Is the Church Too Exclusive

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Is the Church Too = Exclusive?

-Introduction

-At the end of the lesson last Sunday morning, I = said that=20 when a person considers the

topics of worship, church authority and = church=20 organization every man-made religious

organization is exposed.

-There are many = good, sincere=20 individuals who fail to follow the patterns that God

has = prescribed.

-Eph 4:4-6

-The ideas of a = single church=20 and a specific doctrine are not popular in today=92s

society.

-There are increased claims - both exterior and, in = some=20 cases, interior - that members of

the church are too exclusive and narrow = minded. =20 There are those who are trying to

influence the church to soften doctrinal = distinctions=20 and while broadening the circle of

fellowship.

-In this morning=92s lesson, we=92ll consider = whether we are too=20 exclusive and narrow minded.

-Pondering Our God

-I=92m afraid we don=92t think = about/contemplate/ponder the=20 qualities/characteristics/attributes

of our God nearly as much as we should!

-We should stand in = absolute=20 awe of our God.

-Isa 45:18-22, = 55:8-9; Jer=20 10:23

-Job 42:1-2

&= nbsp; =20 -What an amazing God!

-Our God is good, pure, righteous, true, = Holy...

-1 John 4:8 - John = summarized=20 God=92s attributes with one simple, profound statement.

-Atrocious Nature of Sinfulness & Our Deep=20 Need

-When we contemplate the attributes of our God, we = are=20 reminded of the atrocious nature

of sin.

-Sin is a violations = against=20 our God - against all that God is - all that He wants - all that

He = commands.

-Sin is disgusting = in His=20 sight - Isa 1:4-6.

-When we contemplate the attributes of God and = combine with=20 that the acknowledgement

of our sins, we are driven to the = realization of our=20 dreadful condition in sin.

-Luke 7:41-42

-We don=92t have to = first be=20 dreadfully sinful in order to love our Savior. However, we

do need to=20 recognize the fact that we have sinned (Rom 3:23) and therefore=20 need

= forgiveness.

-God=92s Offer of Forgiveness & Our = Response

-Forgiveness is exactly what God has offered to = us.

-He did not make = such an offer=20 because we deserve it.

-His offer was not = made=20 because we have earned it. It is a gift (Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8).

-Eph 2:1-10

-God offers = forgiveness to us=20 due to his rich mercy and abounding love.

-Even though we have = done that=20 which is contrary to our completely righteous, pure,

holy and = unlimited God,=20 He offers us salvation.

&= nbsp; =20 -You see, there is no salvation in sin.

&= nbsp; =20 -Thankfully, God offers salvation from sin in Christ Jesus = (Eph=20 1:3).

-So, what must take place?

-Some say there is no need for any specific = response on the=20 part of mankind.

-Such an approach = reveals a=20 complete lack of understanding of God or a

failure to = acknowledge=20 our sinful condition. (Acts 2:37 - hearts pricked)

-Does God=92s = greatness not=20 warrant a response?

-Does He not deserve = a=20 response?

-To say that there = is no need=20 of a response is to belittle our God.

-Many realize that a response is needed but = disagree on what=20 the response must be.

-To many, the idea = of a=20 single, specific response - both in an intial response of

obedience and = a=20 continued response of faithfulness - is appalling.

-Is it appalling to = say that=20 there is a specific way to respond to our Almighty God?

Is the = thought of =93one=20 body, one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God...=94

(Eph 4:4-6)=20 distasteful? The inspired scriptures don=92t think so. = Neither should=20 we.

&= nbsp; =20 -Is it appalling to think that an Almighty God could specify a = particular manner=20

&= nbsp; =20 of worship to be offered to Him? (see John 4:24, Matt = 15:9)

&= nbsp; =20 -Is it wrong for our Almighty God to institute a particular doctrine = (Rom=20 6:17)?

-Unfortunately, too many people seemingly forget = the=20 greatness of God, and try to tell Him

what we should do rather than submit to what = He has=20 already told us to do.

-Submitting to the Will of God

-We, as the created, have no right whatsoever to = impose our=20 will upon the Creator.

-He has initiated the plan of salvation. He = sent Jesus=20 to die upon the cross. He has

offered His grace to us.

-So, how can we know what God requires of us?

-1 Cor 2:9-11, 2 Pet = 1:3, 2=20 Tim 3:16-17

-When we consider the wonderful attributes of our = God, we are=20 driven to the realization

that we must submit to His will.

-Matt 7:21, = 24-27

-As a result, the idea of one body, one Spirit, one = Lord, one=20 faith, one God, a specific

doctrine will not seem too exclusive and = narrow=20 minded. They are in accordance with

the design and word of God - His will.

-Have you submitted to His will? Have you = responded to=20 His offer of salvation? If not,

obey His word - Believe (John 3:16, 8:24), = Confess=20 (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent

(Acts 17:30, Luke 13:3,5), Be Baptized (Mark = 16:16,=20 Gal 3:26-29).

-If you=92ve obeyed the Gospel but haven=92t = remained faithful=20 (submissive to the will of God),

then confess your shortcomings, repent of = them and=20 pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9,

Acts 8:22-24).

Date: Feb 19, 2006

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