Skip to content Six Things About The Church Part One - Audio Feb 2 · 27 min ...more
Six Things About The Church Part One - Audio
February 2, 2020 · 27 min
Let's listen about the church we read of in the New Testament
Series International Gospel Hour Support this leader Liking this video? Support this ministry.
Support this leader
Liking this video? Support this ministry.
Give
Support this leader Liking this video? Support this ministry.
1.07K followers
The International Gospel Hour continues one of the top three longest running weekly religious radio broadcasts in America. For over 90 years, we have preached the unsearchable riches of Christ.
1.07K followers
Comments No comments yet. Start the conversation.
1. Purposed by God in Eternity 0:02 Hi. This is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. We're so glad you decided to listen to our program today. Our intent is to inform you and to encourage you. This is are0:14 you listening with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour. In a busy world with lots of distractions, we need to pay closer attention to God. Are you listening to God's0:25 word today? Here's Jeff.0:29 Thank you, and greetings, everyone. And, again, welcome to the International Gospel Hour. I'm glad you've joined us today, and I'd like for you to consider a discussion concerning0:42 the church. You know, when you drive anywhere, you'll see a number of buildings that will say church. Now their description may be different of the type of church they might0:53 be, but you find the term church in a lot of places. And you know when we talk about the church, here are a couple of things that I find of interest that as the discussion1:05 begins, initially an individual will believe the following 2 things. Number 1, that the idea of religion or church is from God. Usually,1:17 as a discussion begins, someone will say, well, yeah. The idea of church would come from God. It's all religion. Now sometimes when you get into deeper discussions1:29 and then you begin to say, well, now wait a minute. Let's look at this. You may find a little variance there. Now, again, initially. Secondly, the Bible is the only book that can make a1:41 100 percent claim that it is God's word. Other books may make that claim, but when you begin to look at them closer, they don't quite match up. If you ask a1:53 person, just curious, do you believe the Bible is the word of God? The average person will answer yes. So all we can do here at the International Gospel Hour is take the Bible and the2:05 Bible alone and to see what God has to say about the church. You know, if you look in a telephone book, which a lot of us seldom do nowadays because we go2:17 online or we use our our iPhones or our Android devices or whatever the case might be. And if we do a quick search to find a number or a quick search2:29 if we put, say, church in a search engine or even look in a type of reference for phone numbers or to see what is available in that town. Folks, you'll find thousands of2:40 churches, even close to million references. Let's ask some questions here. Are they all right? Is every church right? Are2:52 they all saying the same thing? Is 1 church as good as another? And how does 1 find the right church? There's a lot of confusion out there, dear friends. But you3:04 know, the Bible tells us that God is not the author of confusion. He's the author of peace. How does 1 find the right church? I'd like for you and I to look at the Bible,3:16 and let's see what the Bible has to say concerning the church that we read about in the Bible. As we begin, would you consider with me that when we look in the Bible,3:28 we find that the church was purposed by God. Ephesians the 3rd chapter beginning with verse 10 says, to the intent that now unto the principalities and powers3:40 in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.3:52 The church was purposed in Christ Jesus, Purposed in eternity before time began. How beautiful to see how the church4:04 was purposed or laid out carefully. Before God said, let there be light in eternity, that eternal purpose that tells us that God4:16 said the church would come forth in Jesus Christ. Listen to the words of Peter in 1st Peter chapter 1 beginning with verse 18. For as much as you know4:28 that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without4:40 blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. Who by him do believe in God4:51 that raised him up from the dead and gave him glory that your faith and hope might be in God. Oh, I love these texts. These texts that tells us how that the5:03 precious blood of Christ is the redeeming blood. We're going to study that in a future broadcast concerning the church. But also, how that he was brought forth5:15 without blemish and without spot. Pure. The absolute best that God could give. But then we find that phrase that he was foreordained before the foundation of the world.5:27 That ties in with Christ being the eternal purpose of God by which would come forth the church that we read of in the Bible. Oh, how beautiful this is to just5:39 unveil, dear friends. Then I love the latter part of verse 21, who by him do believe in God. Why do we believe in God? Well, here's 1 indication, that he5:51 raised up Christ from the dead. That when we see the power of him raising up Christ from the dead to live again, none others have been raised from the dead. Well,6:03 Lazarus was, we could say, from John chapter 11, but yet he died again. But