WEBVTT
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If Jesus came back today,
which church would He
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choose?
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Would He go to one of
the mega-churches with
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thousands of members
who meet in majestic buildings?
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Would He choose a small country-church,
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or one meeting in a strip-mall?
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And more importantly, would He choose your church?
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I hope such a personal
question doesn’t offend
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you, because we will all
do well to ask ourselves
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this question.
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Moreover, how would
He make that choice?
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As confusing as it may
appear, the answer can be
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found, and it’s not as
complicated as it first
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appears.
00:38.204 --> 00:40.573
On today’s Tomorrow’s
World program, I’ll be
00:40.640 --> 00:43.443
giving you five signs to
look for in locating the
00:43.510 --> 00:45.779
Church Christ is building.
00:45.845 --> 00:48.415
I’ll also be offering
you a free resource that
00:48.481 --> 00:50.884
explains one of those
signs, titled,
00:50.950 --> 00:53.620
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
00:53.686 --> 00:56.022
So, if you want to know
the answer to the question
00:56.089 --> 00:58.925
of whether or not Jesus
would choose your church,
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stay with me.
01:00.827 --> 01:03.296
As I’ll be back in five
seconds to give you five
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identifying signs of
the Church Jesus built.
01:07.133 --> 01:13.673
♪
01:13.740 --> 01:16.810
A warm welcome to all of
you from all of us here at
01:16.876 --> 01:19.746
Tomorrow’s World where
we help you make sense of
01:19.813 --> 01:23.116
your world through the
pages of the Bible.
01:23.183 --> 01:25.785
On today’s program I’m
asking an important
01:25.852 --> 01:27.153
question.
01:27.220 --> 01:30.523
If Jesus were to return
today, would He choose
01:30.590 --> 01:32.459
your Church?
01:32.525 --> 01:35.361
After all, He did say that
He would build His church
01:35.428 --> 01:38.531
and the gates of the grave
will not prevail against it.
01:38.598 --> 01:41.367
Do you, dear friends,
believe that?
01:41.434 --> 01:44.270
If Jesus failed to do
so, then He is a liar and
01:44.337 --> 01:47.106
cannot be the Savior of
the world. It’s just
01:47.173 --> 01:50.276
that simple. But if He is building His Church,
01:50.343 --> 01:53.580
and it continues to this day, wouldn’t you want to know
01:53.646 --> 01:55.715
for sure where it is?
01:55.782 --> 01:57.984
Many think that all
churches who profess that
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Jesus is the Christ are
His and all we must do is
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“go to the church of
our choice.” But, is His
02:05.492 --> 02:08.394
Church, as many people
think, found in believers
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scattered through
contradicting
02:10.029 --> 02:12.732
denominations
and doctrines?
02:12.799 --> 02:14.567
Think about that.
02:14.634 --> 02:18.972
Not all churches even remotely believe the same things.
02:19.038 --> 02:22.575
On today’s program I’ll
give you five signs--and there
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are many more that are found in
Scripture--that identify
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the church Christ is
building, so let’s get started.
02:30.283 --> 02:35.822
#1: Jesus said He would build His Church on a symbolic Rock.
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Who or what is that Rock?
02:38.291 --> 02:41.127
One large denomination
alleges that their first
02:41.194 --> 02:45.465
leader was that rock, and
they turn to Matthew 16
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for proof.
02:47.066 --> 02:49.836
Let’s take a close look
at that passage and see if
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they are correct.
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In verse 16, Jesus asked
His disciples who they
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thought He was, and
Peter replied:
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"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
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Jesus explained that it was the
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Father in heaven who
revealed this answer to Peter.
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Then in verse 18, Jesus said:
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"And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock
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I will build My church,
and the gates of Hades
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[that is, the grave] shall not prevail against it."
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This passage has been used
for centuries to validate
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the Roman church, but did
Jesus say He would build
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His Church on Peter,
as many believe?
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The New Testament
scriptures were originally
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written in Greek, and
there is a play on two
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Greek words found
in this passage.
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Both mean rock, but
they're not the same.
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Let’s read verse 18 once again:
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"And I also say to you that you are Peter [the word there is
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Petros in Greek], and on this Rock [petra in Greek] I will
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build My church, and the gates of Hades [that is the grave]
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shall not prevail against it."
03:58.071 --> 04:02.275
Why two different words? What difference does that make?
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Well, “Petros” is the masculine
form of the word and means
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a small rock, or “a piece
of rock.” It's translated
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into the English word,
Peter, 161 times in the
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New Testament.
04:15.388 --> 04:19.225
Only once is Peter translated from a different word, and it
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has no relationship whatsoever to the word rock.
