1. "But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.“ Acts 28:22 NKJV Church is criticized Human side - often make mistakes = Sin Acts 5 - Ananias and Sapphira Corinth - false apostles Diotrephes - 3 John 9

2. The Church has a Divine Side Planned - purpose = To save mankind Eph. 3:11 “eternal purpose” Jesus came to earth for this purpose Luke 19:19 “to seek and to save” Heb. 2:9 “taste death for every man” Built His Church “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Mt. 16:18

3. The Church has a Divine Side It is not a denomination Denomination = denominational name, faith The Church is not a part or section of something In 1 st century all taught and practiced the same No denominations in the Bible Gospel does not create denominations

4. The Moral and Ethical Standards of the Church “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” 2 Cor. 6:17 Different from the World ! We are children of God ! Church = “The called out ones”

5. The Moral and Ethical Standards of the Church Our Language Matt. 12:36-37 = justified or condemned Where we Go “abstain from all appearance of evil” 1 Thes.5:22 How we Dress 1 Tim. 2:9-10 = Modest apparel Rev. 3:18 “that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear”

6. The Moral and Ethical Standards of the Church Sanctity of life Many abortions Murder is wrong - “Thou shalt not kill” Rom.13:9 Our Thinking Not like the world - filled with trash Phil. 4:8 “Think on these things” True, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report Prov. 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:”

7. Scripturally organized 2 Elders 5 Deacons Worship is scriptural John 4:24 Singing Praying Giving Lord’s Supper Preaching / Teaching

8. Unity prevails Some churches have discord / divisions Rom. 14:19 “follow after the things which make for peace” Eph. 4:2-3 “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” Ps. 133:1 “Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Educational Program Members with great Talents and ability

9. James Andrews - Caribbean, Europe, Russia, South America David Henry - Jamaica Jim Waldron - India, Schools of Preaching Feroze Baksh - Guyana

11. Tim Shoulders - Seymour, Tennessee Sean O’Brien - Durham, North Carolina Jimmy Aaron - Louisville, Georgia Matt Shelton - Thomson, Georgia Ron Nelson - Savannah, Georgia

13. In Search of The Lord’s Way - TV program The Voice of Truth – Worldwide book publications

14. Raintree Village - Children’s Home Valdosta, Georgia Agape of Georgia – Child Placing Agency - Atlanta

16. Several who are able and willing Need more people involved

17. We are often too quick to point out the flaws of the church. There are many things about the church that are good, that are right, that are outstanding. Phil. 3:13-14 “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

18. Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga. 30809 706-855-1249arthurpigman@bellsouth.netwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org Sunday Evening December 23, 2012