What Church is It?

What Church is It?

The Church Promised by God
As we travel through towns and cities, we see many buildings labeled as churches. Among them, some bear the name “Church of Christ.” What church is this? It is the church promised by God from before the foundation of the world. Paul writes in Ephesians 3:10-11 that God’s manifold wisdom is made known through the church, according to His eternal purpose in Christ Jesus. This was part of God’s plan from the very beginning, not an afterthought. The prophets foretold its establishment. Isaiah 2:2-3 prophesies that in the latter days, the Lord’s house would be established in Jerusalem, and His word would go forth to all nations. In Acts 1 and 2, this prophecy is fulfilled when the apostles, following Jesus’ command in Luke 24 to wait in Jerusalem, receive power from the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, and the church is established. Jesus Himself promised to build this church in Matthew 16:18 upon the confession that He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Paul confirms in Ephesians 2:19-22 that this church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone, growing into a holy temple in the Lord.

The Church Opposed by Satan
From its inception, Satan has opposed the church. His initial goal was to destroy Christ, its head and founder. In John 13:21-27, we read how Satan entered Judas to betray Jesus. Had Christ been destroyed before completing His mission, the church would not exist. After Christ’s resurrection, Satan continued opposing the church by deception. In 2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Paul warns that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light, and his servants as ministers of righteousness. Satan welcomes false churches and division but opposes the true church that Jesus built. In Acts 8:1-4, we see religious leaders in the first century persecuting the church, with Saul leading the charge. Even today, religious leaders in the world oppose the church that belongs to Christ.

The Church Open to All
The church of Christ extends an open invitation to all people. In Mark 16:15-16, Jesus commands the gospel to be preached to every creature, promising salvation to those who believe and are baptized. This invitation applies to every person, regardless of nationality, gender, age, or background. There are no restrictions on who may enter; the doors are open to all.

The Church Free from the Doctrines of Men
The Lord’s church requires no one to submit to the traditions or doctrines of men. In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus condemns worship that is based on man-made teachings, declaring it vain. The church of Christ follows only the inspired word of God as its authority.

The Church that Excludes No One Unjustly
God does not show partiality. Acts 10:34-35 reveals that in every nation, those who fear Him and work righteousness are accepted. The only way to be excluded from the church is to exclude oneself by rejecting God’s commands. God’s desire is for all to enter.

The Church that Honors God’s Will
This church honors God’s will in worship and teaching. John 4:24 emphasizes that God must be worshiped in spirit and truth. Revelation 22:18-19 warns against adding to or taking away from God’s word. Paul pleads in 1 Corinthians 1:10 for unity among believers, urging them to speak the same thing, be of the same mind, and share the same judgment. True unity is only possible when God’s will is honored fully without alteration.

The Invitation of the Church
The church of Christ is the one promised and prophesied by God, opposed by Satan, open to all, honoring God’s will, and free from human doctrines. Its invitation mirrors that of Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’” The living water is available to all who will believe that Jesus is the Son of God, repent of their sins, confess His name, and be baptized into Him (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4). This is the call to join the body of Christ and live faithfully in His service.

“What Church is It?” Sermon Outline:

Introduction

• Common sight of many churches and denominations

• Question: What church is the “Church of Christ”?

• Answer begins with Scripture

I. The Church Promised by God

• Ephesians 3:10-11 — God’s eternal purpose in Christ

• Isaiah 2:2-3 — Prophecy of establishment in Jerusalem

• Acts 1–2 — Fulfillment on Pentecost

• Matthew 16:18 — Jesus’ promise to build His church

• Ephesians 2:19-22 — Foundation, cornerstone, and holy temple

II. The Church Opposed by Satan

• John 13:21-27 — Satan’s role in betrayal

• 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 — Satan’s deceptive ministers

• Acts 8:1-4 — Persecution from religious leaders

• Satan opposes the true church, not false ones

III. The Church Open to All

• Mark 16:15-16 — Gospel for every creature

• Salvation available regardless of nationality, gender, or background

IV. The Church Free from the Doctrines of Men

• Matthew 15:8-9 — Vain worship from man-made commandments

• Authority comes from Scripture alone

V. The Church that Excludes No One Unjustly

• Acts 10:34-35 — God’s impartiality

• Self-exclusion through disobedience

VI. The Church that Honors God’s Will

• John 4:24 — Worship in spirit and truth

• Revelation 22:18-19 — No adding to or taking away from God’s word

• 1 Corinthians 1:10 — Call for unity in doctrine and judgment

VII. The Invitation

• Revelation 22:17 — “Come”

• Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-4 — Baptism into Christ

• Faith, repentance, confession, baptism, faithful living

Call to Action

Every person has the opportunity to be part of the church that God purposed, Christ established, and the apostles revealed. This church stands open to all, free from human doctrines, and committed to worshiping and serving God according to His will. If you have not yet responded to the gospel call, now is the time to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, turn away from your sins, confess His name before others, and be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Rise to walk in newness of life, committed to honoring God in all things, and join in the unity of His people as part of His eternal kingdom.

Key Takeaways

• The church of Christ was planned by God before creation (Ephesians 3:10-11)

• Prophesied to begin in Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3) and fulfilled in Acts 2

• Opposed by Satan and false religious leaders (John 13:21-27; Acts 8:1-4)

• Open to every person (Mark 16:15-16)

• Governed only by God’s word, not human doctrines (Matthew 15:8-9)

• Accepts all who fear God and work righteousness (Acts 10:34-35)

• Worships in spirit and truth (John 4:24) and honors Scripture (Revelation 22:18-19)

• Seeks unity through speaking the same thing (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Scripture Reference List

Ephesians 3:10-11 — God’s eternal purpose for the church
Isaiah 2:2-3 — Prophecy of the Lord’s house established in Jerusalem
Acts 1–2 — Fulfillment of prophecy on Pentecost
Luke 24 — Jesus commands apostles to wait in Jerusalem
Matthew 16:18 — Jesus promises to build His church
Ephesians 2:19-22 — Church foundation, cornerstone, and growth
John 13:21-27 — Satan enters Judas to betray Jesus
2 Corinthians 11:14-15 — Satan’s deceptive ministers
Acts 8:1-4 — Persecution against the Jerusalem church
Mark 16:15-16 — Gospel to all the world; belief and baptism bring salvation
Matthew 15:8-9 — Vain worship by man-made teachings
Acts 10:34-35 — God’s impartial acceptance
John 4:24 — Worship in spirit and truth
Revelation 22:18-19 — Warning against altering God’s word
1 Corinthians 1:10 — Plea for unity among believers
Revelation 22:17 — Invitation to take the water of life freely
Galatians 3:27 — Baptism into Christ
Romans 6:3-4 — New life through baptism

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO