The Church of Christ
Joe R. Price
In
Matthew 16:13-20 Simon Peter confessed Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son
of the living God” and not the reincarnation of John the Baptist,
Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets (16:13-16). Jesus blessed Simon for
his affirmation, for he had correctly understood the Father’s revelation
about Jesus (given through Jesus’ words and works, 16:17; see Jno.
5:36-39). Now, Jesus is about to reveal a tremendous truth about his
mission as the Son of God; he would build His church (16:18). As one
commentator points out, “The emphasis is not on ‘Thou art Peter’ over
against ‘Thou art the Christ,’ but on Kagō: ‘The Father hath revealed
to thee one truth, and I also tell you another” (McNeile, cited by
Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament, I:131).
When Andrew brought him to Jesus, the Lord told Simon he would be called
“Cephas” (Hebrew), John 1:41-42. The Greek equivalent is “Peter”
(Petros) and means “stone.” Now, Jesus makes a play on Peter’s name to
reveal a great truth; “I will build my church.” Jesus did not say he
would build his church upon Peter (a single stone), but upon the
foundational truth or rock (petra, a massive ledge or
outcropping of rock) just declared by Peter: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God.
“Church” is a collective noun that means an assembly (lit., called out
ones). Jesus would build an assembly of people that belongs to him (“my
church”). Any assembly of people who belong to Jesus is important
(since it belongs to the Son of God!). Additional New Testament passages
teach the composition of the church of Christ: “The Lord added to the
church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). The church of
Christ is composed (built) of sinners who are saved by the Son of God.
Peter (the stone) would later write, “Coming to Him as to a living stone,
rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living
stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up
spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet.
2:4-5). Peter and all other Christians are “living stones” in the
spiritual house (temple) of God, the church of Christ. It is essential to
be a member of the assembly of the saved, the church of Christ. Otherwise,
one is still lost in sin.
The
church of Christ was purchased (redeemed) by the blood of Christ (Acts
20:28; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). In death, Jesus “gave himself for her” (Eph.
5:25). But “the gates of Hades” (the strength of death) did not
prevail against the church (Matt. 16:18). His resurrection declared Jesus
to be the Son of God (as Simon had confessed, cf. Rom. 1:4). Jesus, the Son
of God, gives victory over sin and death to sinners who will believe
he is the Son of God, repent of their sins and be baptized in
his name (Acts 2:36-41; Mk. 16:15-16; 1 Pet. 3:21). Jesus adds every saved
person to his church (Acts 2:47). The church of Christ is important: He
died for it; he built it; he saves it (Eph. 5:23).
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A Lesson Too Late Learned!
Keith Greer
“...But
me you do not have always.” (Mark 14:7)
In the
context of this passage, Jesus was preparing His disciples for the fact that
he was going to leave them. He knew that they depended on Him greatly, and
therefore, He often took the opportunity to prepare them "for the worst."
Yet, in the case of our Lord, he did come back after His death. Even after
His ascension, he sent the Comforter (John 14:25-26) to help them. He made
the necessary preparations for them because of His love towards His
disciples.
I use
this point to help bring to light another subject - taking the gifts of God
for granted, especially the relationships between husbands and wives in our
marriages. It often seems that many of us may be so busy in "this life"
that we fail to give the proper care and love towards the very special
relationships that God has blessed us with.
The
Christians at Ephesus were reminded by the apostle Paul that marriage is the
physical counterpart of the spiritual relationship between Christ and the
church. The "world" may be telling us that there is nothing good about
marriage, but it is a relationship that was designed by God. (Ephesians
5:22-23)
The
husband has the responsibility of providing for his family, but no where has
God commanded that it should be at the expense of his wife. Are you married
to your job more than your wife? When is the last time that you took your
wife out to dinner? What did you do on your anniversary or her birthday -
or did you even remember it? When was the last time that you set aside time
just for her or even told her that you loved her? For many of us it has
been much too long.
Similar
questions could certainly be asked of a wife. Do you remember days that are
important to him, too, and set aside time just for him? When was the last
time you told him that you love him and appreciate what he does for you?
Frankly,
I'm afraid that many of us may learn the value of our mates too late. How
can a relationship grow and mature in love and understanding when we spend
so little time trying to nurture, care for and develop it?
Remember, “...It is appointed for man once to die, but after this the
judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27) We never know when or why. Let us not take each
other for granted. Life is too short, love too precious, death is too
final, and second chances are not possible. Husbands love your wives; wives
love your husbands, and thank God for each other every day.
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Why Should I Go To Worship Services?
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 111
1. Email question: “Why do you or I need to go
to church?” “Can't we just have it at home?”
2. “Go to church” evidently used to mean “go to worship services.” Why have
regular worship services? Why should you go (& be active)?
1. Even in the OT God wanted Israel to
go to His assigned place; Lev.
17:1-9; Deut. 12:5-14 (2 Chrn. 7:12). Ex. respect for God’s arrangement for
worship: Not a matter of what we personally prefer.
2. NT examples of assembled worship:
Acts 2:42, 44; 5:12; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:2 (1 Cor. 4:16-17; Phil. 4:9).
