THE START OF THE CHURCH
1) One of the most interesting things about being a preacher is the variety of questions that I receive.
2) People ask some fascinating questions.
3)
Several years ago when I was helping with a Crusade for
Christ in the
4) He said, “I have been attending this crusade for several evenings.”
5) “I want to know similar material is being taught each night.
6) Don’t these preachers have anything else to say?”
7) Others were doing the preaching but this question was supposed to be answered by me.
8) I tried to explain to this man that this was a crusade; we were trying to reach non-Christians.
9) Thus, much of the preaching would be similar because this was what people needed to hear.
10) I am not sure if my answer satisfied this man but very basic sermons continued to be presented.
11) Even now in the place where we worship the fundamentals of the faith need periodic attention.
12) Those who are new Christians need to have the basic facts of the faith more firmly engrained.
13) Those who have been Christians for a long time need be reminded of some things they already know.
TODAY WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE CHURCH. THE AREA THAT WILL RECEIVE SPECIFIC ATTENTION IS THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH. NEXT WEEK MY GOAL IS TO LOOK AT THE CHURCH FROM THE FIRST CENTURY UNTIL NOW. FOR TODAY WE WANT TO SEE WHERE AND HOW THE CHURCH STARTED.
a) The information about how the church started is found in both testaments.
b) Two of the Old Testament passages that describe the start of the church are Isa. 2:2-3 and Mic. 4:1-4.
c) Both of these passages are nearly identical.
d) In each text there are three basic points.
i)
Isaiah and Micah predicted that Jehovah’s house would
be established in
ii) The house of God would be a house that included all nations.
iii) God’s house would be established in the latter days.
e) Isa. 2:1-3 and Mic. 4:1-4.
2) Both Isaiah and Micah referred to God’s house.
a) The imagery used by these men should intrigue us.
b) Many dream of visiting the White House or a mansion.
c) Some would like to explore a palace.
d) God’s prophets spoke of a place that is much better than the White House or a palace.
e) They spoke of God’s house.
f) The house of God is not a physical building.
g) According to Paul the house of God is the church. 1 Tim. 3:15.
h) From the New Testament we know that God’s house is the church.
i)
Where did this church start? The Old Testament said that it would be start
in
j) This was a prophecy. This was a specific prediction that was made several hundred years in advance.
k) Did this prophecy come true? Yes.
l)
Acts 1:4 records that the apostles were to stay in the
city of
m) The
12th verse in Acts one tells us that the apostles were
obedient. They were in
n) A little time passed and the day of Pentecost arrived (Acts 2:1).
o)
The word Pentecost describes a feast that was
celebrated in
p) During the time of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended from heaven (Acts 2:2).
q) The Spirit filled the house where the apostles were sitting (this is also in Acts 2:2).
r) The apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak, Acts 2:3-4.
s) Peter stood up with the eleven and those who were listening heard a sermon (2:14f).
t) Those who believed the sermon asked what they should do.
u) Peter’s response is in Acts 2:38: repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.
v) There were some who did these very things. They repented and they were baptized (verse 41).
w) Those
who did what was commanded were “added to the church” (Acts
x) What is the church? It is the house of God, Isa. 2:2; Mic. 4; 1 Tim. 3:15.
y) The people on the day of Pentecost entered into God’s house. They had a new spiritual home.
z) Furthermore, consider this point.
aa) How many houses does God have?
bb) According to the Old Testament prophets, God would build His house.
cc) The Old Testament prophets were inspired and they predicted that God would build only 1 house.
dd) In our day and time people speak of the different churches.
ee) If there are many churches that belong to God, God must have built many houses. He hasn’t.
ff) The words house and church are interchangeable.
gg) The Bible says that God has built only one house.
hh) If the house of God is the church and God built only one house He built only one church.
ii) Those in Acts 2 became members of this church.
i) In considering this material we can make another point.
ii) God’s
house was built in
iii) This was the prophecy and this is what happened.
iv) When we look at other religious groups, where were these groups started?
v) New York? Rome? Waco, TX? Indianapolis?
vi) If we are part of a group that didn’t have its origin in Jerusalem we are in the wrong house.
vii) The church of the Bible started in Jerusalem.
viii) If we cannot identify our spiritual group with that church something is wrong.