04:23.162 --> 04:26.099
“Petra” is the feminine
form and refers to a
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larger rock, “a mass of
rock.”
04:28.935 --> 04:30.303
You may have heard of the great
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rock outcropping in Jordan, known as Petra.
04:33.773 --> 04:37.176
In effect, Jesus was
telling Peter, that he was
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a small rock, or a piece
of rock, but He would
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build His Church
on a massive Rock--Himself.
04:44.517 --> 04:47.420
When petros is used for a
person, it is translated
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Peter (161 times
in the New Testament
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as already mentioned).
04:53.292 --> 04:56.629
But petra, when referring
to a person, refers only
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to Christ.
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Notice this example in
Romans 9:33...
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"As it is written: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone
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and rock [that is, petra] of offense, and whoever believes on
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Him [that is, Christ] will not be put to shame.”
05:15.982 --> 05:19.118
There's a passage written by
Peter himself, which shows
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that Peter knew who
the real Rock was.
05:22.188 --> 05:28.394
Referring to Christ he
wrote in 1 Peter 2:7-8...
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"Therefore, to you who
believe, He is precious;
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but to those who are
disobedient, “The stone
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which the builders
rejected has become the
05:37.603 --> 05:41.641
chief cornerstone,” and “a
stone of stumbling and a
05:41.708 --> 05:45.011
rock [that is, petra] of offense.”
05:45.078 --> 05:48.514
Both Paul and Peter used the same word when referring to
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Christ. And in 1 Corinthians 10,
verses 1-4, Paul leaves no
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doubt who the Rock is that
worked with Israel when
05:57.724 --> 05:59.425
they came out of Egypt:
05:59.492 --> 06:02.495
"Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware
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that all our fathers were
06:04.630 --> 06:07.567
under the cloud, all
passed through the sea,
06:07.633 --> 06:10.470
all were baptized into
Moses in the cloud and in
06:10.536 --> 06:14.307
the sea, all ate the same
spiritual food, and all
06:14.373 --> 06:16.743
drank the same
spiritual drink.
06:16.809 --> 06:20.580
[Notice this.] For they drank of that spiritual Rock [that is,
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petra] that followed them, and
that Rock [petra] was Christ."
06:26.119 --> 06:28.321
The evidence is
overwhelming.
06:28.387 --> 06:32.024
Jesus said He would build
His church on a petra, a
06:32.091 --> 06:35.928
massive rock, a word
reserved for Jesus.
06:35.995 --> 06:38.297
There are numerous Old
Testament references to
06:38.364 --> 06:42.502
the Rock, but let’s
notice Psalms 18:46.
06:42.568 --> 06:44.403
"The LORD lives!
06:44.470 --> 06:46.472
Blessed be my Rock!
06:46.539 --> 06:49.942
Let the God of my
salvation be exalted."
06:50.009 --> 06:53.212
Yes, Jesus, not Peter,
is “the Rock of our
06:53.279 --> 06:56.883
salvation.” Could
anything be clearer?
06:56.949 --> 06:59.886
So, the idea that Christ
built His church on Peter
06:59.952 --> 07:01.087
is flawed.
07:01.154 --> 07:04.290
Jesus’ message for three
and a half years was the
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good news of His
coming Kingdom.
07:06.759 --> 07:09.796
Some erroneously think
the Kingdom is within our
07:09.862 --> 07:10.963
hearts.
07:11.030 --> 07:12.999
Others think that the
Kingdom of God is the
07:13.065 --> 07:14.667
Church in today’s world.
07:14.734 --> 07:17.470
They could not
be more wrong.
07:17.537 --> 07:20.273
Our resource, Do You
Believe the True Gospel?
07:20.339 --> 07:22.942
takes you through the
pages of the Bible and
07:23.009 --> 07:26.579
shows what the true gospel
is that Jesus proclaimed.
07:26.646 --> 07:27.613
So pick up the
07:27.680 --> 07:29.482
phone and call the
toll-free number shown on
07:29.549 --> 07:35.321
your screen, or go to
TWTV.ORG/Gospel and
07:35.388 --> 07:38.224
request a copy of our
resource,
07:38.291 --> 07:40.793
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
07:40.860 --> 07:42.428
And when I return, I’ll
give you
07:42.495 --> 07:46.232
two more signs identifying the Church that Jesus built.
07:46.299 --> 07:54.507
For today’s free
offer call...
07:54.574 --> 07:59.545
Or go to...
