Christian Living
-Introduction
-Today’s lesson is intended to be the last in our current series of lessons.
-Last week, we addressed 3 Criteria for Identifying the church of the N.T.: Plan of Salvation;
Worship and Church Organization.
-We had addressed the first of these in a previous lesson in the series so I focused on the
worship criteria. However, I did not get to the third topic – church organization.
-So, this morning, I would like to make a couple quick observations about the subject
matter last week, take a quick look at church organization and then move to our final
topic of the series.
-Carryovers from Last Week: Worship
-We focused primarily on two aspects of worship: 1. Lord’s Supper, 2. Singing.
-Lord’s Supper – Again, this is a first day of the week activity (Acts 20:7). However, numerous
religious groups either do not include the Lord’s Supper or only do so occasionally.
-Here are two things I think are crucial to the subject: 1. consistency, 2. Scriptural principle.
-1. Consistency: Acts 20:7, 1 Cor 16:1-2 – first day of the week activities: Why do so many
religious groups do only one of those on a weekly basis? That is terribly inconsistent.
-2. Consider God’s instructions regarding the Sabbath: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep
it holy” (Ex 20:8). What was the approach to be? every Sabbath? an occasional Sabbath?
-The pattern—O.T. principle—was clearly every Sabbath.
-Singing – I understand that many people think it is downright strange to not have instruments.
That’s because using instruments has become the norm. However, history is convincing that
this was not the original pattern of the N.T. church. Consider a few points:
1. The Jews used instruments during the Law. So, why the change when the church was
established? The only logical answer is the specifics of the N.T. instructions.
2. Have you thought about this…If Eph 5:19 & Col 3:16 include instruments, shouldn’t we
all be bringing and playing instruments? Those instructions are to the group.
3. A common—and valid—question is “If instruments are found in the O.T. and references
to instruments are made in Revelation, what is wrong with having them now?”
-The answer is quite simplistic: We are not under the Law. They did many things as a
part of the Law which we do not do. And, with Revelation, we must remember it is
symbolic in its style and the instrument references are regarding Heaven…not here, not
now. As I said last week, there just isn’t a verse in the N.T. to authorize the use now.
4. Is it a big deal? Some would say “no.” But, isn’t following God’s instructions a big deal?
-Perhaps Nadab and Abihu thought their changes were not a big deal – Lev 10:1-2.
-Of course, Christ (2 Cor 5:10) is the one with the final determination. But, shouldn’t we
do our best to follow the specifics of the Scriptures? Where else would we want to
justify a deviation from God’s Word?
-The Third Criteria: Church Organization
-When you look at religious organizations in today’s world, you find all kinds of organizational
structures—hierarchies ranging from the regional, state, national and world. Unfortunately,
these types of organizational structures don’t match the N.T. instructions.
-The N.T. specifies individual, independent, autonomous congregations. Men serving in the role
of elders have the oversight over the local congregation.
-Acts 14:22-23; Titus 1:5
-Specific qualifications for elders are found in 1 Tim 3 and Titus 1.
-There are 3 words used for those serving in such a role: presbuteros (elder - older/experience);
episkopos (bishop – oversight, management); poimen (pastor*/shepherd – nurture, lead, feed)
*The Scriptures do not apply this term to the preacher—only elders.
-These three words are found together in 1 Pet 5 and Acts 20.
-Heb 13:17
-Proper Christian Living
-Ok. There is a God. The Bible is his Word. He invites us through the Gospel to which we can
respond. When we do the Lord adds us to the church—the church that belongs to Christ—the
church that we want/need to remain a part of. We now have criteria we can utilize to help in
finding the church that abides by the N.T. pattern.
-But, now we still have an abiding question…“Ok, now what?”
-Having a relationship with God—being a part of the Lord’s church—extends far beyond
worship! Worship is an important part…but, it is only a part.
-Striving to serve God and please God is not a one-day-of-the-week responsibility. It is a
lifestyle.
-Rom 12:1-2; Heb 12:1-2
-Now, this is an ongoing process—a process of learning, growth and maturity.
-It is not an overnight process! So, be patient with yourself. Be patient with others.
-Rom 6:4; Eph 4:22-24
-We could go to many passages here. Again, the emphasis needs to be on what God says is
right: Sermon on the Mount, Romans 12; Eph 4-5; Gal 5 (categories); James; 1 Peter.
-And, Christianity isn’t only about your own life—but how you utilize your own life in regards
to others.
-influence – Matt 5:16; Matt 28:18-20; Gal 6:1-2; James 5:19
-good works – Eph 2:10; James 2
-Overall, it is an attempt to become more and more like Jesus—2 Cor 3:18.
-Summary and Invitation
-Yes, there is a God. Yes, the Bible is his Word. He has reached out to you and me with the
soul-saving message of the Gospel. When we respond according to his instructions, we are
added to the Lord’s church. We need to correctly identify the church and be a part of it. We
need to take God’s word to heart and allow it to impact our daily lives. We need to strive to do
what is right, be an influence for good and help others along the way…all to God’s glory.
-It is so important to understand that we will fall short. That’s why we continually need the
grace of God offered through Christ – 1 John 1:7-11.
-How wonderful it is to be a Christian and to wear the name of Christ!
-Invitation