THE CHURCH A.Christ's Glorious Church. B.The Fallen Church. C.The Restored Church. D.The Church Today.

2 Thessalonians 1: We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 4 so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure,

2 Thessalonians 1: which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 6 since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you,

2 Thessalonians 1: and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJV)

I.Words Of Warning. A.Ambassadors Of Satan. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11: NKJV)

I.Words Of Warning. A.Ambassadors Of Satan. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (2 Timothy 4: 3, 4 NKJV) B.People With Itching Ears.

I.Words Of Warning. A.Ambassadors Of Satan. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. B.People With Itching Ears. C.Perilous Times (2 Timothy 3: 1 - 5).

I.Words Of Warning. A.Ambassadors Of Satan. B.People With Itching Ears. C.Perilous Times (2 Timothy 3: 1 - 5). Unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self- control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (NKJV)

I.Words Of Warning. A.Ambassadors Of Satan. D.Sensual Persons. B.People With Itching Ears. C.Perilous Times. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. (Jude 1: NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ- - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4: NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16: 15 NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything. (1 Thessalonians 1: 8 NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. (1 Timothy 6: 18, 19 NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. (1 Peter 3: 8, 9 NKJV) B.Remembering Our Brotherhood.

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. B.Remembering Our Brotherhood. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. (Romans 12: 10, 11 NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3: 17 NKJV) B.Remembering Our Brotherhood. C.Remembering To Be Thankful.

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. B.Remembering Our Brotherhood. C.Remembering To Be Thankful. Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. (Hebrews 13: 15 NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. B.Remembering Our Brotherhood. C.Remembering To Be Thankful. D.Remembering To Be Spiritual. That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4: NKJV)

II.The Challenges We Face. A.Remembering Our Work. B.Remembering Our Brotherhood. C.Remembering To Be Thankful. D.Remembering To Be Spiritual. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. (Titus 2:11, 12 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. (2 Timothy 4: 2 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. (Hebrews 2: 1 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1: 3 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4: NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." (John 17: 20, 21 NKJV) B.Maintain Unity.

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. B.Maintain Unity. Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (1 Corinthians 1: 10 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1: 16 NKJV) B.Maintain Unity. C.Be Strong In The Gospel's Confidence.

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. B.Maintain Unity. C.Be Strong In The Gospel's Confidence. Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1: 27 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. B.Maintain Unity. C.Be Strong In The Gospel's Confidence. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4: 13 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. D.Be Fervent In Love. That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ. (Colossians 2: 2 NKJV) B.Maintain Unity. C.Be Strong In The Gospel's Confidence.

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. D.Be Fervent In Love. B.Maintain Unity. C.Be Strong In The Gospel's Confidence. 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. (1 Peter 1: 22 NKJV)

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. D.Be Fervent In Love. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (Matthew 28: 19, 20 NKJV) B.Maintain Unity. C.Be Strong In The Gospel's Confidence. E.Be Truly Converted.

III. Building A Strong Church. A.Be Dedicated To Teaching The Truth. D.Be Fervent In Love. B.Maintain Unity. C.Be Strong In The Gospel's Confidence. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus. (Ephesians 4: 20, 21 NKJV) E.Be Truly Converted.

THE CHURCH TODAY What Kind Of Church Are We? And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. (2 Peter 1: 19 NKJV)