Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons for 2012
Speaker	Sermon/Lesson Title   (Right Click to Download)	Audio   Video  Text    Ipod MS Word	Category	Date Added	Lesson
Bobby Stafford	The True Church		Church	August 26, 2012	Sunday PM Sermon

One Right Church 

Introduction: 

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. 

Body: 

I.   Is There a Right and Wrong in Religion? 

Many believe God accepts anything as long as they’re sincere.  But note the following warnings:  Matthew 7:21-23, Galatians 1:8, II Peter 2:1               I must admit that religious teaching can be wrong.  (Matthew 15:7-14)  God does not accept this and neither should we.  There are rights and wrongs in religion. 

II.   Does the Bible State Any Exclusives in Religion? 

Ephesians 4:4-6   In these verses the meaning is “one and only one.”  Many in the Christian world will concede that there is one and only one God.  But these verses also teach there is one and only one body.  Now read Ephesians 1:22-23.  One body – one church    The inevitable conclusion is that they cannot deny it. 

Some would say these verses are very narrow-minded, not politically correct.  Let’s recall an incident in Paul’s life recorded in Acts 19:23-26.  He preached there was one and only one God.  The Ephesians were very tolerant of many gods, but very intolerant of anyone who said there was only one.  We can easily see that the Bible designates several exclusives in religion.  There is only one right (God-approved) church!

 III.   Is It Possible for People to Have Misconceptions about the Church? 

People in the first century even had misconceptions about Christ.  (Matthew 16:13-16)  People thought Jesus had to fit into a category with which they were comfortable.  They knew about John and the prophets.  They just assumed then He was John or one of the prophets.  They were not yet able to understand Jesus was unique.  So if people had and continue to have misconceptions of Jesus, it should come as no surprise they don’t fully understand the unique nature of the Lord’s church.  Since in some ways the Lord’s church resembles denominations, then many assume it is one.  Similarity does not equal identity.  (Dogs and cats are similar, but are not the same.) 

IV.   What Is the One Church? 

“All who are saved” – Acts 2:41, 47   The saved are individual members who are baptized believers.  The one true church is the one body to which all who were saved were added.

 The Lord’s church does not claim to be the best denomination among all denominations.  Nor does it even claim to be a denomination at all.  We plead that all denominations, man-made churches, disband and dissolve with the hope that all will believe and obey our Savior and be Christians only.  This is possible if we all determine to do only what the Bible says.

 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

August 26, 2012