A RESTORED CHURCH

Introduction:

A.      Two Weeks Ago We Looked At Christ's Glorious Church.

B.      Last Week We Looked At The Fulfillment Of The Prophecies About The Falling Of The Church.

C.      Today, Let's Consider The Restoring Of The Church.

Body:  2 Corinthians 5: 16 - 21

I.       Beginnings Of Restoration.

A.      James O'Kelly withdrew from the Methodist church in 1793 in Virginia and North Carolina.

(Bible as the only creed).

B.      John Wright led 16 Baptist churches away around 1800 in Indiana.

(Can obey God by studying the Bible/Importance of study is fundamental.)

C.      Abner Jones and Elias Smith led a similar movement in New England in 1802 from the Baptist Church.

(They were concerned about denominational names and creeds)

D.      Barton W. Stone and several Presbyterian preachers in Kentucky in 1804.

(The Bible was the "only sure guide to heaven.")

E.      Thomas and Alexander Campbell in 1809 in (what ia now) West Virginia

(Contended nothing should be bound on Christians as a matter of doctrine which is not in the new Testament.)

F.      Separate groups in Georgia (Lutheran), Alabama, New York, England, Scotland, Ireland, and elsewhere happened at same time or a few years before or later.

Illustration: Arkansas Diamond Mine - many precious gems have been found there.  The finders did not make them or start them.  They sought and found what God had made and put there.  When we study the Bible, we will find the church that Jesus built.

II.      Restoration Pleas.

A.      In opinions liberty, in faith unity, in all things charity (Ephesians 4: 1 - 3).

B.      No creed, but the Bible (Colossians 2: 8).

C.      We are to be Christians and Christians only (Acts 11: 26).

D.      Speak where the Scriptures speak. Be silent where the Scriptures are silent (Deuteronomy 4: 2; see also Revelation 22: 18, 19).

III.    Restoration Principles.

A.      To be constructive, not destructive.

B.      To be inclusive, not exclusive.

C.      To seek Biblical authority, not human sentiment.

D.      To be spiritual, not ritualistic (John 4: 23, 24).

Conclusion:

A.      We Must Search The Scriptures To Know God's Will For Our Lives  (Acts 17: 11).

1.       The only way for us to be Christians like they were in the first century is to hear what they taught and study what they read.

2.       We must remember that we are restoring ourselves and those about us to the New Testament church.

3.       We must be careful that our doctrine is Biblical, our love is Christ-like, and our work glorifies God.

B.         Are You A Member Of The Lord's Church?