 “Is there a sound church in that area?”  “Sound” is a Bible word! ◦ 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1, 8 ◦ From hugianino, “to be healthy, sound in health” From which “hygiene” is derived  Metaphorically, “Sound” refers to: ◦ Doctrine - 1 Tim. 1:10; 2 Tim. 4:3; Tit. 1:9; 2:1 ◦ Words - 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 Tim. 1:13; Tit. 2:8 ◦ Sound in the faith - Titus 1:13

 “Sound” may be used in an accommodative sense to refer to local churches  However, “sound” is often misused ◦ May become a one-issue word, resulting in grievous omissions. Cf. Matthew 23:23  Soundness is not determined by what I, or any man, thinks. Man’s ideas may be false: ◦ “For me a church must be Bible-based, doctrinally sound, have programs for the young people or have people my age.”

 It is Not Determined by a Church’s Reputation ◦ Reputation vs. Character ◦ Revelation 3:1, 17  It is not Determined Exclusively by the Doctrine it teaches! ◦ Ephesus had every reason to be sound in doctrine Acts 20:20; 26, 27, 31; 1 Timothy 1:3 ◦ But look at Ephesus years later! Revelation 2:2, 4, 5

 Titus 1:5  With Regards to “Organization,” A local church may be: ◦ Scripturally Unorganized - Acts 14:23 ◦ Scripturally Organized - Philippians 1:1 ◦ Unscripturally Organized - 3 John 9 ◦ Unscripturally Unorganized - Titus 1:5

 Judges 7:15-21; cf. Romans 15:4 ◦ “…every man in his place” – vs. 21  Note the Places: ◦ Evangelist - 2 Timothy 4:1-5 ◦ Elders - Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2, 3 ◦ Deacons - Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 3:13 ◦ Saints - Philippians 1:1  Hebrews 10:25  1 Corinthians 15:58

 2 Timothy 1:13; 2 Timothy 4:1, 2  “Sound Doctrine Produces Sound Churches Demanding Sound Doctrine,” Edward Bragwell ◦ “I am tired of going to gospel meetings and hearing fluff.”  See Railroad Road Avenue Church of Christ Bulletin, July-August 2007July-August 2007 ◦ Some do not preach error per se’ but stop short of proclaiming “the whole counsel of God.” ◦ Motivational hype, and emotional manipulation  Demands sound preaching on controversial subjects! ◦ 2 Timothy 4:2-4

 2 Thessalonians 3:6: “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” ◦ Note also 1 Corinthians 5:5, 6  In many places this is the “forgotten command.”  Discipline is a work of the church! ◦ Must edify members in God’s word! ◦ Must correct members who disobey God’s word!

 Matthew 5:8  Romans 12:1, 2  2 Corinthians 7:1  Titus 2:11, 12  1 Corinthians 6:9,10  Corinth had a member practicing incest and they were “puffed up,” having done nothing about the situation! ◦ 1 Corinthians 5:1, 2, 5, 11

 Love for God - Matthew 22:37  Love for one’s Neighbor - Matthew 22:39, 40  Love for Brethren - John 13:34, 35  Love for the Truth - 2 Thessalonians 2:10; Psalm 119:97

 Soundness (or spiritual health), as it relates to local churches, is not determined by its size any more than size determines a person’s physical health.  Every member of this local church should want this congregation to be sound in all the ways cited.  But it starts with one becoming a Christian?  Are you a Christian??