Dunlap Church of Christ: Following The Christ, Not Human Movements

1. Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ We Are Thankful For Your Presence!

2. Welcome To The Services Of The Dunlap church of Christ Questions? Just Let Us Know!

3. John 8:28-32 “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”

4. (29) And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (30) As he spake these words, many believed on him.”

5. (31) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; (32) And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

6. Cancer Center Of America • Patient there for 4 months! • Kept waiting each day for a person to break the mold. • “This is the way the church is supposed to be!” (I Cor. 1:10) • Everyone on the same page, like-minded, desiring to accomplish the same thing, following the same plan.

7. A Disciple of Jesus? Contrast Between… Following A Merely Human Movement Following The Christ

8. Differences? • In human movements there are positions of power that are created. • People that desire power will seek to take those positions. • One can see the “benefits” of knowing the human rules and the political games that help you climb that ladder of man’s inventions.

9. John 5:39-44 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (40) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

10. John 5:39-44 “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (40) And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

11. (41) I receive not honour from men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

12. (41) I receive not honour from men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

13. (41) I receive not honour from men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

14. (41) I receive not honour from men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

15. (41) I receive not honour from men. (42) But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”

16. (44) How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

17. (44) How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

18. (44) How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?”

19. Differences? Then/Now • The battle that Jesus fought then and fights now is for the hearts of men. • Would they be free or slaves of men and ultimately Satan? • Most were/are unwilling to buck the status quo.

20. Differences? Then/Now • The social ties and human authority that they had become accustomed to were the priority. • Rather than believe in Jesus, they accept empty words and were encouraged by the majority around them to attack Jesus.

21. John 8:32-40 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (33) They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? (34) Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”

22. (35) And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. (36) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (37) I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. (38) I speak that which I have seen with my Father:”

23. “And ye do that which ye have seen with your father. (39) They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. (40) But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.”

24. The Sad Reality? Mark 15:9-14 “But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? (10) For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy.”

25. (11) But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. (12) And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews?”

26. (13) And they cried out again, Crucify him. (14) Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him.”

27. The Sad Reality? These people gladly were led by their religious leaders to look at the battered and bleeding Jesus in the face and cry out “crucify him!”

28. The People Of God? A Product Of The Grace Of God Hebrews 2:9; Titus 2:11-14 It makes every man realize that his efforts, wisdom, and wealth are nothing.

29. The People Of God? A Product Of The Grace Of God When a man is emptied of himself by God’s grace then everything about him becomes indebted to this great gift. (Romans 1:14-17)

30. Romans 1:14-17 “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. (15) So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.”

31. (16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

32. The People Of God? A Product Of The Grace Of God • With the true grace–centered mindset, such an one cares nothing for human movements & religions of men! • It is in this kind of heart that the things that religious men glory in that are falsely attributed to God become nothing to the child of God. (Philippians 3:3-9)

33. Philippians 3:3-9 “For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. (4) Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:”

34. (5) Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; (6) Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. (7) But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”

35. (8) Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:”

36. The People Of God? With this heart, the only glory that matters is the glory that is placed in the cross of Christ. “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14

37. Do We Possess Such A Heart? • It will bring necessary conflict with the religions of the world. • The empty traditions of men make no impact on a heart built on the grace of God. • Why did much of the traditions of the Pharisees come about?

38. Matthew 23:5-15 “But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, (6) And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,”

39. (7) And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (8) But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.”

40. (9) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (10) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.”

41. (11) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

42. (13) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.”

43. (14) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretencemake long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.”

44. (15) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.”

45. Contrasted With Grace • The traditions of men are for men, having no bearing on the kind of walk God desires. • The man moved by the grace of God will stand in His standard. • He will personally seek it and not let someone else do it for him!

46. The People Of God? Saved By Grace Through Faith Ephesians 2:8-9 • We cannot earn our salvation it is a free gift through Jesus Christ’s blood. • The reception of His grace is conditional; it is through faith.

47. Saved By Grace Through Faith • The blood of Christ and redemption that Jesus provides is the confidence Christians have that they have a relationship with God. • The blood of Christ is the sacrifice that men could not make! • It is a perfect propitiation for our sins. (Romans 3:23-26)

48. Saved By Grace Through Faith • Here is a major historic battleground that the Christian must fight to see. • The conditions of pardon to become a Christian are the point where faith saves a man. • Is confession and baptism an addition to being saved “by grace through faith?”

49. Isaiah 5:20 “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”

50. God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Romans 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24) REPENT (Luke 13:3) CONFESS (Rom.10:9-10) BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27) ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)