Sermon/Lesson Title

What is the Church of Christ Supposed to Be?

The church of Christ is God’s precious building, begun on Pentecost and founded upon Jesus Christ. Each congregation is His holy temple, designed to reflect His glory. This lesson explores what the church is supposed to be, its foundation, its holiness, and the dangers that threaten its purity.

The Assembling of the Saints

The early church/ekklesia regularly assembled regularly.  The purpose of this article is to examine whether there is sufficient evidence within God’s word to draw the conclusion that Christians/Believers regularly assembled in the early church for the purpose of worshiping God.   This study from God’s Word is in response to those who seek to deny the reality of assembled Christians for the purpose of worship toward God in the early church. 

Church Growth

In the religious world today, many groups measure success by numbers alone. Newsletters, broadcasts, and online promotions reveal a willingness to use gimmicks and marketing strategies to boost attendance. While growth is a worthy desire—I pray for it daily—it must not come at any cost. The New Testament teaches that there are principles more important than numerical growth. This lesson examines those priorities, each rooted in God’s Word, that must guide the Lord’s church if growth is to be pleasing to Him.

Three Cities

The Bible records God’s dealings with three cities—Jerusalem, Babylon, and Nineveh—each representing distinct spiritual lessons. This sermon examines their histories, God’s judgments, and the timeless warnings they provide. By studying these cities, we learn how to align ourselves with God’s will and avoid the pitfalls of rebellion and sin.

The History of the Church Lesson 1

The History of the Church Lesson 2

The church’s early centuries saw prophecy fulfilled and apostasy predicted in Scripture become reality. From changes in leadership to corrupted worship practices, history reveals how departures from God’s pattern began. Understanding these developments equips us to guard the church today and remain faithful to the Bible’s authority.

The History of the Church Lesson 3

This lesson traces the church’s history from the fall of the Roman Empire through the Middle Ages, examining the rise of papal power, doctrinal changes, unscriptural practices, and persecution. By understanding these departures from God’s Word, we learn to guard the church today and preserve New Testament teaching.

The History of the Church Lesson 4

The Protestant Reformation corrected many Catholic abuses but did not fully restore the New Testament church. This lesson explores key figures, doctrines, and events from the 1500s to the early 1800s, showing why human reform fell short and why complete restoration to God’s Word remains essential.

The History of the Church of Christ – Lesson 5

The history of the Lord’s church offers lessons both sobering and inspiring. In this study, we trace movements from the late 1700s to early 1800s, witnessing doctrinal departures, religious innovations, and the birth of the Restoration plea—calling all believers back to the simple, unchanging pattern of New Testament Christianity.

The History of the Church Lesson 6

The history of the church of Christ reveals a constant struggle to return to God’s pattern. Lesson 6 highlights leaders in Scotland and America before the Campbells who rejected human creeds, restored New Testament practices, and called believers to stand firmly on the authority of Scripture alone.

The History of the Church of Christ – Lesson 7

In this lesson, we trace the unfolding story of the Lord’s church from prophetic promises to its restoration in America. Through inspiring accounts of faith, sacrifice, and steadfast commitment to God’s word, we see how believers returned to New Testament teaching, planting enduring congregations across the land.

The History of the Church of Christ, Lesson 8

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith, declaring His victory over death and affirming the hope of eternal life. In Lesson 8, we will explore the biblical record, the fulfilled prophecies, and the eyewitness testimony that confirm this world-changing event.

The History of the Church Lesson 9

This lesson examines the lives and work of Thomas and Alexander Campbell, key leaders in the Restoration Movement. It explores their rejection of denominational divisions, their call for unity based solely on Scripture, and their lasting influence through preaching, debates, and writings that shaped the Lord’s church in America.

The History of the Church of Christ, Lesson 10

This lesson traces the Church of Christ’s path from the unity and growth of the early Restoration Movement to the divisions caused by the Civil War, missionary societies, and instrumental music. It examines further disputes in the 1900s and emphasizes the enduring need for biblical authority and Christ-centered unity.

What do we mean by the expression “church of Christ”?  The same thing Jesus meant in Matthew 16:18.  “And I also say to you that you are Peter; and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” NKJV  But does His church exist today and how can I recognize it?

In a time when the world was overflowing with wickedness, God chose Noah to build an ark—a vessel of safety amid certain judgment. The story is more than history; it is a divine pattern of salvation, obedience, and grace. In this lesson, we will explore the faith and obedience of Noah, the certainty of God’s judgment, and the spiritual lessons for us today. Just as the ark was the only refuge from the flood, Christ is the only refuge from eternal separation from God.

The Church Jesus Was Going To Build

Jesus made a great statement that is recorded in Matthew 16:18.  “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” NKJV  But what was this church Jesus was talking about that He was going to build?  How can we identify it today among all the different churches that we see?

What Is The Church?

Many attend church for social, personal, or entertainment reasons. Churches often cater to this, focusing on crowds and comfort. Yet the true question remains: what does the Bible teach about the church’s purpose, mission, and nature according to God’s design?

The Nature of the Lord's Church

Choosing a church is not about personal taste but about aligning with God’s will. This lesson equips seekers with biblical principles for finding the Lord’s true church and helps Christians guide others, ensuring choices are rooted in scripture, unity, and obedience to Christ rather than worldly preferences or traditions.

Jesus promised to build His one true church—His possession, His body, His kingdom. This lesson explores its identity, purpose, and cost, showing from Scripture how we can be certain we belong to it. By following the biblical pattern, we can be Christians only, in Christ’s church alone.

What is a strong church?  Many people would answer the question by responding that it is one with large numbers of members, a large budget, a beautiful building, influential people and such like.  But how would God answer the question?  That’s what is truly important.

