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06_17_2018_TheChristianAge_DonRuhl

 

 

The Christian Age

From Christ to the Present 

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • June 17, In the year of our Lord, 2018

Prelude:

  1. The Patriarchal Age and The Mosaic Age provide
    1. background for The Christian Age.
    2. Even as you cannot understand modern America without knowing
      1. the Declaration,
      2. the Constitution, and
      3. our wars,
        1. so you cannot have a full understanding of
        2. The Christian Age without knowing the two previous ones.
  2. Three periods of Bible or world history:
    1. The Patriarchal Age, covering the time from Adam to Moses
    2. The Mosaic Age, covering the time from Moses to Christ
    3. The Christian Age, covering the time from Christ to the present.
  3. Last Lord’s Day ➨ The Mosaic Age.
    1. Ended with the ministry of Jesus
    2. The Mosaic Age prepared the world
      1. for knowing of its sin and
      2. for knowing of God’s solution to sin, and
        1. The Christian Age presents it as
        2. Jesus Christ
  4. Last week we saw these people and events:
    1. Israel in the Wilderness
    2. Israel at Mount Sinai
    3. The Tabernacle
    4. Israel in the Land of Canaan
    5. Israel’s Judges
    6. Israel’s Kings
    7. Israel’s Divided Kingdom
    8. Israel’s Prophets
    9. Birth of Jesus
    10. Ministry of Jesus
  5. Today, I will show you:
    1. Kingdom Established
    2. 4 Necessities of a Kingdom
    3. Blessings Within
    4. God’s Pattern
      1. Beginning Marks
      2. Unity
      3. Organization
      4. God’s Names
      5. Rule of Faith
      6. Worship
      7. Membership
      8. Mission

Persuasion:

  1. Kingdom Established
    1. The Christian Age began with the death of Jesus and
      1. will continue until He returns.
      2. Before He died,
        1. Jesus told His disciples of the coming kingdom or church.
        2. He would build it upon the truth that He is the Son of the living God.
          1. Matthew 16.18

            18 “I will build My church” (Matthew 16.18).
          2. First Corinthians 3.11

            11 …no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3.11).
          3. Mark 9.1 – It would arrive during their lifetimes

            1 “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power” (Mark 9.1).
    2. Then the Jews crucified Jesus.
      1. His followers buried Him.
      2. He arose from the dead.
      3. He ascended into heaven.
    3. 10 days later He sent the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.
      1. All in Jerusalem on that day, heard the baptism.
      2. They went to the sound.
        1. Peter convicted the people of killing the Son of God.
        2. 3000 repented and were baptized into Christ and into His church.
  2. 4 Necessities of a Kingdom
    1. Those 4 things are:
      1. A King
      2. A Territory
      3. Subjects
      4. A Law
    2. A King
      1. Jesus has a kingdom – John 18.36

        “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18.36).
      2. Gabriel to Mary – Luke 1.33

        “He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1.33).
    3. The Territory
      1. John 18.36

        “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18.36).
      2. Luke 17.21

        “[They will not say], ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17.21).
      3. It is the human heart.
    4. Subjects
      1. Indicated by Luke 17.21
      2. Those who confess and live by the Lordship of Jesus
    5. The Law
      1. This is the point of the New Testament
      2. Second Timothy 3.16–17
  3. Blessings Within
    1. Acts 2.47 | The Lord adds you

      …praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved (Acts 2.47).
    2. Ephesians 1.22–23 | He is the head and we are the members of His body

      22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1.22–23).
    3. Acts 20.28 | Why church membership is essential

      “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20.28).
  4. God’s Pattern
    1. Beginning Marks:
      1. Jesus is the Founder – Matt 16.18
      2. Jerusalem – Isa 2.2
      3. Jesus is the only head – Eph 1.22
      4. Time – ad 33 or 30
    2. Unity
      1. In NT they all belonged to one church
      2. Rom 16.16

        Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you (Romans 16.16).
      3. John 17.20–21

        20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me” (John 17.20–21).
    3. Organization
      1. Jesus is the head
      2. Elders, deacons, preachers, teachers, song leaders, etc.
      3. Local, no national organization
    4. God’s Names
      1. His designations for the church:
        1. Church of God
        2. Church of the Firstborn
        3. Church of Christ
        4. Body of Christ
        5. Bride of Christ
        6. House of God
      2. His designations for His people:
        1. Christians
        2. Saints
        3. Children of God
        4. Disciples
        5. Priests
        6. Brethren
    5. Rule of Faith
      1. The Bible, especially the New Testament
      2. Luke 8.11

        11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God” (Luke 8.11).
    6. Worship
      1. Matt 26.26–28 | Lord’s Supper
      2. Acts 20.7 | Hearing His word
      3. Acts 2.42 | Prayer
      4. Col 3.16 | Singing
      5. 1Co 16.1–2 | Contribution
      6. We should assemble | Heb 10.24–25

        24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10.24–25).
    7. Membership
      1. Faith-motivated obedience
      2. Then Acts 2.47
        1. John 8.24 – Faith

          24 “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8.24).
        2. Acts 2.38 – Repentance

          38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2.38).
        3. Rom 10.9–10 – Confession

          9 …if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10.9–10).
        4. Acts 22.16 – Baptism, for this is where we contact the blood of Christ

          16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22.16).
    8. Mission
      1. Matt 28.18–20

        18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen (Matthew 28.18–20).