BACK TO THE BASICS - THE CHURCH
                                             
Introduction

I.   When I thought about becoming a member of the church, I was confused.

II.  Have you ever been confused like I was?
     A.   There are so many different denominations.
     B.   There are so many different religious practices.
     C.   There are so many different beliefs.
           1.  It can make us feel like a mouse in a maze.

III.  I want to share with you what I have found from an objective study of God's Word.
      A.  We don't have to be confused about the church.

IV.       This morning, I would like for us to examine from the Bible:
          A.   The Builder of the church.
          B.   The beginning of the church.
          C.   The Bible-based church.
          D.   The bound-for-heaven church.

Body

I.   FIRST, LET'S IDENTIFY THE BUILDER OF THE CHURCH.
     A.   Christ is the builder of the church that you read about in the Bible (Mt 16:13ff).
          1.   The church belongs to Christ (Psa 127:1; Rom 16:16).
          2.   The church was built approximately 33 A.D.
     B.   Christ is the foundation upon which the church is built (1 Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20; Mat
          15:13).
     C.   Christ is the head of the church (Eph 1:22-23).
          1.   Christ's plan is for everyone to be united in this one body (Jn 17:20-22; Eph
               2:14-17).
          2.   Division (denominationalism) is condemned in the Bible (1 Cor 1:10).
     D.   Christ is the Organizer of the Church.
          1.   Elders over each congregation.
          2.   Deacons serving the congregation under elders' oversight.
          3.   Preacher(s) proclaiming the Word.

II.  SECONDLY, LET'S LOCATE THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH.
     A.   The church that you read about in the Bible began in the city of Jerusalem.
          1.   This happened on the day of Pentecost following the ascension of our Lord.
          2.   This was in fulfillment of O.T. prophecies (Dan 2:44; Micah 4:1-5; Joel
               2:28-32; Acts 2:16).
     B.   The church was then planted elsewhere.
          1.   The church is referred to in 3 different ways:
               a.   Locally (1 Cor 1:2).

               b.   Regionally (Gal 1:2).
               c.   Universally (Col 1:18).
     C.   The church continues today because the Word of God is the seed of the kingdom
          (Luke 8:11; Rom 1:16).

III. THIRDLY, LET'S EXAMINE THE BIBLE-BASED CHURCH.
     A.   The church that you read about in the Bible is Bible based.
          1.   The Word of God is the pattern that is to be followed in all things (2 Tim
               3:16-17; 1 Th 5:21).
               a.   The plan of salvation comes from the Bible.
                    (1)  John 14:6 - One must Hear the gospel, Believe in Jesus,
                         Repent of sins, Confess Christ before others, and be Baptized
                         to be saved.
               b.   The way of worship comes from the Bible.
                    (1)  John 4:24; Acts 2:42 - One must Pray, Sing, partake of the
                         Lord's Supper, Give, and hear the Bible Preached every
                         Sunday.
               c.   The work of the church comes from the Bible (Mk 16:15-16; Gal 6:2,
                    10; Js 1:27).
               d.   The way of life for members of the church comes from the Bible
                    (Titus 2:11-14; Heb 10:25; Mt 6:33).
     B.   The church must remain faithful to God's word to continue to be his church (Rev
          2:4-5).

IV.  LASTLY, LET'S PONDER THE BOUND-FOR-HEAVEN CHURCH.
     A.   The church that you read about in the Bible is bound for heaven.
          1.   The church is the body of Christ (Col 1:18; Eph 4:4).
          2.   The church is the bride of Christ (Rev 19:7-8). 
          3.   The church is the family of God (Gal 3:26-28).
          4.   The church is the kingdom of Christ (Col 1:13).
          5.   The church is the saved (Acts 2:47).
          6.   The church is heaven bound (John 14:1-3; 1 Cor 15:24).
               a.   The church is not the Savior, but the saved are in the church.
               b.   And the church is going to heaven.
     B.   The church members have their names written in heaven (Heb 12:22-23).

Conclusion

I.   The Bible can eliminate all the religious confusion in the world.
     A.   It tells us who the builder of the church is - Jesus.
     B.   It tells us the beginning of the church - 33 A.D.
     C.   It tells us the church must be Bible based.
     D.   It tells us the church of the Bible is bound for heaven.

II.  I thank God for helping me find the truth.
     A.   I hope you have seen the truth this morning.

III. You can become a member of the church of Christ.

IV.  I am no longer confused or afraid - will you join me?

**   If you have any questions or if you would like to become a Christian, please let us know.

Alan C. Cole
26th St. Church of Christ
101-26th Street
Huntington, WV 25703
Phone - (304) 522-0717
E-Mail - Cole8@marshall.edu
Homepage - http://mupfc.marshall.edu/~cole8/