Category: Series

The Failure of the Church in America

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

• What do you think of when you think of the church?
• Do your views line up with the Biblical views?
• Do you even know what the real church looks like?
• Here is what Jesus said about His church in Matthew 16:18.

Matthew 16:18 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.

Acts 2:42-47 – And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

I want to look with you at the qualities the church should have.  I want to kind of take them in reverse order. So, here we go.

BIBLICAL QUALITIES OF A REAL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

  1. Quality one – Praise! Acts2:47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
  2. Quality two – Gladness! Acts 2: 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Psalms 122:1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. Glad means to greatly rejoice.
  3. Quality three – Getting together on a regular basis. Acts 2: 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Hebrews 10:24-25 – And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
    4 Quality four – Ministry together with other believers. Acts 2:45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. I Corinthians 4:1-5 – Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
    A. Involves my time.
    B. Involves my talents.
    C. Involves my giving.
    5 Quality five –Sound Biblical doctrine taught and lived out. We are told to live out our faith. Acts:2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
    A. Share the good news of Salvation.
    B. Minister to those within the body of believers who are in need.
    C. Minister to those who are outside the body who are hurting.

James 1:19-27 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20  For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26  If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

What are you doing to have:

  • An attitude of praise.
  • A heart of gladness.
  • An urgency to come together.
  • A ministering spirit of others.
  • A willingness to live out sound doctrine.
These all take intentional effort to accomplish. They do not just accidentally happen. Isn’t time you get on board and allow God to use you to change lives?

Let Us

Let us Have Grace

I. What does this grace mean to us.


A. We have been extended His unending, unfailing, undeserved amazing grace that will lead us all the way home.

Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:


B. This grace leads to mercy.
C. This mercy leads to a lively hope – a hope that is real.
D. Hope leads to an incorruptible inheritance.
E. This hope enables us to endure hardships of this earthly life.
F. Theses hardships lead to glory and honor when He comes.
G. This glory to come leads us to joy that the world just cannot understand.
H. In the end, we win – We are assured of the salvation of our souls

I Peter 1:3-9 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.


II. What does this grace in our lives do for others –


A. Leads us to consider our words carefully –

Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.


B. Leads to an attitude of grace toward others –
C. Leads to a spirit of unity others can see, even the lost. Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
D. Leads to a spirit of unity with other believers.
E. Leads to a family unit working together to see others come to Jesus –

I Corinthians 3:1-11- And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.7 So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Let Us Go Forth

Hebrews 13:13 – Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Hebrews 12:3  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

A. We are to go forth OUTSIDE the camp (the body of believers) to those who are lost in their sin.
B. We are to bear His reproach –

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.


C. We must be willing to take up our cross and follow Him regardless of the cost Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
D. It is through the trials that we become strong in Him – 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Let Us Offer The Sacrifice Of Praise.

Praise – note the word sacrifice

Praise results only when we surrender what we want and exchange it for His will for our lives

A. Praise is a day by day, moment by moment lifestyle.
B. Praise is the result of what we have on the inside.
C. Praise leads to a life of thanksgiving

Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.


Ephesians 5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

Psalms 18:49 Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name.


Psalm 145:1-21

I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.5 I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty, and of thy wondrous works.6 And men shall speak of the might of thy terrible acts: and I will declare thy greatness.7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy ighteousness. 8 The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.9 The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.10 All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD; and thy saints shall bless thee.11 They shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom, and talk of thy power;12 To make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and thy dominion endureth throughout all generations.14 The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.15 The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.19 He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.20 The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. 21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Let Us (Part 5)

Lay Aside

  1. :It is time for the church to wake up – Romans 13:11-14 – And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
  2. Time for a spiritual cleansing of the church. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
  3. Time for the church to be renewed – Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
  4. Time for the church to die to self – Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Let Us Run

  1. Tribulation is a good thing as far as Spiritual growth is concerned Romans 5:3-5 – And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
  2. Faith (hope) is what patience leads to. Romans 8:24-25 – For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
  3. Patience will teach to move on from conflict and forgive – James 5:9-11 – Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
  4. Patience will lead to temperance (self-control) 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

Let us Have grace – Hebrews 12:28 – Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Let Go forth – Hebrews 13:13 – Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

Let us Offer the sacrifice of praise – Hebrews 13:15 – By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

Let Us Draw Near –

Hebrews 10:22 – Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

This is a very needful and good thing for each of us to do.

Psalms 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.

The closer we get the cleaner we become.

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

We have been washed because of His mercy

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Being near to Him is more than just paying lip service

Isaiah 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Humility is necessary to draw close

James 4:7-10 – 7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Only God can create a clean heart

Stop trying and start allowing

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

This cleansing is necessary for our final delivery

Ephesians 5:26-27 – That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Let Us Hold Fast

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Do not let someone else get your reward –

Revelation 3:11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Be well grounded in the scriptures and in your faith.

James 1:6  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

2 Timothy 1:13  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Our hope is in things to come – Don’t lose hope

Hebrews 6:18  That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

Hebrews 4:14  Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

Remember, God is the one who keeps you, so do not let go.

2 Thessalonians 3:3  But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

God is faithful even when we fail –

  • We are called to fellowship

1 Corinthians 1:9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

I John 1:3-4 – 3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

  • HE WILL DO IT. Your future is totally secure – Live like it!!

1 Thessalonians 5:24  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.

  • He secured you before the world was even created – Think about how secure you are.
Titus 1:2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Let Us Go On ~ Let Us Draw Near

Let us go on

Hebrews 6:1 – Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

  • Leave the “Doctrine of Christ” and go on
  • Growth is necessary for proper Christian life
  • God equips others to help you grow
  • God equips your to help others grow

Ephesians 4:11-15 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

You are not as great as you think you are

Philippians 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, :14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

  • Quit looking at your past and start looking toward your future
  • Press – involves sacrifice and struggles
  • It is time to grow up – (how often have you said to someone – grow up.)  We as believers need to learn to grow up.  Quit being offended all the time
Psalms 119:165 Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.

Look ahead to His coming

John 14:1-3 – Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

  • This life is not the end, it is only the beginning.
  • Learn to find peace in where you are going, not in where you are
  • His promise is sure – He is coming to escort us home.

Let us draw near

Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
This is a very needful and good thing for each of us to do.

Psalms 73:28  But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works.

Psalms 119:10  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.      

The closer we get the cleaner we become.  

2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  

We have been washed because of His mercy.

Titus 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Being near to Him is more then just paying lip service.

Isaiah 29:13  Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Humility is a must to draw close.

James 4:7-10   Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up

Only God can create a clean heart – stop trying and start allowing.
Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
This cleansing is necessary for our final delivery.

Ephesians 5:26-27 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27  That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

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