2. God's people abide in the word of Christ - Jno. 8:31.

3. Are you counted among the people of God?

I. WE GENERALLY (& CORRECTLY) IDENTIFY THE CHURCH BY:

A. Terms Of Admission (Acts 2:37-41, 47): H-B-R-C-B.

B. Name Of The Church (Matt. 16:18; Rom. 16:16): church of Christ.

C. Items Of Worship (Jno. 4:24): L.S.-Prayer-Sing-Give-Preach.

D. Organization Of The Church (Phil. 1:1; Acts 14:23): Local, autonomous, independent congregations.

E. Work Of The Church (Acts 6:2-4): Evangelize, edify, limited benevolence.

• We can be doing all of this & still not be God's people!!

II. JESUS USED TWO OTHER CHARACTERISTICS TO IDENTIFY HIS PEOPLE:

A. God's People Love One Another - Jno. 13:34-35. ("by this... - v. 35)

  1. Love opens doors of opportunity to us!

  2. Love compels us to:

   a. Serve each other - Gal. 5:13.

   b. Exhort & correct each other - Rom. 12:9-10; 1 Pet. 4:8.

   c. Help bear each others' burdens of life - 1 Jno. 3:16-19.

   d. Love each other the way God has loved us! - 1 Jno. 4:7-11.

• To be God's people we must love one another!
  • If we bite & devour each other we are not God's people! Gal. 5:13-15
  • Cannot think that we can malign, ridicule, gossip, backbite, hate each other & remain God's people!
  • We must never accept or tolerate such ungodly conduct among us! Col. 3:12-14)

B. God's People Work - Jno. 15:7-8; Rom. 7:4.

  1. Not just any work: The work of God - Jno. 15:4; 9:4; Matt. 9:38.

  2. Every Christian can work in God's house. 2 Tim. 2:20-21

   a. Must prepare yourself to work! cf. 2 Tim. 2:15 (Bible study)

   b. Must do your part! Eph. 4:16. Your are important!

   c. Must use your abilities! 2 Cor. 8:1-5 (Matt. 25:14-15).

• To be God's people we must work the works of God (bear fruit)!
  • God's people do not come in, sit down, go out & do nothing! Rom. 12:11
  • God's people do not leave for others the work they can do themselves! Gal. 6:9-10
  • God's people dutifully serve the Lord's wishes...always! Lk. 17:7-10

2. If we are not loving & working.....we are not God's people (God is not with us)!