If Jesus came back today, which church would He
choose?
Would He go to one of the mega-churches with
thousands of members who meet in majestic buildings?
Would He choose a small country-church,
or one meeting in a strip-mall?
And more importantly, would He choose your church?
I hope such a personal question doesn’t offend
you, because we will all do well to ask ourselves
this question.
Moreover, how would He make that choice?
As confusing as it may appear, the answer can be
found, and it’s not as complicated as it first
appears.
On today’s Tomorrow’s World program, I’ll be
giving you five signs to look for in locating the
Church Christ is building.
I’ll also be offering you a free resource that
explains one of those signs, titled,
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
So, if you want to know the answer to the question
of whether or not Jesus would choose your church,
stay with me.
As I’ll be back in five seconds to give you five
identifying signs of the Church Jesus built.
♪
A warm welcome to all of you from all of us here at
Tomorrow’s World where we help you make sense of
your world through the pages of the Bible.
On today’s program I’m asking an important
question.
If Jesus were to return today, would He choose
your Church?
After all, He did say that He would build His church
and the gates of the grave will not prevail against it.
Do you, dear friends, believe that?
If Jesus failed to do so, then He is a liar and
cannot be the Savior of the world. It’s just
that simple. But if He is building His Church,
and it continues to this day, wouldn’t you want to know
for sure where it is?
Many think that all churches who profess that
Jesus is the Christ are His and all we must do is
“go to the church of our choice.” But, is His
Church, as many people think, found in believers
scattered through contradicting
denominations and doctrines?
Think about that.
Not all churches even remotely believe the same things.
On today’s program I’ll give you five signs--and there
are many more that are found in Scripture--that identify
the church Christ is building, so let’s get started.
#1: Jesus said He would build His Church on a symbolic Rock.
Who or what is that Rock?
One large denomination alleges that their first
leader was that rock, and they turn to Matthew 16
for proof.
Let’s take a close look at that passage and see if
they are correct.
In verse 16, Jesus asked His disciples who they
thought He was, and Peter replied:
"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
Jesus explained that it was the
Father in heaven who revealed this answer to Peter.
Then in verse 18, Jesus said:
"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock
I will build My church, and the gates of Hades
[that is, the grave] shall not prevail against it."
This passage has been used for centuries to validate
the Roman church, but did Jesus say He would build
His Church on Peter, as many believe?
The New Testament scriptures were originally
written in Greek, and there is a play on two
Greek words found in this passage.
Both mean rock, but they're not the same.
Let’s read verse 18 once again:
"And I also say to you that you are Peter [the word there is
Petros in Greek], and on this Rock [petra in Greek] I will
build My church, and the gates of Hades [that is the grave]
shall not prevail against it."
Why two different words? What difference does that make?
Well, “Petros” is the masculine form of the word and means
a small rock, or “a piece of rock.” It's translated
into the English word, Peter, 161 times in the
New Testament.
Only once is Peter translated from a different word, and it
has no relationship whatsoever to the word rock.
“Petra” is the feminine form and refers to a
larger rock, “a mass of rock.”
You may have heard of the great
rock outcropping in Jordan, known as Petra.
In effect, Jesus was telling Peter, that he was
a small rock, or a piece of rock, but He would
build His Church on a massive Rock--Himself.
When petros is used for a person, it is translated
Peter (161 times in the New Testament
as already mentioned).
But petra, when referring to a person, refers only
to Christ.
Notice this example in Romans 9:33...
"As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone
and rock [that is, petra] of offense, and whoever believes on
Him [that is, Christ] will not be put to shame.”
There's a passage written by Peter himself, which shows
that Peter knew who the real Rock was.
Referring to Christ he wrote in 1 Peter 2:7-8...
"Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious;
but to those who are disobedient, “The stone
which the builders rejected has become the
chief cornerstone,” and “a stone of stumbling and a
rock [that is, petra] of offense.”
Both Paul and Peter used the same word when referring to
Christ. And in 1 Corinthians 10, verses 1-4, Paul leaves no
doubt who the Rock is that worked with Israel when
they came out of Egypt:
"Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware
that all our fathers were
under the cloud, all passed through the sea,
all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in
the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all
drank the same spiritual drink.
