Can We Serve Church “Cafeteria Style”? Lesson 5: How Do Good People Differ About How to Do Church?

I.Introduction A.Many sound Christians do church differently from us. How do we explain this? 1.Some differences are matters of conviction 2.Some truths are more crucial than others (e.g. the doctrine of justification by faith, as opposed to one’s mode of baptism) 3.Being biblical is more than just the right terms and the right forms – it is about one’s heart attitudes (our next lesson) 4.If we are strong at one point (and others weak), we are likely weak elsewhere (and others strong)

5.We’re not seeking to prove all others wrong, but to explain our view of the church and how our approach to Scripture got us there Our approach in this lesson: 1.Biblical doctrine is the foundation for every area of practice 2.Biblical principle guides us, and gives us a measure of flexibility (vs. legalism) 3.Biblical commands direct us 4.Biblical examples -- apostolic practice serves as a guide to our application 5.When all points converge, do it; if not... 6.When we fail to measure up – examples 7.Conclusion and application

II.The Bible is our sufficient source of revelation for church practice A.Bible doctrine is the foundation for church practice (1 Timothy 3:14-15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17). 1.Creation (Genesis 1:1--2:14). 2.The exodus (Exodus 19:4-6; 20:2) 3.Idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:10-19) 4.For the church (1 Corinthians 3:10-14; Ephesians 2:19-20)

5.Examples a.Christ is the Head of the church (Col. 1:18) b.The church is the body of Christ (Col. 1:24) c.The church is the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16) d.Jews and Gentiles are one new man (Eph. 2:15 )

B.Biblical principles 1.The principle or order (1 Cor. 14:40). 2.The principle of proportion (1 Cor. 14:27, 29) 3.The principle of edification (1 Cor. 14:26). 4.The principle of male leadership (1 Cor. 11:1- 16; 1 Tim. 2:9-15) 5.The principle of stewardship (1 Cor. 4:1-2; 1 Peter 4:10-11) 6.The principle of submission (Eph. 5:21) 7.The principle of servanthood (Phil. 2:1-8ff.) 8.The principle of universality (1 Cor. 4:16-17) Observation: Principles clarify commands Matthew 23:23-24 (tithing) Matthew 12:7; Mark 2:27 (Sabbath)

C.Biblical commands Observation: Commands teach principles (1 Cor. 9:9) 1.Be holy (1 Peter 1:16) 2.Accept one another (Romans 15:7) 3.Don’t show favoritism (James 2:1-13; Romans 12:16) 4.Don’t forsake assembling together (Hebrews 10:25) 5.The silence of women in the church meeting (1 Cor. 14:33b-36) 6.Don’t impose your convictions or debate about them (Rom. 14)

D.Apostolic example (personal) and church practice (corporate) 1.Acts 20: Corinthians 4: Corinthians 8: Thessalonians 1:5-7 5.Acts 2, 20; 1 Corinthians 16:2

III.Where the rubber meets the road A.When all these elements exist, we are confident this is something that we should do as a church B.Examples where we feel freedom: 1.Foot washing (John 13:12-17) 2.Selling everything and giving it to the church (Acts 2, 4, 5) C.More troubling texts: 1.Head covering (1 Corinthians 11:1-16) 2.Greet with a holy kiss (Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14)

D.When we know we are not in compliance: 1.Agonize (don’t just rationalize) 2.Don’t ignore the text, study it 3.Question your motives 4.Strive for the ideal 5.At least do something to apply the principle involved

IV.Conclusion A.The importance of knowing Bible doctrine B.Church truths should be linked to doctrine, principles, commands, and apostolic example C.The foundational truth of the cross of Christ 1.For the gospel 2.For our worship on Sunday (Lord’s Table) 3.As a mindset for all we say and do – C.J. Mahaney, “Living the Cross-Centered Life”

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 5 in the series, Can We Serve Church Cafeteria Style?, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for March 2, Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.