1) In our society we are accustomed to making comparisons.
2) Comparisons may also be made in the spiritual realm, and one of these involves the word “church.”
a) Our first comparison comes from Mt. 16:18; Jesus said, “I will build my church.”
b) More than 2,000 years ago Jesus founded (built) His church.
2) The word “denominations” tells us other churches have been built.
3) Some say their church was founded by an apostle such as Paul or Peter.
4) Peter confessed Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (Mt. 16:16) and Peter said this confession was a “rock” (Mt. 16:18).
5) Jesus said it would be on this rock (His being the Son of God) that His church would be built.
6) If the founder of a religious group was not Christ – it was founded by an unauthorized person or power.
7) Mt. 15:13 – EVERY “plant” not “planted” by the Father will be rooted up.
a) The context of Mt. 15 is religion and religious groups.
8) The various “isms” in our world are covered by Mt. 15:13.
9) Religious groups which profess to be “Christian” but not founded by Christ are also included.
10) We want to know who the founder is plus who the HEAD of a group is.
a) In Mt. 16:18 Jesus said, “MY CHURCH.”
b) The church built by Christ is headed by Jesus.
11) In churches built by men we find people taking and using various religious titles.
12) Ps. 111:9 – “holy and Reverend” is the name of God.
13) Do any people use religious titles such as “holy” and “Reverend?”
14) Mt. 23:8-11 prohibits religious titles.
15) As we seek to compare the church of the Bible with other groups, we see something else in Mt. 16:18.
16) In this passage the Lord spoke about the NUMBER of churches He planned to build.
17) Many religious teachers claim Jesus has “many different churches.” The Lord said this is not true.
18) Mt. 18:15-17 – READ
a) The first part of verse 17 says, “tell it to the church.”
b) If a person is not willing to listen to a congregation of God’s people, he is to be a spiritual outcast.
19) If people are walking “disorderly” (2 Thess. 3:6), the Bible says “withdraw” (2 Thess. 3:6) from them.
20) When we find a religious group saying all are always welcome, we are hearing about a group which is a bad plant.
21) Acts 5:11 – READ . If we do not find a fear of God in a religious group, not Lord’s church.
22) Acts 8:1 – READ
23) The churches built by people other than Christ often “want to get along with everyone.”
24) The teachings about and nature of the Lord’s church generate controversy and sometimes great anger.
25) Acts 11:26 says God’s church (the people of God) “gather together” – READ
26) The church of the New Testament is committed to coming together.
27) Acts 12:5 – READ. Great love and concern in the New Testament church.
28) The church of the New Testament is distinct from every other religious group.
29) It is not a denomination. Founded by Jesus and all are invited to be part of it.
30) A congregation of the Lord’s church exists in this community. Are we a part of it?
