MARKS OF THE CHURCH
A. Look For the “Marks” that Identify it
1. A Rancher knows his cattle by “marks” (i.e. brands, ear notches, color, etc.)
2. The Church of Jesus also has “marks” to identify it
A. God adds those that obey the Gospel Of Christ to His Church (Acts 2:41-47) [READ] H – B – R – C - B
B. God only saves those that obey the Gospel (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power”. (c.f. Romans 6:17; Galatians 3:26-27; 1 Peter 3:21)
A. This is One Way the world will know (John 13:34-35) “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another”. IF one Christian hates another Christian: “Abideth in death” (1 John 3:14) “is a murder” (1 John 3:15)
A. In spirit and truth (John 4:21-24) [READ]
B. In Prayer (Acts 2:42) “And they continued steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread and in prayers”. (Colossians 4:2) “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving”. (Ephesians 6:18) “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”. (1) (2)
C. By Singing (Ephesians 5:19) “Speaking to yourselves in Psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”. (Colossians 3:16)
1. We are only authorized to sing. “speak to yourselves…” “making melody in your heart…” “teaching…” “with grace in your hearts”
D. By Partaking of the Lord’s Supper (Matthew 26:26-30) (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) [READ]
1. How often? On the First Day of the Week (Acts 20:7) “And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow”.
E. By Giving as God has Prospered Us (1 Corinthians 16:2) “Upon the first day of the week let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come”.
1. But First, Give self to God (2 Corinthians 8:5) “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God”.
F. By Teaching the Word of God
1. Jesus said to teach (Matthew 28:19-20) “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always even unto the end of the world”.
2. Preach the word (2 Timothy 4:2) “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine”.
A. God will “roundup” His people someday. Those with the wrong “marks” in with the Devil’s herd won’t make it to heaven