how God could bring forth his son out of the tomb, that is a faith and a power in6:15 which we rely. The Bible says here in verse 21 of 1st Peter 1 that they God gave him glory that our faith and our hope might be in6:27 God. Dear friends, on the broadcast of the International Gospel Hour, we want to encourage each listener to make certain that our faith and our hope rest in God and not6:38 ourselves. The church we read about in the Bible was purposed by God. Notice something 2nd. While the church was in the mind of God, that church6:50 was also brought forth through the prophets of God. Now we're going to move from purpose to the church we read about in the Bible was prophesied by the prophets of2. Prophesied by God's Prophets 7:02 God. We now refer to the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is probably quoted more in the New Testament than any other book of the Old Testament with maybe the7:14 exception of the Psalms. Isaiah was called the messianic prophet, which means he would prophesy concerning the messiah that would come And the prophecies7:26 of Isaiah concerning the Christ were fulfilled in the life of Christ. But let's go to Isaiah chapter 2 verses 1 through 3 and watch this beautiful7:38 beautiful, if you will, prophecy of the church. The word that Isaiah, the son of Amoz, saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. And it shall come to7:50 pass in the last days that the mountain of the lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto8:01 it. And many people shall go and say, come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his8:13 paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. Now this prophecy of Isaiah,8:25 about 700 to 750 years later, what did Jesus say in Luke 20 four:forty 4 through 47? I want you to notice how much8:37 we read about the church and what would come forth and the teaching. In Luke 24 beginning with verse 44, Jesus said to them, these are the words which I spoke to8:49 you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms concerning me.9:01 Notice he said, all things must be fulfilled which were written in the prophets. That means what Isaiah penned about Christ would be fulfilled.9:13 And he opened their understanding that they might comprehend the scriptures. In verse 45 of Luke 24, Jesus wanted them to comprehend the scriptures9:26 as he taught further. The scriptures are referred to the law of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms. And Jesus said, understand these things. And he said to9:38 them, thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the 3rd day, and that repentance and remission of sins9:50 should be preached in his name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. Isn't that what Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 2 in verse 3? Then he10:02 goes on to say how that they are witnesses of these things. He would send the father or the promise of his father upon them, the apostles, but he told them10:13 to tarry in the city of Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Now, again, this reading is Luke 24 verses 44 through 49.10:26 Notice how Jesus said that repentance and remission of sins would be preached in his name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. We go back10:37 to Isaiah chapter 2 verses 1 through 3. We find the word of the Lord would go forth from Jerusalem. We find the mountain of the Lord's house would be established.10:50 Isn't it interesting, folks, when you look at 1st Timothy 3 and verse 15? Timothy was told by Paul that if he tarried long, if Paul tarried long, that Timothy would know how to11:02 behave himself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God. You see, Isaiah, the prophet of old, brought forth and indicated to11:13 us there would be teaching that would come forth from Jerusalem and how the mountain of the Lord's house would be established. And we find where his house is called the church. I take11:25 us back now to Luke 24 in verse 49 to where the apostles would tow to tarry in the city or remain in the city of Jerusalem until the11:37 power would come from up on high. When you now turn from Luke 24 into Acts chapter 1 and verses 9 through 11, we see that they11:49 did return to Jerusalem as Jesus commanded. The 1st part of Acts chapter 1 speaks how Jesus ascended into heaven. He had left them. What he12:01 had taught them, especially at the end of Matthew, the end of Mark, the end of Luke, and the end of John, that instruction continued as we see in Acts the 11th or rather,12:12 Acts the 1st chapter verses 1 down through about verse 8. Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem as the Lord commanded. What a12:24 beautiful study of the gospel accounts that they all, although there are 4 different written gospels from the standpoint, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, they12:36 all blend together as 1, and they do not contradict. Throughout Acts the 2nd chapter, we find where those apostles on the day12:48 of Pentecost, how the word of the Lord was coming forth from Jerusalem. They were right there, and there were those that heard, according to Acts 2 and verse13:00 11, the wonderful works of God. And they heard it in their own language. They had come from many nations. Remember, all nations shall flow13:12 unto the mountain, that all nations had flowed to Jerusalem, and they were hearing the wonderful works of God in their own language as the apostles were preaching.13:24 