Topical Sermons                                                                                                       

Power Point Show   MP3 audio

Scripture Reading:  1 Peter 4:12-19

Is the church of Christ a Cult?

 

Intro.

1.  This charge is often made.

2.  We want & will give a Bible answer to this question - 1 Pet. 3:15.

 

I. JESUS SAID IT WOULD BE SO - Jno. 15:18-21; Matt. 5:10-12; 1 Pet. 4:12-16.

 

II.    CHRISTIANS ARE FALSELY CHARGED - Acts 24:13-15; 28:22; Jno. 16:1-3.

 

III.  WE ARE TOLD THE TRAITS OF A CULT ARE:

    A.    "A Charismatic Leader Who Indoctrinates Members With Unorthodox or Extremist Views."

          -Jesus Christ!  (Matt. 21:6-11; Col. 1:18; 3:17)

    B.        "Unorthodox or Extremist Views" - Matt. 15:1-2; Acts 11:2-3; Jno. 8:23-24; 11:25-26.

    C.    "Claims to be the Only True Church" - Matt. 16:18; Eph. 4:4; 5:23; 1 Tim. 3:15.

    D.    "Teaches Doctrines Which Differ From 'Historic Christianity'" - 1 Tim. 4:1-3; Matt. 15:7-9; Col. 2:8.

 

IV.  "CULT" IS A PREJUDICIAL LABEL - Phil. 3:17-19; Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16.  (The church of Christ is not a denomination or a cult.)

 

V.    THE BIBLE ESTABLISHES DOCTRINE.

    A.    It Can Be Understood - Eph. 3:3-5; 5:17 (cf. Mk. 8:21).

    B.     It Applies to All Men - Matt. 28:18-19.

    C.    It Is From God, Not Man - Gal. 1:11-12; 2 Tim. 3:16-17.

    D.    The Gospel Produces: 

        1.     True Christians - Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 11:26.

        2.     The true church - Matt. 7:21-23; Acts 2:41-42, 47; Eph. 4:4.

        3.     True worship - Jno. 4:23-24.

        4.     True doctrine - Gal. 1:8-9; 2 Jno. 9.

        5.     True living - Matt. 28:20; 2 Cor. 5:7.

 

Conclusion

--The church of Christ is NOT a cult!

    a.     House of the living God - 1 Tim. 3:15.

    b.     Fullness of Christ - Eph. 1:22-23.