FOLLOW-UP LESSON 6
Follow-up Memory Verse: Hebrews 10:25
'The
local church is full of hypocrites!', 'the church is old-fashioned!', 'the
church has lost its influence in the world today!' these are comments we hear
today about the church. Are they true? If they are, perhaps I shouldn't be a
part of any church but should go on alone with the Lord. This brings us to the
question..."How important is a good church to a new Christian’s life?" Shouldn't
it be a part of my new life?
Some churches do contain hypocrites some are
old-fashioned and some have caused the church as a whole to lose some of its influence in
the world. This does not mean we should shun or separate from the church but that we
should seek to find and attend a church where the Lord is truly working and the church is
moving ahead. This church will be shepherd by a pastor who knows Christ as his Savior and
is teaching the word of God in its fullness as Paul states in Acts
Let's back up for a minute and define what the church is
and it's purposes. The church has been ordained of God for His children and is a local
assembly of believers who meet together to receive instruction, guidance, spiritual food
and fellowship with other believers. It is a vital part of every Christian's life and once
saved, one should seek out the kind of a church that we have just been discussing. There
will also, perhaps be some unsaved within a local church, and for this reason the Gospel
should always be presented in every phase of the ministry of the church so that these
people will have the opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior. But, generally
speaking, the main ministry of the church is to the believers.
God has given pastors to the church and their job is to
provide the instruction, guidance and spiritual food we need (Eph.
A fundamental church places proper importance upon
correct Biblical doctrine. Among the doctrines emphasized are the following: The verbal,
plenary inspiration of the Bible, the virgin birth, absolute deity, sinless life, atoning
death, and bodily resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, His high-priestly work in heaven,
salvation by grace through faith, the reality of Satan and his work, the person and work
of the Holy Spirit, the pre-millennial coming of Christ for His church, a period of great
tribulation on earth kingdom, the judgment and eternal doom of the lost, and the eternal
reward of the saved.
Another important feature to look for in a church is
whether or not they are heeding Paul's admonition to Timothy to "rightly handle the
Word of truth" (2 Tim.
Attend the services faithfully, listen attentively and
enter into the worship and praise of God wholeheartedly. Expecting and seeking a blessing
from God and you will be sure to find it. Don't stop at the Sunday morning service but
also attend evening services the mid-week Bible and prayer meeting, and other special
meetings throughout the year as well.
Take an active part in the church too, instead of simply
being a pew-filler-upper.
If the church has an active program they need help with Sunday School teaching youth,
Boys or Girls program, etc. Perhaps you don't have the ability to teach, but there are
many other things with which you will be able to help. God has given each of us talents or
abilities and, should put them to use in serving Him (1 Cor. 12:4 -18; Rom.12:11).
We will be discussing this idea of service in our next lesson.
One last word - do not expect perfection in a church,
many people expect an ideal Church with no problems or trouble's. This may be
theoretically possible, but it just is not so in practice. There should be, and there can
be: love and harmony among members. But, remember too, that these people are human and
subject to, faults and shortcomings and will sometimes fall short. This is true of the
pastor as well. He is not some super human individual, but is also human and will sometime
fall short. We must allow for failure. We do it ourselves and we must do it with others
too.
We have' seen, in this lesson then, what the church is,
its purpose, and its importance in our life. Be sure to attend a church and be sure to
attend one that faithfully teaches the Word of God and fulfills the other qualifications
we have discussed. Then attend, faithfully and take an active part in it by helping to
serve.
Last of all, remember that people are human so dont
expect perfection in the church you attend.
Follow-up WORK SHEET Find the answers in the above reading and the scriptures found in the
follow-up lesson 1. Why should we not shun or separate from the church simply because some contain
hypocrites, etc.? 2. What should we do instead of shunning or separating from
the local church?
1 Cor. 1:1-3, Eph 4 Gal. 5:1,13-15 3. What are some of the characteristics of a good church? 4. What is the pastor's responsibility in regard to the Word of God? 5. Who or what group is the main ministry of the church directed toward? 6. What are some of the things the church is to provide for believers? 7. What are we exhorted to do regarding gathering together for fellowship with other
believers? 8. What happens to those who forsake this fellowship? 9. List some of the doctrinal beliefs of fundamental churches.
2 Timothy 3:16
11. What does "dispensation" mean?
12. Where is our position today found that relates directly to
the Body of Christ?
1 Cor. 12:4-18; Rom.12:11 If I can be of help
after you finish this follow-up lesson please leave your request by
"Then continue with LESSON NO. 7 BAPTISM Back to follow-up Indexed Lessons It is recommended for all to further their Biblical study and understand to purchase the following books!! The Essential Criteria of Dispensational Theology for the Professional and Layperson (Hard or soft cover). Where Is God? Lexie Discovers God's Plan to Save the World (Soft cover only see video). World Wide Outreach Ministry Inc.
LESSON NO. 6
Romans 10:8, 2 Timothy 4:2
Rom.1:16, 2 Cor. 5:18-21
Hebrews 10:25
Romans 3:25, Heb
2, 1 Cor 1:17-18
Eph
2:8-9. 1 Thess. 4:13-18, Eph 1:13, 4:30, 2 Corinthians 2:11
Hebrews 9:27, Acts 17:31, Rev 20:11-15
10. What does Paul admonish Timothy to do in 2 Tim.
13. Does God expect us to do anything in the local church?
Before leaving this follow-up page you may want to print it
now and review it often. Print
By: Theodore D Pestor/ President/Pastor BTH