07:59.612 --> 08:01.948
This clear and
straight-forward resource
08:02.014 --> 08:04.784
will help you understand
this vital truth--
08:04.851 --> 08:07.820
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
08:07.887 --> 08:10.323
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first time, you will also
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receive a free annual
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08:13.259 --> 08:14.660
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08:14.727 --> 08:18.097
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08:18.164 --> 08:20.933
and modern culture will
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08:21.000 --> 08:24.337
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08:24.403 --> 08:27.440
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Call now!
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08:46.759 --> 08:50.296
On today’s Tomorrow’s
World program, I’m asking,
08:50.363 --> 08:53.599
“If Jesus were to return
today, would He choose
08:53.666 --> 08:55.701
your church?”
08:55.768 --> 08:58.838
In the previous portion of
this program, I gave you
08:58.905 --> 09:02.408
one sign identifying
where Christ’s Church is.
09:02.475 --> 09:06.579
That first sign is
critical to all the other signs.
09:06.646 --> 09:08.948
Jesus said He would
build His Church on a
09:09.015 --> 09:12.852
symbolic Rock. Scripture
after scripture attests to
09:12.919 --> 09:16.389
the fact that Jesus, not
Peter, is that Rock, so
09:16.455 --> 09:19.458
let's look at what
He taught His Church.
09:19.525 --> 09:23.129
But before I give a second
sign, let me emphatically
09:23.195 --> 09:26.232
state that we here at
Tomorrow’s World believe
09:26.299 --> 09:29.168
that Jesus was crucified
to pay the penalty for our
09:29.235 --> 09:33.372
sins, and that it is by
grace that we are saved.
09:33.439 --> 09:35.541
That's a given and I
doubt many
09:35.608 --> 09:37.043
of you would disagree.
09:37.109 --> 09:39.312
Therefore, I’m
concentrating on signs
09:39.378 --> 09:43.349
found in the Bible which
may not be understood by all.
09:43.416 --> 09:45.584
Christ appeared to His
disciples after His
09:45.651 --> 09:48.387
resurrection and gave them
a command that you can
09:48.454 --> 09:52.325
read of, in Mark 16:15.
09:52.391 --> 09:56.529
And this is sign number 2:
The Church of God will
09:56.595 --> 09:59.932
preach to all the world
the same gospel Jesus taught.
09:59.999 --> 10:02.802
But don’t all churches do
10:02.868 --> 10:07.606
that? Sadly, most never
preach that message.
10:07.673 --> 10:11.210
The word gospel means good
news, so what is that good
10:11.277 --> 10:14.580
news Jesus proclaimed for
three and a half years
10:14.647 --> 10:16.882
prior to His crucifixion?
10:16.949 --> 10:20.186
Shockingly, most don't know.
10:20.252 --> 10:21.954
What about you?
10:22.021 --> 10:23.956
Is it the message of
His death, burial, and
10:24.023 --> 10:25.591
resurrection?
10:25.658 --> 10:28.394
That certainly is good news.
10:28.461 --> 10:31.063
But what was His message
that He proclaimed to His
10:31.130 --> 10:33.733
followers for three and
a half years prior to the
10:33.799 --> 10:35.301
crucifixion?
10:35.368 --> 10:39.572
Mark tells us in chapter 1
and verses 14 and 15 about
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the beginning of Christ’s
ministry:
10:42.475 --> 10:45.411
"Now after John was put in prison, Jesus
10:45.478 --> 10:47.013
came to Galilee, preaching
10:47.079 --> 10:52.251
the gospel [note this] of the kingdom of God, and saying,
10:52.318 --> 10:56.989
“The time is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand.
10:57.056 --> 11:01.127
Repent, and believe in the
gospel.”
11:01.193 --> 11:04.730
Many scriptures show us that whatever this message is, it was
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the message both Jesus and His disciples continued to preach.
11:08.934 --> 11:12.104
Notice how important it
was for Christ to proclaim this
11:12.171 --> 11:17.910
message. Let's go to
Luke 4:42-43.
11:17.977 --> 11:20.212
Now when it was day, He
departed and went into a
11:20.279 --> 11:22.081
deserted place.
11:22.148 --> 11:24.717
And the crowd sought Him
and came to Him, and tried
11:24.784 --> 11:27.887
to keep Him from leaving
them; but He said to them,
11:27.953 --> 11:31.290
“I must preach the kingdom
of God to the other cities
11:31.357 --> 11:36.395
also, because for this
purpose I have been sent.”
11:36.462 --> 11:39.398
In our free resource
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
11:39.465 --> 11:41.400
the late
Dr. Roderick C. Meredith
11:41.467 --> 11:45.771
asks the following: "Exactly
what is that kingdom?
11:45.838 --> 11:48.140
There have been
many ideas.
