Ep 428 | Denominationalism; Of God Or Of Man? - Terry Osburn 12/12/21

Welcome everyone. This morning we're glad that

you're here as has been already mentioned.

Good to see some that have been away and have been sick.

Able to be back with us. We're just glad that that with

all the things we're going through these days that we've

all done as well as we have, and we're thankful for that and

answered prayers. Want to talk this morning about

denominationalism whether it is of god or whether it's of man.

and one of the reasons is, of course we've got some newer

members here and we instruct not only them, but we instruct the

body here because we've seen even within the body of Christ,

those that have decided to change the way that they think

God has revealed his will, to to us all denominationalism is

defined as the tendency to Rate into religious denominations or

large groups of congregations United under a common faith and

name organized, under a single administrative and legal,

hierarchy, a synonym for division, it consists of several

hundred this coordinate, religious sects.

Having no unity in name organization Doctrine, or

practice. Might go on to quote from the

dictionary of American history. Crucial to the notion of

denominationalism here was the idea that several churches

despite disunity were part of the true church.

The churches in the United States would not attempt to set

themselves up as the only church with legitimacy as the Church of

England had. Instead, they agreed to

recognize each other as sharing a common Mission.

Even if holding two different Creed's, or forms of worship.

The historian are Lawrence more exemplified, this change changed

Outlook and argued as did 19th century observers of American

religion that Division and the creation of new religions not

interdenominational cooperation is the religious mainstream in

the United States precisely because of the nation's

tradition of religious freedom, and faiths capacity to give

identity to people living in society without clear.

R structure and delimit delineated, social roles as more

rights. The American religious system,

may be said to be working only when it is creating cracks

within denominations, when it is producing novelty, when it is

fueling antagonisms. In other words, one church is as

good as another and division is the goal of denominations.

The term denomination simply means a dividing or separating

into different sects. If you sit want to say

denominationalism is found founded on division, when we

read the Bible, we find that the scriptures do not endorse the

religious diversity of division. That is found among the

denomination's, even in the Old Testament.

David said in Psalm 133 in verse 1 behold, how good and how

pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity. and if

Unity is good and pleasant than division must be evil and

unpleasant On the night Jesus was betrayed, he specifically

prayed not that his followers would Embrace some kind of

tolerance for religious diversity but instead to a call

to Unity, Jesus prayed to his father, in John 17 and 20 and

21. I do not pray for these alone

but also for those who will believe in me through their

word, That they must all be. Be one as you father are in me

and I in you that they also may be one in us that the world may

believe that you sent me. The Apostle call Paul called for

Unity in Romans 12 and verse 16 be of the same mind toward one

another. Again, Paul writing to the

church in Philippi, Philippians 2 and verse coup and fulfill my

Joy by being like-minded. Having the same love being of

one Accord, Board and of one mind also in Philippians 3 and

verse 16, nevertheless to the degree that we have already

attained. Let us walk by the same rule.

Let us be of the same mind. And we respect God's word as the

ultimate Authority. Agreement on the basis of its

teaching and Doctrine is easy when we all read the same word

and it says the same thing. And we agree on those basic

things Doctrine is easy. But it will never be possible to

unite the doctrines and Commandments of men, because

men's ideas keep changing and our imperfect.

We see that so much in the world today, remember, what it was

like, almost two years ago when they When they started talking

about the coronavirus, how many times have the rules changed?

The rules have changed many times because man is imperfect,

he doesn't know everything. God is all-knowing.

God is supreme. And what he, the laws that he

has given to mankind. So we cannot rely on man's ideas

or his philosophies because they are imperfect, Creed's

confessions of Faith Church. Manuals are a continual problem

to the unity of the religious community.

Jesus intentionally made Unity among his followers or priority.

The only way that a person can really come to believe and Obey

Jesus is to hear the truth of the gospel of Christ.

Not man. Ideas.

Notice. John 17, verse 17, sanctify them

John 17:17

by your truth. Your word is truth.

The word of God is the truth. When a man's ideas, contradict

the truth, then the man's ideas are wrong.

