The LORD’S CHURCH is…
Posted on 21. Apr, 2010 by admin in Bible Articles
I would like for us to take a look at what we are told to do at the Lord’s Church. Genesis 1 tells us that GOD created all things. Satan began separating man from GOD in the Garden of Eden according to Genesis 3. He has caused many people to believe that any form of religion is pleasing to GOD and that we may do anything that we want in worshipping GOD. He has deceived many with slogans like “Just be sincere” or “Attend the church of your choice”. A number of people fail to understand that they must attend the Lord’s Church to please GOD. Hebrews 10:25-26 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” We need to be attending services as often as we are able. Obedience is expected by GOD. In Matthew 7:22-23, Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” This warning is very clear, yet many ignore it. They put their faith in slogans and trust Satan rather then GOD’s word. They believe that all they have to do is to “be sincere and attend the church of your choice”. These people are victims of Satan’s lies. We know that what is written in the BIBLE is what we must follow. Paul wrote in 2Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. We need to continually read, study, and obey what we are told in the scriptures and to teach others what we know to be GOD’S WORD. Otherwise our friends, family, and neighbors are all at risk of eternal torment. If we don’t stand against Satan then we are supporting him. One young lady, in a USA commercial, said “I believe in all spiritual paths to God”. She is wrong, “There can be only one.” In 1 Corinthians 14:33, we are told that God is not the author of confusion. In John 14:6, Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. We need to be careful what we say, read, study, and do. Our youngsters are just watching and learning from what they see in you, and you are the one who GOD has given them to learn from! Carson can be really ornery. He works to get attention (as many children do) and with the new baby at home, I am sure it is happening more often then ever. Spanking him has never been very effective and I found that placing him on my lap generally caused him more pain then any spanking could. In any event, Mark (his dad) had placed him on his lap several times and after Amanda sat beside them Carson said, “Mommy… HAND”. Then he said, “Daddy… HAND”. They both held his’ hands and he bowed his head and said, “GOD, Please let me off this lap, Amen.” We must not forget teaching moments with our friends, our children, and their children. CHRIST placed responsibility on HIS’ CHILDREN to do so. Matthew 28:19-20 says, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen
Respect is given to GOD by following the New Testament Church pattern. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” in John 14:15. When we leave things exactly the way He designed, then we show honor and respect for GOD. Let’s take a look at what we should be doing in CHRIST’S CHURCH. The Apostles warned about changing the Biblical writings in Galatians 1:9 and Revelation 22:18-19. We need to be careful in what we do and who we follow rather then doing what everybody else does. Our worship service has five elements: Praying, Preaching, Giving, the Lord’s Supper, and Singing. We want to build our services on book, chapter, and verse. The New Testament Church should be our standard and guide rather then what man chooses to do.
Prayer is a part of every worship service that we have. One of the important things that every Christian needs to be doing daily is praying. Christians are to pray in everything. We are told in Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We are told those who became members from the very beginning continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42). Today, we find that some refuse to follow Biblical examples in their prayers. When we ask for things we should do so from a humble heart and ask that these things be of THY WILL and not mine. A number of today’s people pray for great wealth and riches even though we are told not to in James 4:3.
We read in 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. When we study the Bible we see that preaching is a time of serious teaching. It is a time to boldly proclaim the truth. That kind of preaching is unpopular today. Stephen was killed because of that kind of preaching according to Acts 7:54-60.
The simple pattern of Bible preaching has been changed by many. Some groups have made women preachers even though the writings in 1Timothy 2:12 show that to be wrong. Some have changed the Biblical pattern by requiring their preachers to be single. Paul warned us about this when he said, Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth in 1Timothy 4:1-3. Making changes to God’s design is just wrong. We cannot approve of things that are in violation of Biblical teachings. We find in 2John 1:9-11 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. When people make changes and force us to choose between them and GOD, we must choose GOD.
The New Testament Church gave on the first day of the week (1Corinthians 16:1-2). Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. The Church members were never told to tithe in the New Testament Church. Some “religious groups” have changed God’s pattern by using high pressure techniques into giving more and more. Some have organized fund raising events, sales, carnivals, and other promotions to get more money out of their members. The New Testament says nothing at all about such methods. These things have been added and violate the Biblical pattern. In our effort to follow the examples of the First Century Church, we follow only the practice of a voluntary contribution as recorded in the New Testament.
In Luke 22:19-20, CHRIST instituted the LORD’S SUPPER. In Bible-times Christians met on Sunday to observe the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7). Today, many groups have reduced their observance of the Lord’s Supper to a quarterly, semi annual, or even an annual event (they have not reduced taking the collection to a quarterly event). Some groups have forsaken the Bible pattern and changed the day on which they partake of the Lord’s Supper. Some groups don’t let all their members partake but rather regulate which members can partake of the Lord’s Supper. The Bible says absolutely nothing about such a selective system for observing the Lord’s Supper. Some have actually changed the elements of the Lord’s Supper. They no longer use the fruit of the vine and unleavened bread. They think they are “enlightened” but I believe they are condemned (Galatians 1:6-9; 3:15; Revelation 22:18-19).
Many modern groups focus more on entertaining the audience than worshipping God in their singing. Quartets, choirs, and other groups put on a show to entertain the audience. Some modern churches spend thousands of dollars on musical instruments, sound systems, and theatre lighting. When we look to the New Testament seeking authority for these modern changes, we find none. We find no such use of instrumental music or entertainers in the New Testament. Paul told us to hold the traditions that we had received in 2 Thessalonians 2:15. If we follow Paul’s teaching, and are truly interested in restoring New Testament Christianity, then a cappella is the choice we will make. Returning to a cappella singing is one of the most difficult changes for many people to make. They want their musical instruments. They want their entertainment. They forget that worship was designed by God to please God, not to please man. Our duty is to offer to God what HE asked for, not what we presume HE might like. Sadly, most people will refuse to give up the various man-made changes that have crept into religion. We practice only those things that are authorized by the Bible. This means that we are different from most modern day groups. However, our desire is not to be like modern groups, but rather, to be the church that Jesus built. We want to be certain that we are heaven bound.
If you have never been baptized into the Lord’s Church then why not follow what the first century Christians did and become a Child of GOD? HIS’ Directions are quite clear. We are told to:
Hear in Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Believe in Mark 16:16, Jesus said “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
Repent of sins in Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Confess CHRIST in Romans 10:9-10 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Be Baptized according to Acts 2:37-38 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Remain faithful according to Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.