OceanSide church of Christ
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STATE OF THE CHURCH ADDRESS
(2)
Victor M.
Eskew
INTRODUCTION
A.
In Revelation 2-3, we read
the phrase, “I know thy works…” seven (7) times.
1.
The Lord was speaking to the
seven churches of
2.
Following that phrase, He
summarized the state of each of those churches.
a.
Some of the things He noted were very negative in
nature.
b.
Some were very positive.
B.
I
do not even begin to hint that I have the knowledge of our Lord about any
church, including the
C.
Last week we began a
two-part lesson entitled, “The State of the Church
Address.”
1.
Last week we examined some
of the negatives.
2.
This week we want to look at
some positive qualities of this church.
I. AN
ELDERSHIP WITH SOUNDNESS, VISION, AND FAITH
A.
The elders are men who
oversee and superintend the local congregation (I Pet.
5:1-2a).
The elders which
are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of
Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: feed the flock of God which is among
you, taking the oversight thereof…
B.
The job of leading a
congregation is a very weighty responsibility. In many ways, these men either make or
break a congregation.
C.
Qualified men, good men,
knowledgeable men, and men who understand the position of bishop are needed in
this position.
D.
Brethren,
1.
They are sound in the
faith.
a.
Titus 2:9.
Holding fast the
faithful word as he hath been taught that he may be able by sound doctrine both
to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
b.
So many churches are deviating from the truth. Often, the elders are the ones leading
the charge. Not so at
2.
They have vision.
a.
To lead, the leader must be out in front going somewhere (John
10:2-4).
But he that
entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep
hear his voice: and he calleth his
own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the
sheep follow him: for they know his
voice.
b.
The elders have set before this congregation ten goals. They have been diligently working to
meet as many of the objectives as possible to accomplish these
goals.
1) Mission
work.
2) Billboard for
advertising.
3) Adult
education.
3.
They have faith.
a.
Matthew 17:20.
…for verily I
say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto
this mountain, Remove from hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and
nothing shall be impossible unto you.
b.
Expanding one’s efforts takes faith. Money and manpower are always
needed. Both can be in short
supply.
1)
The elders believe that God will provide as long as we strive to do His
will.
2)
They also have faith in us as the sheep. They believe that when challenged, we
will respond positively to their call.
II. BIBLE PREACHING
AND TEACHING
A.
II Timothy
4:1-4.
I charge thee
therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and
the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; preach the word; be instant in
season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine. For the time will come
when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they
heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their
ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
B.
Both in the pulpit and
classroom, we will focus upon the proclamation of truth.
1.
Some of it will be pleasant
and palatable.
2.
Some of it will seem sour
and negative.
3.
We will set forth warnings
against sin and false doctrine.
4.
We will seek to teach the
whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27).
Wherefore I take
you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto
you all the counsel of God.
C.
Many do not long for this
type of preaching and teaching.
They desire a “feel good” religion.
Any preacher who forsakes the truth, violates his charge, and will be
held accountable unto God Almighty.
III. BRETHREN WHO WANT TO
WORK
A.
Christianity is about
laboring in the vineyard and serving the Lord Jesus Christ and building up the
kingdom. Thus, there are many
passages that exhort us to work.
1.
I
Corinthians 15:58.
Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of
the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the
Lord.
2.
Titus
3:8.
This is a
faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they
which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable
unto men.
B.
There are some members who
cannot labor as diligently as they might like. Personal struggles and health issues
keep them from some parts of the work.
C.
There are a few who just
choose not to be involved in the work.
They have talents. They have
time. They just refuse to labor in
the vineyard. They are like the one
talent man of Matthew 25:24-30.
They will give an account for their lack of activity when the Lord
returns.
D.
Most members of this
congregation do not fall into the last category. Most are willing to work and labor and
toil for the Master.
1.
Young people, young couples,
singles, the elderly.
2.
Teaching, cleaning the
building, door-knocking, visitation, assisting in accomplishing the various
goals.
E.
Paul experienced a church
full of workers in the first century.
He gave thanks for them, just as we do for all the workers at
We give thanks
to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering
without ceasing you work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in
our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father.
IV. LOVE FOR ONE
ANOTHER
A.
I
John 4:7.
Beloved, let us
love one another: for love is of
God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth
God.
B.
Some individuals have a
mistaken idea of what love really is.
1.
They see it as cordial
feelings.
2.
They see it as an
environment filled with peace and tranquility.
3.
They believe that it
involves tolerance, compassion, and total acceptance.
4.
In their minds, firmness,
rebuke, and discipline are not part of love.
C.
Biblical love runs much
deeper and carries much weightier responsibilities than those previously
listed.
1.
Love seeks the best interest
of another.
2.
Love tries to meet the needs
of others: physical, emotional, and
spiritual.
a.
Sometimes one may desire help.
Sometimes, he may not.
b.
Sometimes one may not know he is in need, especially
spiritually.
3.
Most members of this congregation care for one
another.
a.
If a physical or emotional need arises, most would
assist.
b.
The spiritual needs are more difficult, especially when it involves those
who are unfaithful and living in sin.
Still there are those who will reach out.
D.
Again, we are reminded of
the Thessalonian church (I Thess. 3:9-10).
But as touching
brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to
love one another. And indeed ye do
it toward all the brethren which are in all
CONCLUSION
A.
If someone were to say: “Please describe the
1.
She has a sound, visionary,
faithful leadership.
2.
She is sound in her
preaching and teaching.
3.
She has many members who are
willing to work.
4.
She has members who love one
another.
B.
That is a description of a
congregation that all should desire.
1.
We understand that there are
many other things that influence members to be part of various
congregations: personalities,
pulpit style, whether one’s needs are met, etc.
2.
But if those things are only
secondary considerations,