A Sound Church

 

I.         INTRODUCTION:

A.      The word "sound" is a scriptural term

1.       "Sound doctrine" 2Tim 4:3; Tit 1:9; 2:1

2 Tim 4:3 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

Titus 1:9 – Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Titus 2:1 – But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

2.       Same word translated "wholesome" 1Tim 6:3

3.       ASV has "sound" in 1Tim 6:3 (Marginal reading "healthful")

4.       "Sound words" 2Tim 1:13

5.       "Sound in the faith" Tit 1:13

B.      The word "sound" involves that which is stable, safe, secure, whole, firm, healthy

C.      Word has been greatly misused and abused in religious circles

1.       It is used to describe any individual or church that opposes societies and unscriptural cooperative arrangements

a)      This is a generality, it may not in fact describe at all

b)      This church may be "run by a pastor," or given over to worldliness, this is not "sound"

2.       It is sometimes used to describe a party movement

a)      So, "sound" may be anyone who agrees with me on the prevailing "issues".

b)      "Sound" is one who we think ought to be fellowshipped

II.       WHAT A "SOUND" CHURCH IS NOT

A.      Not necessarily a church with a "name"

1.       Sardis Rev 3:1

1And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.

2.       Laodicea Rev 3:15-17

3.       Many churches today have a "big name", but not sound

B.      Not even necessarily because it is sound in doctrine

1.       The church at Ephesus had benefit of Paul's teaching for nearly three years Acts 20:20,26,27,31

a)      Later Paul sent Timothy 1Tim 1:3

3As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

b)      Resulted in them being sound in doctrine Rev 2:2

c)      Yet they were an unsound church Rev 2:3-5

2.       The "church of God...at Corinth" was taught by Paul with good results for over 1 1/2 years Acts 18:8,11,18

a)      Apollos there "mighty in scriptures" Acts 18:24; 19:1

b)      They were "enriched" and came "behind in no gift"
1Cor 1:5-7

c)      So, their faith stood in the gospel 1Cor 15:1

d)      Yet they were unsound

(1)     1 Cor 3:1-4 – carnal
(2)     1 Cor 5:1-11 – Fornitcation
(3)     1 Cor 11:17-30 – LS love feast

III.      WHAT A "SOUND" CHURCH IS

A.      One that seeks scriptural organization

1.       Scripturally unorganized - no qualified men
Acts 14:23 – Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch

2.       Scripturally organized - qualified men serving
Phil 1:1

3.       Unscripturally organized - unqualified men serving
3 John 9 – Diotrephes (preeminence)

4.       Unscripturally unorganized - qualified men not appointed
Titus 1:5 - Crete

B.      One where all members know their place

1.       Importance shown in Old Testament

a)      Josh 6:5,20 All must shout

b)      Judges 7:15-21 stood every man in his place

2.       Importance of this principle has not lessened in the Lord's army today

a)      Elders are not followers, nor are they deacons 1Pet 5:2

b)      Deacons are not junior elders, not just men with a strong back and a weak mind 1Tim 3:8,9

c)      Evangelist not errand boy, nor pastor

d)      All saints have a place to work 1Cor 15:58; Eph 4:16

C.      One that demands plain, strong, gospel preaching - (not one that just tolerates it, but demands it)

1.       Involves positive and negative preaching 2Tim 4:2-4

2.       Dangerous trends must be warned about

a)      Many times brethren call preacher an alarmist

b)      If so, he is in good company: Paul, Peter, John
Acts 20:28-32 - Paul

(1)     2Pet 2:1 - Peter
1But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
(2)     1Jhn 4:1 - John
1Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

c)      Sometimes names must be called 1Tim 1:19,20; 2Tim 2:16-18; 4:10,14; Tit 1:10-13; 3Jhn 9

D.      One that is not content with what is being done, but wants to do more for the Lord. Always working

1.       Illustration: Pet Milk comes from "contented cows" - A competing dairy says: "Our cows are never contented; they are always trying to do better."

2.       Philippi praised Phil 1:3-5; 4:10-18 but also exhorted by Paul's example Phil 3:13,14

3.       Colosse commended Col 1:3-6, 8; but also exhorted
Col 1:9,10

4.       Thessalonica thanked 1Thess 1:2-4, 6-8, but also exhorted 1Thess 4:1,10

5.       Sound churches of today are not complacent, or lethargic

IV.    CONCLUSION:

A.      Every Christian has a function in the body, and each member, therefore, helps to determine the soundness of the church.

B.      Let us all, in order to be sound and saved, endeavor to learn the truth, live by it and then teach it and preach it to others.