Notice also Romans 10 verse 17. So then faith comes by hearing

Romans 10:17

and hearing by the word of God. So, the greatest barrier to

Unity is the disunity of denominationalism I'm that

prevails in the religious world today.

Denominations freely admit that their organizations are human in

origin and offer, nothing that is essential to Salvation.

They however, insist on maintaining those, they would

tell you to select the Church of your choice.

How many times have you heard that statement?

Not? What is the church that you can

read about in the scriptures in the Bible that God and Jesus

taught about that? Is that is true in the

scriptural? On that we use today.

Such Innovations as false doctrine that are that are

taught, is that baptism is not essential for salvation.

That instrumental music and the worship service is makes us all

feel better. That the Lord's Supper candy be

divided up into multiple cups and multiple loaves that takes

away. That immunity that speaking in

tongues is, is the way that we should worship today.

That Fellowship that all the religious community today, well,

I whatever it may be and wherever it is, is in fellowship

with each other that in Today is more important than worship.

So division and denominationalism is the result

of false teaching. Notice, second, Peter 2 and

verses, 1 through 3, but there were also false prophets among

the people even as there will be false teachers among you who

will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even

denying the Lord who bought them and bringing on themselves Swift

destruction. And many will follow their

destructive ways because of Whom the way of truth will be

blasphemed live covetousness. They will exploit you with

deceptive words for a long time. Their judgment has not been idle

and their destruction does not slumber.

If denominationalism is a designation as a designated

division. As and results from Paul's

teaching. Then unscriptural then it is

unscriptural and not of God, denominationalism is sin.

And First Corinthians 12 verses 10 through 13.

1 Corinthians 12:10–13

Now I plead with you Brethren by the name of our Lord, Jesus

Christ that you all speak the same thing and that there be no

divisions among you. But that you all be that you be

perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same

judgment for it has been declared to me concerning you my

brethren. By those of Chloe's household

that there are contentions among you Now I say this, that each of

you says, I am appalled or I am of Apollo's or I am of cephas,

or I am of Christ is Christ. Divided was Paul crucified for

you or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Paul says here in verse 10, he says, I plead with you brethren.

I plead with you that you all speak the same thing and that

there be no divisions among you, but that you are perfectly be.

Perfectly joined together in the sign.

Same mind and in the same judgment.

That is Unity, that is not diversity.

That is not a dividing that we all speak the same thing.

There's no division Among Us. In this section of the scripture

carefully, note, the God said that there be no division among

you, the times, the normal, a tional world will tell you, try

to tell you and justify Itself by saying, well, we all breathe

on the essentials that there is a God that we ought to obey him.

That Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died for our

sins. And so, a lot of times, that's

where it ends, that's where the agreeing.

Ends that we shouldn't go out and kill.

We shouldn't cheat. We shouldn't lie and all those

kinds of things. First of all, God never gave us

a small list that we can agree on and in a large grit large

list of non-essentials on which we can be divided.

God didn't plan it that way. Paul goes on to say now I say

this that each of you says, I am appalled, I am of a paulus or I

am of cephas. Or I am of Christ.

Is Christ. Divided.

If God, condemned the dividing because of within the apostles

and and some were saying, well, I'm a follower of Paul or I'm a

follower of cephas if God condemned that wouldn't, he also

wouldn't be even more can dim putting men's names on religious

organizations today, falling men that are not inspired.

Continuing on Paul was crucified for, you was Paul crucified for

you. Excuse me?

Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

The only person that the believer can follow and adopt

their name as a religious designation, is the one who died

for us. And in whose name, we have been

baptized and that is Jesus Christ.

Why do people today, then call themselves by other names?

Even men's names. One thing that is clear in these

verses is that if a man is bat is a baptized believer, then I

should only wear The name Christian x 11 verse 26, and the

disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

So if we try to put any other name on this building out here

that we're we meet and and we call it by a man's name or we

call it by any other name than a Biblical name, the Church of

Christ and we as brothers and sisters are Christians, it's

wrong. We can't put names on.

God's organization men's names on God's organization.