God used types and antitypes in Scripture to reveal His plan. In 1 Peter 3:20-21, the flood waters and baptism, the ark and the church, are connected. Studying these parallels deepens our understanding of salvation, showing God’s consistent pattern of deliverance for the faithful in every age.

Why Am I A Member of the church of Christ?

The church of Christ is the one body Jesus built, purchased, and rules. Rooted in the New Testament pattern, it rejects man-made doctrines, follows God’s word alone, teaches the original gospel, worships in spirit and truth, and seeks the same faith and practice as first-century Christians.

When one goes looking for a car to buy, the choice may be based upon many factors:  cost, size, gas mileage, style, function. . .  When one goes looking for a church, how should the choice be made?  Upon what grounds should you choose?

I well remember a certain discussion which took place in my English class during my senior year in high school.  It centered around religion and in particular on different churches.  When it came my turn to speak, I said that there was only one right church.  (Words to that effect)  Probably no words create more turmoil.  Is it possible that there is only one right church?  This is one of the most important questions we can ask.  But before we can answer that, other questions must be answered. 

The choice of a church is not a casual decision—it shapes our spiritual life, influences our family, and determines our eternal destiny. This lesson uses Scripture alone to identify the one true church Jesus built, guiding us to choose wisely, faithfully, and in obedience to God’s will.

Remaining faithful to Christ is not a one-time choice but a daily commitment. Scripture urges us to endure, grow in faith, and resist temptation so we can receive the crown of life. This lesson examines God’s call to steadfastness and the blessings promised to those who persevere.

When we think about the kind of congregation we want to be a part of, most of us would answer without hesitation: we want to be in a church that is alive, strong, and spiritually sound. Sadly, not all congregations meet that description. In our nation, there are churches that may look vibrant from the outside, yet are spiritually weak or even dying. The good news is that God’s Word gives us a pattern for what a healthy church should be. Romans 12 presents a clear picture and practical blueprint for what makes a congregation spiritually alive. Since the church is made up of individual members, this pattern applies to each Christian personally. A healthy church is composed of healthy Christians.

The church of Christ is set apart by its complete submission to Christ’s authority and Scripture’s guidance. This lesson examines the biblical call to be different, the dangers of blending in, and the unique qualities that make the Lord’s church distinct from all others in belief, worship, and practice.

It is always a great privilege to study one of the books of the Bible.  Today we begin a series of lessons from I Thessalonians which is a letter written by the apostle Paul to the young congregation at Thessalonica.  Our lesson today will focus on the beginning of that congregation sometime around 50 A.D. – only about twenty years after the church was started in Jerusalem. 

In a world where respect for spiritual things is fading, the Lord’s church remains God’s eternal plan, built by Christ and under His headship. This lesson calls us to remember why the church is worthy of honor, what is right about it, and how to renew that respect.

The church is not merely a building but the body, bride, and kingdom of Christ. To love it as Christ does, we must understand its nature, value, and uniqueness. This lesson reveals why the church is worthy of our deepest devotion and how that love must shape our lives.

When people lose something important — a beloved dog, a stolen car, a treasured possession — they do not want a substitute. They want the original, the exact one. In the same way, when Jesus promised to build His church, He was not talking about many different versions. He had one in mind, and the only way to find it today is to compare what we see in the religious world to the description given in the New Testament.

History teaches us many lessons, and the book of Acts is one of the greatest historical records ever given to man. In its pages, we see how people from various backgrounds reacted to the gospel of Christ. In Acts 17, Paul’s work in Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens reveals a clear pattern: the same gospel preached, the same method employed—reasoning from the Scriptures—and a wide range of responses. His goal was simple and unchanging: to persuade people to leave false religion and accept the truth of Jesus Christ. This remains the church’s responsibility today.

This lesson examines the identity of the church of Christ as revealed in Scripture. We will see that it was promised by God, prophesied by the prophets, established by Christ, opposed by Satan, open to all, free from man-made doctrines, and committed to honoring God’s will in all things.

Who are the people of the church of Christ? What do they believe? Why do they practice what they do? This lesson will provide a partial answer to those questions by focusing on what the Bible means when it speaks of “the church” and who makes it up. The most important question to begin with is: When did this church begin? Some claim it began with Alexander Campbell in the 1800s or with other historical figures, but the only authoritative answer is found in Scripture.

This lesson emphasizes that the church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ alone. Using the parable of the sower, it reveals how the pure seed of God’s word produces only Christians, uniting all believers in one body under Christ’s headship, following the New Testament pattern in worship, work, and organization.      

The Value of the Church

The church of Christ is the eternal kingdom Jesus established in the first century, purchased with His own blood. Its value is seen in its cost, its uniqueness, and its role as the sole body of the saved. To love Christ is to cherish His church fully.

Just Another Denomination?

Religious division is everywhere, but the New Testament presents only one church—the body of Christ. This lesson examines whether the church of Christ is simply another denomination or the one true church of our Lord, using Scripture to identify its origin, nature, and mission, and to call believers to unity.

Why Am I a Member of the Church of Christ?

I am a member of the Church of Christ because it is the one church Jesus established, purchased with His blood, and revealed through His Word. Guided solely by Scripture, it continues today in faith and practice exactly as the first-century church lived, worshiped, and taught.

How Do I Know?

Every sincere servant of Christ will, at some point, look at the religious landscape and ask, “Am I serving and worshipping God in a way that truly pleases Him?” With thousands of denominations, each with differing beliefs and worship practices, it is tempting to choose what appeals to our personal preferences. But the ultimate question is not what pleases us — it is what pleases God. The Bible is our sole source for answering that question. It contains God’s revealed will, so if we use it faithfully, we can know how to serve Him acceptably.