THE CHURCH A. Christ's Glorious Church. B. The Fallen Church. C. The Restored Church. THE CHURCH A. Two Weeks Ago We Looked At Christ's Glorious Church. B. Last Week We Looked At The Fulfillment Of The Fallen Church. C. Today, Let's Consider The Restored Church.

2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)

2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV) 2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21 16 Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)

I. Beginnings Of Restoration. A. James O'Kelly in 1793 in Virginia & N.C. B. John Wright (~ 1800) in Indiana. C. Adam Jones & Elias Smith (1802) in N. E. D. Barton W. Stone (1804) in Kentucky. E. Thomas & Alexander Campbell (1809) in WV. F. Several others in America, Europe, etc. I. Beginnings Of Restoration. A. James O'Kelly withdrew from the Methodist church in 1793 in Virginia and North Carolina. (Bible as the only creed). B. John Wright led 16 Baptist churches away around 1800 in Indiana. (Can obey God by studying the Bible/Importance of study is fundamental.) C. Abner Jones and Elias Smith led a similar movement in New England in 1802 from the Baptist Church. (They were concerned about denominational names and creeds) D. Barton W. Stone and several Presbyterian preachers in Kentucky in 1804. (The Bible was the "only sure guide to heaven.") E. Thomas and Alexander Campbell in 1809 in (what ia now) West Virginia (Contended nothing should be bound on Christians as a matter of doctrine which is not in the new Testament.) F. Separate groups in Georgia (Lutheran), Alabama, New York, Europe and elsewhere happened at same time or a few years later. Illustration: Arkansas Diamond Mine - many precious gems have been found there. The finders did not make them or start them. They sought and found what God had made and put there. When we study the Bible, we will find the church that Jesus built.

II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity. I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4: 1 - 3 NKJV) II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity (Ephesians 4: 1 - 3).

II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity. B. No creed, but the Bible. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2: 8 NKJV) II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity. B. No creed, but the Bible (Colossians 2: 8).

II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity. B. No creed, but the Bible. C. We are to be Christians and Christians only. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (Acts 11: 26 NKJV) II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity. B. No creed, but the Bible. C. We are to be Christians and Christians only (Acts 11: 26).

II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity. B. No creed, but the Bible. C. We are to be Christians and Christians only. D. Speak where the Scriptures speak. Be silent where the Scriptures are silent. You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. (Deuteronomy 4: 2 NKJV) II. Restoration Pleas. A. In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity. B. No creed, but the Bible. C. We are to be Christians and Christians only. D. Speak where the Scriptures speak. Be silent where the Scriptures are silent (Deuteronomy 4: 2; see also Revelation 22: 18, 19).

III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive. Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2: 20 - 22 NKJV) III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive (Ephesians 2: 20 - 22).

III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive. B. To be inclusive, not exclusive. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. (Ephesians 2: 14 - 16 NKJV) III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive. B. To be inclusive, not exclusive (Ephesians 2: 14 - 16).

III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive. B. To be inclusive, not exclusive. C. To seek Biblical authority, not human sentiment. Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. (1 Peter 1: 22, 23 NKJV) III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive. B. To be inclusive, not exclusive. C. To seek Biblical authority, not human sentiment (1 Peter 1: 22, 23).

III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive. B. To be inclusive, not exclusive. C. To seek Biblical authority, not human sentiment. D. To be spiritual, not ritualistic. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. "God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4: 23, 24 NKJV) III. Restoration Principles. A. To be constructive, not destructive. B. To be inclusive, not exclusive. C. To seek Biblical authority, not human sentiment. D. To be spiritual, not ritualistic (John 4: 23, 24).

We Must Search The Scriptures To Know God's Will For Our Lives. THE RESTORING CHURCH We Must Search The Scriptures To Know God's Will For Our Lives. These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (Acts 17: 11 NKJV) THE RESTORING CHURCH - Acts 17: 11 A. We Must Search The Scriptures To Know God's Will For Our Lives. 1. The only way for us to be Christians like they were in the first century is to hear what they taught and study what they read. 2. We must remember that we are restoring ourselves and those about us to the New Testament church. 3. We must be careful that our doctrine is Biblical, our love is Christ-like, and our work glorifies God. B. Are You A Member Of The Lord's Church?