We can't do that. Well, let's notice a little bit

about the church in Prophecy, and even in the Old Testament,

we would get a look at the church.

The, the Oneness of the body is stressed Ezekiel wrote.

Of the time when the Lord's people would be one nation,

Ezekiel 37, 22. And under one Shepherd, 34:23

Daniel predicted, the arrival of the Lord's Kingdom.

Daniel 2, and verse 44. Also, when Jesus was on the

earth, he spoke of a time when his people would be one.

Flock in John, 10 and verse 16. Paul, when he wrote to the

Christians at Ephesus declared that there is one body if he's

in is 4 and verse 4, that we're going to notice a little bit

more about in just a moment. And other passages note that

this one body is the church Ephesians 1 verse, 22 and 23 and

Colossians 1 verses 18 through 24.

Colossians 1:18–24

If denominationalism is division, then the lack of

division is unity. Ephesians 4 and verses 1 through

6 I therefore the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk

worthy of the calling with which you were called with all

lowliness and gentleness with long-suffering forbearing one.

Another in love endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in

the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit

just as you are called in one, hope of your calling one Lord,

One Faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above

all and through all and in you all Some have argued that this

is the only list of of doctrinal issues that we can.

We, if we just agree on these things, then we're all unified,

if we can just agree on that but note that the domination will

doesn't even agree on these seven principles this Oneness.

If you want to say these want seven ones that are mentioned

here, one body one Spirit one, hope one Lord, One Faith, one

baptism. And one God, even the

denominational world doesn't believe that when you talk about

is a member of your denomination.

Excuse me, I got ahead of myself.

Many denominations don't agree on the the talk of one baptism

here, they don't believe that. Baptism is says essential for

salvation. As taught in Acts 2 and 38.

And first Peter 3 and 21. The one body is the church,

which is the body that Jesus will save.

If he's ins 5 and 23 and the body that Jesus purchased with

his blood Acts, 20 and verse 28, but if you were to go and asked

someone in a domination denomination, a question, Is

membership in your denomination necessary for salvation.

Most denominational leaders and members would say no.

They would say you can choose the Church of your choice.

And you'll be saved. So an answer like that admits

the denominational bodies are not part of the body mentioned

here in Ephesians 4 membership. In the one body is essential for

salvation first, Peter 3 and verse 21 the like figure

whereunto even baptism doth also.

Now, save us, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,

but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the

resurrection of Jesus Christ. The church that Jesus

established is commanded to stress the whole counsel of God

and not just certain aspects of it acts 20 verse 27, God good,

Acts 20:27

just set up an arrangement where where one religious body stress

is one aspect of his will While others stress something else or

other things. That's not the way God planned

it, that's not the way God wants it.

We are to be like minded. Of one Accord speaking, the same

thing be of the same mind. Denominations kind of celebrate

their uniqueness and their diversity.

Jesus actually condemns human traditions because it gets away

from obeying God, they Pride themselves in heaven, all kinds

of different programs. Within their Church, they call

it one. That is one, that is pushed

towards the young people in ones that have pushed towards the

older folks, and they separate even the services one for more,

traditional than one for more conventional and one for more

contemporary and all these different kinds of things.

There are even now, cowboy churches, and if you want to be

go to a Cowboy Church, you can go to Cowboy Church and feel

good about that. So the Church is of the same

mind. And of the same actions of one

Accord doing the same things. Here are their arguments that

are used to justify denominationalism.

Some would say, well, one church is as good as another and God,

accepts and approves of all denominations.

Well, let's read acts 4 and verses 10 through 12, Peter

standing before the council. Let it be known to you all and

all and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus

Christ, whom you crucified whom God raised from the dead by him.

This man stands before you here before you whole.

This is the stone, which was rejected by you builders Which

has become the Chief Cornerstone nor is there salvation in any

other. For there is no other name under

Heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved.

That tells me if I try to put a name on that, sign out there in

front of the building this morning. because one preacher or

one man or some person that we think is an apostle or whatever

it is if we put his name out there because of what he said,

It's being condemned right here in the scripture.

