Ep 487 | The Church The Prophets Saw - Jacob Kelso 2/19/23

I'm very thankful for the presence of everyone this

morning and I'm very glad to be your speaker as was mentioned at

the beginning of services. My name is Jacob Kell so many

people know me as Richard Butters grandson.

I'm out here studying with brother Alan Bonifay to better

become a gospel preacher. I'm very thankful for the

opportunity. That's been presented to me to

stand before you to present a portion of God's word.

That's a very serious responsibility, it's not one to

be taken lightly. Lately whoever gets up here

needs to present something. Accurate from the word of God

and they need to present it an understandable way.

And I'm honored that I've been asked to do such this morning.

I'd like to talk to you about the church that the prophet saw.

We're going to be looking at the establishment of the church and

some prophecies that concern it, and Lord willing this afternoon,

I'd like to talk to you about the counsel of God and I invite

you to come back this afternoon but and reduce my thoughts this

morning I'd like to ask us Series of eight questions.

So question number one, in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, what

happened to the metal, as you viewed it from the top and move

down, and this is the image that we see in Daniel chapter 2.

Daniel 2 · chapter mention

So Nebuchadnezzar's dream, what happens to the metal as you

viewed it from the top and move down.

Question number two, why was the Lord's church called a kingdom?

Why would the Lord call his church?

A kingdom number three. According to the Bible.

When did the last days began? Number four.

What definite sign what occurred to let me know that the last

days had arrived. Number five, according to

Isaiah. Where would the Lord's Church

begin? And we could also ask the

question. What city would the Lord's

Church began in? That's what we're getting at

with that question. Number 6 was John the baptizer

member of the Lord's Church. Number 7, what chapter in the

New Testament? Shows the establishment of the

Lord's Church. And number eight, how can we

find the Lord's church today? When there are so many different

churches out in the world to choose from.

So, if you do not already know the answer to these questions,

hopefully by the end of our study this morning, you'll have

a better understanding of the answer to those questions for.

We get into the sermon will approach God and word of prayer.

What I hope to accomplish and preaching the sermon this

morning is show how the church is important to God, and how he

had a divine plan in order to bring the church into the world

at just the right time. And this is important talk to

give concerning the views that people have out in the world

concerning the church. Get a little ahead of myself

there. There are a lot of people out in

the world today that believe that the church is not

necessary. If you go out knocking doors to

evangelize and to meet people, you say hi, I'm from the Church

of Christ and I'd like to invite you to Services.

They will save you while we're Christians, but we don't go to

church. They believe you can be a

Christian without being a member of any church.

Church. And there are a lot of people

that they pick their Church based off of what teaches

because they don't want to be told what to do.

However, the Bible has a completely different view

concerning the church. For example, there are people

out in the world today that say that the church was an accident

that it was Plan B after the Jews crucified Jesus.

However, in Ephesians chapter 3, verse 10 and 11, The scripture

Ephesians 3:10

says layer and move my mic to the intent that now, the

manifold wisdom of God, might be made known by the church to the

principalities and powers in Heavenly places.

According to the Eternal purpose, which he accomplished

in Christ Jesus. Our lord.

So there's a passage showing up, the church was in God's Eternal

plans and we're going to come back and reference.

These passages again later in the sermon, but I just want to

read real quickly. The church is the bride of

Christ according to Chapter 5 and verse 25 there.

The Bible says husband's love your wives, just as Christ.

Also loved the church and gave himself for her.

And also, we read that, the church is important to God

because Jesus is the head of the church, and he is the savior of

the body. That's what we find in Ephesians

Ephesians 5 · chapter mention

chapter 5 and verse 23. So the church is supremely

important to God just based on this alone before we even get

into these prophecies, that we're going to talk about, we

can see that God. Plan plan the church.

Earth before he created the world.

