Each member of this congregation should be doing all he or she can to make this a strong church.

We should do this not only for our salvation, but also to glorify God.

Negatively, for a church to be strong:

It does not have to have large numbers. God can do much with a devoted few. God would have saved Sodom if ten righteous could have been found (Genesis 18:32).

To be great a church does not have to have great wealth (Revelation 2:9). Wealthy churches are often worldly in their practice (Revelation 3:17). A poor church can bring much glory to God (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). They first gave themselves to the Lord.

For a church to be great it does not have to work through manmade organizations. God has given a simple structure for the church (Philippians 1:1). “Saints, bishops, and deacons.” Several sets of harness will not strengthen a mule. Just so, several madman structures to do the work assigned to a local church does not strengthen local churches. They always lead into apostasy. As C. R. Nichol used to close his articles “let the church be the church.”

Positively, for a church to be a strong church:

It must have a membership that is taught in the Word. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” It is bad enough that parents are destroyed for lack of knowledge. But most likely they are laying the groundwork for their children to be destroyed. Parents, be sure your children are taught the Word by teaching them and praying with them also. Years ago a preacher I knew said in his church bulletin that a son in the congregation had graduated and was preparing to leave for college. His parents admonished him to be faithful and never neglect the Lord. He asked them “how can I since as long as I can remember you have read the Bible and prayed for me to be strong in the Lorde very night.” With this kind of training, one could forget the Lord, but it is not likely. If so, it would not be because of you, but in spite of you.

It must have a devoted membership.

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33).

It must have a working membership.

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.” (Galatians 5:6)

It must have a membership with vision.

“Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35)

It must have a united membership.

“And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.’” (Matthew 12:25)

It must have an uncompromising membership.

“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”

Let everyone of us say “I am going to do all that I can to make this a strong church.”

Jesse Jenkins

What is the Bible?

• “Bible” comes from a word that just means “books.”
• Written by forty different writers over 1500 years (about 1400 BC – first century AD).
• II Timothy 3:16-17
• II Peter 1:20-21 – God inspired the words of the Bible.

What’s the deal with translations?

• Mark 5:38 – NASB vs. The Message
• Recommended translations: New American Standard 1995 (NASB-95), English Standard Version (ESV), New King James Version (NKJV), King James Version (KJV)
• Compare translations when you study!

How do I find my way around?

• Acts 17:11
• Book, chapter, and verse layout

What is the Bible about?

• The Bible is the story of God’s love for us. Specifically, it’s the story of Him saving us from our sins through His Son, Jesus Christ.
• Genesis 1:1 - Creation
• Genesis 12:1-3, 7 – God’s promises to Abraham
• Matthew 1:1, 21-23
• Matthew 20:17-19 – Jesus prophesied His own death and resurrection
• Matthew 22:25-40
• Matthew 27:22-26, 51-54 – Jesus’ crucifixion
• Hebrews 10:4; 9:22
• Acts 2:22-24, 32-39
• Important teaching in the Bible:
  • The Old Covenant God had with Moses and the Israelites is no longer in effect since it was nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14).
  • Jesus is the head of one body (one church) (Ephesians 4:4; 1:22-23)
  • He is the Savior of that one body (Ephesians 5:23)
  • We must obey God in all aspects of our lives (II Corinthians 5:10)
  • We don’t decide how to serve God. Rather, He tells us what to do, and we do it (Romans 10:2-3).
  • At any moment, God is going to end the world in the twinkling of an eye (I Corinthians 15:52).
  • At that time, each one of s will give an account of himself to God (Romans 14:12).
  • Heaven awaits the obedient and Hell awaits the disobedient (Matthew 25:46).
• Matthew 7:21

What should I do now?

• Read Luke and Acts!

Galatians 3, continued:

Review of history

• Genesis 12:1-3
• Genesis 17:1-27 – God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants. Circumcision was a very important part of the Old Covenant.
• Genesis 22:15-18
• Genesis 26:1-5
• Genesis 28:10-15 – The promise was carried on to Abraham’s descendants.
• Luke 1:39-47 – Mary is filled with the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 4:13-16
• Romans 6:23
• Acts 3:25

Galatians 3:15-29

• Galatians 3:16 – Is Christ the seed, the promise, or both?

