1. Welcome! www.SunsetChurchofChrist.net
Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones
Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM

2. Acts 15
Means of reaching a conclusion Letter to the church in Antioch

3. Acts 15
Means of reaching a conclusion The three rules to the Gentiles Letter to the church in Antioch

4. Welcome! www.SunsetChurchofChrist.net
Bibles and copies of sermons are available Please silence your cell phones
Sunday Bible Classes 9:30 AM Worship 10:30 AM 5:30 PM Wednesday Bible Classes 7:00 PM

5. Hymns - Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another
In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
Singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord
Ephesians 5:18b-19
Hymns
Invitation
Red Songbook -
Supplemental

6. Purpose of the Church - Offer pleasing worship
- Equipping saints for service
- Offer pleasing worship
- Organizing according to the pattern
- Membership discipline
- Doctrinal purity
- Familial affection

7. What is Institutionalism?
An issue in the church in the last 75 years – institutionalism.

8. What is Institutionalism?
Using “devices” to accomplish church purposes - Church structure - Worship - Doctrinal purity - Spiritual family bonding - Benevolence - Edification - Evangelism
Instrument – lie detector

9. What is Institutionalism?
Using “devices” to accomplish church purposes - Church structure …………… popes and church councils - Worship ……………………………………musical instruments - Doctrinal purity……………………..creeds and catechisms - Spiritual family bonding …………………..social programs - Benevolence ………………….orphanages and rest homes - Edification ………………………………………….church schools - Evangelism .....…………………………...missionary societies
It is important because while some can see it is wrong to have a pope, they cannot see why it is wrong to support a school. The same issue applies to both: they are an institution to do a work given to the church

10. Understanding Institutionalism
Church Works
Instrument – lie detector

11. Understanding Institutionalism
Church Works
Benevolence
Supporting widows,
aiding brethren
Edification
Bible classes,
aiding brethren
Evangelism
TV Program,
aiding brethren
Instrument – lie detector

12. Understanding Institutionalism
Church Works
Benevolence
Supporting widows,
aiding brethren
Edification
Bible classes,
aiding brethren
Evangelism
TV Program,
aiding brethren
Instrument – lie detector
Organizations
Relief support,
Orphanages,
Care homes
Organizations
Schools,
magazines
Organizations
TV/radio programs,
missionary societies

13. Understanding Institutionalism
Church Works
Benevolence
Supporting widows,
aiding brethren
Edification
Bible classes,
aiding brethren
Evangelism
TV Program,
aiding brethren
Institutions are typically NOT overseen by elders, nor do they have any type of pattern from scripture. Example – ing the care home and asking about 1 Tim 5 & widows
Organizations
Relief support,
Orphanages,
Care homes
Organizations
Schools,
magazines
Organizations
TV/radio programs,
missionary societies

14. Four Reasons We Do Not Support Institutions
1. Authority: It violates the authority of Christ 2. Results: It always progresses into further issues 3. Focus: It makes worldly a spiritual concept 4. Division: It necessarily creates division

15. Violating Christ’s Authority
The perfect pattern Ephesians 4 Not to come short or go beyond 1 Corinthians 4:6 Revelation 22:18-19
First, it violates the authority of Christ.
1Co 4:6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

16. The Results of Institutionalism
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you
in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.
Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
So then, you will know them by their fruits
Digression cannot be stopped – 3 John 10 - Historically: institutional churches move into liberal ideology and practices - Currently: institutional churches are dividing into conservative and mainstream Only by keeping the pattern can we remain firm
Institutional churches: Westside, University, NE Heights
3Jo 1:10 For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and he forbids those who desire [to do so,] and puts [them] out of the church.

17. Missing the Spiritual Nature
Men create institutions: - Because the church “needs help”? - Because they can do it better? - Missing the mark – 1 Corinthians 3:7 Emotional arguments vs. spiritual ones
Institutions focus on results over means
The ends justify the means

18. Creating Division
No one believes institutions are vital Even if permitted, institutions are divisive - Romans 14: Corinthians 1:10
Our congregation (and others like us) are proof that institutions are unnecessary for the church to prosper; indeed, we are evidence for the failure of instituions.
Institutions are by their very nature devisive; even if they were authoritzed, they would be sinful for the division they cause
Ro 14:15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love. Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.
1Co 1:10 ¶ Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

19. God’s Eternal Purpose
God’s plans work - It worked for the scheme of redemption - It works in salvation - It works in the church
This list goes from the least mentioned to the most mentioned. It does not necessarily mean most important, but there is significance to the amount of times these things are mentioned