183. Who Are We?

183. Who Are We?

183 WHO ARE WE?

James 2:7 lNTRODUCTION Not a sect or denomination; other religious bodies would like for us to be.

I. ENEMlES OF THE "CHURCH OF GOD" HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO GIVE OR THRUST NAMES UP ON US 1. Tertullus , a Roman hired by the Jews to prosecute Paul, called the church of God "a sect." (Acts 24:5.) Paul denies its being "a sect." (Verse 14.) 2. The Jews at Rome called it a "sect ." (Acts 28:22.) II. BIBLE NOWHERE CALLS THE CHURCH OF GOD A SECT 1. We should not ; Bible doe s not recognize other religious bodies except to condemn them. (Matthew 15:13.) 2. A "sect " arose in the church at Jerusalem. (Acts 15:5.) 3. We have a "sect" in th e church today. "Digressives." (1 Corinthians 1:10-14.) Ill. WHO ARE WE-DEPENDS UPON HOW WE ARE VIEWED 1. If learn ers of Christ-we are disciples . (Matthew 28:19; Acts 9:10.) Not of men but of Christ.

2. If workers for the Lord- servants of Christ. (Romans 1:1; Galatians 5:13.) 3. Has figh ters-soldiers. (2 Timothy 2:3) "Soldiers of the cross." We are peacemakers with all but Satan and sin.

4. Viewed in relation to character-saints . (Ephesians 6:18; Romans 1:7.) 5. Viewed in relation to God-his children. (2 Corinthians 6:18; Romans 8:17.) ·

6. Viewed in relation to each other-brethren. (Romans 12:1; Matthew 12:50.) 7. Viewed in relation to Christ-Christians. (Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16.) 8. Viewed in relation o[ hope-heirs. (Romans 8:17.) 9. Viewed in relation to our abode upon earth-pilgrims. (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11.)

CONCLUSION We must be all of these if we are what God wants us to be.