11:48.207 --> 11:51.110
The Jews of Christ’s day
thought that a Messiah
11:51.177 --> 11:54.480
figure would lead their
physical nation to
11:54.547 --> 11:57.650
militarily subdue other
governments until they
11:57.716 --> 12:00.619
reigned supreme
over all men.
12:00.686 --> 12:03.722
Later, the concept emerged
that the Church made up
12:03.789 --> 12:05.191
the Kingdom.
12:05.257 --> 12:07.760
Others have believed that
the Kingdom of God is an
12:07.827 --> 12:11.497
ethereal realm set up
in the hearts of men.
12:11.564 --> 12:14.133
Others see it called “the
kingdom of heaven” in
12:14.200 --> 12:17.169
Matthew’s gospel account
and conclude that it must
12:17.236 --> 12:20.639
refer to eternal
bliss in heaven.
12:20.706 --> 12:23.776
Some also maintain that
the Kingdom is the person
12:23.843 --> 12:26.345
of Jesus Himself.
12:26.412 --> 12:29.181
How can a church be
the Church Jesus built if
12:29.248 --> 12:32.718
it does not proclaim
His same message?
12:32.785 --> 12:34.987
Please, dear friends,
don’t assume you know what
12:35.054 --> 12:36.722
that Kingdom is.
12:36.789 --> 12:39.859
It's shocking, but most
professing Christian
12:39.925 --> 12:42.761
churches have never
preached the true gospel
12:42.828 --> 12:44.964
that Jesus brought.
12:45.030 --> 12:47.466
But you can know it,
if you order our free
12:47.533 --> 12:51.470
eye-opening resource
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
12:51.537 --> 12:54.840
So, our second sign is
that: The Church of God
12:54.907 --> 12:57.543
will preach to all the
world the same gospel
12:57.610 --> 13:02.014
Jesus taught. Number 3 is: Christ’s Church will
13:02.081 --> 13:04.917
teach and practice God’s law.
13:04.984 --> 13:06.252
Note these statements by
13:06.318 --> 13:08.721
the One who said He would
build His Church on a
13:08.787 --> 13:11.624
Rock--that Rock
being Christ.
13:11.690 --> 13:15.528
"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets.
13:15.594 --> 13:19.665
I did not come to
destroy but to fulfill.
13:19.732 --> 13:22.168
For assuredly, I say to
you, till heaven and earth
13:22.234 --> 13:26.172
pass away, one jot or one
tittle will by no means
13:26.238 --> 13:30.576
pass from the law
till all is fulfilled."
13:30.643 --> 13:32.912
There’s the example of the
rich young man who asked
13:32.978 --> 13:36.348
Jesus what he must do to
enter the Kingdom of God.
13:36.415 --> 13:38.217
Notice His reply.
13:38.284 --> 13:41.754
"So He said to him, “Why
do you call Me good?
13:41.820 --> 13:44.623
No one is good but
One, that is, God.
13:44.690 --> 13:47.693
But if you want to enter
into life, keep the
13:47.760 --> 13:48.894
commandments.""
13:48.961 --> 13:49.828
Jesus went on to
13:49.895 --> 13:52.097
name several of the
Ten Commandments.
13:52.164 --> 13:54.800
He also chided the people
of His day for calling Him
13:54.867 --> 13:58.938
Lord, that is, Master,
but not obeying Him.
13:59.004 --> 14:01.840
"But why do you call Me
‘Lord, Lord,’ and not
14:01.907 --> 14:03.943
do the things which I say?"
14:04.009 --> 14:07.780
That's in Luke 6:46.
14:07.846 --> 14:11.717
He followed with a well-known parable. Children even sing a
14:11.784 --> 14:14.420
song about it and how it contrasts building
14:14.486 --> 14:17.122
on a rock, or on the sand.
14:17.189 --> 14:20.292
"Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does
14:20.359 --> 14:24.163
them, I will show you whom
he is like: He is like a
14:24.230 --> 14:27.533
man building a house,
who dug deep and laid the
14:27.600 --> 14:29.368
foundation on the rock.
14:29.435 --> 14:32.538
And when the flood arose,
the stream beat vehemently
14:32.605 --> 14:36.242
against that house, and
could not shake it, for it
14:36.308 --> 14:39.445
was founded on the rock
[and the word there for rock is
14:39.511 --> 14:42.915
petra--a clear reference to Christ].
14:42.982 --> 14:46.585
The Apostle
John tells us in 1 John 3:4...
14:46.652 --> 14:48.787
"Whosoever
committeth sin
14:48.854 --> 14:53.592
transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression
14:53.659 --> 14:57.796
of the law." That's in the King James Version.
14:57.863 --> 15:00.466
Without
the law there is no sin.
