The Words Of Our Church
Matt. 12:37

Matt. 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

INTRO.: Just what should we find when we go to the House of the Lord? What should people expect? Should they be allowed to have expectations? Should we present to them anything that falls in the norm of what people expect about church? Let us look at "The Words Of Our Church" as people see and hear.

First, when people go to church, they should expect the…

Words of God

2 Tim. 3:14-4:5 14But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

 God's message

God's teaching

God's reproof

God's instructions

God's plan

Rom. 10:8-17 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

 

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Next, when people go to church, they should encounter the…

Words of truth

Many carry out false justifications - find reasons to overlook their own sins that are to their advantage

Pro. 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Many court financial benefits - seek financial "blessings"

Many cater to friends' support - do not want to offend their friends, preach or stand against certain sins as long as it does not offend their friends

But, when we come to the Lord's house, we need honesty in…

Our approach to others

Matt. 25:44,45 44Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Our relationship with Christ - great need, willingness to follow

Our walk with God - sinfulness, inability to help self, etc.

1 Jn. 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Psalm 36:2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.

James 1:26 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.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Lamentations 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

 

 

 

 

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Also, when people go to church, they should enjoy the…

Words of love

 Like Christ

Jn. 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Sacrificially

Jn. 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Unconditionally

Jn. 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end.

For each other

Jn. 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Sincerely

Ro. 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

For others

1 Thes. 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:

 

And, when people go to church, they really should experience the…
Words of encouragement

We need to remember…

Our expression against others can be devastating

Our preaching should encourage

Mal. 2:7,8 7For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. 8But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.

 

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Our lives should encourage

Matt. 23:13 13But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Our love will encourage

1 Jn. 2:10 He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

Pro. 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Pro. 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

  

And last, when people go to church, they should embrace the…
Words of hope

1 Pet. 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

They need to see a hope in…

God's greatness

God's plan

God's Son

God's love

His return

Titus 2:13-15 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

15These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

 

Gary Marcum - New Beginnings Church - 010602am