Welcome everyone. This morning we're glad that
you're here as has been already mentioned.
Good to see some that have been away and have been sick.
Able to be back with us. We're just glad that that with
all the things we're going through these days that we've
all done as well as we have, and we're thankful for that and
answered prayers. Want to talk this morning about
denominationalism whether it is of god or whether it's of man.
and one of the reasons is, of course we've got some newer
members here and we instruct not only them, but we instruct the
body here because we've seen even within the body of Christ,
those that have decided to change the way that they think
God has revealed his will, to to us all denominationalism is
defined as the tendency to Rate into religious denominations or
large groups of congregations United under a common faith and
name organized, under a single administrative and legal,
hierarchy, a synonym for division, it consists of several
hundred this coordinate, religious sects.
Having no unity in name organization Doctrine, or
practice. Might go on to quote from the
dictionary of American history. Crucial to the notion of
denominationalism here was the idea that several churches
despite disunity were part of the true church.
The churches in the United States would not attempt to set
themselves up as the only church with legitimacy as the Church of
England had. Instead, they agreed to
recognize each other as sharing a common Mission.
Even if holding two different Creed's, or forms of worship.
The historian are Lawrence more exemplified, this change changed
Outlook and argued as did 19th century observers of American
religion that Division and the creation of new religions not
interdenominational cooperation is the religious mainstream in
the United States precisely because of the nation's
tradition of religious freedom, and faiths capacity to give
identity to people living in society without clear.
R structure and delimit delineated, social roles as more
rights. The American religious system,
may be said to be working only when it is creating cracks
within denominations, when it is producing novelty, when it is
fueling antagonisms. In other words, one church is as
good as another and division is the goal of denominations.
The term denomination simply means a dividing or separating
into different sects. If you sit want to say
denominationalism is found founded on division, when we
read the Bible, we find that the scriptures do not endorse the
religious diversity of division. That is found among the
denomination's, even in the Old Testament.
David said in Psalm 133 in verse 1 behold, how good and how
pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity. and if
Unity is good and pleasant than division must be evil and
unpleasant On the night Jesus was betrayed, he specifically
prayed not that his followers would Embrace some kind of
tolerance for religious diversity but instead to a call
to Unity, Jesus prayed to his father, in John 17 and 20 and
21. I do not pray for these alone
but also for those who will believe in me through their
word, That they must all be. Be one as you father are in me
and I in you that they also may be one in us that the world may
believe that you sent me. The Apostle call Paul called for
Unity in Romans 12 and verse 16 be of the same mind toward one
another. Again, Paul writing to the
church in Philippi, Philippians 2 and verse coup and fulfill my
Joy by being like-minded. Having the same love being of
one Accord, Board and of one mind also in Philippians 3 and
verse 16, nevertheless to the degree that we have already
attained. Let us walk by the same rule.
Let us be of the same mind. And we respect God's word as the
ultimate Authority. Agreement on the basis of its
teaching and Doctrine is easy when we all read the same word
and it says the same thing. And we agree on those basic
things Doctrine is easy. But it will never be possible to
unite the doctrines and Commandments of men, because
men's ideas keep changing and our imperfect.
We see that so much in the world today, remember, what it was
like, almost two years ago when they When they started talking
about the coronavirus, how many times have the rules changed?
The rules have changed many times because man is imperfect,
he doesn't know everything. God is all-knowing.
God is supreme. And what he, the laws that he
has given to mankind. So we cannot rely on man's ideas
or his philosophies because they are imperfect, Creed's
confessions of Faith Church. Manuals are a continual problem
to the unity of the religious community.
Jesus intentionally made Unity among his followers or priority.
The only way that a person can really come to believe and Obey
Jesus is to hear the truth of the gospel of Christ.
Not man. Ideas.
Notice. John 17, verse 17, sanctify them
by your truth. Your word is truth.
The word of God is the truth. When a man's ideas, contradict
the truth, then the man's ideas are wrong.
