So many choices…
Which way do I go?
ONLY ONE CHOICE IS RIGHT (EPHESIANS 4:4-6)
We must use a map…
Psalms 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
God’s map never changes
I Peter 1:23-25 “23. Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. 24. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25. But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
Our choice of directions does matter!
There are different paths, only one is right.
Matthew 7:13-14 “13. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
Find the right path…
God gives us stop signals!
Does this church present scriptural authority for their practices?
I Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
Colossians 3:17 “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
Revelation 22:18-19 “18. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”
Is the worship like that of the church in the Bible?
Worship MUST be right (Matthew 15:7-9 and Leviticus 10:1-2)!
Lord’s Supper?
Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:17-20, and I Corinthians 11:23-26.
Is it the right day – Acts 20:7?
Contribution?
I Corinthians 16:1-2 – More or less than the first day of the week?
Preaching?
Only God’s word II Timothy 4:2, Matthew 28:19, and Mark 16:15-15?
Prayer?
Do they pray right Matthew 6:5- 15 and I Timothy 2:5. (Note: the Kingdom has come Mark 9:1 and Colossians 1:13).
What is left?
Song Worship?
For worship we must use the right section of the map (Romans 7:1-6, Colossians 2:14, Hebrews 9:15-17). The Old Testament was to the nation of Israel Deuteronomy 5:1-6. Gentiles were aliens (foreigners) to that Law (Ephesians 2:11-16).
New Testament song worship is VOCAL. Melody is made in the HEART (Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16). SING NOT PLAY!
WE CAN UNDERSTAND…
The Lord’s Supper is unleavened bread (Matthew 26:17) and the fruit of the vine (Matthew 26:29).
It is not:
You use songbooks, what is the difference?
- Songbooks do not add to SINGING, they AID SINGING!
Illustration:
Noah was told to build an ark of Gopher wood (Genesis 6:14).
Oak, Pine, Cherry, or any other wood would have been changing God’s command (Deuteronomy 4:2).
Noah could use AIDS that would not be adding to the type of wood.
Finding the RIGHT place to worship!
Many look alike –
It is not the building, but the people in the building that make the church (I Corinthians 12:12-14;27).
The identity is not only in worship but name.
Body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:27) =
church of Christ.
The church is the body (Ephesians 1:22-23).
2001 Brian A. Yeager
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