, special not revealed salvation, therefore

         outside relm of gospe preaching and promises.  II Cor. 7:10

      C. "What if heard in a desert--no water".  What if died having

            never heard, blame God!

      D. What about original sin?" How can an infant have knowledge of

            law--Rom. 4:14; 5:13; Ezek. 18:19-20.

      E. "There is an intermediate world where another chance given."

           Purgatory good for business--it is not Bible."




II.      Definition of Terms

       A. "Church" - Mt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4; Acts 20:28; Acts 2:47; Eph.

             2:16-19; 5:22-26.

       B.     Christian - I Cor. 12:13; I Pet. 2:9; Gal. 3:26,27.

       C.  What is the difference between "Salvation and Church

              membership?"

           1.     Same operation of God - Acts 2:47.

           2.     Could be no Christians outside the church.




III.     All of God's Children Are In God's Family.

     A.  Process - Adoption - Gal. 4:4-6; Rom. 8:15-17; Eph. 2:19-22.

          l.     Adopted child gets: Inheritance, name, parent.

          2.     We (Christians): -- Inheritance, name, parent.

          3.     Same: Salvation, Justification, Regeneration,


            Sanctification.

B.       How did process of adoption come about?

    1.   God planned - Eph. 1:3-5 (Classes, not individuals).

    2.   Son purchased - I Pet. 1:18-21.

    3.   Holy Spirit revealed - Jn. 16:7-13.

    4.   Man obeys - Eph. 1:13; 4:30

C.       What must man do to come into Godts Faxriily?  Jn. 3:3-5; Gal.

        3:26, 27.

D.       Results of Adoption:

    1.   Relationship: Mt. 28:19; Eph. 2:19,20; #eb. 12:22-24.

    2.   Name - Isa. 62:2; Acts 22:16.

    3.   Priviledges - Jn. 14:6, 14.

    4.   Help - I Tim. 2:5; Rom. 8:26.

    5.   Inheritance - Jn. 1 : 1 - -




III.     THE CHURCH THAT OBSERVES THE GOD APPOINTED DAY

A. One   day in the New Testament is called "The Lord's Day."

        1. The day of victory over the grave - Ek. 16:1.

        2. The day of the giving of the Holy Spirit - Acts 2:1.

        3. The day the church began - Acts 2:41-

     B. Two    things to be done only on the first day of the weeke

        1. Breaking of bread -I Cor. 11:24.,25; Acts 20:7.

        2. Laying by in store -I Cor,, 16:1.,2.

        3.     No example of a Christian gathering on any other day!

     C.  Other items of Christian worship:

       1.  Congregational singing - Eph- 5:19; Col. 3:16.

       2.  Prayer - Acts 2:42.

         3.     Teaching- Acts 2:42.




V.       THE CHURCH THAT PROCLAIMS HIS DIVINE PLAN OF SALVATION

    A.   No one joined the N. T. Church - Acts 2:47.

         1.     The Word was proclaimed.

         2.     Obedience resulted in salvation - church membership - I

Cor.

             12:13,Acts 2:47.

B.       Today there are any number of "plans" preached.

       1. One would exclude the other if true.

       2. It may be too simple for some to say "just one" - Eph. 4:4-6.

   C. There are six steps to be taken to be saved.

             1.  Hear - Rom. 10:13-17; Acts 2:37; Acts 18:8.

       2.    Believe - Mk. 16:16; Acts 16:31;-Acts 18:8.

       3.    Repent - Acts 17:30,31; Acts 2:38; Lk. 13:3.

       4.    Confess - Rom. 10:9.,10; Acts 8:36-38.

       5.    Baptism (Immersion) Mt. 26:20; I Pet. 3:21; Acts 2:38; Col.

2:12.

       6.    Life of faithfulness - Rev. 2:10; II Pet, 1:7-11.




1.       God is satisfied with nothing less-than-a full surrender to Him

   a.    A Church that is 1-2 right is not all right.

   b.    Substitutions are not acceptable - Mt. 15:9-

2. What is wrong with the N.T. way?

3. Can you see anything wrong with the Church we have described today?

(Review

         five points)

4.       If nothing wrong - why not let Christ add you today.

5.       If you are not doing what Christ wants you to do--if you are not

where Christ

         wants you to be--then come to Him now!