Part 1

How To Build A Successful New Testament Church The word church is found 115 times in the New Testament. Most of those times it is referring to a local body of believers. The word church means a called out assembly of believers. The first time that the word church is used in the Bible is used by Jesus himself found in Matthew 16:18. There are a total of 22 local churches mentioned throughout the N.T. Paul himself wrote 12 different Epistles, and 9 of them where to local churches. Revelation tells us of Jesus addressing 7 different local churches also. The Church is the Bride of Christ; therefore the church is important to the Bridegroom. I do not believe in a “Baptist Bride Only.” If the Church was not important than why would so much time be given to it in the New Testament? I will also say that when I am speaking of a New Testament Church I am referring to a Independent Fundamental Baptist Church. I believe that Baptist doctrine is Bible doctrine. For the next eight Sunday mornings we will be discussing what it takes to have or build a successful New Testament Church: I. Spiritual II. Serving III. Saving IV. Separated V. Sacrificial VI. Shining VII. Stretching VIII. Sending My Daddy said, “You may have a bushel of business, but to the maturing and growing Christian the church comes first.”   I. Spiritual The word spiritual found in Webster’s 1828 dictionary means “not material, not fleshly, not gross; refined from external things; not sensual, not temporal, pure, and holy. Pertaining to the renewed nature of man; as spiritual life.” If we are going to have a New Testament Church then we are going to have to be spiritual. If I can make this plain and simple, spiritual means Christ like. 1. Spiritual in our Thinking. Paul tells us that not only our thoughts but our imaginations are important. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” The battle begins in our minds. Our minds are to be set on spiritual things, not fleshly things. To be spiritual minded means to seek the feelings and things of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:6 “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Galatians 6:8 “For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Paul goes to tell us exactly what we should be thinking about as a New Testament Church in Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” He doesn’t leave it open for discussion or private interpretation, he makes it crystal clear. If we are going to be a successful New Testament Church we must allow the Holy Spirit to be controlling our thinking. 2. Spiritual in our Teaching. 1 Corinthians 2:13-16 “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” Notice 4 things Paul is saying here. -Teach only what the Holy Spirit is teaching. -The unspiritual can understand what the Holy Spirit is teaching. -The spiritual is to judge all things by the Holy Spirit. -The mind of Christ is for all believers. 2 Timothy 1:5 “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.” 2 Timothy 3:14-15 “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And 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.” Jack Hyles said, "Old-fashioned, Spirit-filled, Christ-honoring, sin-hating, soul-winning, Bible preaching! It is the hope of the church! It is the hope of the nation! It is the hope of the world!" Our teaching must be spiritual teaching based on the Word of God. Acts 20:27-28 “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Paul said this. 3. Spiritual in our Temple. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.” Our bodies are not ours but the Lord’s. We are to be doing only those things which are spiritual with our hands, our eyes, our feet, our mind, our mouth, our ears, etc. D.L. Moody said, "God doesn't seek for golden vessels, and does not ask for silver ones, but He must have clean ones." Hudson Taylor said, "Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all." Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” 4. Spiritual in our Tents. Our tents are a picture of our homes. God says a lot about a Christian’s home. Our church will be no stronger spiritually than what our homes are, because it is our homes that make up our church. Proverbs 3:33 “The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.” Proverbs 12:7 “The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.” Proverbs 14:1 “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.” Proverbs 14:11 “The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.” Proverbs 15:6 “In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.” Proverbs 24:3 “Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:” Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” D.L. Moody said, "A man ought to live so that everybody knows he is a Christian... and most of all, his family ought to know."