[Notice this.] For they drank of that spiritual Rock [that is,
petra] that followed them, and that Rock [petra] was Christ."
The evidence is overwhelming.
Jesus said He would build His church on a petra, a
massive rock, a word reserved for Jesus.
There are numerous Old Testament references to
the Rock, but let’s notice Psalms 18:46.
"The LORD lives!
Blessed be my Rock!
Let the God of my salvation be exalted."
Yes, Jesus, not Peter, is “the Rock of our
salvation.” Could anything be clearer?
So, the idea that Christ built His church on Peter
is flawed.
Jesus’ message for three and a half years was the
good news of His coming Kingdom.
Some erroneously think the Kingdom is within our
hearts.
Others think that the Kingdom of God is the
Church in today’s world.
They could not be more wrong.
Our resource, Do You Believe the True Gospel?
takes you through the pages of the Bible and
shows what the true gospel is that Jesus proclaimed.
So pick up the
phone and call the toll-free number shown on
your screen, or go to TWTV.ORG/Gospel and
request a copy of our resource,
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
And when I return, I’ll give you
two more signs identifying the Church that Jesus built.
For today’s free offer call...
Or go to...
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
If you’re calling for the first time, you will also
receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's
World magazine.
Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science,
and modern culture will help you make sense of
your world from *a biblical perspective.
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
Call now!
Or go to...
On today’s Tomorrow’s World program, I’m asking,
“If Jesus were to return today, would He choose
your church?”
In the previous portion of this program, I gave you
one sign identifying where Christ’s Church is.
That first sign is critical to all the other signs.
Jesus said He would build His Church on a
symbolic Rock. Scripture after scripture attests to
the fact that Jesus, not Peter, is that Rock, so
let's look at what He taught His Church.
But before I give a second sign, let me emphatically
state that we here at Tomorrow’s World believe
that Jesus was crucified to pay the penalty for our
sins, and that it is by grace that we are saved.
That's a given and I doubt many
of you would disagree.
Therefore, I’m concentrating on signs
found in the Bible which may not be understood by all.
Christ appeared to His disciples after His
resurrection and gave them a command that you can
read of, in Mark 16:15.
And this is sign number 2: The Church of God will
preach to all the world the same gospel Jesus taught.
But don’t all churches do
that? Sadly, most never preach that message.
The word gospel means good news, so what is that good
news Jesus proclaimed for three and a half years
prior to His crucifixion?
Shockingly, most don't know.
What about you?
Is it the message of His death, burial, and
resurrection?
That certainly is good news.
But what was His message that He proclaimed to His
followers for three and a half years prior to the
crucifixion?
Mark tells us in chapter 1 and verses 14 and 15 about
the beginning of Christ’s ministry:
"Now after John was put in prison, Jesus
came to Galilee, preaching
the gospel [note this] of the kingdom of God, and saying,
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Many scriptures show us that whatever this message is, it was
the message both Jesus and His disciples continued to preach.
Notice how important it was for Christ to proclaim this
message. Let's go to Luke 4:42-43.
Now when it was day, He departed and went into a
deserted place.
And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried
to keep Him from leaving them; but He said to them,
“I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities
also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”
In our free resource Do You Believe the True Gospel?
the late Dr. Roderick C. Meredith
asks the following: "Exactly what is that kingdom?
There have been many ideas.
The Jews of Christ’s day thought that a Messiah
figure would lead their physical nation to
militarily subdue other governments until they
reigned supreme over all men.
Later, the concept emerged that the Church made up
the Kingdom.
Others have believed that the Kingdom of God is an
ethereal realm set up in the hearts of men.
Others see it called “the kingdom of heaven” in
Matthew’s gospel account and conclude that it must
refer to eternal bliss in heaven.
Some also maintain that the Kingdom is the person
of Jesus Himself.
How can a church be the Church Jesus built if
it does not proclaim His same message?
Please, dear friends, don’t assume you know what
that Kingdom is.
It's shocking, but most professing Christian
churches have never preached the true gospel
that Jesus brought.
But you can know it, if you order our free
eye-opening resource Do You Believe the True Gospel?
So, our second sign is that: The Church of God
will preach to all the world the same gospel
Jesus taught. Number 3 is: Christ’s Church will
teach and practice God’s law.