15:00.532 --> 15:04.570
And without sin there's no
need for forgiveness.
15:04.637 --> 15:07.206
And where there is no need for
forgiveness, there's no
15:07.273 --> 15:09.041
need for a Savior.
15:09.108 --> 15:12.311
Therefore, the Church
Jesus is building will be
15:12.378 --> 15:14.980
striving to keep the law.
15:15.047 --> 15:17.316
There are two more signs
that I have time to give
15:17.383 --> 15:20.352
you on this program--and there
are many more--but
15:20.419 --> 15:23.489
first I’ll pause for a
short 15 second break so
15:23.555 --> 15:26.191
you can take down our
contact information to
15:26.258 --> 15:30.629
order your free copy of
Do You Believe the True Gospel?
15:30.696 --> 15:33.565
Just call the toll-free number
shown on your screen, or
15:33.632 --> 15:39.905
go to our website
TWTV.ORG/Gospel to receive
15:39.972 --> 15:44.076
your free copy of Do You
Believe the True Gospel?
15:44.143 --> 15:46.412
And when I come back I’ll
give you two more signs
15:46.478 --> 15:49.982
identifying the Church
Jesus is building.
15:50.049 --> 15:52.718
This clear and
straight-forward resource
15:52.785 --> 15:55.754
will help you understand
this vital truth--
15:55.821 --> 15:58.624
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
15:58.691 --> 15:59.358
Call now!
15:59.425 --> 16:04.930
Or go to...
16:05.364 --> 16:08.100
Today I’m discussing
whether the Rock of our
16:08.167 --> 16:10.436
salvation would
choose your church or
16:10.502 --> 16:14.106
denomination if He
were to return today.
16:14.173 --> 16:17.176
And I’m giving you five
signs--and the Bible gives many
16:17.242 --> 16:20.646
more--of the Church He
said He would build.
16:20.713 --> 16:24.650
I left off in the previous
section with sign number three:
16:24.717 --> 16:29.254
Christ’s Church will teach
and practice God’s law.
16:29.321 --> 16:32.191
This is far more important
than people realize,
16:32.257 --> 16:37.296
because the whole subject
of grace is dependent upon law.
16:37.363 --> 16:40.199
We encourage you to not
just believe us, but prove
16:40.265 --> 16:43.502
these things for yourself
in your own Bible.
16:43.569 --> 16:48.507
As Paul asked and answered
in Romans 3:31:
16:48.574 --> 16:51.744
"Do we then make void the
law through faith?
16:51.810 --> 16:53.212
Certainly not!
16:53.278 --> 16:57.082
On the contrary, we
establish the law."
16:57.149 --> 17:01.553
And this leads me to point #4: Christ’s Church will
17:01.620 --> 17:04.123
teach repentance from sin.
17:04.189 --> 17:06.558
Notice again the beginning of Christ’s gospel
17:06.625 --> 17:12.064
as noted in Mark 1:14...
17:12.131 --> 17:13.966
"Jesus came
to Galilee, preaching the
17:14.032 --> 17:17.836
gospel of the kingdom of
God, and saying, “The time
17:17.903 --> 17:21.140
is fulfilled, and the
kingdom of God is at hand.
17:21.206 --> 17:25.210
Repent, and believe in the
gospel.”
17:25.277 --> 17:28.046
Here we see two commands from the Rock--Jesus
17:28.113 --> 17:31.984
Christ. We must believe the
Gospel, the good news
17:32.050 --> 17:35.587
Jesus and the Apostles
taught; and that is not
17:35.654 --> 17:39.057
the same message taught
in most churches today.
17:39.124 --> 17:42.161
No wonder Paul expressed
concern for the church of
17:42.227 --> 17:48.667
God at Corinth where we
read in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4:
17:48.734 --> 17:51.470
"But I fear, lest
somehow, as the serpent
17:51.537 --> 17:55.274
deceived Eve by his
craftiness, so your minds
17:55.340 --> 17:58.977
may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
17:59.044 --> 18:01.680
For if he who comes
preaches another Jesus
18:01.747 --> 18:04.349
whom we have not preached,
or if you receive a
18:04.416 --> 18:07.252
different spirit which
you have not received, or
18:07.319 --> 18:10.789
[note this] a
different gospel which you
18:10.856 --> 18:14.393
have not accepted--you
may well put up with it!"
18:14.460 --> 18:17.196
In addition to believing
in the same gospel Jesus
18:17.262 --> 18:19.898
taught, we must repent.
18:19.965 --> 18:21.834
But repent of what?
18:21.900 --> 18:23.569
Why sin, of course!
