Undenominational Christianity
Judges 2:6-10 – How did Israel get here? There had
been a time when the Law of God was taught. People not only knew the law, but
they could and did recite the law. But, there came a time when the teaching stopped. Within a few
generations, the Israelites chose the way of the world, the way of idolatry,
the way of Baal, over the way of God. Israel’s fundamental problem was that they
lost sight of their distinctiveness as the people of God. We are not immune to
this same problem. This is why it is so important to understand and practice
undenominational Christianity.
I. Defining/Denying Denominationalism
A.
What is a denomination? Does God approve of denominations?
B.
Denominationalism Defined:
1. The tendency to separate into religious
sects or denominations. 2.
Advocacy of such separation.
C.
What does God say? John 17:20-21; 1 Cor. 1:10; Eph.
4:3-4
II. What is Undenominational Christianity?
A.
Undenominational Christianity means you are aligned
with the Lord.
1.
Jesus did not align himself w/any party or division
while on earth.
2.
Jesus:
a)
Prayed for unity – John 17:20-21; Paid for unity
– Eph. 2:16
b)
Plead for unity – 1 Cor. 1:10; Planned for unity
– Eph. 4:1-6
B.
Undenominational
Christianity means you are a member of God’s Church.
1.
Being a member of the church does not depend on church
succession.
2.
We do not have to trace an “unbroken chain” all the
way back to the 1st century to make sure we’re part of the “right”
church.
3.
All we need is the same seed today as was used in the
1st century.
a)
Lk. 8:11; 1 Pet. 1:21-25 - the seed is the word of
God.
3.
Gospel preached during first century produced:
a)
Rom. 16:16- churches of Christ.
b)
Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Pet. 4:16 – Christians.
III.
What does an undenominational church look like?
A.
Undenominational churches preach
the entirety of God’s plan of salvation.
1.
Believe, Repent, Confess, Baptized
B.
Undenominational churches are
ORGANIZED at God's direction
1.
Elders, Deacons, Preachers, Teacher, Members
C.
Undenominational churches WORSHIP as God directs
1.
Lord's Supper, Preaching, Prayer, Singing, Giving
D.
Undenominational churches WORK as God directs.
1.
Evangelism, Edification, Benevolence
E.
Our faith must begin and end with a "thus says the Lord."
IV. We must not neglect to teach
on these matters.
A.
There are four stages from
unquestioned faithfulness to complete apostasy…
1.
Spoken
Understanding
2.
Unspoken
Understanding
3.
Unspoken Misunderstanding
4.
Spoken
Misunderstanding
B.
Where will we be
in 20 years? 40? 70?
Conclusion
A.
The Way of Jesus Christ is a
doctrine of distinction.
1.
It is a doctrine of separation
from the world unto the holy ways of God.