Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

What To Look For In A Church
Mark A. Copeland
INTRODUCTION
1. It is not uncommon for Christians having to look for a church...
a. They have an obligation to assemble with other Christians - He 10:24-25
b. With our mobile society and current job market, they often have to relocate
2. How does one decide which church to attend...?
a. People often use different criteria in making their decisions
b. Some prefer large, others like small
c. Some look for many young people, others want all sorts of programs
[Some factors are important, other not necessarily so. To help in making proper decisions, allow me to
share some thoughts on...]
I. WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A CHURCH
A. WHERE THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IS PROCLAIMED...
1. The church is not a social club, but is to be the body of Christ
a. In which Christ is the head - Ep 1:22-23
b. For which Jesus died to produce a glorious church - Ep 5:25-27
2. Consider how Christ is building His church
a. Through the gospel, Christ calls us - 2 Th 2:14
b. As we heed the gospel call, the Lord adds us to His body, the church - Ac 2:41,47
c. That is why it is so important that the gospel not be perverted in any way - Ga 1:6-9
3. If the gospel proclaimed by a church is different...
a. By changing either the facts or commands of the gospel
b. Then people are not being saved, and the Lord is not adding them to His church!
4. A church with a perverted gospel...
a. May have the nicest people, but they are still unregenerate people!
b. May wear the name of Christ, both as individuals and as a church, but are not truly the
people of God!
-- Unless the gospel of Christ is preached in its simplicity and purity, a church cannot
be pleasing to the Lord
B. WHERE THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE IS OBSERVED...
1. This is what characterized the churches of the New Testament - Ac 2:42
a. Our goal is not to emulate the churches of the 2nd, 3rd, 18th, or 20th centuries
b. Nor to simply imitate the traditions of Catholicism, denominationalism, etc.
c. But to be like the faithful churches of Christ in the first century A.D. - Ro 16:16
2. Such a church will have worship like that described in the New Testament
a. With such elements as singing, prayer, Bible study, preaching, and the Lord’s Supper
- Co 3:16; 4:2; 2 Ti 2:2,15; 4:2; Ac 20:7; 1 Co 10:16-17; 11:23-29
b. With assemblies stirring one another to love and good works - He 10:24-25
3. Their work as a congregation will be similar to that found in New Testament churches
a. Equipping the saints for ministry (edification) - Ep 4:11-16
b. Spread of the gospel by sending out evangelists (evangelism) - Ph 4:15-16; 3 Jn 5-8
Topical Sermons 388