I want to invite your attention to Daniel chapter 2 and we'll

Daniel 2 · chapter mention

look at verses 31 through, 35. And while you're turning to

Daniel chapter 2 and will begin at verse 31, giving a little

Daniel 2 · chapter mention

background of what's going on here, Daniel is in Babylonian

captivity and the king of Babylon, was a man by the name

of Nebuchadnezzar. He was a wicked King one night,

Nebuchadnezzar has a nightmare and this nightmare is going to

be described was, but he brings his wise men and his magicians

has soothsayers. Other, he says, I want you to

interpret a dream that I've had, but before you interpret the

dream, I want you to tell me what I dreamed that way, I know

that you're telling the truth and of course, the wise man, the

soothsayers couldn't do this. They said, oh King live forever,

but once you're requesting is impossible, he said you don't

understand if you don't do this, I'm going to put all of you to

death. And so, a decree went out and

Babylon that all the wise men and the interpreters of Dreams

be put to death. However, Daniel prays to God.

God reveals the dream to Daniel and Daniel request, be brought

to Nebuchadnezzar and we picked up our reading.

Now. Verse 31, the Daniel to Daniel

says Nebuchadnezzar, you will King we're watching and behold a

great image. This great image whose Splendor

was excellent. Stood before you and explore

most awesome. This images head was of fine,

gold, its chest, and arms of silver, its belly and thighs of

bronze. Its legs of iron its feet,

partly of iron and partly of clay.

You watch Flawless Stone was cut out without hands which struck

the image on its feet of iron and clay and broke them in

pieces. Then the iron, the clay, the

bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed together and became

like chaff from the summer threshing floors, the wind

carried them away. So that no trace of them was

found and the stone that struck the image became a great

mountain and filled the whole earth.

We're going to talk about the interpretation of this dream.

That Nebuchadnezzar had, but I just want you to get an idea of

what this looks like here. I'm glad we don't have a

whiteboard, I have the PowerPoint because drawing, this

is really difficult, but get an idea of what this image looked

like. It had a head of gold here, it

had chest and arms made of silver.

The belly and the thighs were made of bronze.

Some translations say it was made of brass and the legs are

made of iron, the feet partly of iron and partly of clay and what

these were indicating were different kingdoms of the earth.

Notice as you move down that each It all becomes inferior in

some way but it becomes stronger.

And the Bible says that these would represent the different

kingdoms of the earth as we did to the interpretation of the

dream continuing. Now in verse 36, will go verse

36 or 38, Daniel says the Nebuchadnezzar.

This is the dream. Now we will tell the

interpretation of it before the king, you will king, or a king

of kings for the god of Heaven, has given you a kingdom, power

strength, and glory, and wherever the children of Men

dwell or the beasts of the field, the birds of the heaven.

He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over

them. All you are this head of gold.

So that had a full was going to represent the Babylonian

Kingdom. How do I know that it

represented Babylon? It doesn't represent.

Just Nebuchadnezzar himself on verse 39, Daniel continues to

say, but after you shall arise another kingdom inferior to

yours. And the Bible itself tells us

what this next Kingdom after Babylon would be.

It would be the medo-persian kingdom and we find this in

Daniel chapter 5 in Daniel chapter 5, Daniel is

Daniel 5 · chapter mention Daniel 5 · chapter mention

interpreting some mysterious handwriting on the wall to

belshazzar. And he says, in Daniel chapter 5

Daniel 5:28–31

verse 28 to 31 Perry's. Your kingdom has been divided

and given to the medes and Persians.

Then belshazzar gave the command and they closed Daniel with

purple and put a chain of gold around his neck and made a

proclamation concerning him, that he should be the third

ruler. Her in the Kingdom that very

night, belshazzar King of the Chaldeans was slain and Darius,

the mede receive the kingdom being about 62 years old but

there is going to arise a third Kingdom that was coming after

the medo-persian kingdom and that was the Grecian Kingdom.

Once again the Bible itself tells us that this would happen.

We find this in Daniel chapter 8, verse 20 through 21 And

Daniel 8:20–21

Daniel 8:20 there. It reads the ram which you saw

Daniel 8:20

having the two horns. They are the kings of media and

Persia. And the male goat is the kingdom

of Greece, the large horn that is between its eyes as the first

king. But finally, there was going to

rise a fourth Kingdom. And this describe for us as we

continue on Daniel chapter 2, picking up in verses 14 through

Daniel 2 · chapter mention

44, Daniel says the Nebuchadnezzar and the fourth

Kingdom shall be as strong as iron and as much as I am, Make

some pieces and shatters everything and like iron that

crushes that Kingdom will break in pieces and Crush all the

others. Whereas he saw the feet and Toes

partly of potters clay and partly of iron.