Part 2

How To Build A Successful New Testament Church 2. Serving The word servant or some form of that word is found 1257 times in the Bible. 200 times the word or forms of the word servant is found in the New Testament. 116 of those times the words are recorded in the four Gospels of Christ. From this we see that God thinks much of our service to Him. The word service means "to work" and "to serve," "to till," also "to enslave." The noun means "bondage," "labor," "ministering," "service," "tillage," and "work." The Pastor’s Command. 2 Timothy 2:24 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” The servant of Christ should be a man of peace. 2 Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said, "It is better to die for something than to live for nothing." and "The religions of the world say, "Do and live." The religion of the Bible says, "Live and do."" Acts 6:2 “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.” Acts 16:16-17 “And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.” The Parent’s Choice. Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Spurgeon said, "A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble. " Ephesians 6:5-8 “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” D.L. Moody said, "Preparation for old age should begin not later than one's teens. A life which is empty of purpose until 65 will not suddenly become filled on retirement." George Muller said, "A servant of God has but one Master. It ill becomes the servant to seek to be rich, and great, and honored in that world where his Lord was poor, and mean, and despised." The Picture of Christ’s Love. Philippians 2:7 “But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Dr. Bob Jones Sr. said, "It is a sin to do less than your best." Colossians 3:23-24 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” The Practiced by the Church. D.L.Moody said, "There are many of us that are willing to do great things for the Lord, but few of us are willing to do little things." Acts 20:17-20 “And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church. And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,” 1 Thessalonians 1:9 “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” Matthew 4:10 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Jonathan Edwards said, "Resolution One: I will live for God. Resolution Two: If no one else does, I still will." John 12:26 “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” The Product of the Christian. Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Daniel 6:16 “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” Philippians 2:19-23 “But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel. Him therefore I hope to send presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me.” Philippians 2:30 “Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.”

Part 3

How To Build A Successful New Testament Church 3. Saving I believe that the Church began during Christ’s earthly ministry, and was empowered on the day of Pentecost in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” Some believe that the Church began on the day of Pentecost, but I do not believe that because Jesus spoke of the Church during his earthly ministry. In Matthew 18:17 Jesus said, “And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” This verse implies that the church already existed. Also, in Acts 2:41 it says, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” This is right after the church was empowered and it says that they were “added unto”. You cannot add to something if it is not already there. I believe that the Gospel and the book of Acts is a transition of Christ turning from Israel to the Church. To empower them to “go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel.” The Church is the ONLY institution that he has his hand on today and works through. 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.” Jesus himself said that he will build his church. It is not our job to build the church. It is only our job to warn people of their condition and damnation. We cannot save people, we cannot convict people, and we cannot make someone get saved. It is our job to preach and teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. Plain and simple. Sometimes we use or “old-timers” will say, “How to win souls?” or “Lets go soul winning.” The truth is, we are not going “soul winning”, but we are going “soul warning”, hoping and praying that the Holy Spirit will convict them of their sins and a soul will be saved. Many of missionary have gone on the foreign field and have seen little or no soul saved for many of year. This doesn’t mean he isn’t doing his job, or he is out of God’s will. What about Jeremiah the weeping prophet that never saw a convert? The fact is, if we are going to be a Successful New Testament Church, then we must be busy “WARNING” people of hell.   “Years ago, a story appeared in a Northwestern newspaper concerning a truck driver who, on a foggy night plunged his rig down a river gorge where he'd expected to find a familiar bridge. Miraculously uninjured, the shaken trucker managed to crawl from the wreckage and make his way back up to the road. Frantically waving his arms and screaming at approaching vehicles, he did all he could to warn them of the impending danger. "The bridge is out! Turn around!" Most of the sparse traffic on this foggy night ignored his pleas, considering him a wacko -- to their own peril. Such is the situation many in our modern world face. Many have actually experienced the pitfalls this life holds and know which way is the wrong direction. But their warnings go unheeded. In fact, most are reviled, ridiculed -- and yes, flamed -- for having the arrogance to tell others which is the wrong way. But what if there really is a wrong and a right direction? Are you sure that the road you travel won't leave you without a bridge at your journey's end?” 3Types of Warnings: A. Ungodly-Unsaved Romans 5:6 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” 2 Peter 2:6 “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;” 1 Corinthians 2:14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” B. Unspiritual-Saved This is the Christian that is struggling spiritually, has fallen, or gone back to the world. 2 Peter 1:5-9 “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Galatians 6:1 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” “Allowing the encumbrances and sins of the world to clog your life affects your witness in the world in the same way water in the kerosene affects a camping stove. The flame will flutter and sputter, or maybe go out completely. It is useless for light or heat. Likewise, when our lives are fouled with impurities in our spiritual fuel tank, our light will sputter - until the fuel is again clean. “       C. Godly-Spiritual This is the Christian that has never gone back, has never lost his “first love”, growing spiritually, and serving Christ. Not perfect, just forgiven. Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 5:19 “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” 1 Peter 1:13 “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;” 1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”   The Church in Acts was certainly a Church that saw people saved. Acts 2:38-41 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Acts 2:47 “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” When Peter & John went to the temple a lame man was saved. In Acts 3:19 Peter tells the religious people what happened to him, and what they should do also, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”   Acts 4:1-4 “And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.” Acts 5:14 “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)” Acts 5:41-42 “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.”