18:23.635 --> 18:25.103
But what is sin?
18:25.170 --> 18:29.007
As we've already read, it is the transgression of the law.
18:29.074 --> 18:32.678
Now see what John tells
us about who knows God and
18:32.744 --> 18:37.516
who does not--1 John 2
beginning in verse 3:
18:37.583 --> 18:41.453
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His
18:41.520 --> 18:42.621
commandments.
18:42.688 --> 18:46.058
He who says, “I know Him,”
and does not keep His
18:46.125 --> 18:50.496
commandments, is a liar,
and the truth is not in him.
18:50.562 --> 18:53.432
But whoever keeps His
word, truly the love of
18:53.499 --> 18:55.901
God is perfected in him.
18:55.968 --> 18:58.770
By this we know
that we are in Him.
18:58.837 --> 19:03.175
He who says he abides in
Him ought himself also to
19:03.242 --> 19:06.144
walk just as He walked."
19:06.211 --> 19:07.946
The true
Church of God will be
19:08.013 --> 19:11.049
preaching a message of
repentance from sin, which
19:11.116 --> 19:15.020
the Bible defines as the
violation of God’s law.
19:15.087 --> 19:18.423
So far we have seen that
#1: Jesus said He would
19:18.490 --> 19:21.760
build His Church on a
symbolic Rock. And that
19:21.827 --> 19:24.229
rock, as we've seen, is Christ.
19:24.296 --> 19:27.399
#2: The Church of God will
preach to all the world
19:27.466 --> 19:30.269
the same gospel Jesus taught.
19:30.335 --> 19:35.240
#3: Christ’s Church will teach and practice God’s law.
19:35.307 --> 19:40.546
And #4: Christ’s Church will teach repentance from sin.
19:40.612 --> 19:43.081
There are many more signs to
look for in finding where
19:43.148 --> 19:46.285
the Church is that Jesus
is building, and I’ll give
19:46.351 --> 19:49.821
one more in a minute,
but I want you to have a
19:49.888 --> 19:52.958
powerful resource that
absolutely nails down what
19:53.025 --> 19:56.428
the Bible tells us about
one of those signs.
19:56.495 --> 19:58.730
Do You Believe
the True Gospel?
19:58.797 --> 20:01.967
lays to rest what the
message was that Jesus
20:02.034 --> 20:04.870
proclaimed for three and
a half years prior to His
20:04.937 --> 20:06.305
crucifixion.
20:06.371 --> 20:08.707
And as we have read, He
commanded all to repent
20:08.774 --> 20:12.344
and believe that good news
of His coming Kingdom.
20:12.411 --> 20:15.747
Believing that gospel is
not an option--it's a
20:15.814 --> 20:19.051
command. But how can you
believe in something you
20:19.117 --> 20:20.686
don’t understand?
20:20.752 --> 20:22.654
Do You Believe
the True Gospel?
20:22.721 --> 20:24.957
points you to the
multitude of scriptures
20:25.023 --> 20:27.926
which explain that
message, so order your
20:27.993 --> 20:29.962
free copy today.
20:30.028 --> 20:32.698
Just call the toll-free number shown on your screen,
20:32.764 --> 20:34.299
and ask for the booklet on
20:34.366 --> 20:40.005
the True Gospel, or go to TWTV.ORG/Gospel.
20:40.072 --> 20:42.441
And when I come back,
I'll give you one
20:42.507 --> 20:45.944
more sign to look for when
searching for the Church
20:46.011 --> 20:47.179
that Jesus built.
20:47.613 --> 20:54.886
For today’s free
offer call...
20:54.953 --> 20:59.891
Or go to...
20:59.958 --> 21:02.861
This clear and
straight-forward resource
21:02.928 --> 21:05.764
will help you understand
this vital truth--
21:05.831 --> 21:09.301
straight from the
pages of the Bible.
21:09.368 --> 21:11.403
If you’re calling for the
first time, you will also
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receive a free annual
subscription to Tomorrow's
21:14.272 --> 21:15.874
World magazine.
21:15.941 --> 21:19.244
Ten inspiring issues
discussing news, science,
21:19.311 --> 21:22.047
and modern culture will
help you make sense of
21:22.114 --> 21:26.184
your world from a
biblical perspective.
21:26.251 --> 21:28.520
Call today and join
millions around the world
21:28.587 --> 21:31.189
who are turning to
Tomorrow’s World for
21:31.256 --> 21:37.195
truth, prophecy, and hope
in these confusing times.
21:37.262 --> 21:38.296
Call now!
21:38.363 --> 21:46.672
Or go to...
21:47.906 --> 21:50.375
If Jesus were to return
today, would He choose
21:50.442 --> 21:54.246
your church, or
would He pass it by?