The kingdom shall be divided. Yet the strength of the iron

shall be in it just as you saw the iron mixed with ceramic clay

and as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of

clay, so the kingdom shall be partly strong and partly

fragile. As he saw iron mixed with

ceramic clay, they will mingle with the seed of men but they

won't. Adhere to one another just as

iron does not mix with clay and then the days of these Kings.

So the kings of the fourth Kingdom being talked about here

and the days of these Kings, the god of heaven will set up a

kingdom and it shall never be destroyed and the kingdom shall

not be left with other people. It shall break in pieces and

consume all these kingdoms and it shall stand forever.

And this worth Kingdom that Daniel was describing here will

be in the Roman Empire and it wasn't going to be as elaborate

as go. Gold or a silver but it was

going to be stronger. And during the Roman Empire, God

was going to set up his kingdom which would never be destroyed.

Now that leads us to the question.

What is the kingdom? We started off by saying that

we're talking about the church that the prophet saw.

So what is this Kingdom that we're talking about?

I want to invite your attention to Matthew chapter 16.

Matthew 16 · chapter mention

And as we consider verses 13 through 19, we read that Jesus

came to the region of caesarea Philippi with his disciples.

And he asked his disciples saying, who do men say that?

I the son of man. And, and so they said some say

that you're John the Baptist others say that your Jeremiah or

one of the prophets, but Jesus asked them, who do you say that

I am and Peter speaking up for the 11th said, you are the

Christ, the son of the Living God, and Jesus said, blessed,

are you Simon bar Jonah? For flesh and blood has not

revealed this to you. But my father who is in heaven

and in verses 18 through 19, he says, and I also saved you that

you are Peter. And on this rock, I will build

my church. And the gates of Hades shall not

Prevail against it. And he says, in verse 19 and I

will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven and whatever

you bind on Earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose

on Earth will be loosed in heaven.

So in one pass, one verse Jesus describes this as his church and

it'll He says that it would be the kingdom of heaven.

Now, why would the Lord called his church?

A kingdom? One reason would be to indicate

what kind of government would be within this church, it wasn't

going to be Anarchy, where no one rules, and it was going to

be a democracy where you voted on the leader, and you voted on

the ordinances of that government.

But rather the church operates like a kingdom, Jesus would be

the king, we would be his subjects, and he makes the

ordinances that we follow. But Daniel has a little bit more

to say concerning this Kingdom or this church we go now to

Daniel chapter 7 verses 13 through 14.

Daniel 7:13–14

And in Daniel chapter 7, beginning at verse 13, Daniel

Daniel 7 · chapter mention

says, I was watching and the night visions and behold, one

like the son of man coming with the Clouds Of Heaven.

He came to the Ancient of Days and they brought him near before

him, then to him was given dominion and glory.

And a kingdom that all peoples Nations and languages should

serve him. His Dominion is an everlasting

Dominion which shall not pass away and his kingdom, the one,

which shall not be destroyed. So, from this, we learn that the

heaven. King would begin when the son of

man, ascended, the Clouds Of Heaven.

And the scripture says that he would approach the Ancient of

Days. In other words, he was going to

approach God, the father. And when he did an everlasting

Kingdom would be given to him. So according to Daniel during

the Roman Empire, God was going to a set up his kingdom and that

would be when the son of man, ascends to heaven.

And then God would establish the church or the kingdom, which

shall never be destroyed. Now, Isaiah gives us a little

bit more. More information concerning this

church, or this Kingdom, which the Lord would establish.

So we'll go now to Isaiah chapter 2 verses 23 and in

Isaiah chapter 2. Beginning at verse to Isaiah

Isaiah 2 · chapter mention

says, now, it shall come to pass in the latter days that the

mountain of the Lord's house, shall be established on the top

of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and All

Nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say

come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the

house of the god of Jacob. He will teach us his ways and we

shall walk in his paths for out of Zion shall go forth, the law

and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

So Isaiah describes this as the Lord's House.

