PART A- “Honoring His Name and His Doctrine”
INTRODUCTION: Scripture Reading- Luke 4:14-19
(Read Luke 4:1–22)
Luke starts with the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness and then paints a picture of Jesus at the very beginning of His public ministry — not performing miracles, not confronting Pharisees, not teaching on mountains — but worshipping. Verse 16 says, “as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day.” Jesus was a worshipper. He valued gathering with God’s people. He valued honoring God’s name. He valued truth.
So let’s ask a question — a hypothetical one, but a revealing one:
If Jesus returned to Elk City today… where would He worship?
A pamphlet by Allen Webster opens with a piercing question:
“Would He choose a sectarian body?”
Not a question about sincerity. Not a question about emotion. A question about identity and doctrine.
Our goal today is not to judge how others worship, but to align ourselves with what Scripture reveals about His priorities. We want to ensure that we are worshipping in a way that is acceptable to God — not man.
So today we examine two things:
1. JESUS WOULD ATTEND A CHURCH THAT HONORS HIS NAME
A. Christ Demands Preeminence (Colossians 1:18)
Paul writes that Christ is “the head of the body, the church.”
Not a figurehead. Not a mascot. Not a symbolic leader.
The head. The authority. The owner.
Why? Because “He purchased it with His own blood” (Acts 20:28).
Ownership determines identity:
If He bought it, He names it.
If He built it, He defines it.
If He leads it, He labels it.
And so the church should wear His name — not a man’s, not a doctrine’s, not a movement’s.
Illustration:
If you built a house, paid for it, designed it, and someone else put their name on the mailbox — you’d say, “Hold on. That’s not yours to name.” Christ feels the same way about His church.
B. Biblical Descriptions for the Church
The gospel clearly shows:
These are not brand names.
They are descriptions that honor the One who died for it.
In the N.T. there is NEVER a ‘name’ given to His church, only descriptions.
The emphasis is always on ownership, not marketing.
C. Biblical Name for His Followers
Isaiah prophesied a new name (Isaiah 62:1-2).
Acts 11:26 fulfills it: “The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”
The word “called” (Greek chrematizo) means named by God.
Not hyphenated.
Not denominational.
Not sectarian.
Just Christian.
Peter reinforces it: “Glorify God in this name.” (1 Peter 4:14-16)
D. Application
When we wear only the name ‘Christian,’ we honor Christ.
Names matter.
Identity matters.
Labels matter.
So the question becomes:
Does our identity point to Him or to us?
2. JESUS WOULD ATTEND A CHURCH THAT TEACHES HIS DOCTRINE
A. Jesus Expects Full Obedience (Matthew 28:20)
Jesus said: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
Not partial obedience.
Not selective doctrine.
Not “the basics only.”
B. The Apostles Were Guided Into All Truth (John 16:13)
Jesus promised the apostles the Spirit would guide them into all truth.
John 14:15-24, 26 ; John 16:12-15
Paul later said:
“I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:27)
If the apostles delivered all truth, then the New Testament contains all truth.
Nothing missing.
Nothing to update.
Nothing to modernize.
2 Peter 1:1-13
C. Jesus Rejects Worship Not Rooted in Truth
Jesus said: “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter…” (Matthew 7:21)
Peter said: “Speak as the oracles of God.” (1 Peter 4:11)
Sincerity is not enough.
Emotion is not enough.
Tradition is not enough.
Truth matters.
2 Peter 1:20-21 “Knowing this first, that no prophesy is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved (carried about) by the Holy Ghost”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God (God breathed). And is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect (complete, mature), thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
D. Application
Jesus would not attend a church that mixes truth with error (the doctrines and commandments of men).
He would attend where:
CONCLUSION
So we ask:
Jesus says: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matt. 11:15
PART B- “Worship in Spirit and Truth & The True Plan of Salvation”
INTRODUCTION: Scripture Reading- John 4:19-24
(Read John 4:5–26)
This morning we examined the identity and doctrine of the church Jesus would attend.
Tonight we examine two areas where Jesus is deeply specific:
Both matter because both reveal the heart of God.
