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Unscriptural Relationship I John 1.1-3 Introduction: Last week's lesson was "A Personal Relationship With God." Of all our relationship none are more important than our relationship with God. For one to have a "personal relationship with God" one must know God, one must love God, one must be a friend of God, etc. I mentioned the phrases "Having A Personal Relationship With God" and "Accepting Jesus as Your Personal Savior." They became popular due to rebellion against organized and impersonal religion. Another reasons is that my personal relationship with God can be different than yours. Nobody can criticize me for how I serve God. Each of us can do different things because our relationship is not the same. This had lead some to believe in "unscriptural relationships." By unscriptural I mean that which is not taught nor authorized in the New Testament. Here are some unscriptural relationships. I) One Can Be In Christ and Not Be In the Church Is An Unscriptural Relationship A) Some claim to be in this relationship 1. Some see the church as being unimportant. 2. They believe they are in Christ; they are saved, and then they can join a church if they so desire. B) One cannot be in Christ without being in the very church that Jesus purchased with His blood 1. 1 Corinthians 12.13 there is one body 2. Ephesians 1.22-23 Jesus died on the cross for us. The church did not die on the cross but the body of Jesus did. a. The body is the church, they are the same as the body refers to those who are Christ's and the church referring to those who are in Christ. b. To be in the body is to be in the church. C) What put one in Christ puts one in the church of Christ, Acts 2.37,38, 41,47 1. Cannot be saved without being in Christ. When one is saved they are added to the body of Christ, they are added to the church established by Christ. 2. If a person argues they can be saved and not be in the church built by Christ. They have the wrong concept of either Christ or His church. 3. The church is the bride of Christ, it is composed of the saved, those purchased by His blood. 4. The church is not what saves but is the saved, Ephesians 5.23. What is He going to save? His church. II) I Love God and Hate My Brother Is An Unscriptural Relationship A) 1 John 4.19-20 if we hate our brother we cannot be in a scriptural relationship with God 1. We may disagree but we must not allow hatred to form in our heart. 2. 1 Corinthians 12 speaks of the body and how it works together for the good of the body. So we as Christians are called to work together for the good of the body. B) We are to love everybody, even our enemies, Matthew 5.43-44 1. We are to hate the sin and love the person. 2. Hate the false doctrine but try to convert the person. 3. Disagree with our brethren but be concerned for their soul. 4. Ephesians 4.26 "be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath" is one of the hardest commandments to obey. Anger often moves us to sin, say things we ought not, exhibit an attitude we should not, ridicule, gossip, etc. 5. Sometimes preachers get into disagreements and act as they should not. 6. Sometimes brethren act in an unloving fashion toward one another. III) Worship God and Not Have The Truth Is An Unscriptural Relationship A) People believe they can worship God and He will accept their worship even though it is not taught in the Bible 1. Some worship today using instrumental music, some will assemble on Saturday as they are observing the Sabbath Day 2. Some will not observe the Lord's Supper, etc. B) We must worship in spirit and truth, John 4.24 1. Every act of worship must be authorized by God, Malachi 1.6-13 2. Prayer must be in the name of (by the authority of) Jesus, John 14.13 3. Lord's Supper is composed of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine; observed on the first day of every week, Acts 20.7 4. Giving as we determined in our heart is on the first day of the week, 1 Cor. 16.1-2 5. Singing without instrumental music, Ephesians 5.19 C) John 4.24 in the spirit 1. We must worship in the spirit and not by rote, Romans 1.9 2. If we sing, pray, give, preach, observe the Lord's Supper, without the spirit, God is not pleased. IV) If You Have Not Been Baptized Into Christ Then You Are In An Unscriptural Relationship A) Matthew 28.19ff a person cannot have a scriptural relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit until they have been baptized into the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. B) Our fellowship is based upon the word of God. I want to encourage you this morning to make sure you have a scriptural relationship with God. Let us know if we can aid you at this time.
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