I don't want to point out with a passage of scripture that the

Lord's House is the church or the kingdom because Paul writes

to Timothy. And First Timothy chapter 3 and

1 Timothy 3 · chapter mention

verse 15. He says to Timothy but if I am

delayed, all right? So that you may know how you

ought to conduct yourself. And the house of God, which is

the Church of the Living. God, the pillar and ground of

the truth. So I say is writing a prophecy

here concerning the church. He says that it would come and

the latter days. So when would the latter days

come, how would we know that the last days had come well, a

prophecy from Joel 2:28. Gives us an indication of when

Joel 2:28

the last days would come and Joel, 2:28.

Joel had said, it shall come to pass in the latter days.

Says God that I will pour out of my spirit on All Flesh, your

sons and your daughters shall prophesy your young men shall

see visions and your old men shall dream dreams.

So the latter days or the last days will come when the Holy

Spirit was poured out on All Flesh, then the church would be

established. Now, this would refer to the

last days of the Jewish Nation, it would be destroyed.

As a nation and 8070 also, it could refer to the last

dispensation that we live under. You have the patriarch, will

dispensation the Mosaic. Dispensation, and today we live

under the Christian. Dispensation also though, Isaiah

says that all nations are going to flow to the house of God, to

the kingdom to the church. And that means that it wouldn't

be just for the Jews but it would be for the Gentiles as

well. And there's a prophecy to

Abraham was fulfilled and When God said to Abraham, in Genesis,

Genesis 12 · chapter mention

chapter 12 and verse 3, I will bless those who bless you and I

will curse him who curses you and in you all the families of

the Earth shall be blessed. And also, according to Isaiah

Isaiah 2 · chapter mention

chapter 2, where told where the Lord's Church would begin and

that is in Jerusalem. So let's summarize what we've

learned. So far, God will establish his

kingdom during the Roman Empire. It will be when the son of man,

ascended to the father. All nations were going to flow

to it. It will be in the Last days how

will we know that it was the last days?

The Holy Spirit would be poured out on All Flesh and the Lord's

Church would begin in Jerusalem. I want to share with you another

prophecy though. Concerning the Lord's Kingdom or

church and that's a prophecy that Jesus prophesied and Luke

Luke 24:46–49

24:46 through 49. So Luke, 24:46 through 49.

Jesus is speaking to his Apostles and he says to them

thus it is written and thus it was necessary for the Christ to

suffer and to rise from the dead.

The third day, and that repentance and remission of sins

should be preached in his name, to All Nations, beginning at

Jerusalem and you are witnesses of these things.

Behold I send the promise of my father upon you but Terry and

the City of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on

high. Now what would this have to do

with the establishment of the church?

Well the apostles are told to stay in the city that Isaiah

have. Prophesied that the Lord's

Church would begin in there. Also told that they are going to

receive power from the Holy Spirit, a signal that the last

days have become had come and Jesus gave another indication

of, when this Kingdom, this church had come and that would

be when repentance and remission of sins was preached in his

name. So we're going to add that to

the list here. God will set up his kingdom

during the Roman Empire. The son of man, with a sin to

the father, all nations are going to flow to it.

It will be in the last. Days.

When God's spirit was poured out on All Flesh, it would begin in

Jerusalem and repentance. And remission of sins would be

preached and the name of Jesus. Now, with we come to the New

Testament, we see that time is getting close for the church or

for the kingdom, which has been prophesied of to begin because

of Matthew chapter 3 verse 1 through 2 In those days, John

Matthew 3:1–2

the Baptist went out into the Wilderness of Judea, I'm

preaching and saying, repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at

hand. Now, notice the message that

John was preaching here. Either not say that the kingdom

had yet. Come but rather it was at hand.

It was close but not yet. Jesus.

Would preach the same message and Matthew chapter 4.

Matthew 4 · chapter mention

And verse 17, it says, from that time, Jesus began to preach and

to saying, repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand and

he would send his fossils to preach the same message as well.

And Matthew chapter 10 verse 5 through 7, We read these 12

Matthew 10:5–7

referring to the apostles. Jesus sent out and commanded

them saying, do you not go into the way of the Gentiles and do

not enter a city of the Samaritans, but go rather to the

lost sheep of the House of Israel.