3)
IF WE PAID CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE READING OF ISA. 2
AND MIC. 4 WE SAW A SECOND POINT. THE
CHURCH PREDICATED BY THE PROPHETS WAS TO BE ESTABLISHED IN THE LATTER DAYS.
a) I looked up the word “latter” in the LXX (Greek translation of the Old Testament).
b) The Greek word translated in latter in Isa. 2 and Mic. 4 is also used in the New Testament.
c) Here are a couple of places where the same word is found.
d) The first reference is Heb. 1:1-2.
e) The Hebrew writer is describing Jesus. He affirms that Jesus is superior to all who preceded Him.
f) The superiority of Christ is described by these words – Heb. 1:1-2.
i) About 2,000 years ago the Hebrew writer said, “these last days.”
ii) “These last days” comes from the same Greek word used in Mic. 4 and Isa. 2.
iii) What does this expression describe?
iv) At the present time Montgomery Wards is in its last days.
v) This store chain may last a few more months or perhaps a year. It is about gone.
vi) In English “last days” describes a pretty short period of time.
vii) In the Bible “last days” refers to a much greater span of time.
viii) About 2,000 years ago Heb. 1:1-2 says that our world was in the “last days.”
ix) What the Hebrew writer affirmed is also found in Acts 2:17.
x) Joel made a prophecy about the “last days” and Peter said the last days were in his lifetime.
g) The “latter” (last) days were experienced by people 2,000 years ago.
h) The church was to be established in the last days and it was.
i) This information, which cannot be disputed, shows that a lot of religious error is being taught.
ii) We are told that the “last days” are near.
iii) We are down to the “final time.” The clock marking the end is about ready to strike.
iv) Those making these claims are either ignorant or they are lying.
v) When we study the establishment of the church we learn what the “last days” refer to.
vi) This expression describes the time from the establishment of the church until the end of time.
vii) Instead of predicting when the end comes, this terminology describes a period of time.
viii) There was a time prior to the Law of Moses (pre-Mosaic period).
ix) There was a time period when Moses’ law was in effect (the Mosaic period).
x) The time after Moses (the post Mosaic period) also exists.
xi) The post Mosaic period (i.e. after Moses) is referred to as “the last days.”
xii) This expression is appropriate because after Christ comes there will be no more days.
xiii) Time will end so the period before His return can only be described as the “latter days.”
4) LET’S RETURN TO THE PROPHECIES THAT HAVE BEEN AND HIGHLIGHT THE POINTS THAT HAVE BEEN COVERED.
a) God promises to establish His house. The Bible teaches that this house is the church.
b) This church was established and it was started in Jerusalem just like the prophecies said.
c) The establishment of this organization was in the “last days.”
d) Now we are left with one other question. Who is allowed to come into God’s house?
e) In our houses we probably have some rules.
f) I walked into our house late the other night and Teresa said, “Stop right there.” I stopped.
g) She had just cleaned the floor and I knew that I needed to take off my shoes.
h) If we have an outside dog that animal may not be allowed to enter into our house.
i) We may have a relative who is not welcome in our house.
j) God also has some rules that relate to His house.
i) One of these rules relates to pretenders.
ii) Some pretend to be pious and godly.
iii) Some give the impression that they are in God’s house and they are righteous.
iv) This impression is nothing but an impression. There are those who are hypocrites.
v) These play the part of a Christian but God knows the truth.
vi) Those who try to pretend they are members of God’s house will one day be thrown out.
vii) Hear what Jesus said in Mt. 13:47-49.
k) Pretenders can give the impression they are in the house of God but they will be destroyed.
5) God’s house is for those (who just like Acts 2 teaches) obey the word and will of God.
6) Who is allowed to obey the word and will of God? All people.
7) The prophets spoke of all nations coming into the house of God.
a) After the recent Presidential election I heard someone make an interesting comment.
b) Many who have broad access to the White House have never been to the second floor.
c) This is apparently the area where the President and his family have their quarters.
d) In that part of the house the access is very restricted.
e) In the house that is called the church the access is not restricted.
f) If we are penniless and despised God says, “My house is open to you.”
g) The weak, the sick, and those in despair can come to God’s house.
h) The rich are invited too. The healthy and the strong can come.
i) All are invited to the church that has been built by Christ.
j) This is a certainty because Jesus said, “take the gospel into the whole world”, Mt. 28:18-20.
k) The Lord said, “Invite everyone into my house.”
l) We are not to build a new house like many have done. We have no authority for this.
m) We also have no right to keep people from the house of God.
n) Trying to force someone out of God’s house is wrong.
o) We do have the right and the obligation to invite people to enter into the house of God.
p) We hope that because you are here you want to be in the house of God.
8) To be in God’s house there are some requirements.
a) God has built the house but we must enter into it.
b) The first thing that is required of us is faith.
c) We must believe in God and in the house that He has established.
d) We must be willing to live as the Bible describes.
e) If we are going to be in God’s house there are some rules that must be kept.
f) Some of these rules necessitate a change of lifestyle.
g) Christ owns this house and we must recognize His superiority by confessing Him as Lord.
h) Then we do the final thing. We are baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
i) Acts 2 says that after baptism the Lord adds us to the church.
j) We become members of God’s house.
k) I want to be a resident in the house of God. What about you?