Note these statements by
the One who said He would build His Church on a
Rock--that Rock being Christ.
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.
I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth
pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means
pass from the law till all is fulfilled."
There’s the example of the rich young man who asked
Jesus what he must do to enter the Kingdom of God.
Notice His reply.
"So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good?
No one is good but One, that is, God.
But if you want to enter into life, keep the
commandments.""
Jesus went on to
name several of the Ten Commandments.
He also chided the people of His day for calling Him
Lord, that is, Master, but not obeying Him.
"But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not
do the things which I say?"
That's in Luke 6:46.
He followed with a well-known parable. Children even sing a
song about it and how it contrasts building
on a rock, or on the sand.
"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does
them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a
man building a house, who dug deep and laid the
foundation on the rock.
And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently
against that house, and could not shake it, for it
was founded on the rock [and the word there for rock is
petra--a clear reference to Christ].
The Apostle John tells us in 1 John 3:4...
"Whosoever committeth sin
transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression
of the law." That's in the King James Version.
Without the law there is no sin.
And without sin there's no need for forgiveness.
And where there is no need for forgiveness, there's no
need for a Savior.
Therefore, the Church Jesus is building will be
striving to keep the law.
There are two more signs that I have time to give
you on this program--and there are many more--but
first I’ll pause for a short 15 second break so
you can take down our contact information to
order your free copy of Do You Believe the True Gospel?
Just call the toll-free number shown on your screen, or
go to our website TWTV.ORG/Gospel to receive
your free copy of Do You Believe the True Gospel?
And when I come back I’ll give you two more signs
identifying the Church Jesus is building.
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
Call now!
Or go to...
Today I’m discussing whether the Rock of our
salvation would choose your church or
denomination if He were to return today.
And I’m giving you five signs--and the Bible gives many
more--of the Church He said He would build.
I left off in the previous section with sign number three:
Christ’s Church will teach and practice God’s law.
This is far more important than people realize,
because the whole subject of grace is dependent upon law.
We encourage you to not just believe us, but prove
these things for yourself in your own Bible.
As Paul asked and answered in Romans 3:31:
"Do we then make void the law through faith?
Certainly not!
On the contrary, we establish the law."
And this leads me to point #4: Christ’s Church will
teach repentance from sin.
Notice again the beginning of Christ’s gospel
as noted in Mark 1:14...
"Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the
gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time
is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand.
Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Here we see two commands from the Rock--Jesus
Christ. We must believe the Gospel, the good news
Jesus and the Apostles taught; and that is not
the same message taught in most churches today.
No wonder Paul expressed concern for the church of
God at Corinth where we read in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4:
"But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent
deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds
may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he who comes preaches another Jesus
whom we have not preached, or if you receive a
different spirit which you have not received, or
[note this] a different gospel which you
have not accepted--you may well put up with it!"
In addition to believing in the same gospel Jesus
taught, we must repent.
But repent of what?
Why sin, of course!
But what is sin?
As we've already read, it is the transgression of the law.
Now see what John tells us about who knows God and
who does not--1 John 2 beginning in verse 3:
"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.
He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to
walk just as He walked."
The true Church of God will be
preaching a message of repentance from sin, which
the Bible defines as the violation of God’s law.
So far we have seen that #1: Jesus said He would
build His Church on a symbolic Rock. And that
rock, as we've seen, is Christ.
#2: The Church of God will preach to all the world
the same gospel Jesus taught.
#3: Christ’s Church will teach and practice God’s law.
And #4: Christ’s Church will teach repentance from sin.
There are many more signs to look for in finding where
the Church is that Jesus is building, and I’ll give
one more in a minute, but I want you to have a
powerful resource that absolutely nails down what
the Bible tells us about one of those signs.
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
lays to rest what the message was that Jesus
proclaimed for three and a half years prior to His
crucifixion.
And as we have read, He commanded all to repent
and believe that good news of His coming Kingdom.
Believing that gospel is not an option--it's a
command. But how can you believe in something you
don’t understand?
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
points you to the multitude of scriptures
which explain that message, so order your
free copy today.
Just call the toll-free number shown on your screen,
and ask for the booklet on
the True Gospel, or go to TWTV.ORG/Gospel.
