OceanSide church of Christ

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WHEN THE BUILDING BEGAN

Anniversary Sunday at OceanSide

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     In God’s Word, we read about the start of many things.

1.       In Genesis 1, we read about the start of the world.

2.       In Genesis 6, Noah had to start building the ark.

3.       In Genesis 12, God stared building a great nation.

4.       In Exodus 12, the children of Israel start their journey toward the Promised Land.

5.       In 1 Samuel 8, we read about the start of the United Kingdom of Israel.

6.       The book of Nehemiah tells us about the start of the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem after the Jews return from captivity.

7.       In Acts 2, we learn about the start of the first century church.

 

B.      Just as there were start to other things in the past, there was also a start to the OceanSide church of Christ.  We have entitled this lesson:  “When the Building Began.”

1.       We are not talking solely about the building of the church building.

2.       We are talking about the building of this local congregation.

3.       We will examine four different areas as we develop this lesson.

 

I.                    THE DESIRE FOR SOUND DOCTRINE

 

A.     Those who started the OceanSide church of Christ understood the need for sound doctrine.

 

B.      In the New Testament, the need to teach and to hold on to sound doctrine is emphasized in many passages.

1.       2 Timothy 1:13

 

Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

 

2.       Titus 1:9

 

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.

 

3.       Titus 2:1

 

But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.

 

4.       Titus 2:7-8

 

In all things shewing thy self a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

 

C.     Paul warned that the time would come when some would no longer desire sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3-4).

 

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.

 

D.     NOTE:  Sound doctrine is the foundation of the church.  Unless we abide in the doctrine of Christ, we do not even have God with us (2 John 9)

 

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.  He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

 

E.      The church at OceanSide does not claim perfection, but we do seek to go to the Bible as our sole authority for all that we do and say.  We understand the need to do all “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Col. 3:17).

 

II.                 THE FIRSTS FOR OCEANSIDE

 

A.     At the outset of any endeavor, there are always some firsts.

1.       Genesis 1:5b

 

…And the evening and the morning were the first day.

 

2.       The first king of Israel was a man by the name of Saul (1 Sam10:1).

 

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, It is not because the Lord hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

 

3.       In Acts 2, we have the first recorded gospel sermon after the cross of Calvary (Acts 2:14).

 

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken unto my words.

 

B.      When I was thinking about this lesson, I thought how interesting it would be to hear about some of the “firsts” regarding the OceanSide congregation (BILL).

1.       The first meeting place

2.       The first group of Christians

3.       The first worship service

4.       The first preacher

5.       The first sermon that was preached

 

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III.              THE FIRST CHURCH BUILDING

 

A.     The New Testament authorizes the church to assemble for worship (Heb. 10:25).

 

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:  and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

B.      Assembling requires a place to assemble.

1.       The open air is fine until the elements hinder the assembly.

2.       Rentals are good unless the rental fee is sky high or the property is sold and you have to move to another facility.

3.       A home can be a place of assembly.  However, once a church reaches 20 or so people, it is difficult to continue to assemble in a home.

 

C.     This is the reason church buildings are constructed. 

 

D.     The OceanSide church of Christ came to a time when it began the construction of this building.   It would be interesting to hear some of the stories associated with that building project.  In fact, there were two projects, the first building, then the educational wing.  (LARRY)

 

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IV.              THE HOPE:  THEN AND NOW

 

A.     When things are begun, there is always an end in mind, a desired result.  Sometimes, we refer to this as “hope.”  Hope is a “deep desire” coupled with “an earnest expectation.”

 

B.      When Nehemiah heard about the walls of Jerusalem, he yearned to return to the city.

1.       He had two hopes in mind.

a.       A receptive Israel

b.      A restored wall

2.       He found both.

a.       Nehemiah 2:18b

 

And they said, Let us rise up and build.  So they strengthened their hands for the good work.

 

b.      Nehemiah 4:6

 

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof:  for the people had a mind to work.

 

C.     When OceanSide began there were hopes in the minds of those who started the church.  What were some of those hopes?  (LARRY OR BILL)

 

D.     The church continues to this day.  What are some of the hopes that OceanSide continues to have?  (LARRY OR BILL)

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     One of the interesting things about the church is that once the building begins, it never stops.

1.       The church is the temple of God (1 Cor. 3:16).

2.       Each person who is converted to Jesus Christ becomes a “living stone” in the temple of God (1 Pet. 2:5).

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

 

3.       Since it is a spiritual house and not a physical structure, there is no limit as to how big this temple can be built.

 

B.      Would you like to be added to that temple today?  The process is simple.  You simply obey the gospel and the Lord adds you to the church (Acts 2:47).