Dangerous Nations Facing the Church*
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
A. For those who love to worry, current events continue to give them much opportunity.
1. When the atomic age began, many built fallout shelters in their back yards, convinced that a nuclear attack was eminent.
2. We “fought” the “cold war” for decades.
3. We continually develop newer and much more powerful weapons.
4. Some were certain in the past that we would surely fall to communism at any moment.
5. As a result of all of this many learned to fear the Russians and the Red Chinese.
B. In this lesson I want to ask you what nations are the most dangerous to the church today?
1. Some might be surprised that communism is not one that we should fear most.
2. What are the nations that we should fear most?
a. Which ones are the most dangerous?
b. Let us proceed and see!
DISCUSSION:
A. THE CHURCH IS IN DANGER OF DOMINATION
1. The government of the church is spelled out in detail in the Scriptures.
a. Christ is the head of the church … Ephesians 5:22-24
1) Christ is the head of the church.
2) Therefore, the church is subject to Christ.
b. Elders are the appointed authority of the local congregation.
1) Paul talking to the Ephesian elders said … Acts 20:28
2) Therefore the local congregation … Hebrews 13:17
2. Too often, though, a man or a woman, is allowed to become “dictator” in the church.
a. There was such a one written about in 3 John 9-10.
b. The Lord is to be the only dictator in the church.
B. THE CHURCH IS IN DANGER OF ABOMINATION
1. In many ways a Christian or a congregation can become something that will make God sick ….Revelation 3:14-16
2. We need to remember that all the ways of the wicked are an abomination unto the Lord.
a. Proverbs 8:7 … sin is an abomination.
b. Proverbs 11:1 … dishonesty is an abomination.
c. Proverbs 15:9 … evil actions are an abomination
d. Proverbs 15:26 … evil thoughts are an abomination.
e. Proverbs 16:5 … pride is an abomination.
f. Proverbs 21:27 … the worship of the wicked is an abomination.
g. Proverbs 28:9 … some prayers are an abomination.
3. We must keep ourselves and the church pure that we not become an abomination unto the Lord.
C. THE CHURCH IS IN DANGER OF CONDEMNATION
1. It is important to remember that it doesn’t matter what the world is saying about the church, it doesn’t matter what one congregation says about another congregation, as long the local congregation is doing the will of God.
2. All too often we are more concerned about the condemnation of men than we are the condemnation of God!
3. 1 Corinthians 11:34
a. Many were in danger of coming into condemnation because they had corrupted to worship of God.
b. They had turned the worship of God into a common meal.
4. John 3:19
a. When the church begins to love darkness more than the light we will be condemned.
b. When the church begins to care more for their own wants than Gods we will be condemned.
5. Romans 8:1
a. We must be in Christ to avoid condemnation.
b. We must walk after the Spirit to avoid condemnation
6. Remember condemnation begins in the house of God … 1 Peter 4:17
D. THE CHURCH IS IN DANGER OF PROCRASTINATION
1. Getting people to put things off is one of the devil’s greatest weapons
a. As one procrastinates in doing a certain thing, over time that thing needing to be done will beforgotten.
b. We need to understand that procrastination will end in destruction.
2. Many are procrastinating when it comes to becoming a Christian
a. 2 Corinthians 6:2
b. Acts 24:25
3. Romans 13:11 … each day we are one day closer to the judgment, and one day we will have no more chances.
4. Therefore … Ephesians 5:14
E. THE CHURCH IS IN DANGER OF DISCRIMINATION
1. The danger lies not so much in the church being discriminated by those without, but by practicing such within the church ourselves.
2. The church of our Lord is not to discriminate because of:
a. Race
b. Social status
c. Wealth
d. Heritage
3. James 2:1-10
a. They were guilty of showing respect of persons
b. This is sin …
c. We must fulfill the royal law
4. Galatians 3:26-28
F. THE CHURCH IS IN DANGER OF CONTAMINATION
1. We need to remember that the church is only as pure as those who make it up!
2. Pollution is not just a problem with out environment, it is also a problem in the church.
3. James 1:27
4. Many in the first century were not doing this:
a. 1 Corinthians 5:1-6
b. 1 Corinthians 11:20-21 … they had polluted the Lord’s Supper into a common meal
5. Many today are polluting the Lord’s church
a. Trying to be like the world
b. Trying to bring the philosophies of men
G. THE CHURCH IS IN DANGER DENOMINATION
1. For those who still try to hold to the “Old Paths,” the move toward denominationalism seems not to be possible.
a. But I assure you is happening in many places
b. For years, the denominations have tried to make us one of them.
c. Today, they are succeeding at an alarming rate.
2. Liberals among the Lord church cherish the thought of being unified with the denominational world.
3. Many are trying to turn the church into a denomination through such things as:
a. Unity in Diversity
b. Promise Keepers
c. Having traditional and contemporary worship services
d. Changing God’s plan of salvation
4. But the Bible says:
a. 1 Corinthians 1:10
b. John 17:20-22
CONCLUSION:
*A reworked sermon from a forgotten source :-(