And when I come back, I'll give you one
more sign to look for when searching for the Church
that Jesus built.
For today’s free offer call...
Or go to...
This clear and straight-forward resource
will help you understand this vital truth--
straight from the pages of the Bible.
If you’re calling for the first time, you will also
receive a free annual subscription to Tomorrow's
World magazine.
Ten inspiring issues discussing news, science,
and modern culture will help you make sense of
your world from a biblical perspective.
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
Call now!
Or go to...
If Jesus were to return today, would He choose
your church, or would He pass it by?
This is a vitally important question for
each one of us to courageously ask and
answer honestly.
So far, on today’s Tomorrow’s World program,
we've seen four signs to look for in locating His
church, for He tells us that He does have a church
and the gates of the grave cannot prevail against it.
Let us now look at the fifth sign.
#5: The Church that Christ built will be organized.
Many people today have given up on
what they call “organized religion,” and we get that.
There is far too much hypocrisy, insincerity,
greed, and corruption in today’s churches.
But this is not new.
A history of professing Christianity is a sad
history indeed.
Bloody wars with swords and guns have been fought
between major denominations.
Predatory priests have abused thousands over the years.
How can anyone believe that God is working in
such churches?
We understand sin is found everywhere on earth, but
wars and institutional abuse is another matter.
And how can one subscribe to a church that teaches
the opposite of what Jesus taught?
But does this mean all organized religion is wrong?
Consider.
What is the opposite of organized?
Is Jesus the author of disorganization and
confusion?
Jesus said He would build His church.
The word He used for church comes from the
Greek ekklesia.
And in simple terms, this word refers to an assembly, any
assembly; but in the context that Jesus used
it, it refers to an assembly of called out
followers of His.
It means the people, not the building.
One chapter from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians
brings great clarity to this subject.
In no way does he describe a disorganized body of
believers scattered through multiple organizations.
Quite the opposite.
Beginning in chapter 4 and verse 1, Paul pleads with
the Ephesians to maintain the unity of the faith:
"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
longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace."
But was he promoting a
compromising ecumenical movement between
contradicting organizations?
On the contrary, he spells out the fact that there
can be no compromise when it comes to doctrine.
He goes on to say,
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were
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."
That doesn’t sound like Paul
considered it okay to attend the church of your choice.
But is the Church Christ is building organized?
Or is it, as many believe, scattered believers found
in all denominations?
Churches have different thoughts about baptism.
What age--an infant, an adult, a teenager? What mode--is he
talking about sprinkling, or putting under the water
entirely? And if it is even necessary at all.
Yet, Paul says there is only one baptism.
How does that work?
And not all churches have the same hope.
Some believe in going to heaven where the greatest
joy is something called the beatific
vision--staring into the face of God for eternity.
Others believe the reward of the saved is here on earth.
Some think that you must keep the law while others
profess love is all that is necessary.
So how can there be...
"One body and one Spirit... one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism."
Here's more of what Paul told
the church at Ephesus, beginning in verse 11 of
this same 4th chapter.
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some
prophets, some evangelists, and some
pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the
saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ, till we all come to the
unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of
the fullness of Christ; [and note this] that we should no
longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery
of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful
plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may
grow up in all things into Him who is the
head--Christ--from whom the whole body, joined and
knit together by what every joint supplies,
according to the effective working by which every
part does its share, causes growth of the body
for the edifying [or building up] of itself in love."
I challenge you to dust off your Bible and read
Ephesians 4 for yourself.
The confusion we see in all the contradicting
denominations and independent groups can
hardly fit into what Paul describes here.
We see ordained offices--structure,
organization, and authority.
There are many more signs, but this is all I have
time for today.
So be sure to come back next week when Richard Ames,
Wallace Smith, Rod McNair, and I will continue to
share with you the revelation of Jesus
Christ, the good news of the coming Kingdom of God,
and the exciting end-time prophecies and their meaning.
Be sure to join us right here next week at this same time.
For today’s free offer call...
Or go to...
Call today and join millions around the world
who are turning to Tomorrow’s World for
truth, prophecy, and hope in these confusing times.
The preceding program is
produced by the Living Church of God.