PEOPLE NEEDED IN THE CHURCH

If we believe the commercials on television and the ads in magazines, the way to desirability lies in glamorous eyes, attractive clothing and pleasant scents. The Bible describes the kind of people God desires, and these are the same kind of people who are needed badly in the churches today.

Body

I. Those who hold fast the faith in Jesus Christ.

   A. The eternal Word, creator and divine, became flesh in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (John 1:1-3, 14). Here is the gospel in a nutshell.

   B. This is the same message repeated through the years by the apostles and early evangelists.

        1. This story "from the beginning" is the continuing basis of fellowship with God and each other (I John 1:1-3).

        2. Not all who profess to be Christians continue to hold to this simple, Christ-centered faith (I John 2:18, 19).

        3. We are warned, therefore, of the danger of leaving this foundation truth, lest we be deceived and lose our standing before God (I John 2:22-26).

   C. Those who bring this teaching are desirable and deserve our support; those who do not are undesirable and are to be rejected (contrast III John 3-8 and the positive aspect with II John 7-11 and the negative aspect).

II. Those who live a life consistent with the gospel.

   A. God describes the fruit of the Spirit, borne in the life of one led by the Spirit of God (Galatians 5:22-25).

   B. Paul again describes this godly, Christ-honoring life (Colossians 3:12-17).

   C. The contrasting way of life is also pictured (I Corinthians 6:9-11). Christians have forsaken this kind of life for the new life in Christ.

   D. Those who return to the immoral life and refuse to repent are to be avoided by faithful Christians so far as sharing blessings and fraternal recognition (I Corinthians 5:11-13).

III. Those whose allegiance is to Christ alone, not to any party-sect or to selfish interest.

   A. Paul urges such single allegiance to Jesus, not to any man or group of men (I Corinthians 1: 11-13).

   B. Some are interested in serving themselves only, advancing their own position and prestige. Such are to be noticed and avoided (Philippians 3:17-21).

   C. When one behaves in this manner, sowing strife and creating dissension, he is to be "steered clear of," lest his troubling influence disturb others who are peacefully serving God (Romans 16:17, 18).

IV. Those who are "sound on issues" in the Bible sense, that is, those who have healthy attitudes regarding their own views and opinions.

   A. Paul described what he feared he would find among the Corinthians-the unhealthy (unsound) attitudes of dogmatism, strife and selfishness (II Corinthians 12:20).

   B. Timothy is told of the "bad fruit" that comes from bad teaching and improper attitudes toward one's teaching and ideas (I Timothy 6:3-5). Contrast this with the "good fruit" of good teaching and good attitudes, stated in I Timothy 1:5, 6.

   C. The factious person is to be rejected when his attitude becomes apparent. He is undesirable among healthy Christians (Titus 3:8-11). The healthy Christian desired by God is not contentious, cantankerous and carnal!

V. Those who labor diligently for Christ and for their fellow-saints, assuming their individual responsibilities.

   A. Paul named such and commended them to the Roman Christians. These included Phoebe (Romans 16:1, 2), Priscilla and Aquila (vv. 3-5), Mary (v. 6), Tryphena and Tryphosa (v. 12) and Persis (v. 12).

   B. Paul and his associates had set the proper example in this regard, and their teaching matched their own behavior (II Thessalonians 1:6-10; 3:9-12; 5:12-15).

   C. Those who refuse to work are to be rejected as undesirable and refused support by the saints (II Thessalonians 3:6-16).

Conclusion

This lesson has stressed the positive in describing those who are desirable to God and faithful believers. At the same time we have noticed all the categories of individuals who are to be rejected from Christian association ("withdrawn from," as we sometimes put it) -- those, as a matter of fact, who may be described as exactly opposite these desirable people!

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