There is no other name, given among men whereby, we must be

saved. That mean Jesus Christ.

The Chief Cornerstone, he is the builder of the church.

Well, another another argument, maybe the different churches are

just different routes to heaven and we are all going to the same

place. We're all just getting there in

different ways. How many times have we heard

that? well, notice what John says, in

John 14 verses 5 through 6, Thomas said to him, Lord we do

John 14:5–6

not know where where you are going and how can we know the

way Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life.

No one comes to the father, except through me. it isn't

going to happen any other way, I've said this before, but I

believe Jesus was almost being so emphatic.

Here, that how dare you? Try to think that there is any

other way to get to heaven. Other than through me.

I'm the one that put up with all the abuse and the spitting on

and the beatings and went to the cross and was crucified for you.

And no one is going to get to heaven, except through me.

There's no other way. well how do we come to the father through

Christ and Galatians 3 and verses 26 and 27 for you are all

sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus for as many of you

as were baptized into Christ, have put on Christ so, when we

are baptized, We come to the father through Christ.

Next argument, maybe well attend, the Church of your

choice as we said the denominational World actually

exist to allow a person to shop for a church.

I was talking with I secure a few weeks ago, and he mentioned

earlier on, in his, in his life, how he was going around from

from church, building to church, building an organization that

organization to try to find a church.

And when he finally came to the Church of Christ, he realized

that this is the true church. The church that Jesus Built. the

only true church that we can read about in the gospel because

all the other of the other religious organizations, or

so-called churches out there, have certain things that they

put their emphasis on and it's not worshipping God in spirit

and in truth. So some denominational leaders,

praise God for the different churches or folks may find Doc a

different Doctrine or practice that fits their life.

No, their churches. You can go to and you can just

if you want to go fishing on a Sunday, will you can go fishing

on a Sunday and you can kind of make up for it here, there or be

on a committee or whatever it may be.

But God commands, his people, his children on Sunday on the

first day of the week to worship Him in spirit and in truth and

to remember the death burial and resurrection of his son.

So we don't plan things on Sunday, like Others May view,

but I can go out and find a church that I can feel good

about that. You see where I can do other

things and and feel good about that if I just search shop

around long enough to find that religious organization.

Of course, this is not something that's good and scriptural and

unifying. And second Timothy 4 and verses

2 through 4, preach the word be ready in season and out of

season, convince rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and

teaching for the time will come. When they will not endure sound

Doctrine, but according to their own desires because they have

itching ears, they will Heap up for themselves teachers.

And they will turn away. Turn their ears away from the

truth and be turned aside to fables.

So yeah. we see that happening today, And there are a lot of

folks going around with itching ears and you scratching just

like you do a dog and they'll stand there all day and let you

scratchin. Sadly we live in a time when

religious groups exist that reject all sorts of biblical

teachings but they give a false Comfort to people that are that

they're calling Christians, too many think of the church as a

democracy in which people decide What is acceptable rather than

recognizing? The Christchurch is a kingdom.

He is the king and he is the lawgiver.

Also they say, well, each denomination composes a segment

of the true church or the one body.

And each denomination is a part of the whole of course, the

problem with this view is that according to the Bible,

Individual Christians, members of the bodies of body of Christ

compose, the one body, not the whole religious world.

Romans 12 and verse Verses 4 and 5 for, as we have many members

in one body but all the members do not have the same function.

So we being many are one body in Christ and individually members.

One of another so we talkin about all of us have many

members in one body, all of us are members of that one body but

we all but all the members do not have the same function you

don't have the same function as brother so-and-so or sister so

and so you don't have that some of us have certain functions and

certain things that we take on within the within the church and

others maybe or Freight or they don't have the ability or

whatever it may be but We all have a purpose and we all have a

part, right? So we being many are one body in

Christ and individually members of one another.

All of us together make up that one body.

Just like this hand is part of this body.

It's not this hand, but as part of this body, this finger is not

this finger but it's part of this body.

