"Despise Ye the Church of God?"

TEXT:  1 Cor. 11:22

INTRODUCTION:

A.    THE CHURCH IS PRECIOUS TO GOD( Acts 20:28;  Eph. 5:25 ).

B.    IT SHOULD BE PRECIOUS TO US.

C.    DO WE "DESPISE" THE CHURCH?( 1 Cor. 11:22 ).

        1.     Despise, "to look down on with contempt;  to undervalue;  to

               disregard;  to slight;  to pervert;  to neglect."

        2.     Illustrated in the occasion of the Lord's supper.

D.    HOW IS IT WE MAY DESPISE THE CHURCH TODAY?

I.     BY FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLY.

A.    Psa. 122:1.  THE TIME TO WORSHIP IS A TIME OF JOY.

B.    Rom. 12:9-10.  A TIME FOR FELLOWSHIP.

C.    Heb. 10:24-25.  ENCOURAGEMENT -  ( vs. 25 ), context.

D.    BY FAILING TO MAKE PREPARATION( John 4:24 ).

        1.     We need to "tune our hearts" to spiritual things.

        2.     We need to study our lessons.

        3.     Bring the right "tools" - notebook, Bible, brain.

II.    BY LAX BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS.

A.    WE NEED TO STAND UP FOR WHAT WE BELIEVE!

        ( 1 Pet. 3:15;  Jude 3;  2 Tim. 1:13-14 ).

B.    PULPIT IS NO PLACE FOR COMPROMISE

        ( 2 Tim. 4:2-5;  Acts 20:26-27 ).

C.    NEITHER IS THE CHURCH!  How do you feel?( Gal. 4:16 ).

D.    1 Cor. 16:13-14!

III.   BY LIVING INCONSISTENTLY WITH BELIEFS.

A.    WORTHY?( Eph. 4:1;  Phil. 1:27 ).  HOW HIGH IS OUR

        STANDARD?

B.    WE HAVE "SUFFERED IN THE FLESH"( 1 Pet. 4:1-2 ).

        1.     A changed servitude( Rom. 1:16-17 ).

        2.     How do we fashion our lives?( Rom. 12:1-2;  1 Pet. 4:2 ).

C.    1 Tim. 4:16;  2 Cor. 3:2.  OUR LIVES ARE THE BEST

        ENDORSEMENT WE CAN GIVE TO THE CHURCH.

D.    THE CURSE OF THE JEWS( Rom. 2:17-24 ). 

E.    IS THE CHURCH BLASPHEMED BECAUSE OF US?

IV.  BY REFUSING TO BE A PART OF IT.

A.    JESUS BOUGHT IT WITH HIS BLOOD( Acts 20:28 ).

B.    THE SAVED MAKE UP THE CHURCH( Eph. 5:23;  Acts 2:47 ).

C.    THOSE TRULY SERVING JESUS ARE IN IT(John 15:8; Eph.3:21 ).

D.    THOSE OUTSIDE SERVE MAMMON( Matt. 6:24;  12:30 ).

E.    HOW DO YOU GET IN IT?( Gal. 3:27;  1 Cor. 12:13 ).

CONCLUSION:  DO YOU DESPISE THE CHURCH?

A.    HOW DO LIVE BEFORE MEN?

B.    ARE YOU A MEMBER?