And as you go preach saying the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand

that might lead. Some to the question, the John,

the Baptist built the church, was he establisher of the

church? Well, I think we can reason

logically with this. When we see that John's death is

recorded for us in Matthew chapter 4, Teen as some

Matthew 4 · chapter mention

preachers like to joke, he preached his head off because he

was speaking against herodias and parents relationship and

which herodias had him beheaded or Herod would have him beheaded

for what he said against herodias.

However, and from Matthew chapter 14, we got a Matthew

Matthew 14 · chapter mention Matthew 16:18

16:18, which we just read. And which Jesus was yet, saying

I will build my church, so the church had not yet, come again

at a parallel account. Of this Mark chapter 6 again we

Mark 6 · chapter mention

see that John's death is recorded however and Mark

Mark 9 · chapter mention

chapter 9, and verse 1. Jesus is speaking to his

disciples and he says them assuredly, I say to you, there

are some standing here who will not taste death, till they see

the kingdom of God present with power.

Let's talk about this for just a second.

So if the church is not the kingdom and the kingdom did not

come in the lifetime of some of these Apostles that are prophecy

of Jesus. This is what a fail to come to

pass because he said that it would come before, some had

tasted death. But back to the question that

don't know about this built the church.

Well, no, John was dead but the church, the kingdom was still

talked of in the future. And fact, we have recorded for

us after the death of Jesus. And Mark 15:43, a man waiting

Mark 15:43

for the kingdom. It's Joseph of Arimathea and

he's described as a prominent council member who was himself

waiting for the king. Name of God, he came to take

courage, went to pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, so

it's obvious, then that John the Baptist.

These are built the church nor was he a member of it?

Well, that leads us to the question though.

Where these prophecies concerning the church or the

kingdom fulfilled. We go now to Acts chapter 1,

Acts 1 · chapter mention

well, consider Verses 4 through 9.

Acts chapter 1, beginning in verse 4, the Bible says, and

Acts 1 · chapter mention

being assembled together with them, he commanded them not to

depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father,

which he said you have heard for me, for John, truly baptized

with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit,

not many days from now. Therefore, when they had come

together, they asked him saying, Lord, will you at this time

restore the kingdom to Israel? And he said to them, it is not

for you to know times or Seasons which the father has put in his

own authority. But So, I receive power when the

Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me

in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of

the Earth. So things are getting just

right. For these prophecies about the

church, to be fulfilled already during the lifetime of Jesus.

And the apostles, they lived under the Roman Empire.

There are commanded to go back to Jerusalem and Jesus ascends

into the clouds and verse 9 continuing on.

It says, now when he had spoken these things while they watched,

he was taken up and a cloud received him out of their sight.

So the apostles did just as Jesus commanded, they returned

to Jerusalem and on a Sunday morning the year a.d. 30, we go

to Acts chapter 2, verse, 1, through 4 and there.

Acts 2 · chapter mention

The Bible says, when the day of Pentecost had fully come, they

were all with one Accord in one place.

And suddenly, there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing,

Mighty Wind and it filled the whole house, where they were

sitting, Then there appeared to them divided tongues as of fire

and one side upon each of them and they were all filled with

the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the

spirit, gave them utterance. So, here we see the holy spirit

being poured out, but was this actually fulfillment of the Old

Testament prophecy about the spirit being poured out on All

Flesh. Was we continue in Acts.

Acts 2 · chapter mention

Chapter 2. We read in verse 5, that there

were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews devout men from every nation

under heaven. And when the sound occurred, the

multitude came together. They They were confused because

they heard them speaking each in his own language and it's

described for us in verses, 7 through 11, all the different

nations that were present to hear what was taking place.

And verse 12 says that they were all amazed and there will Plex

saying to one another, whatever. Could this mean others mocking

said they are full of new wine. But, Peter standing up with the

eleven raised his voice and said that the men of Judea and all

who dwell on, Jerusalem. Let this be known to you and

heed my words for these are not drunk as you suppose, since it

is only the third hour of the day.