21:54.312 --> 21:56.581
This is a vitally
important question for
21:56.648 --> 21:58.984
each one of us to
courageously ask and
21:59.051 --> 22:00.652
answer honestly.
22:00.719 --> 22:03.689
So far, on today’s
Tomorrow’s World program,
22:03.755 --> 22:06.591
we've seen four signs to
look for in locating His
22:06.658 --> 22:10.629
church, for He tells us
that He does have a church
22:10.696 --> 22:13.865
and the gates of the grave
cannot prevail against it.
22:13.932 --> 22:16.635
Let us now look
at the fifth sign.
22:16.702 --> 22:21.206
#5: The Church that
Christ built will be organized.
22:21.273 --> 22:23.241
Many people
today have given up on
22:23.308 --> 22:27.512
what they call “organized
religion,” and we get that.
22:27.579 --> 22:31.083
There is far too much
hypocrisy, insincerity,
22:31.149 --> 22:33.985
greed, and corruption
in today’s churches.
22:34.052 --> 22:35.787
But this is not new.
22:35.854 --> 22:38.623
A history of professing
Christianity is a sad
22:38.690 --> 22:40.292
history indeed.
22:40.358 --> 22:43.228
Bloody wars with swords
and guns have been fought
22:43.295 --> 22:45.664
between major
denominations.
22:45.731 --> 22:49.868
Predatory priests have
abused thousands over the years.
22:49.935 --> 22:52.237
How can anyone believe
that God is working in
22:52.304 --> 22:53.805
such churches?
22:53.872 --> 22:57.375
We understand sin is found
everywhere on earth, but
22:57.442 --> 23:01.480
wars and institutional
abuse is another matter.
23:01.546 --> 23:04.382
And how can one subscribe
to a church that teaches
23:04.449 --> 23:07.085
the opposite of
what Jesus taught?
23:07.152 --> 23:11.156
But does this mean all
organized religion is wrong?
23:11.223 --> 23:12.758
Consider.
23:12.824 --> 23:15.727
What is the opposite
of organized?
23:15.794 --> 23:18.797
Is Jesus the author
of disorganization and
23:18.864 --> 23:20.565
confusion?
23:20.632 --> 23:23.502
Jesus said He would
build His church.
23:23.568 --> 23:25.604
The word He used for
church comes from the
23:25.670 --> 23:27.639
Greek ekklesia.
23:27.706 --> 23:31.042
And in simple terms, this word
refers to an assembly, any
23:31.109 --> 23:33.779
assembly; but in the
context that Jesus used
23:33.845 --> 23:37.215
it, it refers to an
assembly of called out
23:37.282 --> 23:39.117
followers of His.
23:39.184 --> 23:42.487
It means the people,
not the building.
23:42.554 --> 23:45.791
One chapter from Paul’s
letter to the Ephesians
23:45.857 --> 23:48.426
brings great clarity
to this subject.
23:48.493 --> 23:51.863
In no way does he describe
a disorganized body of
23:51.930 --> 23:55.400
believers scattered
through multiple organizations.
23:55.467 --> 23:57.102
Quite the opposite.
23:57.169 --> 24:01.773
Beginning in chapter 4 and
verse 1, Paul pleads with
24:01.840 --> 24:05.076
the Ephesians to maintain
the unity of the faith:
24:05.143 --> 24:08.246
"I, therefore, the prisoner of
the Lord, beseech you to
24:08.313 --> 24:10.615
walk worthy of the calling
with which you were
24:10.682 --> 24:14.419
called, with all lowliness
and gentleness, with
24:14.486 --> 24:18.423
longsuffering, bearing
with one another in love,
24:18.490 --> 24:21.159
endeavoring to keep the
unity of the Spirit in the
24:21.226 --> 24:22.961
bond of peace."
24:23.028 --> 24:24.596
But was he promoting a
24:24.663 --> 24:27.532
compromising ecumenical
movement between
24:27.599 --> 24:30.502
contradicting
organizations?
24:30.569 --> 24:33.905
On the contrary, he spells
out the fact that there
24:33.972 --> 24:37.475
can be no compromise when
it comes to doctrine.
24:37.542 --> 24:38.743
He goes on to say,
24:38.810 --> 24:42.914
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were
24:42.981 --> 24:47.185
called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith,
24:47.252 --> 24:51.456
one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all,
24:51.523 --> 24:54.526
and through all, and in you all."
24:54.593 --> 24:56.361
That doesn’t sound like Paul
24:56.428 --> 25:00.999
considered it okay to attend the church of your choice.