3. NT Christians “came together”
(Heb. 10:25); see Acts 20:7-8; 1 Cor. 11:18; 1 Cor. 11:20, 33-34; 1 Cor.
14:23, 26; Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 5:4.
4. Christ expects His body to come
together; 1 Cor. 14:26; Eph.
4:11-16, 4:3; 1 Cor. 12:25-27.
5. Some things cannot be done “at home”
(privately), Heb. 10:24; 1 Cor.
14:26; Eph. 5:19; 1 Cor. 14:15-16; 16:1-2; Acts 20:7; 1 Ths. 5:27 (Col.
4:16); 1 Cor. 11:20-22, 33-34.
6. We are under commandment not to
forsake the assembling of ourselves together,
Heb. 10:24-25.
Question to ponder:
If everyone attended & participated the way I do, would this church have
regular worship services?
Conclusion
1. I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go into the house of the Lord.” Psa. 122:1
2. If you are not glad to assemble with God’s people to worship God “in
spirit and in truth,” then you need to determine why not & repent of your
sinful heart against the Lord (2 Cor. 13:5).
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Certainties Faced by the Unrepentant Sinner
Scripture Reading:
Psalm 30
The unrepentant sinner faces...
I. CERTAINTY OF SIN’S EXPOSURE,
Num. 32:23
A. Sin is Never Hidden from God, Heb.
4:13; only temporarily from others, 2 Sam. 12:7-12; Lk. 12:2.
*Certainty for repentant: Cleansing,
Isa.1:16-20
II. THE CERTAINTY OF SIN’S
DISAPPOINTMENT
A. Sin Never Delivers what Offers, 2 Pet.
2:18-19.
*Certainty for repentant: Joy, Psa.
30:5 (1-3,11-12)
III. THE CERTAINTY OF LEAVING EARTHLY
POSSESSIONS, 1 Tim. 6:7-10.
A. Sin of Covetousness, Lk. 12:13-21 (Job
1:21; Eccl. 5:13-17; Col. 3:5); Lk. 12:21 (Mk. 10:29-30).
*Certainty for the repentant:
Treasure in heaven, 1 Tim. 6:17-19.
IV. CERTAINTY OF SPIRITUAL & ETERNAL
DEATH.
A. Sin Brought Death into the World (Gen.
2:17; Rom. 5:12; 3:23; 6:23) (Gen. 3:19).
B. God Does not Rejoice, Ezek. 18:32; Lk. 13:1-5.
*Certainty for the repentant: Life,
Jno. 11:25-26.
V. CERTAINTY OF JUDGMENT,
Eccl. 12:14.
A. The Day is Appointed, Acts 17:31 (Heb.
9:27); 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:3-11; Rev. 16:7.
*Certainty for repentant: Salvation,
Rev. 19:1-2.
VI. THE CERTAINTY OF SEPARATION FROM THE
RIGHTEOUS, Matt. 25:31-33, 41.
A. Gathered out of the World, Matt.
13:41.
*Certainty for the repentant:
Inherit prepared kingdom, Matt. 25:34.
VII. CERTAINTY OF BANISHMENT FROM THE
PRESENCE OF GOD, 2 Ths. 1:9; Matt.
25:46, 30.
*Certainty for the repentant: God’s
mercy with eternal glory, Lk. 15:24; Col. 3:4.
Conclusion
Paul’s example, 1 Tim. 1:12-16; Ezek. 18:30-32.
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
Wars and Rumors of Wars
Joe R. Price
The
reality and rumors of war is present in our world. “The World at War”
website reports there were eight “major wars” underway in mid-2005 (the UN
defines a “major war” as inflicting at least 1,000 battlefield deaths per
year), (globalsecurity.org/military/world/war/). Africa alone has seen more
than 20 major civil wars since 1960 (Ibid.).
Premillennial prophets have used such facts as their “proof” the end of the
world is near. They over look the context and pervert the meaning of
Matthew 24:6 to support their false predictions: “And you will hear of
wars and rumors of wars.”
When
Jesus made this statement he was giving his apostles signs of the
destruction of the Jerusalem temple so they would not be deceived (Matt.
24:1-5). Nevertheless, some today remain greatly deceived. The rest of
verse 5 is significant: “See that you are not troubled; for all these
things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” The “end” of
which he spoke was not the end of all things material; it was the end of
Jerusalem. Further signs were given (verses 7-33) so that the saints could
“flee” the approaching wrath of God upon faithless Jerusalem and thus
be “saved” (24:16-22; see 23:37-39).
Jesus
gave the time frame for fulfillment in Matthew 24:34 as the first century:
“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass
away till all these things take place.”
Wars and
rumors of war do not uniquely herald the second coming of Christ. His final
return will be without warning and expectation (Matt. 24:44; 1 Ths. 5:1-11;
2 Pet. 3:10). Jesus is coming again – of that we are certain. We must
always be ready for he will come in judgment, rewarding the faithful and
punishing all sinners (1 Ths. 4:13-18; 2 Ths. 1:7-10).
Are you
ready for the judgment day? (Acts 2:36-41)
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