What does the
church of Christ teach about
the church?
On this page we have provided all the sermons, studies and Bible lessons
that we have available on the church. These lessons have
been recorded and published here for the good of all. Please feel
free to use any of this material in sermon or lesson preparation. Thank you for coming here and may God bless you in your
efforts in His kingdom.
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Church of Christ Sermons On
the church
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What do we mean by the expression “church
of Christ”? The same thing Jesus meant in
Matthew 16:18.
“And
I also say to you that you are Peter; and on this rock I will build My
church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
NKJV
But does His
church exist today and how can I recognize it?
I.
It Was Planned from the Beginning.
II.
It Was Established in the First Century.
III.
It Was Purchased by the Blood of Christ.
IV.
It Is Singular.
V.
It Is Scriptural in Its Worship.
VI.
It Has A Biblical Designation.
VII.
It Is
Essential to Salvation.
Distinctive Marks of the True Church of Christ
Bobby Stafford
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Jesus made a great statement that is recorded in
Matthew 16:18. “And I also say to you that you are Peter,
and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades
shall not prevail against it.” NKJV But what was this
church Jesus was talking about that He was going to build? How
can we identify it today among all the different churches that
we see?
I.
Its Origin
II.
Descriptions of
the Church
(Ephesians 3:15) “from whom the whole family in heaven and earth
is named,” NKJV
III.
Names of Its Members
IV.
Its Rule of Faith and Worship
Conclusion:
We have seen from
Scripture itself what the church was that Jesus built and of
which He is the head. Does this describe the church to which
you belong?
Bobby Stafford
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The Nature
of the Lord's Church
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It can be a
confusing endeavor if one is trying to choose a church to attend.
We are a society who is programmed to search for things which please
us. We shop for clothes that we like, we search for cars that
we like, we shop for homes that we like and then we personalize them
to our own taste to the best of our ability and our budget. So
if we take this mindset that we are going to choose a church that we
like or that appeals to us, we might overlook some important things
that we need to take in to consideration. The purpose of this
lesson is two-fold. First, for anyone who may be
searching for a church and is unsure what to look for, this lesson
is aimed at providing some vital information that is necessary for
one to make an informed decision. Second, to help those
who are in the Lord's church to have the necessary information to
help others who may be searching for a church make an informed
decision.
I. The
Word 'Church' and what it means
II. There Is
Only One Worldwide Church In The New Testament and it belongs to Jesus
Christ
III. The
Worldwide Church is Ruled By Jesus Christ IV. The
Worldwide Church was bought by Jesus Christ
V. The Worldwide Church Strives for Unity
V. How Do We Make Sure We Are In the One
Universal Church, or Body of Christ?
So how do we get in the church? We get in the
church the same way they did when we do what they did to be added.
This is the way that must be right and cannot fail. This is
the way we can know we are part of the one body of Christ, the one
church of Christ that we read of in the Bible. If we use the
Bible and only the Bible, and we do what they did, we will be what
they were. Christians only, in the church of the new
testament, added to it by God Himself and living faithfully in
accordance to God's will and saved beyond any shadow of doubt
whatsoever.
David Hersey
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What Is The Church?
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If you ask ten people on the street, you would
probably get ten different answers. People may attend church
for different reasons: to meet people, to satisfy social
needs, to help their business, to satisfy their spouse . . . Some people attend church to find the “best show in town!” Many
churches cater to this mindset. They try to put on the best
show in town. They come up with new and novel ways to increase
their attendance and offerings. They believe the church with
the most people wins! The result is churches with coffee bars,
professional worship teams, a large staff, and short sermons
designed to make everyone feel good. So what is the biblical
view of the church?
I.
The Church Is the Body of Christ
II. The Church Is the Bride of Christ
III. The Church Is the Family of God
IV.
The Church Is the Temple of God
Conclusion:
From all we have seen today, the church is not
someplace you go occasionally if you don’t have something better
to do. The church consists of those who believe in the gospel
and are committed to following it. The church is not about how
fancy the building is, how much the weekly contribution is, or
how much power the members have in the local community. The
church is devoted to the Lord Jesus and in carrying out His will
on earth.
Bobby Stafford
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Noah and the Ark of Safety
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I love the story of Noah and the ark. I probably first heard it right here
in this very building. Who could forget about the great size of the ark, or
about all the animals, or about it raining forty days and forty nights?
Today I want us to first focus our attention on the parallels between Noah’s
salvation and our salvation. Then we will look at how the church is the ark
of safety.