Notice also Romans 10 verse 17. So then faith comes by hearing
and hearing by the word of God. So, the greatest barrier to
Unity is the disunity of denominationalism I'm that
prevails in the religious world today.
Denominations freely admit that their organizations are human in
origin and offer, nothing that is essential to Salvation.
They however, insist on maintaining those, they would
tell you to select the Church of your choice.
How many times have you heard that statement?
Not? What is the church that you can
read about in the scriptures in the Bible that God and Jesus
taught about that? Is that is true in the
scriptural? On that we use today.
Such Innovations as false doctrine that are that are
taught, is that baptism is not essential for salvation.
That instrumental music and the worship service is makes us all
feel better. That the Lord's Supper candy be
divided up into multiple cups and multiple loaves that takes
away. That immunity that speaking in
tongues is, is the way that we should worship today.
That Fellowship that all the religious community today, well,
I whatever it may be and wherever it is, is in fellowship
with each other that in Today is more important than worship.
So division and denominationalism is the result
of false teaching. Notice, second, Peter 2 and
verses, 1 through 3, but there were also false prophets among
the people even as there will be false teachers among you who
will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even
denying the Lord who bought them and bringing on themselves Swift
destruction. And many will follow their
destructive ways because of Whom the way of truth will be
blasphemed live covetousness. They will exploit you with
deceptive words for a long time. Their judgment has not been idle
and their destruction does not slumber.
If denominationalism is a designation as a designated
division. As and results from Paul's
teaching. Then unscriptural then it is
unscriptural and not of God, denominationalism is sin.
And First Corinthians 12 verses 10 through 13.
Now I plead with you Brethren by the name of our Lord, Jesus
Christ that you all speak the same thing and that there be no
divisions among you. But that you all be that you be
perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same
judgment for it has been declared to me concerning you my
brethren. By those of Chloe's household
that there are contentions among you Now I say this, that each of
you says, I am appalled or I am of Apollo's or I am of cephas,
or I am of Christ is Christ. Divided was Paul crucified for
you or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul says here in verse 10, he says, I plead with you brethren.
I plead with you that you all speak the same thing and that
there be no divisions among you, but that you are perfectly be.
Perfectly joined together in the sign.
Same mind and in the same judgment.
That is Unity, that is not diversity.
That is not a dividing that we all speak the same thing.
There's no division Among Us. In this section of the scripture
carefully, note, the God said that there be no division among
you, the times, the normal, a tional world will tell you, try
to tell you and justify Itself by saying, well, we all breathe
on the essentials that there is a God that we ought to obey him.
That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died for our
sins. And so, a lot of times, that's
where it ends, that's where the agreeing.
Ends that we shouldn't go out and kill.
We shouldn't cheat. We shouldn't lie and all those
kinds of things. First of all, God never gave us
a small list that we can agree on and in a large grit large
list of non-essentials on which we can be divided.
God didn't plan it that way. Paul goes on to say now I say
this that each of you says, I am appalled, I am of a paulus or I
am of cephas. Or I am of Christ.
Is Christ. Divided.
If God, condemned the dividing because of within the apostles
and and some were saying, well, I'm a follower of Paul or I'm a
follower of cephas if God condemned that wouldn't, he also
wouldn't be even more can dim putting men's names on religious
organizations today, falling men that are not inspired.
Continuing on Paul was crucified for, you was Paul crucified for
you. Excuse me?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
The only person that the believer can follow and adopt
their name as a religious designation, is the one who died
for us. And in whose name, we have been
baptized and that is Jesus Christ.
Why do people today, then call themselves by other names?
Even men's names. One thing that is clear in these
verses is that if a man is bat is a baptized believer, then I
should only wear The name Christian x 11 verse 26, and the
disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
So if we try to put any other name on this building out here
that we're we meet and and we call it by a man's name or we
call it by any other name than a Biblical name, the Church of
Christ and we as brothers and sisters are Christians, it's
wrong. We can't put names on.
