"What Shall We Teach Our Children?"
What's Right
About The Church of Christ
From newspapers, to television and magazines, attention is focused on the negative. The same thing is true regarding the church, the glorious body of Christ. Many are so consumed in seeing "what is wrong," they fail to see what is right! All of their energy is spent on what the church is not doing or what is wrong with the church.
Beloved, please listen, a strong, faithful, vibrant congregation will not grow spiritually or numerically by just focusing on what is wrong! Now, don’t leap to a false conclusion! Yes, there are major problems in the Lord’s church. Yes, they must be dealt with, but let’s not lose sight of what is right with the Lord’s church!
Whether you agree or disagree, it is an absolute statement of fact that all of the biting and devouring has turned our young people, and many adults as well, completely away from the church in many places. If you haven’t read Matthew 12:25 and Galatians 5:15 lately, do so now. "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand." "But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another."
So, am I saying to ignore false doctrine and false teachers, and hide our heads in the sand? No! What I am asserting is let’s focus on what is right with the church. A friend of mine attended a gospel meeting, and for close to an hour the preacher concentrated on what was wrong. At the conclusion of his lesson he said, "If there is anyone here that would like to become a Christian" and offered the invitation. My friend turned and said, "Why would anyone want to become a member of the church of Christ after hearing that lesson?" Many have lost sight that the "gospel" is "good news"! In our preaching and teaching, certainly we must deal with the "what is wrong" aspects, but let’s not lose our balance! For this study concentrate on "What is right with the church of Christ." Start by joyfully proclaiming why you are delighted to be a member of the church of Christ.
IT BEGAN AT THE RIGHT TIME AND PLACE!
Isaiah 2:2-4, Daniel 2:44, Acts 2
IT HAS THE RIGHT FOUNDATION!
Matthew 16:16,18, I Corinthians 3:11
IT HAS THE RIGHT CREED!
2 Timothy 3:16-17, I Peter 4:11
IT HAS A RIGHT NAME!
Romans 16:16
IT HAS THE RIGHT WORSHIP!
John 4:24, Acts 2:42; 20:7, Ephesians 5:19, I Corinthians 16:1-2
IT HAS THE RIGHT PLAN OF SALVATION!
John 8:24, Acts 17:30-31, Romans 10:9-10, Acts 2:38; 2:47, 1 Corinthians 15:58
IT IS RIGHT BECAUSE IT IS A PLACE OF LOVE AND COMPASSION!
Colossians 3:12-15, John 13:35
IT IS RIGHT BECAUSE OF ITS CONCERN FOR THE LOST!
Mark 16:15-16, Luke 15:11-32, Galatians 6:1-2, James 5:19-20
IT IS RIGHT BECAUSE OF ITS CONCERN FOR THE POOR, WIDOWS, AND ORPHANS!
Galatians 2:10; 6:10, James 1:27
IT IS RIGHT BECAUSE OF ITS STAND FOR THE TRUTH!
Jude 3, Philippians 1:17, Galatians 4:16
IT IS RIGHT BECAUSE OF ITS GREAT ZEAL FOR GOOD WORKS!
Titus 2:13-14; 3:1
IT IS RIGHT BECAUSE OF ITS CONCERN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE!
Ecclesiastes 12:1, Ephesians 6:1-4 Assisting the home.
Remember, the "gospel" is "good news," and what the church of Christ offers is truly "good news"! Aren’t you glad you are a Christian and a member of the body of Christ? Yes, the church of Christ is right and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise! Let’s talk up the church, let’s bring our friends to the services, let’s go to the world with the saving message of Jesus Christ! Mom, dad, with a message like this, young people and adults as well will eagerly look forward to assembling with the saints and doing all they can to build up the church! May our heavenly Father bless every parent as they earnestly strive to bring up their children ". . .in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4).
- - -Ivie Powell