want to be known for

WHAT WE DO WANT TO BE KNOWN FOR

If a survey were taken concerning the question, "For what is the church of Christ known?", the following answers would probably be given. "They are a denomination started by Alexander Campbell." Others would say, "They are a break off of the Christian Church." Another would possibly state, "They don’t believe in using instrumental music in worship." A fourth answer to the question (For what is the church of Christ known?") is, they are always condemning other religious groups." And the answer that many would give is, "Oh, they think they are the only ones..." So, what are we trying to project to the world regarding the Lord’s church? Mom, dad, what answers will you give when asked, "For what does the church of Christ want to be known?" No doubt, many answers could be given. Please permit me to suggest the following for your careful and prayerful consideration. Think of it like this, "I would like for the church of Christ to be known:

As A People That Love God And One Another!

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matt.22:37). "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have love 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" (John 13:34-35). ". . .Love the brotherhood.." (I Pet.2:17). "Let brotherly love continue" (Heb.13:1).

As An Evangelistic People!

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16:15-16). "Brethren, if any of you do er from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (Jas.5:19-20).

As A People That Follow The Scriptures!

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works" (2 Tim. 3:16-17). "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" (Col. 3:17). "If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God. . ." (I Pet. 4:11).

As A People That Preach The Word of God!

"I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (2 Tim. 4:1-2). "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ" (Eph. 4:15).

As A People That Worship God "In Spirit And In Truth"!

"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (John 4:24). "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" (Acts 2:42). "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them. . ." (Acts 20:7). "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord" (Eph. 5:19). "Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him. . ." (I Cor. 16:1-2).

As A People That Have Convictions!

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (I Pet. 3:15). "But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defense of the gospel" (Phil.1:17). "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).

As A People That Are Members Of The Church You Read About In The New Testament!

"And I say also thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matt.16:18). ". . .And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47). "And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all" (Eph.1:22-23). "...The churches of Christ salute you" (Rom. 16:16).

As A People That Strive For Unity

"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (John 17:20-21). "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forebearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:1-3). "Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (I Cor.1:10).

As A People That Live Godly Lives!

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Rom.12:1-2). "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:1-2).

As A People That Sets Forth What The Bible Teaches On How To Become A Child of God!

"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins" (John 8:24). "I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3). "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom.10:9-10). "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit:" (Acts 2:38). ". . .And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).

There are many others things which could be stated, but this will be enough to convince them of the marvelous plea of New Testament Christianity. When young people, and adults as well, see the positive thrust of this biblical plea, they will be energized to take the gospel to a lost and dying world. Yes, the Lord’s church, the church of Christ, wants to be known as a people that truly loves God and all men enough to do exactly what is revealed in the inspired Scriptures!

- - -Ivie Powell