Christ and the Church (Part 2)
by Johnny Ramsey

A Christ-Centered Church

    What makes a church great? There are those in the world who appraise spiritual greatness in the light of material accomplishment. Even some brethren are prone to equate importance with numbers, money and propaganda. But, the Bible is careful to tell us the traits of a truly great church. A church cannot be great unless:

1. The Lord Built It: Psalms 127:1; Matthew 16:18
2. Christ Is The Head: Colossians 1:18
3. And The Foundation: I Corinthians 3:11
4. He Must Be The Cornerstone: Ephesians 2:20
5. Christ Purchases It: Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23
6. It Follows The divine Pattern: Hebrews 8:1-5

    But, it is apparent, today, that among those congregations belonging to Christ, some are not accomplishing what they ought. Why? One reason is we have almost over stressed individual responsibility and have overlooked Biblical injunctions that demand congregational oneness and action. For instance, the Scriptures refer to the church as the:

1. Army of the Lord: Ephesians 6:10-17
2. Body of Christ: I Corinthians 12
3. Bride of Christ: Ephesians 5
4. Family of God: Hebrews 3; Ephesians 3; I Timothy 3:15
5. Kingdom of the Lord: Hebrews 12:28

    All of these comparisons speak of the concord we must have in the Lord's church glorifies the Savior. For, the church will never be truly great until every member works together. We need the sentiment expressed in Acts 4:32 to prevail in our midst today: "and the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul." We must "strive together for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27). Paul exhorted the Corinthians to "be of the same mind and live in peace" (II Corinthians 13:11). A church that has "fervent love among themselves" (I Peter 4:8) can accomplish much for Jesus. Yes, a congregation of the Lord's people working together as these passages urge would be indeed unusual, different and great! Wouldn't it be marvelous if every member were 100% loyal instead of 30%? If each one attended each assembly of study and worship? If each Christian gave so liberally that the tremendous work of evangelism and benevolence could be put into action? Yes, if every member of the body of Christ loved the Lord and one another thoroughly, we would soon see a world redeemed. But, alas the following words truly depict the problem: "Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some unto honor, and some unto dishonor" (II Timothy 2:20).

    The honorable vessels form churches that are Christ centered. Let us notice five necessary ingredients in a Christ-centered church. Such a congregation must first of all be:

A. CONVERTED     The word means "change in character, spiritual change, transformed, to have a different purpose." Yes, conversion applies after becoming a Christian, too! The church of Ephesus was gold by the Lord to be transformed (Revelation 2:40). So was the congregation in Sardis (Revelation 3:5). In II Corinthians 5:17 we learn of the converted life each member of the church is to live. A Christ-centered church must also be:

B. CONVICTED     Webster tells us that this word means "a state of being convinced, a fixed or firm belief; a deep persuasion." The opposite idea would be doubt or uncertainty. In Revelation 11 we learn that no compromise among God's people is tolerated. Christians today need to have the backbone manifested long ago by Daniel and his friends. We desperately need churches that stand for the right thing--if needs be against all odds. We just cannot please men and yet be the servants of Christ (Galatians 1:10). We need some rock-ribbed conviction in the church today. The language of II Corinthians 4 is very appropriate: "We also believe and therefore we speak." When the love of Christ constrains us we shall persuade men (II Corinthians 5:11-14). How this attribute is needed today in God's family! A Christ-centered church is:

C. COMPASSIONATE A root word here is "compass"--to see all around our neighbor's needs. An old Indian proverb said: "I'll not criticize my brother till I've walked in his moccasins for two weeks."

    To be compassionate means "to have pity, to be merciful, to be interested in the needs of others." Certainly, a church that is Christ-centered has CONCERN for the lost of the world everywhere. The churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Thessalonica and Philippi were all great in their concern for others. Our spirit needs to stir within us (Acts 17:16) as we realize millions yet remain untaught. A great church of the Lord must also be:

D. CONSTANT     This involves "firmness, fortitude, faithfulness, regularity, steadfastness and loyalty." The church in Philippi was gold "to stand fast in the Lord." The one in Corinth was admonished to "always abound in the work of the Lord." The church in Ephesus was exhorted to "be strong in the Lord and the power of His might." We should be constant, as God's people, in praising Him continually (Hebrews 13:15) in beseeching Him fervently (Colossians 4:2) and in bearing the Spirit's fruit (John 15:8-9; Galatians 5:22-23). Last of all, a Christ-centered church is:

E. CONVERSANT     This word means "familiar by use or study, having frequent conversation, intimately associated, well acquainted and informed." The lesson is obvious! A church cannot be great in the sight of Heaven if Heaven is out of sight! A church centered on Christ meditates day and night in Jehovah's law. Its members pray without ceasing. They are made glad to assemble for worship. Christ lives within the membership of such a church. And as one man such a congregation sings:

"O the pure delight of a single hour That before thy throne I spend, When I kneel in prayer And with Thee my God We commune as friend with friend."

Your Consent

    All that is needed for each congregation to truly be patterned after the Lord's decrees is for each of us to give our consent to the divine pattern. Let us do this so the world may see the sterling character of the church--after the pristine order and beauty of the first century brethren.

 

What Must The Church Do To Be Saved?

    For years we have correctly taught, in harmony with the Bible, that sinners must do certain things, commanded by God, in order to be saved. We have also stressed man's free moral agency and his personal response to heaven's decrees. Very few religious groups emphasize anything except "Christ's finished work at Calvary." Satan enjoys that kind of preaching because it will keep sinners lost thinking they are saved! Actually, only one verse, I John 2:4, rebukes the doctrine of grace alone--faith alone: "He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him."