Part 4

How To Build A Successful New Testament Church 4. Separated Bible separation is the practice of separating from sin and error unto truth and righteousness. 3 Basic Areas of Separation in the New Testament 1. Moral Separation-separation from sin and worldliness. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” Eph 5:3 2. Doctrinal Separation-separation from those who’s teaching and practice is contrary to the Word of God. Romans 16:17 “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” (Revelation 18:4; 2Timothy 3:5; Acts 2:42; Philippians 3:17) 1 Timothy 1:3 “As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,” 3. Practical Separation-separation from brethren who are committed to disobedient paths. 1 Corinthians 5:11 “But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” 1 Timothy 6:5 “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” 2 Thessalonians 3:6 “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.”       Leviticus 20:22-26 “Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out. And ye shall not walk in the manners of the nation, which I cast out before you: for they committed all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. But I have said unto you, Ye shall inherit their land, and I will give it unto you to possess it, a land that floweth with milk and honey: I am the LORD your God, which have separated you from other people. Ye shall therefore put difference between clean beasts and unclean, and between unclean fowls and clean: and ye shall not make your souls abominable by beast, or by fowl, or by any manner of living thing that creepeth on the ground, which I have separated from you as unclean. And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” The facts is when you obey the Word of God and live a holy life, you want have to do much separating, because the world will separate from you. Luke 6:22 “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake.”   2 Corinthians 6:11-18 “O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged. Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels. Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”       We as a church must be separated from the world.     Songs Example Praises Abundance Relationships Appearance Tongue Education Doctrine     Songs Ephesians 5:18-19 “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;” James 5:13 “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.” Example John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” 1 Timothy 4:12 “Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” Praises Acts 2:47 “Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.” Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Hebrews 2:12 “Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.” Abundance Give out of Love. 1 Corinthians 13:3 “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” Work to Give. Ephesians 4:28 “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Giving greater than Getting. Acts 20:32-35 “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Relationships Psalms 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Appearance 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Corinthians 11:14-15 “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.” Tongue 1 Corinthians 13:1 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.” Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Education 1 Timothy 1:4 “Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.” 1 Timothy 6:20 “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” 2 Timothy 2:16-18 “But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” Titus 1:14 “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Doctrine 2 Timothy 3:13-17 “But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And 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. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”   Romans 8:35-39 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What can separate us from the love of God? Only one thing-SIN Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” When we don’t separate ourselves from sin and error we are sinning. Genesis 19:12-13 “And the men said unto Lot, Hast thou here any besides? son in law, and thy sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever thou hast in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place, because the cry of them is waxen great before the face of the LORD; and the LORD hath sent us to destroy it.”