And we all work together in unity as God designed it. 1st

Corinthians 12 and verse 27. Now, you are the body of Christ

and members individually. So this claim is forced to admit

that the whole religious bodies are baptized in and we know

that's not the case. First Corinthians, 12, and verse

13, for by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body.

The only way to get into one body is to be baptized.

That's the only way. It says it right here in

Scripture. They also try to argue that the

branch has talked about in John 15 or the various denominations.

But such a claim didn't not fit the actual wording in the

context, notice abide in me, and I, in you as the branch cannot

bear fruit of itself. Except it abide in the vine.

No more can ye, except ye abide in me.

I am the vine. Ye are the branches.

He that abideth in me and I in him the same bringeth forth,

much fruit for without me. Ye can do nothing.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch and is

withered. Men gather them and cast them

into the fire and they are burned.

If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what

you will and it shall be done unto you.

So shall ye be my disciples. Jesus said if amen and Jesus did

not say, Jesus did not say abide in a branch, he didn't say that.

So, that's a branch over there. You just go by to that, Branch

over there. And you go Biden.

This Branch over here. He said, if a man instead, he

said abide not in me. He said that ye are branches and

abide in me and you will be my disciples.

So when we abide in Christ, we all are members of that body and

we are all unified. You cannot.

We cannot remain faithful to Christ.

While practicing unscriptural Doctrine notice in Matthew, 15

Matthew 15:9

verse 9. And in vain, they worship me

teaching as doctrines, the Commandments of men.

So when these man-made organizations and the

denominations that are brought on by men are are pushed and we

find that their worship is in vain to God.

Well, can we or should we Fellowship, denominations or can

we worship with them? I think this is probably the big

question. The big elephant in the room if

you want to say. Can we just decide on some

Sunday morning that we want to go over here to some mega church

and and worship there and it be acceptable in God's eyes or can

we just pick one that that fits the time that we want to worship

or it fits our need or fits what we want?

Can we worship there and be in fellowship with them there at

that place? Well, what is fellowship?

It's translated from the Greek word Koinonia I know Nene?

Yeah I cannot pronounce that word, excuse me.

Koinonia. Yeah, that's it.

Which is defined as Association communion joint participation

according to Thayer, Nelson's Bible dictionary.

Says in the New Testament. Fellowship has a direct

spiritual meaning the distinctly, excuse me, spiritual

meaning, it is a joint participation with other

Christians in activities related to being a Christian.

What it, what do we? What do we do together?

We worship together. We worship according to Spirit

and Truth. Notice that first John 1 verse 7

1 John 1:7

says, but if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we

have Fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ,

his son cleanses us from all sin.

So if someone is not walking in the light, are we in fellowship

with them? Notice the illustration when you

are in fellowship with God, and I am in fellowship with God,

then you and I are in fellowship with each other.

That's the simplest way that we can illustrate it.

So, how is a person in fellowship with God, they obey

God and they do his will and his Commandments, they worship Him

in spirit. And in truth, the way that God

commanded them to worship Him. And when we find a church like

that, this doing things, according to Bible pattern, yes,

then we can Fellowship them. We can have fellowship with him

because we have all things in common, we are one mind.

We are one body. We all have one hope because of

the one. God. so, in conclusion, There is

a way that seems right to a man but it's end is the way of

death. Certainly, if we Look at

denominationalism today, worshiping an error, it's it's

wrong. It's not according to Bible

pattern and we can't we can't do that.

We can't be a particular of that.

We can't be a part of that. We have to worship God the way

that he designed, the lesson is yours this morning.

I hope that something has been said A benefit us in some way,

we never know the minds of those that are present.

There may be someone here this morning, that is not a child of

God and hearing the word wants you to repent of it.

Won't you repent of your life, won't you then make the

confession of your faith. That you believe that Jesus

Christ is the Son of God and then be baptized into Christ for

the remission of your sins. And be added to the church, the

body of Christ. If you've taken those steps for

some reason you've turned away and done, things that you feel

requires a public confession of your fault, won't you come with

repenting heart and confess your faults and we'll pray with you

and for you. We thank you for listening to

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