    Even when denominational preachers speak to their members they follow the same pattern of Nicolaitan heresy. They affirm: "After one becomes a Christian he cannot fall from grace; he is eternally secure." There is only one way that such a position could possibly be true--men would have to lose the power of choice upon becoming Christians! For as long as we can choose we might decide to do wrong. Demas did (II Timothy 4:10; I John 2:15). The Corinthians certainly did (II Corinthians 12:21; 13:5). Christ tells us emphatically that some in Ephesus, Sardis and Laodicea did (Revelation 2:1-5; 3:1-21). This is not a matter of conjecture--the Bible settled the issue long ago.

    Due to the evident clarity of the New Testament on how to become a Christian and then on how to remain one, it is very strange to me that some brethren become terribly upset when we urge in preaching and writing that the church of the Lord must be on constant guard against apostasy from within and error from without. At least 100 verses from the eight writers of the New Testament center around the theme of departing from sound doctrine. In Paul's admonitions to Timothy and Titus alone it is safe to say that one-third of the context deals with what the church must do to be saved! Is the devil lulling us into spiritual apathy with the old idea: "You are eternally secure; God will take care of you. Don't be concerned about doctrinal error, innovations in worship, men's devices in church government and liberalism in morals. After all, Christ purchased the church with His blood; therefore, it can never fail!"

    It is true that the divine part of the church shall never fail and the message of truth that sustains the church is impregnable (I Timothy 3:15; I Peter 1:25; Daniel 2:44). However, from the human standpoint only eternal vigilance and unfaltering loyalty can prevent a major falling away from the Rock of Ages.

    May I suggest seven points for deep consideration on the solemn theme: What Must the Church Do To Be Saved?

1. Develop Elders Who Can Convict the Gainsayer:     This, of course, is required of spiritual overseers (Titus 1:10). We must honor the qualification: Apt to teach (I Timothy 3:2), if shepherds of the flock are ever capable in fending off wolves (Acts 20:28-30). Therefore, we must put the premium on spiritual growth and not in popularity when we select elders.

2. Train Brilliant Young Men To Boldly Preach the gospel:     We must give the best we have to the Lord's service. Too much manpower is being sacrificed on the altar of secular pride and materialistic enterprise. The congregation is failing in its responsibility to perpetuate the gospel through succeeding generations. Elders, preachers, parents and Bible teachers must begin now to inspire, instruct and instill within alert young men the urgency of preaching the Word.

3. Practice Church Discipline Constantly and Consistently:     In order to preserve truth and strengthen the children of God there must be, as the Bible directs, discipline within the body of Christ. When bishops of the local church allow the name of the Lord to be degraded and scoffed at by worldly, insincere members it sets the church back for years. Required reading on this subject is Hebrews 12.

4. Demand a Much Higher Moral Tone:     Corinth of the first century and America today would make almost identical twins in a satanic couplet. The appalling decline of moral fiber in our nation--and around the world--plays right into the devil's hands. Sadly, we are not teaching and preaching and practicing the high standards we once did. Immodesty and adultery can be found in our midst as well as in the world. Let us stop compromising and start living for Jesus.

5. Do More Teaching on Church Identity:     A generation ago gospel meetings were conducted to introduce our neighbors to New Testament principles of worship, doctrine and organization. Exceedingly clear denunciation of false doctrine could be heard from most every pulpit. Today, in so many places, it is different. Some of our own children seldom, if ever, hear lessons on instrumental music, the Lord's Supper, church membership and organizational structure. Just a few more years of our failure to be distinctive and we will preach ourselves right out of the picture! It takes sound doctrine to be the church of the Lord (Titus 2:1).

6. Preach the Bible and not Emotionalism:     The one commodity we have to offer the world is the pure message of the Lord. Nearly any actor in Hollywood can jerk more tears than we can and most lawyers are sharper in swaying audiences. But the one precious ingredient that we have, by God's trust in us, is the gospel of His grace (Acts 20:24). When we resort to playing on people's emotions and becoming "response crazy" we walk the ancient road of insincerity and sectarianism.

7. Above All, Be Christ-Centered:     This is the apex of all that we could ever say regarding keeping the church safe and secure in the Lord's bosom. A step away from Christ is a step into darkness (John 8:12). Walking with Him, in love and integrity, sheds constant light upon the pathway of life (Colossians 1:10). When the church is centered upon the lord there is no room for "preacheritis" or indifference or worldliness. When Christ is the point of focus we will proclaim His message, follow His example and obey His commands. Nothing short of that can save the church.  

Final Appeal

    Friend of mine, I appeal to you to search the New Testament, read all that you can find therein concerning the bride of Christ--the church--and then begin immediately to search for a group of people who have restored the worship, the life and the teachings of the blood-bought church of Jesus Christ. Determine that you'll become a member of that body by believing in Christ as the Son of God--turning from sin in your life and after confessing the sweet name of your Lord be immersed in water for the remission of sins. The Lord will then add you to His church and you will be able to assist His cause as you go through life ever looking forward to the beautiful home of the soul! You will be a part of that immovable kingdom. Your name will be enrolled in heaven (Hebrews 12:23-28) and blessings will surround you throughout eternal bliss. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus promised to build His church. Let us hasten to be members of that divine and glorious organism.

See also:

TheBible.net: Christ and the Church (Part 1)

TheBible.net: Christ and the Church (Part 2)