“No Church Is Perfect”

“No Church Is Perfect” 1. An Unbeliever- “Church Full of Hypocrites” A. Hypocrites 1 Tim. 5:24 i. Known 2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15 ii. Unknown Rom. 2:16 B. Known Hypocrites i. Pharisees/Sadducees Mt. 3:7-8 ii. Impenitent Christians 1 Cor. 5:11 iii. Consistent Practice? 1. “Non-believer” they may ask, why they should come to “your church” if it isn't perfect, maybe there are some hypocrites there. A. Hypocrites 1 Tim. 5:24 i. Solution for known hypocrites: When opportunity to repent has been offered and refused, the final step is for Christians to publicly “note” that person and have no social association with them 2 Thess. 3:6,15 ii. Sin of some not known till “later” Rom. 2:16 men may hide sin from others B. Known Hypocrites i. Pharisees Mt. 3:7-8 John knew that these had no intent to repent, he would not receive them as though they were wanting to accept God's word. ii. 1 Cor. 5:11 Christians who are unrepentant of sin are not to be continually recognized as faithful members. iii. Practiced today? Some, in arguing for acceptance of homosexuals as church members, have noted the lax stance of many “Christians” re: D&R which contradicts the plain teaching of Christ. If the church can lax stance on D&R then why not homo? This inconsistency aids some in the idea that: C. Belonging to “No church” is as good as church with hypocrites? i. Church essential for salvation Eph. 5:25; Acts 2:47 as saved- added to church ii. Impossible to fulfill Christian duties w/o being a part of local work Acts 6:3 “among you” committed group; 20:28 can elders watch if there is no flock? Who watch? iii. NT – not abandon church, letters written to correct the problems in the church, 1 Cor. 1:10; Galatians, Rev.2-3, . . . iv. To the unfaithful and hypocrites- repent or be removed Rev. 2:5;3:15-16 -- lack of perfection not nullify God's requirement to be in His church.

“No Church Is Perfect” 1. An Unbeliever- “Church Full of Hypocrites” C. “No Church” As Good As Church With Hypocrites? i. Church Essential Eph. 5:25; Acts 2:47 ii. Local Church Essential for Christian Duties Acts 6:3; 20:28 iii. Correct Hypocrisy, Not Abandon Church IV. To Hypocrites: Repent or Removed Rev. 2:5; 3:15-16 C. Belonging to “No church” is as good as church with hypocrites? i. Church essential for salvation Eph. 5:25; Acts 2:47 as saved- added to church ii. Impossible to fulfill Christian duties w/o being a part of local work Acts 6:3 “among you” committed group; 20:28 can elders watch if there is no flock? Who watch? iii. NT – not abandon church, letters written to correct the problems in the church, 1 Cor. 1:10; Galatians, Rev.2-3, . . . iv. To the unfaithful and hypocrites- repent or be removed Rev. 2:5;3:15-16 -- lack of perfection not nullify God's requirement to be in His church.

“No Church Is Perfect” 2. The “Religious” A. “Due to Flaws, All Churches Equal” i. Church Composed of Members 1 Cor. 12:27 ii. Which Form of Doctrine? Rom. 6:17-18 Acts 8:12; Mt. 28:18; Acts 17:30; Rom. 10:10; Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5; 1 Cor.12:13 i. “church” is composed of Christians 1 Cor. 12:27 - any “church” which does not produce Christians, cannot be Christ's church. ii Rom. 6:17-18 what is the form of doctrine by which we are set free from sin, thus made Christians? Catholic catechism, confession, penance? Methodist Discipline? Bk of Morm? Not all doctrines are equal. Proper doctrine leads to the proper church. - Acts 8:12 Christ and His church = Christ's authority (Mt. 28:18), repent of violating His law (Acts 17:30), confess unto salvation (Rom. 10:10), baptized thus sin washed by blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Rev. 1:5) = in “one body” 1Cor 12:13. W/o the blood accessed in baptism, cannot be: forgiven, a Christian, or in His Church.

“No Church Is Perfect” 2. The “Religious” B. How To Conduct Yourself In The Church 1 Tim. 3:15; 1:3 What You See: - World-Wide Headquarters - Church-Sponsored Recreation - Constant Collections What You Read: - Where Is Head Quartered? Mt. 28:18 (Acts 14:23) - Focus On Learning Acts 2:42 - Consistent Collection 1 Cor. 16:2

“No Church Is Perfect” 3. Fellow Christians A. “We Agree On ‘The Gospel’ ” i. NT Not Make This Distinction 1 Tim. 1:10-11; 4:16; 1:3 ii. Rebuke For Lack of Growth Past “First Principles” Heb. 5:12-14; 2 Pet. 1:10 B. “brethren have always disagreed on ____” - Many make this argument re: baptism. Despite the NT teaching many agree to disagree. Does God approve of such disagreement? 1 Cor. 1:10 how long could they have continued disagreeing until Paul would have stopped writing and said “well, you've disagreed about ___ for so long, its time to accept each other.” C. Rom 14 allows disagreement i. Specify! over evol/creation, deity of Jesus, proper worship, homo? One faith! ii. v14 we may disagree re: matters which are clean- eat meat or veg; lead 3 ,5 , or 7 songs; participate in gov execution- no sin either way.

“No Church Is Perfect” 3. Fellow Christians B. “Brethren Have Always Disagreed . . .” - How Long Until Division Acceptable? 1 Cor. 1:10 C. “Romans 14 Allows Disagreement” i. Specify?! ii. Rom. 14:14 Considering Clean Things B. “brethren have always disagreed on ____” - Many make this argument re: baptism. Despite the NT teaching many agree to disagree. Does God approve of such disagreement? 1 Cor. 1:10 how long could they have continued disagreeing until Paul would have stopped writing and said “well, you've disagreed about ___ for so long, its time to accept each other.” C. Rom 14 allows disagreement i. Specify! over evol/creation, deity of Jesus, proper worship, homo? One faith! ii. v14 we may disagree re: matters which are clean- eat meat or veg; lead 3 ,5 , or 7 songs; participate in gov execution- no sin either way.