Part 5

How To Build A Successful New Testament Church 5. Sacrificial The word sacrificial means one who gives, performs, or does the sacrifice. In the Old Testament sacrifices were offerings made to God by killing and burning some animal upon an altar, as an acknowledgment of his power and providence, or to make atonement for sin, to appease God’s wrath or unite his favor, or to express thankfulness for his benefits. We are no longer living under the law; we are living under grace because of the ultimate sacrifice made at Calvary. Therefore, we are not required to kill any sheep or goats and shed their blood on an alter. The world says that we are sacrificing or missing out on life and fun by going to church and being a Christian. They laugh and mock at us for not drinking and separating ourselves from the world. They call us names because we take a stand on doctrine. The say that were anti-social because we want become partners with other denominations that are contrary to the Word of God. They say we are trouble makers because we call their lifestyles sin. They say we are fanatics because we believe that the Bible is the final authority on all issues of life. They say we need to live it up some and let go and let God. Even the religious crowd says that we are missing out by judging others and therefore causing disunity among the Brethren. The fact is according to the Bible they are the ones who are missing out on life, eternal life, and abundant life. God has promised to bless those who live life according to his Word, not according to the false philosophy’s of this world and the New Evangelicalism philosophy. In fact, every Independent Fundamental Baptist Church that stands for the Bible, the King James Version, is missing out from being found unfaithful to the Word of God. Yes, were missing out on divorce because we as a family put God first instead of money, jobs, and baseball games. Yes, were missing out of jail cells because we believe that we should avoid alcoholic beverages. Yes, were missing out on getting drugs pump out of our kid’s stomach at the emergency room because we make our children obey and respect authority. Yes, were missing out on the movie house because we avoid the appearance of evil. Yes, were missing out at the bars because we believe the Bible when it says, in Ephesians 5:11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Yes, were missing out on sex before marriage because we are going to stay a virgin. Yes, were missing out on the world’s music and Comtempory Christian Music because we listen to “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Yes, were missing out on being called an apostate because we believe every word in the Bible is true and without error. Yes, were missing out on fellowshipping with the New Evangelical crowd because we have “mark them and avoid them.” Yes, were missing out on hell because we have trusted in a risen Saviour, Jesus Christ the Son of God, who shed (not spilled) his precious blood for our sins at Calvary, and have repented of our sins. Yes, thank God we are missing out. So you may ask, “What sacrifices are we suppose to give?” or “Why should I have to sacrifice?” Let’s look at three great examples of those who have sacrificed for us. A. Soldiers Soldiers and great men down through the ages from all wars and battles have given us the freedoms that we practice today in America. From the Revolutionary War to the Iraq War, men have died and continue to die to set others free. There is no other nation like ours. It began a long time ago when Baptist and others of like faith wanted the freedom to worship God. In that pursuit men died so that others could live to practice that freedom. It was not a freedom to worship who we pleased, but to worship God Almighty. Someone said, “Freedom is the right to be wrong, not the right to do wrong.” People today take the word freedom and twist it meaning to make it say anything they want, so they can worship any god they want, or no god at all. God’s plan has always been since the Garden of Eden, for man to worship Him and Him alone. God is a jealous God; he does not and will not share with any other. To make it perfectly clear, I’m talking about the God who created the world. Who wrote the King James Bible? Who sent his Son, Jesus Christ to die on a cross? Our freedoms that we practice today in this church are not free; they have been purchased with blood. “Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their conviction resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families. Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war. Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty. At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Cornwallis had taken over Thomas Nelson's home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly ordered General George Washington to open fire on the Nelson home. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt. John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forest and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion.” ******* “Patriotism is not a short and frenzied burst of emotion but the long and steady dedication of a lifetime.” Thomas Jefferson. Many battles and wars have been fought for our freedom to worship. Many of hill has been fought for, or beachhead over so we could go on praying, voting, and bearing arms. Millions have died for our rights to enjoy, yet how many take for granite their right to worship today. B. Parents Our parents have probably given more than anyone, other than God, who have sacrificed for me and you. We want to look at only three of those ways. Three Things Parents Sacrifice Lives-Self Parents give of themselves unconditionally. I never knew how much my parents gave until I became a parent. The endless nights of feeding and changing diapers, the never ending questions, the ever ending mess that has to be cleaned up, the pile of baby clothes and bibs that have to be washed, the enormous pile of toys that have to be stacked, the constant pulling on your arm to come see them, the crying that never seems to end, the baths that always have to be given, the chance to never be alone again, the quite moments never to return, the baggage that has to be hauled around in a U-Haul just to go to the grocery store, the tidiest search for a pacifier at the strangest and most incontinent times, the tireless eyes of always keeping up with them, the lost art of relaxing, the ability to watch a complete undisturbed ball game, the end to romantic evenings alone, the end to having extra money for a rainy day, and the begging of getting them to open their mouths to eat. Livelihood-Money A parent gives not only themselves, but they give their money. Money to buy enough diapers to fill the Grand Canyon, to buy enough baby wipes to clean the earth’s surface, to buy enough milk to fill the