THE CHURCH TODAY

Introduction:

A.      We Have Viewed Christ's Glorious Church.

B.      We Then Looked At The Fulfillment Of The Prophecy Of The Fallen Church.

C.      We Considered The Restored Church Last Week.

D.      We Now Need To Consider The Church Today.

Body:  2 Thessalonians 1: 3 - 8

I.       Words Of Warning.

A.      Ambassadors of Satan (2 Corinthians 11: 13 - 15).

B.      People With Itching Ears (2 Timothy 4: 3, 4).

C.      Perilous Times (2 Timothy 3: 1 - 5).

D.      Sensual Persons (Jude 1: 17 - 19).

II.      The Challenges We Face.

A.      Remembering Our Work.

1.       We have a ministry (Ephesians 4: 15, 16).

a.       We either desire to have more talents.

b.       Or, we desire to have less talents.

c.       We will obtain whichever one we work toward!

2.       We have a mission

a.       To go (Mark 16: 15).

b.       The word is to sound forth from us (1 Thessalonians 1: 8).

c.       Jesus came to this world to seek and save the lost.  When we go into the world, what are we seek and saving?

3.       We have a duty (1 Timothy 6: 18, 19).

B.      Remembering Our Brotherhood.

1.       We are called to compassion and love (1 Peter 3: 8, 9).

2.       We are to be kindly affectionate to one another (Romans 12: 10, 11).

C.      Remembering To Be Thankful.

1.       Do all giving thanks (Colossians 3: 17).

2.       We continually offer the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews
13: 15).

D.      Remembering To Be Spiritual.

1.       We are created according to God (Ephesians 4: 22 - 24).

2.       God's grace has taught us how to live (Titus 2: 11, 12).

III.    Building A Strong Church.

A.      We must be dedicated to teaching the truth.

1.       Preach the Word (2 Timothy 4: 2).

2.       We must be careful we do not drift away (Hebrews 2: 1).

3.       We are to contend earnestly [fight for] (Jude 1: 3).

4.       There is only ONE! (Ephesians 4: 4 - 6)

B.      We must maintain unity.

1.       Jesus prayed that we would be one (John 17:20, 21).

2.       We are to not be divided (1 Corinthians 1: 10).

C.      We must be strong in its confidence.

1.       We must not be ashamed of the Gospel (Romans 1: 16).

2.       We must work together for the faith (Philippians 1: 27)

3.       We must believe we can do anything through Christ (Philippians 4: 13).

D.      We must be fervent in love.

1.       Our hearts are to be knit (Colossians 2: 2).

2.       Love one another fervently and sincerely (1 Peter 1: 22).

E.      We must be people who are truly converted.

1.       We are to baptize and teach obedience (Matthew 28: 19, 20).

2.       We must look to Christ alone for the truth (Ephesians 4: 20, 21).

Conclusion:

A.      What Kind Of Church Are We?

1.       Are we Christ's glorious church?

2.       Are we a fallen church?

3.       Are we somewhere in between?

4.       If we are in between, are we getting better or getting worse?

B.         Change begins with me.