The preaching of Jesus Christ in Acts the 2nd chapter pricked their hearts, or if you will, it struck them in the heart when we see Acts 2 and verse 37 when they13:36 said, men and brethren, what shall we do? They were asking a question because they were pricked in their heart. The message had hit them in their heart. It affected them. Dear13:48 friends, have you ever had a message affect you to where you hear it and it touches your heart and there's like a guilty feeling? There is a feeling that, look, this is3. Promised and Built by Christ 14:00 affecting me and I've got to make some changes. It could be a doctor giving you some diagnosis that you need to change your diet because you're dealing with something, or you14:11 may have to look at surgery or something. There are times we hear messages that we don't want to hear, but we hear them for our good. On the day of Pentecost, those Jews from14:23 all nations came together, and they heard the message of the Christ that pricked them in their hearts to where they wanted to make a change. And they said, many14:35 and brethren, what shall we do? Peter answered them in Acts 2 in verse 38. And he said, repent and be baptized every 1 of you in14:47 the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. He responded to them of what they should do, to repent and be14:59 baptized in the name of Christ. Now watch this. For the remission of sins. I take you back now to Luke 24 verse 47 to15:11 where Jesus told them, repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. Acts 2 and verse15:23 38 parallels beautifully with what Jesus said in Luke 24 verse 47. Because as they were preaching Jesus Christ,15:34 then they had to acknowledge what Christ had taught them. And when they asked what to do, they gave the hope that Jesus instructed within them.15:46 There were many other words preached between verses 39 and 40. But listen to what happened in verse 41 of Acts 2. Then15:58 those that gladly received his word were baptized. And that day, about 3000 souls were added to them. They were added by obedience to God and not16:10 chosen by man. They asked what to do. Peter told them what to do, and they did it. And by doing so, they were able to fulfill what Jesus said16:22 would be and what the prophets of God said would be. How beautiful this is to see how this just lays out so perfectly. Purposed in the mind of God, brought16:34 forth by the prophets of God, and we find Jesus teaching and instructing the hope for man through the church. How do we know that? I take you to the end of16:46 Acts chapter 2 in verse 47 because there's that word church. People who were praising God and having favor with all the people.16:58 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Those that had repented and were baptized as commanded in acts 217:10 38. That's correct. Those that responded in acts 2 verse 41. That's correct. That day when 3000 souls were added. And in17:21 verse 47, we find there were others added to the church daily, those who were being saved. You see, when we're obedient to the gospel of Christ, we17:33 are added to the church. How beautiful that is. There's no voting that will take place. There will be no board that will decide what we will do. We were able to go to17:45 the Bible and the Bible alone and learn about the church and to be a part of that church of which they were a part of in the days of Acts chapter 2. You know, some years17:56 ago, there was a television show that had a man going back traveling in time. I would love to travel back in time on the day of Pentecost and ask18:08 them when they repented and they were baptized, I would love to ask them, now what church have you been added? Well, they would look and say the only church that we would know is the church that18:20 Jesus said he would build. Can you grasp, dear friends, there were no denominational bodies on the day of Pentecost? That people didn't pick what denomination18:32 they wanted to be a part? They trusted within the salvation of Christ and were added to the church that Jesus brought forth. This is exciting, dear friends,18:44 and I hope that you're enjoying this study with me. May I pause for just a moment, and I wanna come back and conclude this study about the church. I really appreciate you listening today.18:55 I appreciate you taking time to listen to these things and to take the Bible and to consider these factors. I'd like for you to join us and follow us on social media. Would you go on FacebookConclusion: Find the Biblical Church 19:07 and like us? International Gospel Hour, right there on Facebook. Hit the like, the follow button, and stay with us, and we'll tell you of the things that are coming forth. You can also follow us at19:19 Instagram at international gospel hour. Also, if you're on Twitter at hour underscore gospel. You can keep up with our latest works, our plans, and when the international gospel19:31 hour is in your area on the radio or if we're traveling and speaking somewhere nearby. We would love to see you. We thank you for joining us. And now, let's conclude19:43 our study on the church we read of in the Bible. The church we read of in the Bible was promised by Jesus Christ. In Matthew, the 16th chapter, beginning19:54 with verse 16, Simon Peter answered Jesus and said, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, blessed are you, Simon Bar jona, for20:06 flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter. And of all