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What is a sound church?. “Sound”. “Healthy; not weak, diseased, or impaired ( body ); firm, safe, secure ( house ); based on truth or valid reasoning ( God’s word ); accurate, reliable, sensible; morally strong; honest, honorable, loyal ( Christian ).”. A “Sound” Church Is Not Just….
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“Sound” • “Healthy; not weak, diseased, or impaired (body); firm, safe, secure (house); based on truth or valid reasoning (God’s word); accurate, reliable, sensible; morally strong; honest, honorable, loyal (Christian).”
A “Sound” Church Is Not Just… • …not liberal • …or sound in doctrine • …or sound materially (financially) • …or sound by reputation • …or sound in some ways (active)
A “Sound” Church… • 1. Desires A Scriptural Organization • Scripturally unorganized (Acts 14:23). • Scripturally organized (Phil 1:1). • Un-scripturally organized (3 John 9). • Un-scripturally unorganized (Titus 1:5).
A “Sound” Church… • 2. Has Members Who Know Their Place • Gideon’s army (Judg 7:21). • Nehemiah’s wall builders (Neh 4:15). • Christians using gifts (Rom 12:4-8). • Every part does its share (Eph 4:15-16).
A “Sound” Church… • 3. Wants The Whole Truth Taught • Paul taught the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). • Apostles called names (2 Tim 2:16-18; 3 John 9). • Jesus seemed insulting (Luke 11:44-46). • Evangelists must preach the Word in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:1-5).
A “Sound” Church… • 4. Is Evangelistic Minded • 1 Thess 1:6-10 – 8 For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia (home) & Achaia (regionally), but also in every place (internationally). Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.
A “Sound” Church… • 5. Is Pure • Heb 12:14 – Pursue peace with all people, & holiness, without which no one will see the Lord… • Rom 12:2 – …you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God... • Titus 2:12 – …denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, …live soberly, righteously, and godly...
A “Sound” Church… • 6. Is United • Phil 1:27 – …you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel… • 1 Pet 3:8 – …all of you be of one mind… • Rom 14:19 – …pursue things which make peace • Eph 4:3 – …endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
A “Sound” Church… • 7. Always Pressing On To Perfection • Phil 3:12 – Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
A “Sound” Church Is • Scripturally organized • …where every member knows his place • …where the whole truth is taught • …one that is evangelistic minded • …pure in life • …unified in heart • …and pressing on to perfection