ocean, to buy clothes that are grown out of before you get out of the store, to buy baby food that you never eat just spit out of your mouth, to buy baby powder that turns to mush, to buy enough medicine to supply a pharmacy, to buy toys that never get played with or broken as soon as they touch it, to pay for doctors so they can buy a second home at the beach, to buy pictures that get stuck in a drawer, to buy candy that messes up the car, to buy new stuff to replace the old stuff they broke so they will have something to break next time, to enough buy school books to start a library, to buy lunches that never get eaten, to buy paper that never gets half way used, to buy plastic toys that break just by looking at them, to buy bikes that get thrown down and left in the rain, to buy swing sets that never get used, to buy food to hear them complain, to buy birthday cakes that never get eaten, to buy eggs that are hid, lost and not eaten, to buy jewelry that is lost as soon as you get home, to buy cleaning supplies for all of the mess, to buy light bulbs because they are afraid to sleep in the dark but they never sleep, to buy water that gets left on and overflows on the floor, to buy happy meals that never makes anybody happy, and to buy electricity that stays on for ever and ever and ever and ever. Lifelong Dreams I was speaking with my mom the other day after my parents had come back from a week’s vacation. She was telling me that while they were away they had discussed that their whole life was just about over and had just realized many of their dreams have never come true. My parents are in their sixties and yet some of their dreams have still never been fulfilled. Why? Because they gave their lives which consist of the most precious thing they could ever give and that is their time. For one cannot go back in time and relive it or change it. Once it is gone, it will never return again. Our parents give us their time on earth to make the money to provide for their family, and in return they sacrifice their dreams. Dreams of going places, and being together. Dreams of going to school and becoming someone. Dreams of living where you have always wanted to live. Dreams of owning the finer things in life. Dreams of relaxing and watching the birds fly. Dreams of driving a nice new car with that nice new smell. Dreams of writing a book or drawing that picture. Dreams of living where you want, doing what you want, when you want to do it. C. Saviour Last but not least, Christ has given us the most. Time will not permit us to cover all that Christ our Saviour has given us. Nor can we humanly comprehend all that he has given us. Only when we get to heaven and through eternity will we ever begin to know what God has done for us. Luke 22:19 “And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.” John 1:17 “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 4:10 “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” John 7:39 “(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” Acts 5:32 “And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.” John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.” John 17:2 “As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” John 17:8 “For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.” John 17:14 “I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Acts 1:2 “Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:” Acts 17:31 “Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 1:4 “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;” 2 Corinthians 12:7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.” Ephesians 4:7 “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.” Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 “Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,” 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 1 John 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” Revelation 6:9-11 “And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” God has given us and continues to give us so much. What could we possibly give to him? Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” God says that he wants us to give ourselves back to him, not to the world. He wants the same kind of sacrifice that he offered for us, given back to him, “holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” David Livingstone said, “People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply acknowledging a great debt we owe to our God, which we can never repay? Is that a sacrifice which brings its own reward in healthful activity, the consciousness of doing good, peace of mind, and a bright hope of a glorious destiny? It is emphatically no sacrifice. Rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, danger, foregoing the common conveniences of this life--these may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink; but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing compared with the glory which shall later be revealed in and through us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great sacrifice which He made who left His Father's throne on high to give Himself for us.”   “Ministry that costs nothing accomplishes nothing.”   “During his reign, King Frederick William III of Prussia found himself in trouble. Wars had been costly, and in trying to build the nation, he was seriously short of finances. He couldn't disappoint his people, and to capitulate to the enemy was unthinkable. After careful reflection, he decided to ask the women of Prussia to bring their jewelry of gold and silver to be melted down for their country. For each ornament received, he determined to exchange a decoration of bronze or iron as a symbol of his gratitude. Each decoration would be inscribed, "I gave gold for iron, 18l3." The response was overwhelming. Even more important, these women prized their gifts from the king more highly than their former jewelry. The reason, of course, is clear. The decorations were proof that they had sacrificed for their king. Indeed, it became unfashionable to wear jewelry, and thus was established the Order of the Iron Cross. Members wore no ornaments except a cross of iron for all to see. When Christians come to their King, they too exchange the flourishes of their former life for a cross.”   *******   “Leftovers are such humble things, We would not serve to a guest, And yet we serve them to our Lord Who deserves the very best. We give to Him leftover time, Stray minutes here and there. Leftover cash we give to Him, Such few coins as we can spare. We give our youth unto the world, To hatred, lust and strife; Then in declining years we give To him the remnant of our life.”   In II Cor. 8-9 giving was: Church centered (8:1) From the heart (8:2-9) Proportionate (8: 10-15) Handled honestly (8:16-24) and it: Blessed others (9:1-5) Blessed the giver (9:6-11) Glorified God (9:12-15)

