Does It Make Any Difference? Is the church of Christ really all that different from other churches?

Aren’t all churches pretty much alike? Most LOOK pretty similar Most meet on Sunday Most practice some kind of baptism All CLAIM to follow the Bible

Matthew 7:15-16a Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits…

God Speaks of False Teachers Sheep’s clothing makes them look like other sheep. Sheep’s clothing is deceiving - nice, pleasant, attractive The fruit of the false teacher might be unbiblical theories, organizations, missions, or twisted scripture

Matthew 15:14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.

God Speaks of False Teachers Their religious teachers were referred to as blind guides. The end of following blind men is to fall into the pit with them.

1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

God Speaks of False Teachers MANY false teachers have gone out into the world. Has the number of false teachers increased ( ) or decreased ( ) X

Galatians 1:6-9 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

God Speaks of False Doctrines The RIGHT gospel is the ORIGINAL gospel. Changing the gospel becomes desertion and distortion.

Matthew 15:13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.

False Teacher/Doctrines Summed Up If God doesn’t plant it, it will be uprooted. Does it make any difference who our teachers are? YES ( ) NO ( ) X Does it make any difference what we believe? YES ( ) NO ( ) X

Matthew 7:13-14 Most people are on the broad path. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Most people are on the broad path.

Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Many People WON’T Enter the Kingdom Religious Prophets Miracle workers One Type of Person WILL Enter The one who DOES the will of God

Ephesians 2:8-9 We are NOT saved by good works For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast We are NOT saved by good works

Hebrews 5:8-9 Jesus is the savior of the obedient Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, Jesus is the savior of the obedient

Most People Aren’t Going to Get It It DOES matter what we believe. It DOES matter who our teacher is. It DOES matter where we worship/serve God. There IS a difference between Christ’s church and the denominations of men. Where will you stand?