God's organization men's names on God's organization.
We can't do that. Well, let's notice a little bit
about the church in Prophecy, and even in the Old Testament,
we would get a look at the church.
The, the Oneness of the body is stressed Ezekiel wrote.
Of the time when the Lord's people would be one nation,
Ezekiel 37, 22. And under one Shepherd, 34:23
Daniel predicted, the arrival of the Lord's Kingdom.
Daniel 2, and verse 44. Also, when Jesus was on the
earth, he spoke of a time when his people would be one.
Flock in John, 10 and verse 16. Paul, when he wrote to the
Christians at Ephesus declared that there is one body if he's
in is 4 and verse 4, that we're going to notice a little bit
more about in just a moment. And other passages note that
this one body is the church Ephesians 1 verse, 22 and 23 and
Colossians 1 verses 18 through 24.
If denominationalism is division, then the lack of
division is unity. Ephesians 4 and verses 1 through
6 I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk
worthy of the calling with which you were called with all
lowliness and gentleness with long-suffering forbearing one.
Another in love endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in
the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit
just as you are called in one, hope of your calling one Lord,
One Faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above
all and through all and in you all Some have argued that this
is the only list of of doctrinal issues that we can.
We, if we just agree on these things, then we're all unified,
if we can just agree on that but note that the domination will
doesn't even agree on these seven principles this Oneness.
If you want to say these want seven ones that are mentioned
here, one body one Spirit one, hope one Lord, One Faith, one
baptism. And one God, even the
denominational world doesn't believe that when you talk about
is a member of your denomination.
Excuse me, I got ahead of myself.
Many denominations don't agree on the the talk of one baptism
here, they don't believe that. Baptism is says essential for
salvation. As taught in Acts 2 and 38.
And first Peter 3 and 21. The one body is the church,
which is the body that Jesus will save.
If he's ins 5 and 23 and the body that Jesus purchased with
his blood Acts, 20 and verse 28, but if you were to go and asked
someone in a domination denomination, a question, Is
membership in your denomination necessary for salvation.
Most denominational leaders and members would say no.
They would say you can choose the Church of your choice.
And you'll be saved. So an answer like that admits
the denominational bodies are not part of the body mentioned
here in Ephesians 4 membership. In the one body is essential for
salvation first, Peter 3 and verse 21 the like figure
whereunto even baptism doth also.
Now, save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church that Jesus
established is commanded to stress the whole counsel of God
and not just certain aspects of it acts 20 verse 27, God good,
just set up an arrangement where where one religious body stress
is one aspect of his will While others stress something else or
other things. That's not the way God planned
it, that's not the way God wants it.
We are to be like minded. Of one Accord speaking, the same
thing be of the same mind. Denominations kind of celebrate
their uniqueness and their diversity.
Jesus actually condemns human traditions because it gets away
from obeying God, they Pride themselves in heaven, all kinds
of different programs. Within their Church, they call
it one. That is one, that is pushed
towards the young people in ones that have pushed towards the
older folks, and they separate even the services one for more,
traditional than one for more conventional and one for more
contemporary and all these different kinds of things.
There are even now, cowboy churches, and if you want to be
go to a Cowboy Church, you can go to Cowboy Church and feel
good about that. So the Church is of the same
mind. And of the same actions of one
Accord doing the same things. Here are their arguments that
are used to justify denominationalism.
Some would say, well, one church is as good as another and God,
accepts and approves of all denominations.
Well, let's read acts 4 and verses 10 through 12, Peter
standing before the council. Let it be known to you all and
all and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus
Christ, whom you crucified whom God raised from the dead by him.
This man stands before you here before you whole.
This is the stone, which was rejected by you builders Which
has become the Chief Cornerstone nor is there salvation in any
other. For there is no other name under
Heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved.
That tells me if I try to put a name on that, sign out there in
front of the building this morning. because one preacher or
one man or some person that we think is an apostle or whatever
it is if we put his name out there because of what he said,
It's being condemned right here in the scripture.