But this is what was spoken by the prophet, Joel verse 16,

verse 17. Now it shall come to pass in the

last days says God that I will pour out of my spirit on All

Flesh. Your sons and your daughters

shall prophesy your young men shall see visions and your old

men shall dream dreams so this really was a fulfillment then of

these prophecies. We just said that Jesus and the

apostles they lived under the Roman Empire so that has been

fulfilled. Jesus and acts 1:9 has a sin

Acts 1:9

Added to the father. All nations are present here in

Acts chapter 2 to hear the message that Peter is going to

Acts 2 · chapter mention

preach. This was in the last days we

know because the Holy Spirit had been poured out and it spread

there in Jerusalem to hear all of what is going to be said.

There's only one thing to be fulfilled and that is repentance

and remission of sins, being preached, in Jesus name.

So Peter began to preach the gospel to these people.

He told them how Jesus was the true Messiah.

How he is. I'm justly condemned how he died

for their sins and that he rose from the grave and that he's now

in heaven at the right hand of God and we find in Acts chapter

Acts 2:36–38

2, verse 36 through 38 that Peter says to them.

Therefore let all the house of Israel, know, assuredly that God

has made this Jesus. Whom you crucified both Lord and

Christ. Now, when they heard this, they

were cut to the heart and they said to Peter and the rest of

the Apostles men and Brethren. What shall we do?

Then Peter said to them. Repent.

Paint and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus

Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of

the holy spirit. So what did these people do?

According to acts 2:41, it says those that gladly received his

Acts 2:41

word were baptized about three thousand Souls were added to

them. What were they added to or go

down to verse 47 of Acts 2. Which says praising God and

having favor with all the people and the Lord added to the church

daily, those who were being saved.

So here for the first time, we can see the church being spoken

of as a present reality. From this point of, from this

point on men of God, could truthfully say that they were

part of the kingdom of God, Paul would say in Colossians 1:13,

Colossians 1:13

God has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed

us into the kingdom of the son of his love John.

Say in Revelation, chapter 1 and verse 9.

Revelation 1 · chapter mention

I John both your brother and companion in the tribulation and

Kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, he describes it, he was

on the Isle of Patmos. So we see then that the church

was not an accident as some, some religious groups preach nor

is it a non-essential, as many out in the world think.

But rather, we find from Ephesians chapter 3 verse 10 and

Ephesians 3:10

11, that the church was in the Eternal plans of God and we can

see See by studying this that he carefully worked out his plan to

bring the church into the world at just the right time.

And as we've stated before when Jesus died, he was dying for his

church because Ephesians 5:25 says husband's, love your wives.

Ephesians 5:25

Just as Christ. Also loved the church and gave

himself for her, with all of this in mind, I want to say,

brothers, sisters and friends. You don't want to waste your

time. The wrong Church, the devil was

real and he is busy creating his own churches to deceive people.

You know, a lot of people have this cliche view of what the

devil would be. Like, he's portrayed in our

mainstream society as a red, man, with horns and he's got a

pitchfork and he wears a suit, right?

Well, that's not the way that the Bible describes him.

The Bible describes the devil, as a liar and the father of

lies, he's a very deceptive person.

He knows how to bait the hook at just the right way to leave.

You away from God. Let me tell you some things

about the devil doesn't care if you go to church.

Just as long as you go to the wrong one.

He doesn't care if you worship God, just as long as you don't

do it. The way that God has told you

to, and he doesn't care. Even if you read the Bible just,

as long as you don't deal with the Bible says, so how can you

find the right church? And the midst of all of these

different churches that have been established?

Remember now, the prophecy of Daniel 2:44 said that the

Daniel 2:44

kingdom were the Lord's Church would never be destroyed.

So it's still around today, but how do we find it?

Let's go to First John chapter 2 verse 3 through 5. and first

1 John 2:3–5 1 John 2:3–5

John chapter 2 verse 3 through 5, John would say now by this,

we know that we know him if we keep his Commandments he who

says I know him and does not keep his Commandments is a liar

and the truth is not in him but whoever keeps his word.

Truly, the love of God is perfected in him by this.