Text:
I Peter 3:20-21 “who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine
longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared,
in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is
also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth
of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the
resurrection of Jesus Christ,”
NKJV
I.
Noah’s Salvation
II.
The Ark of Safety
While there are many similarities between the ark and the church, there is
one major difference. All those within the ark were saved from the flood,
but not everyone in the church will be saved. Matthew 13:47-50 “Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered
some of every kind, which, when it was full, they drew to shore; and they
sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it
will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the
wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There
will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”
NKJV
Faithfulness is needed. Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things
which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of
you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten
days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
NKJV
Bobby Stafford
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Choosing The Right Church
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When one goes looking for a car to buy, the choice may be
based upon many factors: cost, size, gas mileage, style,
function. . . When one goes looking for a church, how
should the choice be made? Upon what grounds should you
choose?
I.
Wrong Grounds
II.
Right Grounds
While choosing a car is certainly an important decision, it
pales in comparison to choosing a church. Choose wisely
because it will affect your eternal destiny.
Bobby Stafford
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The True Church
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I well remember a certain discussion which took place in my
English class during my senior year in high school. It centered
around religion and in particular on different churches. When it
came my turn to speak, I said that there was only one right church.
(Words to that effect) Probably no words create more turmoil. Is
it possible that there is only one right church? This is one of the
most important questions we can ask. But before we can answer that,
other questions must be answered.
I. Is
There a Right and Wrong in Religion?
II. Does
the Bible State Any Exclusives in
Religion?
III. Is It
Possible for People to Have
Misconceptions about the Church?
IV. What
Is the One Church?
Conclusion:
It is not arrogant to claim that there is only one right church
in God’s eyes for this is what the Word of God claims.
Bobby Stafford
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A Church is Planted
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It
is always a great privilege to study one of the books of the Bible.
Today we begin a series of lessons from I Thessalonians which is a
letter written by the apostle Paul to the young congregation at
Thessalonica. Our lesson today will focus on the beginning of
that congregation sometime around 50 A.D. – only about twenty years
after the church was started in Jerusalem.
Text:
Acts
17:1-9
I.
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
II.
Paul Enters Thessalonica Acts 17:1
III.
Paul’s Approach Acts 17:3
The church was
planted in Thessalonica when the seed, which is the Word of God, was
sown. Christians, the fruit, result when that seed comes into
contact with good soil which is honest and receptive hearts.
The same can happen today.
Bobby Stafford
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What Is A
Strong Church?
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What is a strong church? Many people would answer the
question by responding that it is one with large numbers
of members, a large budget, a beautiful building,
influential people and such like. But how would God
answer the question? That’s what is truly important.
I.
Love for God
II.
Love for Each Other
III.
A Strong Bible Emphasis
IV.
Each Member Is to Live A Holy Life
V.
Willing to Work
Conclusion:
Notice that none of these qualities of a strong church
depend upon having a large attendance or budget, a
beautiful new building or lots of influential members.
Sometimes these can keep a church from being strong.
Bobby Stafford
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You Can Be Sure Part 2 (About the church)
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Recognizing the Church
What is the New Testament
church?
How did the New Testament
church Worship?
The new testament church
met on the first day of every week
The new testament Christians
prayed to God in their assemblies
The new testament
Christians sang praises to God in their assemblies
The new testament
Christians partook of the Lord's supper every first day of the week
The new testament
Church had preaching in their assemblies
The new testament Christians gave of their means on the first day of
every week
In conclusion, let's look at a verse we read earlier and let's make an
application to it.
1 Thessalonians 2:14, "For you,
brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in
Christ Jesus." We can do the same thing and be sure that we
are right with God. That's how they did it in Thessalonica and we
can do it today. If we study the new testament church and believe
what it believed, teach what it taught, practice what it practiced and
be what it was, then we can be sure that we are part of the one body of
Christ. The one church that Jesus established, bled for, died for,
rules and saves.
We can be sure. We must be
sure. And the Bible tells us exactly how to do it.