There is no other name, given among men whereby, we must be
saved. That mean Jesus Christ.
The Chief Cornerstone, he is the builder of the church.
Well, another another argument, maybe the different churches are
just different routes to heaven and we are all going to the same
place. We're all just getting there in
different ways. How many times have we heard
that? well, notice what John says, in
John 14 verses 5 through 6, Thomas said to him, Lord we do
not know where where you are going and how can we know the
way Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life.
No one comes to the father, except through me. it isn't
going to happen any other way, I've said this before, but I
believe Jesus was almost being so emphatic.
Here, that how dare you? Try to think that there is any
other way to get to heaven. Other than through me.
I'm the one that put up with all the abuse and the spitting on
and the beatings and went to the cross and was crucified for you.
And no one is going to get to heaven, except through me.
There's no other way. well how do we come to the father through
Christ and Galatians 3 and verses 26 and 27 for you are all
sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus for as many of you
as were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ so, when we
are baptized, We come to the father through Christ.
Next argument, maybe well attend, the Church of your
choice as we said the denominational World actually
exist to allow a person to shop for a church.
I was talking with I secure a few weeks ago, and he mentioned
earlier on, in his, in his life, how he was going around from
from church, building to church, building an organization that
organization to try to find a church.
And when he finally came to the Church of Christ, he realized
that this is the true church. The church that Jesus Built. the
only true church that we can read about in the gospel because
all the other of the other religious organizations, or
so-called churches out there, have certain things that they
put their emphasis on and it's not worshipping God in spirit
and in truth. So some denominational leaders,
praise God for the different churches or folks may find Doc a
different Doctrine or practice that fits their life.
No, their churches. You can go to and you can just
if you want to go fishing on a Sunday, will you can go fishing
on a Sunday and you can kind of make up for it here, there or be
on a committee or whatever it may be.
But God commands, his people, his children on Sunday on the
first day of the week to worship Him in spirit and in truth and
to remember the death burial and resurrection of his son.
So we don't plan things on Sunday, like Others May view,
but I can go out and find a church that I can feel good
about that. You see where I can do other
things and and feel good about that if I just search shop
around long enough to find that religious organization.
Of course, this is not something that's good and scriptural and
unifying. And second Timothy 4 and verses
2 through 4, preach the word be ready in season and out of
season, convince rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and
teaching for the time will come. When they will not endure sound
Doctrine, but according to their own desires because they have
itching ears, they will Heap up for themselves teachers.
And they will turn away. Turn their ears away from the
truth and be turned aside to fables.
So yeah. we see that happening today, And there are a lot of
folks going around with itching ears and you scratching just
like you do a dog and they'll stand there all day and let you
scratchin. Sadly we live in a time when
religious groups exist that reject all sorts of biblical
teachings but they give a false Comfort to people that are that
they're calling Christians, too many think of the church as a
democracy in which people decide What is acceptable rather than
recognizing? The Christchurch is a kingdom.
He is the king and he is the lawgiver.
Also they say, well, each denomination composes a segment
of the true church or the one body.
And each denomination is a part of the whole of course, the
problem with this view is that according to the Bible,
Individual Christians, members of the bodies of body of Christ
compose, the one body, not the whole religious world.
Romans 12 and verse Verses 4 and 5 for, as we have many members
in one body but all the members do not have the same function.
So we being many are one body in Christ and individually members.
One of another so we talkin about all of us have many
members in one body, all of us are members of that one body but
we all but all the members do not have the same function you
don't have the same function as brother so-and-so or sister so
and so you don't have that some of us have certain functions and
certain things that we take on within the within the church and
others maybe or Freight or they don't have the ability or
whatever it may be but We all have a purpose and we all have a
part, right? So we being many are one body in
Christ and individually members of one another.
All of us together make up that one body.
Just like this hand is part of this body.
It's not this hand, but as part of this body, this finger is not
this finger but it's part of this body.
