The People of God
A. IDENTIFYING MARKS OF THE CHURCH: Name, Work, Worship, Doctrine.
1. Useful study because of ignorance in and out of the church.
2. Can always use a boost in these areas.
B. MUST NOT STOP HERE. IF WE DO, WE WILL HAVE OVERLOOKED THE
VERY ELEMENTS WHICH MAKE THE CHURCH WHAT IT IS – THAT MAKE
PEOPLE CONCERNED ABOUT WORK AND WORSHIP.
C. THE CHURCH MADE UP OF PEOPLE WHO POSSESS CERTAIN CHARACTER
TRAITS. THESE TRAITS JUST AS IMPORTANT IN IDENTIFYING THE RIGHT
CHURCH AS DOCTRINE.
A. CHRISTIANS ARE CALLED BELIEVERS ( Acts 2:44; 4:32; 1 Tim. 4:12 ).
B. FAITH IS NECESSARY ( Heb. 11:6; Gal. 3:26 ).
C. WHAT IS FAITH? ( Heb. 11:6 ). Confidence in his promise to reward.
1. Confidence in his Ability ( Matt. 19:26 ).
2. Confidence in his Judgment ( 1 Cor. 1:25 ).
3. Confidence in his Motive ( Rom. 5:8 ).
4. Confidence in his Integrity ( 2 Tim. 2:11-13 ).
5. Illustrate č Doctor, Parachute, Drive, etc.
D. HOW DEEP IS THIS FAITH? ( 2 Tim. 1;12 ).
A. EMPHASIZED FROM THE BEGINNING ( Acts 4:42, 44-46; 4:32 ).
C. MANIFESTED IN SEVERAL AREAS.
1. Association ( Rom. 12:30 ).
2. Mutual concern ( 1 Cor. 12:25-26 ).
3. Doctrine ( 1 Cor. 1:10 ).
4. Love ( 1 Pet. 1:22 ).
C. WHAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER?
1. Called out of darkness ( 1 Pet. 2:9 ).
2. Fellowship with God ( 1 John 1:6-7 ).
3. With one another ( 1 John 1:3-4 ).
A. SAINT, hagios, “separated, set apart from, distinguished.”
B. HOW?
1. Cannot partake of sin ( 1 Pet. 4:3-4 ).
2. Careful of his associations ( 1 Cor. 15:33 ).
3. Careful of the pattern he follows ( Rom. 12:9 ).
4. God demands this distinction ( Matt. 5:13 ).
C. WILL MAKE US SEEM ODD TO OTHERS ( 1 Pet. 2:9 - KJV ).
D. GOD’S BLESSINGS ARE PECULIAR, ALSO.
A. SOUND CHURCHES ARE NOT JUST DOCTRINALLY SOUND.
B. CHARACTER IS IMPORTANT.
