1. 2016 Sunday 9:30am Adults’ Bible Class Series:
Kingdom of God Lesson 8
ABOUT THE

2. Introduction Overall Kingdom of God Timeline Rebellion of Lucifer
The Fall of Man
Promise of the Kingdom - Patriachs
The Kingdom of Israel
The coming of the Universal Kingdom of God
The Church as the Kingdom of God
Which Church is Acceptable to God

3. 1. Seeing the Big Picture
Churches of Christ have a dysfunctional history of division at the slightest matter – one cup, missionary society, gym/kitchen in church…
Like the Pharisees - Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Micro-manage into many rules and regulations.
Some even think they are the only ones going to heaven.
Certainly we want to be Christians only; but to be sure, we are not the only Christians.

4. 2. History of the Church 1. The Apostolic church A.D. 1–100
2. Christianity under persecution in the Roman empire to the death of the apostle John A.D. 100–311
3. Christianity from Constantine the Great to Pope Gregory VII A.D. 311–1049
4. The Church under the papal hierarchy A.D. 1049–1517
5. The evangelical Reformation A.D. 1517–1790
6. Revival of Christianity in Europe and America A.D. 1790–2000 (Restoration)
7. Rise of independent, community and mega churches
1. Seeing the big
picture

5. 3. God has had His people throughout history
Romans 9:27 Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
Genesis 6:9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.
1 Samuel 2:21 And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.
Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
1. Seeing the big picture
2. History of the Church

6. 4. No Church is Perfect
Bible is perfect – man’s understanding is relative; our practice is imperfect
God has never saved an entire church because it thinks it is the true church
Every congregation in every location will be individually judged – 3 John 1:9-11 “I wrote somewhat unto the church: but Diotrephes, prating against us with wicked words: neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and them that would he forbiddeth and casteth them out of the church.”
Revelation 3:1-2 “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and thou art dead. Be thou watchful, and establish the things that remain, which were ready to die: for I have found no works of thine perfected before my God.”
1. Seeing the big picture
2. History of the Church
3. God has had His people throughout history

7. 5. God saves Individuals, not churches
Noah's whole family of 8 were in the ark, but Ham later fell under the curse (Genesis 9:18-10:32).
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.
1 Peter 4: For the time is come for judgment to begin at the house of God: and if it begin first at us, what shall be the end of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous is scarcely saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear?
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
1. Seeing the big picture
2. History of the Church
3. God has His people throughout history
4. No Church is perfect

8. Conclusion The truth shall set us free.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Teachers bear the heavier judgment.
James 3:1 Be not many teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive greater judgment.
Christians must follow the word of God.
Revelation 2: But I have against thee that thou permittest the woman Jezebel, she who calls herself prophetess, and she teaches and leads astray my servants... Behold, I cast her into a bed, and those that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works
Seeing the big picture
2. History of the Church
3. God has His people throughout history
4. No Church is perfect
God saves individuals, not churches

9. My Personal Opinion
Based on today’s lesson and my understanding. OK to disagree – just my personal opinion
The house churches in China
- Acts 10:35 But in every nation he that feareth him,
and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
The Lim brothers
- Which one is closer to God’s word?
- Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Further discussion on lesson ok, but not this slide as these are just my personal opinions
These opinions may change when I learn more or grow more in faith But presently, I say with Paul in1 Cor 7:40 “I think that I also have the Spirit of God”.
Seeing the big picture
2. History of the Church
3. God has His people throughout history
4. No Church is perfect
God saves individuals, not churches

10. Discussion Questions Which Church is Acceptable to God?
Do you believe that only members of the churches of Christ will go to heaven?
Is admission to heaven based on a set of right beliefs? If not, what?
End at 10:30am with a prayer.
1. Seeing the big picture
2. History of the Church
3. God has His people throughout history
4. No Church is perfect
5. God saves individuals, not churches