Introduction

• Romans 13:11

“Knowing the time”

• Matthew 24 – Jesus prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem.
• We know Judgment Day is coming, but not precisely when.
• I Thessalonians 5:1-3 – The end will come like a thief in the night.
• Acts 2:17
• I Corinthians 10:11
• II Corinthians 6:1-2 – Take advantage of the offer of salvation!
• I Peter 1:10-12
• Our lives could end at any time. We must be ready!

“Awaken from sleep”

• Romans 12:11
• I Thessalonians 5:4 – Wake up and be active!
• I Corinthians 15:34
• We can’t take a break from serving God!
• II Corinthians 8:10
• “You can’t build a reputation on what you’re going to do.” – Henry Ford
• Romans 13:12

“Salvation is nearer”

• We are continually getting closer to salvation. Are we using our time to glorify God?
• II Peter 3:11
• Christians do not look at the end of the world the same as people of the world.
• I Thessalonians 4:13
• II Timothy 1:12
• Philippians 3:13-15
• Acts 22:16

“In all places where I record my Name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee.” (Exodus 20:24b) In this lesson we want to emphasize two points:

1. the importance of God’ s Name
2. 2. the necessity of serving Him where He records His Name

Read Deuteronomy 12:5-14 and 14:23-26 to see how important it is to serve God where He puts His Name.

Deuteronomy 12:5-14

“5 But unto the place which Jehovah your God shall choose out of all your tribes, to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come; 6 and thither ye shall bring your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and the heave-offering of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill-offerings, and the firstlings of your herd and of your flock: 7 and there ye shall eat before Jehovah your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein Jehovah thy God hath blessed thee. 8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes; 9 for ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee. 10 But when ye go over the Jordan, and dwell in the land which Jehovah your God causeth you to inherit, and he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; 11 then it shall come to pass that to the place which Jehovah your God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, thither shall ye bring all that I command you: your burnt-offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave-offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto Jehovah. 12 And ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your men-servants, and your maid-servants, and the Levite that is within your gates, forasmuch as he hath no portion nor inheritance with you. 13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt-offerings in every place that thou seest; 14 but in the place which Jehovah shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt-offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee…”

Deuteronomy 14:23-26

“23 And thou shalt eat before Jehovah thy God, in the place which he shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there, the tithe of thy grain, of thy new wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herd and of thy flock; that thou mayest learn to fear Jehovah thy God always. 24. And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it, because the place is too far from thee, which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to set his name there, when Jehovah thy God shall bless thee 25 then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thy hand, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose: 26 and thou shalt bestow the money for whatsoever thy soul desireth, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul asketh of thee; and thou shalt eat there before Jehovah thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou and thy household.

God first recorded His Name in the tabernacle (Leviticus 17:1-9), then in the city of Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:36), then in the temple (1 Kings. 9:1-3). If they were to receive His blessings, they must offer His sacrifices where He recorded His Name. Man cannot substitute his own plan. Jeroboam tried it. He told his people that it was too far for them to go to Jerusalem to offer the sacrifices and thus built altars at Bethel and Dan and told them they could bring their offerings to either place and that there God would bless them. (1 Kings 12:26-27) “This thing became sin.” (1 Kings 12:30).

Now, God’s Name is recorded in the church (Acts 20:28; 1 Cor.1:2). David was told that when he slept with his fathers, his seed after him would build an house for God’s Name (2 Sam. 7:12-13). That was a prophesy that Christ would build His church. This He did (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:29-30). Here his people must serve Him and here He will bless His people. The church was planned by God (Ephesians 3:10-11), purchased with Christ’s blood (Acts 20:28), and revealed by the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:13). In this saved relationship, God has authorized both individual action - man acting under his own oversight and with his own resources, and local church action - saved people acting together under a common oversight and with pooled resources. God has recorded His Name in the local church for His assigned work and worship under a common oversight and with pooled resources (1 Cor.1:2; Acts 2:28). The local church is sufficient to do all that is thus assigned. But like Jeroboam, people today are not pleased with God’s choice and build them altars at Bethel and Dan and promise their followers that they can there serve God and receive His blessings. This thing becomes sin. Every denomination is an example of the altar at Bethel and every man made collective that brethren have made to solicit and receive contributions to do the work God assigned the local church, whether a school Bible department or a foundation are examples of the alter at Dan. And it surely looks to me like this has become sin.

All one will have to do to prove me wrong is to find the passage that speaks of any manmade institution doing the work God assigned the local church. Brethren, let us be sure we honor the place where God has recorded His Name!

Jesse Jenkins