SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
Introduction
A. John has asked me to follow-up on a presentation last Sunday by the title, “What’s
Wrong With The Church?” based on two articles. One was written by Jack Wilkie
and the other by Andrew Hill.
B. I’ll note several issues to which the lesson referred and give a response.
C. If we aren’t doing what we should be doing, we can make the necessary changes, and
if we are we can continue and even improve.
I. Issue One: “Doctrine Problem. If we’ve come to the place that our rightness outranks
Jesus in terms of where we direct our attention (and I believe we have), we have a
problem.
A. As we teach God’s plan of salvation, we need to emphasize Jesus as Savior.
1. John 3:16-17 (781). Our faith must be in Jesus as the Savior.
2. 1 Peter 1:18-19 (895). We have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.
3. Acts 2:36-38 (802). Jesus, Lord and Christ. In the name (authority) of Jesus.
4. Acts 8:35-38 (808). Philip taught Jesus.
B. Jesus is the builder, head and Savior of the church. Matthew 16:18 (717); Ephesians
5:23 (866). Our emphasis should be on Jesus. Illustration:
C. Under this issue the author wrote, “We aren’t saved by being right about everything
and perfectly understanding the Bible. We’re saved by God’s grace as long as our
faith is continually placed in Jesus.”
1. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11,14-15 (842). 2. 1 Peter 1:3-5 (894)
3. Romans 5:1-2 (832). Illustration:
D. How are we doing as to where we place our attention?
II. Issue Two: “We have problems when we can’t be vulnerable. We can’t confess our sins.
We can’t be real with each other.”
A. An arrogant person has these problems. But notice 1 John 1:8,10,9 (900).
B. How are we doing?
III. “Over Doing It. Making every last issue a “salvation issue” and refusing to fellowship
anyone who may believe differently on even the tiniest area of interpretation shows an
unhealthy emphasis on our own rightness. Consider that thought.”
A. Who are in fellowship? Acts 2:36-41,47,42; 1 John 1:7 (899). Who are we to
fellowship? Those who have a relationship with God (although we aren’t perfect)
Closing: Remarks on statements 1,2,3.Any comments, questions or views you’d like to express,
please do so.
