1 Peter. 4:11-16

Mat 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." Mat 26:27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. Mat 26:28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. Mat 26:29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom."

“Or do you despise the church of God.…” – 1 Corinthians 11:22 Wrong Attitudes About the Lord’s Church

Right attitudes toward the Lord’s church (people) exist in the beginning when Christians are committed (see Acts 2-20) Later, when the same Christians lose their commitment, wrong attitudes take over (see Rev. 2-3) What attitude do you have toward the Lord’s church (Acts 8:3; 12:1; 1 Cor. 11:22; 3 Jn.9)? Church Attitudes: Past and Present Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. Acts 12:1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 1 Corinthians 11:22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you. 3 John 9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.

A “new generation Christian” (or younger Christian) can take the Lord’s church for granted because he/she did not have to give up much to be converted Taking the Lord’s church for granted can lead some Christians to traditionalism or apathy (Rev. 2:4) We must develop our own faith. Each must sacrifice, each must appreciate the Lord’s church (Acts 5:11; 9:31; 20:28; romans 16:1; 1 Tim. 3:1,5) #1 Taking the Lord’s church for granted Revelations 2:4 Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Acts 5:11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things. Acts 9:31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Romans 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, 1 Timothy 3:1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work 1 Timothy 3:5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God

Many in the world know very little of the Lord’s church; don’t assume they know its significance Assuming this can lead some Christians to not share the gospel We must set the right example (1 Pet. 1:15; 2:9-12), Tell people who we are (1 Pet. 4:11,16), And why we are that way (1 Pet. 3:15); Tell others about the Lord’s church (Acts 11:26; Eph. 3:8-10) #2 Assuming everyone understands the significance of the Lord’s church 1 Peter 1:15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 1 Peter 4:11 … “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God…” 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; Acts 11:26 26 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.

Because of many different religions, and family/friends in these religions, a Christian can be ashamed of the Lord’s church Being ashamed causes some Christians to remove “church of Christ” (Rom. 16:16); some will not condemn error, or stand for truth; some have more allegiance to the things of this life We must be bold and uphold the truth in the church (1 Tim. 3:15) #3 Being ashamed of the Lord’s church Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. 1 Timothy 3:15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Because some want to be like the religious world around them, they often treat the Lord’s church like a denomination Treating the Lord’s church this way leads some Christians to accept denominational doctrines and practices, have unity with denominations, etc. (1 Cor. 4:17; 7:17; 14:33) We must preach the undenominational nature of the Lord’s church (Mt. 16:18; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor. 3:11; Eph. 1:22-23) #4 Treating the Lord’s church as denomination 1 Corinthians 4:17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 1 Corinthians 7:17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. 1 Corinthians 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Matthew 16:18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. Acts 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church[a] daily those who were being saved. 1 Corinthians 3:11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:22-23 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Many believe that they can be “good” and be saved without being a member of the Lord’s church Believing this causes many to refuse to study the Bible or attend a church service; some Christians no longer invite We must be born again; we must be part of the the church of the firstborn (Heb. 12:23); Glory to God is in the church (Eph. 3:21); Jesus saves only those who are in his body, his church (Eph. 5:23-32) #5 Believing one can be saved outside the Lord’s church Hebrews 12:23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, Ephesians 3:21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 5:23, 27 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.