Part 6

How To Build A Successful New Testament Church 6. Shining The word shining means beaming, or gleaming. To send forth, to throw or give out, to emit light, as fire emits heat and smoke; boiling water emits steam; or the sun and moon emit light. We as the Church should be sending forth the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. Jesus himself was a beaming light of His heavenly Father’s love toward sinners. John 8:12 “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” A poor little boy once heard his Sunday School teacher say Jesus was the light of the world. He took her remark quite literally. After class, the boy said to his teacher, "If Jesus really is the light of the world, I wish He'd come hang out in my alley. It's awful dark where I live." John 1:4-9 “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” John 11:9-10 “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.” John 3:19-21 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”  Acts 26:13-19 “At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:” John 12:46 “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” Ephesians 5:8 “For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:” Acts 13:46-47 “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth.” 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” Matthew 5:14-16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” 1 Thessalonians 5:5 “Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” 1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” 1 John 1:5-7 “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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 cleanseth us from all sin.” G. Campbell Morgan, in his book "How to Live," told about a conversation he had after he finished preaching one evening. A man approached Morgan to tell him he had invited a fellow employee, one with whom he had worked for 5 years, to attend the service. He then said, "My suggestion came as quite a surprise to my friend. He responded to my invitation by saying, 'Are you a Christian?' And when I answered, 'Yes, I am,' he replied, 'Well, I am too!' Here we had worked beside each other for years, and we never knew that we were both believers in Christ. Wasn't that funny?" To the man's surprise, Morgan retorted, "Funny? No, it isn't funny at all! You both need to be born again." It was inconceivable to Morgan that two men could be truly saved and work side-by-side for 5 years and not be aware of their kinship as brothers in Christ. It has been said: "The stars do not shout; they only shine." Any Christian, however obscure, can be a light to those around him and thus attract and guide men to the harbor of peace. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."