David Hersey
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The New Testament Church
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Jesus, while on His
missionary journey, asked His disciples a question as
recorded in Matthew 16:13, “Whom do men say that I the
Son of man am?” Several of the disciples present
answered that question. And then Jesus asked them a
different question in verse 15, “But whom say ye that I
am?” Simon Peter spoke up and told Jesus exactly
who he thought Him to be. His answer is recorded in
verse 16, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
In the original language, The term “Christ” comes from the
Greek word, “Christos” which means ‘anointed one’. It
has a Hebrew equivalent which is ‘mashiyach’, which in our
language has come to mean ‘Messiah’. So Peter’s answer
to Jesus’s question was, “you are the anointed one, the Son
of the living God”
Jesus responded to that
declaration with approval and in so doing, made a very
important statement which is of great significance to us
today. His response is recorded, starting in Matthew
16:17-18, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and
blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is
in heaven.
18 And I say also unto
thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build
my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against
it…”
The church, or Ekklesia, that
Jesus promised to build in the first century was made up of
Christians and learners.
The new testament church Jesus
built was a spiritual house and a holy priesthood.
The new testament church Jesus
built was a chosen generation
The new testament church is the
body of Christ
The new testament church is the
kingdom of Heaven
The
new testament church was expensive
How Can We Be Sure We are in the
New Testament Church?
1 Thessalonians 2:13-14
For this reason we also thank God without ceasing,
because when you received the word of God which you heard
from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it
is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works
in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators
of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus
NKJV
The Thessalonian Christians
became imitators of the churches of God in Judaea and they
were saved. It worked for them in the first century,
why wouldn't it work for us today? If we want to
make absolutely sure we are in the new testament church that
Jesus suffered for, bled for, died for and purchased with
His blood, then we can do the same thing. If we will
do what they did, we will be what they were.
Christians only and only
Christians. in the body of Christ, the kingdom of God,
the church of Christ.
David Hersey
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Why Am I A Member of the church of Christ?
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When we
look out across the religious landscape, it is easy to see that there are a
lot of choices one can make as to a religious preference. There are
many many churches who claim Jesus Christ as their saviour but there was
only one in new testament times that Jesus built and endorsed. When we
look into scripture it is easy to see that there is only one body of Christ
(Ephesians 4:4) and
that this one body of Christ is the church (Colossians
1:18;
24,
Ephesians 1:22-23.
Jesus promised to build only one church
in
Matthew 16:18. Jesus only died for one church (Ephesians
5:25). Jesus only shed His blood for one church (Acts
20:28). Jesus is the head over only one church (Colossians
1:18).
David Hersey
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The Ark and
the Church
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God, in His infinite wisdom, left information in the Old Testament which
helps us gain a deeper understanding of the teachings in the New
Testament that pertain to us. One method He chose was the use of types
and antitypes. The Word of God reveals that there were people and
things in the Old Testament that symbolized people and things in the New
Testament. The types were in the Old Testament and the antitypes in the
New Testament. For example, Adam was a type and Christ the antitype.
(Romans 6:14) There were similarities. Our text today, I
Peter 3:20-21,
says the water of the flood was the type and baptism is the antitype.
We will also see from this passage that the ark was a type and the
church is the antitype.
Text:
I Peter
3:18-21
B obby
Stafford
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt 1 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt 2 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt
3 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt
4 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt
5 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt
6 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt
7 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt 8 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt 9 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The History of the Church Pt 10 |
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David
Hersey |
You Can Be Sure Part 1 (About Faith) |
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David Hersey |
Choosing A Church (Download
Audio) |
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David Hersey |
Remaining Faithful (Download
Audio) |
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Bobby Stafford |
A Healthy Church (Download
Audio) |
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Bobby Stafford |
Why is the church
of Christ Different? |
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Bobby Stafford |
The Unique Church |
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Bobby Stafford |
Renewing
Respect For the Lord's Church |
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David Hersey |
Love The Church |
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Bobby Stafford |
How Can We Know
Which church is the church of Christ? |
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Bobby Stafford |
Acts 17 and the Word of God |
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Bobby Stafford |
What Church is It? |
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Bobby Stafford |
What is the Church of Christ? Lesson 1 |
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Bobby Stafford |
What is the Church of Christ? Lesson 2 |
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David Hersey |
The Value of the Church |
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David Hersey |
Just Another Denomination? |
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David Hersey |
Why the church of Christ |
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David Hersey |
How Do I Know? |
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Pat Cowden |
The Heart of a Great Congregation |
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Don Cope |
Pentecost Sunday and the Church |
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Bobby Stafford |
One True Church |
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Bobby Stafford |
Growing a Healthy Congregation |
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Bobby Stafford |
Church Growth 1 |
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Bobby Stafford |
Church Growth 2 |
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Bobby Stafford |
The Plea of the Church |
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Robert Moss |
The Success of the Church |
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