And we all work together in unity as God designed it. 1st
Corinthians 12 and verse 27. Now, you are the body of Christ
and members individually. So this claim is forced to admit
that the whole religious bodies are baptized in and we know
that's not the case. First Corinthians, 12, and verse
13, for by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body.
The only way to get into one body is to be baptized.
That's the only way. It says it right here in
Scripture. They also try to argue that the
branch has talked about in John 15 or the various denominations.
But such a claim didn't not fit the actual wording in the
context, notice abide in me, and I, in you as the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself. Except it abide in the vine.
No more can ye, except ye abide in me.
I am the vine. Ye are the branches.
He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth,
much fruit for without me. Ye can do nothing.
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is
withered. Men gather them and cast them
into the fire and they are burned.
If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what
you will and it shall be done unto you.
So shall ye be my disciples. Jesus said if amen and Jesus did
not say, Jesus did not say abide in a branch, he didn't say that.
So, that's a branch over there. You just go by to that, Branch
over there. And you go Biden.
This Branch over here. He said, if a man instead, he
said abide not in me. He said that ye are branches and
abide in me and you will be my disciples.
So when we abide in Christ, we all are members of that body and
we are all unified. You cannot.
We cannot remain faithful to Christ.
While practicing unscriptural Doctrine notice in Matthew, 15
verse 9. And in vain, they worship me
teaching as doctrines, the Commandments of men.
So when these man-made organizations and the
denominations that are brought on by men are are pushed and we
find that their worship is in vain to God.
Well, can we or should we Fellowship, denominations or can
we worship with them? I think this is probably the big
question. The big elephant in the room if
you want to say. Can we just decide on some
Sunday morning that we want to go over here to some mega church
and and worship there and it be acceptable in God's eyes or can
we just pick one that that fits the time that we want to worship
or it fits our need or fits what we want?
Can we worship there and be in fellowship with them there at
that place? Well, what is fellowship?
It's translated from the Greek word Koinonia I know Nene?
Yeah I cannot pronounce that word, excuse me.
Koinonia. Yeah, that's it.
Which is defined as Association communion joint participation
according to Thayer, Nelson's Bible dictionary.
Says in the New Testament. Fellowship has a direct
spiritual meaning the distinctly, excuse me, spiritual
meaning, it is a joint participation with other
Christians in activities related to being a Christian.
What it, what do we? What do we do together?
We worship together. We worship according to Spirit
and Truth. Notice that first John 1 verse 7
says, but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we
have Fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ,
his son cleanses us from all sin.
So if someone is not walking in the light, are we in fellowship
with them? Notice the illustration when you
are in fellowship with God, and I am in fellowship with God,
then you and I are in fellowship with each other.
That's the simplest way that we can illustrate it.
So, how is a person in fellowship with God, they obey
God and they do his will and his Commandments, they worship Him
in spirit. And in truth, the way that God
commanded them to worship Him. And when we find a church like
that, this doing things, according to Bible pattern, yes,
then we can Fellowship them. We can have fellowship with him
because we have all things in common, we are one mind.
We are one body. We all have one hope because of
the one. God. so, in conclusion, There is
a way that seems right to a man but it's end is the way of
death. Certainly, if we Look at
denominationalism today, worshiping an error, it's it's
wrong. It's not according to Bible
pattern and we can't we can't do that.
We can't be a particular of that.
We can't be a part of that. We have to worship God the way
that he designed, the lesson is yours this morning.
I hope that something has been said A benefit us in some way,
we never know the minds of those that are present.
There may be someone here this morning, that is not a child of
God and hearing the word wants you to repent of it.
Won't you repent of your life, won't you then make the
confession of your faith. That you believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God and then be baptized into Christ for
the remission of your sins. And be added to the church, the
body of Christ. If you've taken those steps for
some reason you've turned away and done, things that you feel
requires a public confession of your fault, won't you come with
repenting heart and confess your faults and we'll pray with you
and for you. We thank you for listening to
our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.
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