Jesus told the Samaritan woman:
“The true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23)
Not one or the other.; Both
Not spirit without truth. [Romans 10:1-3 (1) Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. (2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.]
Not truth without spirit. [Revelation 3:14-19 (14) And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; (15) I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. (16) So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (17) Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (19) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.]
1. JESUS WOULD ATTEND A CHURCH THAT WORSHIPS IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
A. Worship Must Be by His Authority (Colossians 3:17)
Colossians 3:16-17 (16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
In His name’ means by His authority. Not what we want and claim it is by His authority.
Worship is not about what pleases us.
It is about what pleases Him. God created worship, we worship Him, so therefore the terms of worship are from Him and should be obeyed if it is in spirit and in truth.
B. Jesus Commanded Five Acts of Worship
1. Praying — Jesus Authorized Prayer in Worship
Prayer has always been central to God’s people, and the New Testament shows the early church praying whenever they assembled.
Prayer is not filler; it is worship.
It is the church speaking to God with reverence, thanksgiving, confession, and petition.
Jesus prayed and taught the disciples how to pray
A church that worships as He desires will be a praying church.
2. Preaching/Teaching — Jesus Commanded the Church to Teach/Preach His Word
Teaching is not optional; it is commanded.
Teaching and preaching is worship because it honors God’s voice above man’s.
Preaching should be full of scripture and not full of man’s opinions.
Jesus would not attend a church that entertains rather than edifies.
He would attend where Scripture is opened, explained, and obeyed.
3. Singing — Jesus Commanded Singing, Not Playing
The New Testament gives clear, consistent instruction about singing in Christian worship.
The New Testament specifies vocal music.
The instrument is the heart.
This is not about preference; it is about authority.
Worship is not entertainment.
It is participation.
It is unity.
It is every voice lifted together.
Jesus would worship where His command is honored — simple, congregational, heartfelt singing.
4. The Lord’s Supper — Jesus Commanded Weekly Communion
The Lord’s Supper is not a tradition; it is a command from Christ Himself.
The early church observed it every first day of the week, just as Israel observed the Sabbath every seventh day.
Jesus would attend a church that remembers His death the way He commanded — not quarterly, not occasionally, but weekly, reverently, and with understanding.
5. Giving — Jesus Authorized Freewill Giving on the First Day of the Week
Giving is an act of worship, not a fundraiser.
Giving is not about the amount — it is about the heart.
It is worship because it acknowledges God as the giver of all blessings.
Jesus would attend a church that gives as He instructed — freely, weekly, and with purpose.
The five acts of worship:
They are the five acts of worship Jesus authorized for His church and they are all clearly observable and outlined throughout the N.T..
C. Application
Jesus would worship where worship is simple, biblical, reverent, and participatory.
2. JESUS WOULD ATTEND A CHURCH THAT TEACHES THE TRUE PLAN OF SALVATION
A. Jesus Came to Seek and Save the Lost (Luke 19:10)
When He returns He will be a judge. All has been commanded on how to obtain salvation and when He returns He will evaluate whether or not we have heard and obeyed, plain and simple. (2 Tim. 4:1)
The church continues His mission:
Mark 16:15-16 (15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Matt. 28:19-20)
B. Salvation Requires Truth (John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.; John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.)
Hebrews 5:8–9 says He is the author of salvation to those who obey Him.
Truth + obedience = salvation. This is very simple math. As Peter said of Paul’s epistles or letters, the only way to misunderstand it is to wrest (torture or twist) the scriptures to ones own destruction (2 Pet. 3:14-16).
C. Jesus Did Not Teach “Faith Only”
Jesus taught Himself or through His apostles and all examples in Acts:
James 2:24 says: “Not by faith only.” Truth + Obedience = Salvation
F(Obedience)= faith + works
This is not a denominational plan.
Not a modern plan.
Not a cultural plan.
It is His plan.
D. Application
Jesus would attend a church that teaches exactly what He taught.
That is our goal.
That is our identity.
That is our mission.
CONCLUSION
If Jesus returned tonight:
The same Jesus who would choose His church is the Jesus who calls us to salvation.