Join us on this compelling journey as we delve deep into the essence of the Church described in the New Testament. Reflecting on Philippians 1:27-30, we explore the principles guiding the Church of Christ—predominantly pre-denominational, undenominational, and non-denominational. Speaker Jeff Archie passionately presents how we can become a part of this church, emphasizing a conduct that harmonizes with the gospel of Christ.
Dear friends, let’s seek a place where we find conduct, striving to be good, preaching is truthful and helpful, attitudes are good and contagious, and serving, it abounds, and it does exist. It is the church. Let’s talk about it today from the International Gospel Hour. Join us.
SPEAKER 02 :
It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ.
SPEAKER 01 :
Here’s Jeff. Well, thank you to our J-Web, and greetings to all of you. Thank you for being with us today. You know, I love for individuals to ask me about the Church of Christ. And you know, friends, I plead nothing more than to present it from the Scriptures. The Church, the only Church we read about in the New Testament. It is pre-denominational, undenominational, and non-denominational. Yes, friends, all wrapped in one. And that’s right, you can be a member of the church without joining any denomination. And when you study the scriptures, that’s exactly what is commanded. The church of which Jesus promised to build, Matthew 16, 18, purchased with his own blood, Acts 20 and verse 28, purposed in the mind of God through Jesus Christ, Ephesians 3, 10 and 11, and the part that we may have in being added to that church, Acts 2, 42 through 47. I have no problem calling it the church of Christ, for it belongs to Him. And there are a number of other descriptions in the New Testament. But friends, how thankful we are that we can be a member of the church of Christ, the church we read of in the New Testament. Paul wrote under the church at Philippi of how the church should conduct itself. Now, I am sure you would agree that a church that does what it wants and lives how it wants is not the church we read of in the New Testament. Does that church have the authority from the Scriptures to be the church of Christ, the church that belongs to Him? So our text for this study is Philippians 1, 27-30, which reads, “…only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.” and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God. For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now here is in me. What a beautiful context concerning the church! a commendation for living, a charge to keep going onward, and comfort with correction for those that would withstand them. So much on behalf of those worthy of the gospel. Let’s look at this closely, dear friends. And with that said, we’ll be back in a moment.
SPEAKER 02 :
The best way to reach us is our toll-free number at 855-444-6988. Would you take a moment and give us a call and tell us where you are listening to our broadcast? Our number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call 855-444-6988. That’s 855-444-6988. Thank you so much and keep listening. Friends worthy of the gospel, let’s talk about the life one lives.
SPEAKER 01 :
One’s conduct, or there are other versions of the Scripture that may say conversation or lifestyle, but that conduct must be consistent and truly not hypocritical. Jesus spoke of hypocrisy in Matthew 7, 1-5, to where individuals that would judge would not take in consideration the judgment that would be upon them. And oh, how He rebuked the Pharisees throughout Matthew 23 for their hypocrisy. Paul had already stated, For me to live is Christ and to die is gain, Philippians 1 verse 21. We are new creations in Christ, 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17. Individuals to have a new manner of life after baptism into Christ, Romans 6 verse 4. Individuals who are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live, Galatians 2 verse 20. So friends, one cannot live or walk any way one desires and be accepted by God. We note the scriptures that are clear with this teaching, and one expects faithful living as does God. So when one is walking worthy of the gospel, and they’re in the church, then individuals need to see lives that people are living for Christ, that that church may be the right example and the light of the world. And later in Philippians 2, that’s exactly what Paul says. that they should shine as lights among the world, in that midst of a crooked and perverse nation. Again, building from Philippians 1, 27-30, worthy of the gospel? Well, because of the message that is preached. called later the faith of the gospel, this term of faith is the gospel, the faith that was conveyed or preached or brought forth to the church at Colossae in Colossians 1.23, that faith that is preached to all the nations. It’s a faith that converts individuals, that converted priests to the faith, Acts 6 and verse 7 says, An individual continues in the faith. From Acts 14, verse 22, that the churches would be exhorted to continue in the faith. What saved them would keep them there. And that parallels with 1 Corinthians 15, 1 through 4. the faith that is confirmed and established. And in Acts 16 and verse 5, And so were the churches established in thee faith, and increased in number daily, and thee faith of which one contends. Jude verse 3. This is the gospel, friends, and there is but one gospel. Jesus said to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature, Mark 16, 15. Paul told them in Galatians 1, 6-9, there is but one gospel and not another. There is none other. There’s no Paul gospel or no Peter gospel. And again, Jesus made it clear how many gospels should be preached. Only one, Matthew 28, 19 and Mark 16, 15. And what did Paul call it? Romans 1.16, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes. So friends, if I live worthy, it’s because of the message that is worthy. Again, the gospel of Christ that I heard that saved me is the gospel of Christ that will keep me saved. And so an individual should look upon the church as here’s a church that’s striving to walk according to the Bible and the preaching that comes forth. Thirdly, worthy of the gospel. Now we see the right attitude that is shown. Now the word spirit, to stand fast in one’s spirit, lowercase, within that text it deals with one’s attitude. That’s an attitude that deals within our minds, as Paul talked about in Ephesians 4.23, “…be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” How we are approaching and deal with one another, as Paul talked about in 2 Corinthians 12, 18. What about the right attitude toward God in our worship? And worship is offered unto God. Not worship that pleases us, but worship that pleases God, which will in turn bless us and please us. John 4 and verse 24, we’re reminded God is a spirit. And they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth. So we see conduct worthy of the gospel. That good lives that are lived, preaching that is embraced, and now attitudes that are good and contagious and serving abounds, which flows us into number four, worthy of the gospel faith. Serving with the Christ and serving as the Christ. Striving together. Now, whereas we looked at attitude, now we’re going to look at altitude. What is carried out takes us higher, takes us stronger. But let’s keep in mind our pattern. Our pattern is Christ, Matthew 20, 27-28. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave, just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. Now, when you and I see that word striving from our lesson text of Philippians 1, 27, that word is an athletic term. It means to strive together or labor together with one another, to have the same direction and purpose. Now, friends, do you see the change in one’s life and the changes in a number of lives worthy of the gospel? Indeed, lives well lived, message that helps one grow in knowledge, one grows in attitude, one to be a servant, and how beautiful and yes, such can and should be found in the church of Christ. And friends, we would love to help you toward that end. If we can help you find a congregation of the Church of Christ in your area, we are glad to do so. A simple call of 855-444-6988, our toll-free number, and you can let us know I’m looking for a congregation. Can you help me out? If you can leave us your email address or phone number, we’ll reach back out to you on that circumstance and see if we can be of help. But for right now, let’s see if we can help you another way with our special Bible study by mail called God and Man. Jay Webb has more details of how you can receive your free copy.
SPEAKER 02 :
An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to Be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address and just say God and man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH. And our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
Friends, what a joy to learn about the church of Christ. The church that we read of in the New Testament. And that is the church of which we will stand, of which we are a part here at International Gospel Hour. We’re grateful for churches of Christ that help us with this broadcast and to provide things free for your study and your research. And we will continue these studies here at another time. But for now… Thank you always for joining me here on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
God be with you, still be with you. Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com and join us next time. Till we meet again