25:01.066 --> 25:04.202
But is the Church Christ
is building organized?
25:04.269 --> 25:07.005
Or is it, as many believe,
scattered believers found
25:07.072 --> 25:08.840
in all denominations?
25:08.907 --> 25:12.611
Churches have different
thoughts about baptism.
25:12.677 --> 25:17.849
What age--an infant, an adult, a teenager? What mode--is he
25:17.916 --> 25:20.952
talking about sprinkling, or putting under the water
25:21.019 --> 25:24.923
entirely? And if it is even necessary at all.
25:24.990 --> 25:28.093
Yet, Paul says there
is only one baptism.
25:28.159 --> 25:30.061
How does that work?
25:30.128 --> 25:32.664
And not all churches
have the same hope.
25:32.731 --> 25:34.733
Some believe in going to
heaven where the greatest
25:34.799 --> 25:36.801
joy is something
called the beatific
25:36.868 --> 25:41.273
vision--staring into the
face of God for eternity.
25:41.339 --> 25:44.576
Others believe the reward
of the saved is here on earth.
25:44.643 --> 25:47.078
Some think that you must keep
the law while others
25:47.145 --> 25:50.115
profess love is all
that is necessary.
25:50.181 --> 25:52.183
So how can there be...
25:52.250 --> 25:55.887
"One body and one Spirit... one hope of your calling;
25:55.954 --> 25:59.491
one Lord, one faith, one baptism."
25:59.557 --> 26:01.226
Here's more of what Paul told
26:01.293 --> 26:04.296
the church at Ephesus,
beginning in verse 11 of
26:04.362 --> 26:06.164
this same 4th chapter.
26:06.231 --> 26:09.834
"And He Himself gave some
to be apostles, some
26:09.901 --> 26:12.637
prophets, some
evangelists, and some
26:12.704 --> 26:14.873
pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the
26:14.940 --> 26:18.743
saints for the work of
ministry, for the edifying
26:18.810 --> 26:21.913
of the body of Christ,
till we all come to the
26:21.980 --> 26:24.816
unity of the faith and of
the knowledge of the Son
26:24.883 --> 26:29.321
of God, to a perfect man,
to the measure of the stature of
26:29.387 --> 26:33.124
the fullness of Christ; [and note this] that we should no
26:33.191 --> 26:36.828
longer be children, tossed
to and fro and carried
26:36.895 --> 26:39.931
about with every wind of
doctrine, by the trickery
26:39.998 --> 26:43.468
of men, in the cunning
craftiness of deceitful
26:43.535 --> 26:47.939
plotting, but, speaking
the truth in love, may
26:48.006 --> 26:50.408
grow up in all things
into Him who is the
26:50.475 --> 26:54.212
head--Christ--from whom
the whole body, joined and
26:54.279 --> 26:57.282
knit together by what
every joint supplies,
26:57.349 --> 27:00.318
according to the effective
working by which every
27:00.385 --> 27:04.022
part does its share,
causes growth of the body
27:04.089 --> 27:08.526
for the edifying [or building up] of itself in love."
27:08.593 --> 27:12.197
I challenge you to dust
off your Bible and read
27:12.263 --> 27:15.033
Ephesians 4 for yourself.
27:15.100 --> 27:17.535
The confusion we see in
all the contradicting
27:17.602 --> 27:20.338
denominations and
independent groups can
27:20.405 --> 27:23.508
hardly fit into what
Paul describes here.
27:23.575 --> 27:26.511
We see ordained
offices--structure,
27:26.578 --> 27:29.247
organization,
and authority.
27:29.314 --> 27:31.816
There are many more signs,
but this is all I have
27:31.883 --> 27:33.885
time for today.
27:33.952 --> 27:37.155
So be sure to come back next
week when Richard Ames,
27:37.222 --> 27:40.425
Wallace Smith, Rod McNair,
and I will continue to
27:40.492 --> 27:42.460
share with you the
revelation of Jesus
27:42.527 --> 27:46.531
Christ, the good news of
the coming Kingdom of God,
27:46.598 --> 27:50.201
and the exciting end-time
prophecies and their meaning.
27:50.268 --> 27:54.539
Be sure to join us right here next week at this same time.
27:55.640 --> 28:01.713
For today’s free
offer call...
28:01.780 --> 28:06.985
Or go to...
28:07.052 --> 28:09.354
Call today and join
millions around the world
28:09.421 --> 28:11.956
who are turning to
Tomorrow’s World for
28:12.023 --> 28:17.762
truth, prophecy, and hope
in these confusing times.
28:17.829 --> 28:19.164
The preceding program is
28:19.230 --> 28:21.800
produced by the
Living Church of God.