Is
the Church Too Exclusive?
-Introduction
-At the end of the lesson last Sunday
morning, I said that when a person considers the
topics of worship, church authority
and church organization every man-made religious
organization is exposed.
-There are many good, sincere
individuals who fail to follow the patterns that God
has prescribed.
-Eph 4:4-6
-The ideas of a single church
and a specific doctrine are not popular in today’s
society.
-There are increased claims - both
exterior and, in some cases, interior - that members of
the church are too exclusive and
narrow minded. There are those who are trying to
influence the church to soften
doctrinal distinctions and while broadening the circle of
fellowship.
-In this morning’s lesson, we’ll
consider whether we are too exclusive and narrow minded.
-Pondering Our God
-I’m afraid we don’t think
about/contemplate/ponder the qualities/characteristics/attributes
of our God nearly as much as we
should!
-We should stand in absolute awe
of our God.
-Isa 45:18-22, 55:8-9; Jer 10:23
-Job 42:1-2
-What an amazing God!
-Our God is good, pure, righteous,
true, Holy...
-1 John 4:8 - John summarized
God’s attributes with one simple, profound statement.
-Atrocious Nature of Sinfulness &
Our Deep Need
-When we contemplate the attributes of
our God, we are reminded of the atrocious nature
of sin.
-Sin is a violations against our
God - against all that God is - all that He wants - all that
He commands.
-Sin is disgusting in His sight
- Isa 1:4-6.
-When we contemplate the attributes of
God and combine with that the acknowledgement
of our sins, we are driven to the
realization of our dreadful condition in sin.
-Luke 7:41-42
-We don’t have to first be
dreadfully sinful in order to love our Savior. However, we
do need to recognize
the fact that we have sinned (Rom 3:23) and therefore need
forgiveness.
-God’s Offer of Forgiveness & Our
Response
-Forgiveness is exactly what God has
offered to us.
-He did not make such an offer
because we deserve it.
-His offer was not made because
we have earned it. It is a gift (Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8).
-Eph 2:1-10
-God offers forgiveness to us
due to his rich mercy and abounding love.
-Even though we have done that
which is contrary to our completely righteous, pure,
holy and unlimited God, He
offers us salvation.
-You see, there is no
salvation in sin.
-Thankfully, God offers
salvation from sin in Christ Jesus (Eph 1:3).
-So, what must take place?
-Some say there is no need for any
specific response on the part of mankind.
-Such an approach reveals a
complete lack of understanding of God or a
failure to acknowledge our
sinful condition. (Acts 2:37 - hearts pricked)
-Does God’s greatness not
warrant a response?
-Does He not deserve a response?
-To say that there is no need of
a response is to belittle our God.
-Many realize that a response is
needed but disagree on what the response must be.
-To many, the idea of a single,
specific response - both in an intial response of
obedience and a continued
response of faithfulness - is appalling.
-Is it appalling to say that
there is a specific way to respond to our Almighty God?
Is the thought of “one body,
one Spirit...one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God...”
(Eph 4:4-6) distasteful? The
inspired scriptures don’t think so. Neither should we.
-Is it appalling to think
that an Almighty God could specify a particular manner
of worship to be offered
to Him? (see John 4:24, Matt 15:9)
-Is it wrong for our
Almighty God to institute a particular doctrine (Rom 6:17)?
-Unfortunately, too many people
seemingly forget the greatness of God, and try to tell Him
what we should do rather than submit
to what He has already told us to do.
-Submitting to the Will of God
-We, as the created, have no right
whatsoever to impose our will upon the Creator.
-He has initiated the plan of
salvation. He sent Jesus 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 Tim
3:16-17
-When we consider the wonderful
attributes of our God, we are 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 faith, one God, a specific
doctrine will not seem too exclusive
and narrow minded. They are in accordance with
the design and word of God - His
will.
-Have you submitted to His will? Have
you responded to His offer of salvation? If not,
obey His word - Believe (John 3:16,
8:24), Confess (Matt 10:32, Rom 10:9-10), Repent
(Acts 17:30, Luke 13:3,5), Be
Baptized (Mark 16:16, Gal 3:26-29).
-If you’ve obeyed the Gospel but
haven’t remained faithful (submissive to the will of God),
then confess your shortcomings,
repent of them and pray for forgiveness (1 John 1:7-9,
Acts 8:22-24).
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