this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of20:18 Hades, or hell shall not prevail against it. I love those 3 verses, especially where Simon Peter, in seeing the living of Christ, his life and his action,20:30 was convinced he was the Christ, the son of the living God. He saw it. He knew it. And Jesus even told him, flesh and blood had not revealed it, but his father in20:42 heaven. Then he tells Peter that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church. Now he could not build the church on Peter as Peter was20:54 simply a man, but he sure could build it on the solid foundation that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God. That's the rock. That's the foundation21:06 of which Peter said that he was the Christ, the son of the living God. And dear friends, being built on that, Jesus as the son of God is the only 1 that God gave21:18 authority to build his church. Notice that Jesus said on this rock, the solid rock, that I am the Christ, the Son of God, I will build my21:29 church. I will build the called out. I will build the assembled together. I will build those lives of those that will come out of the world and will come unto me. That21:41 foundation, that solid foundation, the confession, thou art the Christ, the son of the living God. I love the words of Paul in 1st Corinthians chapter 3 beginning with verse21:53 10 when Paul said according to the grace of God, which was given to me as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But22:05 let each 1 take ye how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. When Paul said to the church22:17 at Corinth there, I have laid the foundation, When he went into the city of Corinth in Acts the 18th chapter, he preached Jesus Christ. He laid the foundation. This is the Son22:28 of God. This is the 1 in whom God purposed the church. This is the 1 in whom the prophets spoke of the church. This is the 1 that promised to build his church.22:40 Paul said, I've got no other authority. I have no other power. I've got to take heed how I build on this. I'm gonna lay the foundation of Jesus Christ. That is how the22:52 church is to be built upon Christ. We build the church upon Christ and certainly not upon man. Any man that is a founder of a church does not have23:04 the authority to be the founder of his church. He can found, if you will, or he can establish anything he wants. But, dear friends, let me ask you. Do we wanna put our23:15 trust in the foundation of man or the foundation that is no other foundation other than Jesus Christ? You see, when I open the Bible, it tells me23:27 of which I can be certain and which I can be sure. Let's think about what we've discussed today. Dear friends, 1st of all, before time began, before God said23:39 let there be light, the church was in his mind and in the purpose of Jesus Christ. The church was not an afterthought of God. The church was not23:51 something that God thought of when all the commands and all the things throughout the old testament did not work. No, my friends. The church was purposed. It was set in the mind of God24:03 before time began. That's the church that I want to be a part. Before the church came into existence, the prophets of God spoke of it through inspiration. They told us24:15 of the glory and the good things that we would see. To God be the glory. Great things he hath done, and his prophets penned it by inspiration, consistent24:27 teaching, and let us know about the church. And then through Jesus Christ, the promise was made to build his church. That upon the solid foundation that24:38 he was the son of God and that he is the son of God, on the right hand of the father, Hebrews 1, That same church that was purposed in Christ Jesus, prophesied24:51 about Christ Jesus, he promised to build his church, and he brought it forth. Dear friends, the study of the church we read of in the Bible is an enriching study.25:03 It is a blessed study and a study that we will continue within our next broadcast. Dear friends, I can share with you with great confidence in God and his word25:15 that you, our friends, can find that same church today. You and I can find that same church, the church we read of in the Bible.25:27 And then when we see other buildings today that mention church, we're able to take the Bible and make that our test. We don't go to look for churches that will satisfy25:39 us. We want to look for the church that we read of in the scripture and God says, I will see to it. It will satisfy you. Again, dear friends, we can find that same church25:51 today. We'd love for you to reach out to us here at the International Gospel Hour, and let us help you as you pursue that direction. We will help you find a church of Christ in your community,26:03 and we will help you in the study of God's word as we press along. Dear friends, thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. Again, I'm Jeff Archie.4. Eternal, Prophetic, Christ-Built 26:15 And dear friends, keep listening.26:21 Thank you for listening to our broadcast today. We hope 1st that it glorified God, but 2nd, we hope that it identified you. Listen to it again if you need to or to other lessons in this series by going to26:33 the media tab at our site international gospel hour dot com.In this video 0:00 1. Purposed by God in Eternity7:01 2. Prophesied by God's Prophets14:00 3. Promised and Built by Christ19:02 Conclusion: Find the Biblical Church26:11 4. Eternal, Prophetic, Christ-Built
Comments
Keep it kind. Comments are public.