We know that we are in him. This passage shows to us, we

don't have to guess. We don't have to assume that we

know God and that we are in good graces with him, if we're

keeping his Commandments, you know, a Illustration, I can give

to help illustrate the point suppose that I were to walk in

this morning, many of you don't know who I am, but suppose I

were to walk in and they say hi. My name is Allen Bonifay.

You might say, no, you're not. The Alan Bonifay, that I know

you might say. You don't look anything like

Alan Bonifay at you weren't born in the same place that he was

your, I can say whatever I want. He's not here.

You're not as old as Island Bonifay.

Well, the same way, there are distinguishing characteristics

concerning the church, which we've looked out this morning

and which we can show. This person is not from the

Lord's church. For example, there are churches

out in the world that do not observe the Lord's Supper on

Sunday morning, however, in Acts 20:7 and we read that the Church

Acts 20:7

of the Bible. The Lord's Church gathered every

first day of the week to break bread, or how there are many

churches that don't look like the Lord's church, because up in

the corner of the Building they'll have instruments meant

for playing the guitar during Services.

When Ephesians 5:19, says that weird the sing and make melody

Ephesians 5:19

in our heart to the Lord and the Church of the Bible.

As we've looked at was founded in Jerusalem, that's where it

was prophesied to begin in. That's where it began during the

Roman Empire and 8030 8033. So it wasn't, it wasn't It's not

some of these churches here on this slide that I have.

And the reason I have this slide is to show there are many that

are not as old as Lord's church and they weren't established the

same place that the Lord's Church of the Bible was

established in. Now, this is an objective list

and that's all that concerns. The Lord's church.

I throw that out as well. There are many things in the

scriptures and which the Lord's church needs to be following.

But rather just a little illustration concern.

How we can know the Lord's church, but as I conclude,

there's the popular idea that the that the church is not

necessary. That it's a nice place to go on

special occasions, that it was an accident.

It was a plan B, when the Jews executed Christ and they often

view it as not necessary. The church is often viewed as an

extravagance, which we can do without, but what do these

prophecies that we've looked at? She'll Alice?

Well, they tell us Church. It was in the Eternal purposes

of God and considering our postures, that we've looked at.

We can also say that we cannot be saved without the church and

Ephesians 5:23. Again, Paul would say that the

Ephesians 5:23

husband is the head of the wife just as Christ.

Also is the head of the church and he's the savior of the body.

So it's extremely important that we come into the church.

That the prophets, all that we come into the kingdom of God.

How do we do that? Jesus taught the one.

Born again to enter the kingdom. This is in John chapter 3

John 3 · chapter mention

verses, 3 through 5 Nicodemus comes to Jesus.

And Jesus says, unless one is born again, he cannot see the

kingdom of God. And Nicodemus is puzzled.

He asked, can a man enter into his mother's womb a second time

and be born again. Jesus, specifies in verse 5,

unless one is born of the water. And of the spirit, he cannot

enter the kingdom of God. There are many people that

understand what born of water means, that is.

To be baptized for the remission of sins.

But what does it mean to be born of the spirit?

I think we can get a better understanding of this.

If we go to a passage in which Paul talks to those that were

born again, he talks to the church, a talks to the Church

Street itís rather in Titus Chapter 3 Verse 4 through 7.

Titus 3:4–7

And here Paul says, but when the kindness and the love of God,

our savior toward man appeared not by works of righteousness,

which we have done. But according to his Mercy, he

saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the

Holy Spirit whom he poured out on us abundantly through.

Jesus Christ, Our Savior, and having been justified by his

grace, we should become heirs, according to the hope of eternal

life. Also in First Peter, chapter 1,

1 Peter 1:22–23

verse 22 through 23, Peter would write to all believers members

of the church when he says you have purified your souls in

obeying the truth through the spirit and sincere love of the

Brethren. Love one, another fervently was

a pure heart, having been born again not of corruptible seed

but Incorruptible through the word of God which lives and

abides forever. So if you are not entered the

kingdom or the church, the prophets.

All we. Now extend you an invitation?

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God and are you

willing to be born again to enter his kingdom to do that?

We read that one must be baptized and they must be born

of the spirit. If we can help you with that

this morning, we greatly encourage you to come forward

while we stand and sing. We thank you for listening to

our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans.

Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional

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