Text: Eph. 3:21; Acts 2:41
Intro. Why do we harp on the church question? Why are we careful to guard the doctrinal purity of our church? Why do we write letters to churches, when requesting letters from their membership, questioning them about their stand on certain issues? Why do we baptize those with baptism’s we have reason to doubt?  There must be a valid, scriptural reason or we should abandon these “narrow-minded,” bigoted,” “unbrotherly” and “anti-ecumenical” practices. There IS a scriptural reason for
our recognizing the importance of a New Testament church.
    A. There must be a spirit of honest obedience before one can understand truth.
    B. The reason there is so much division and confusion is the spirit of obedience is lacking among many.
I. The New Testament Church is Important Because it is an institution Divinely Appointed.  John 15:16
    A. It was called “My church” by Jesus Christ, Matt. 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this
        rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
    B. It was bought with the priceless, precious blood of Jesus Christ, Acts 28:20. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and
        to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath
        purchased with his own blood.
    C. It is called the church of God. I Cor. 1:12. Unto the church of God which is at Corinth…
    D. New Testament churches are referred to as churches which belong to Christ, Rom. 16:16. The churches of Christ
        salute you…
    E. They are called the “flock” of God, Luke 12:32; I Pet.5:1-2
II.  The New Testament Church is Important Because She is Divinely Furnished.
    A. God promised His church a perpetual existence, Matt. 16:18. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
    B. God promised His church His continued spiritual presence, Matt. 28:20
        1. He guides her, John 16:13.
        2. He convicts, John 16:7-11.
        3. He guards, Matt.28: 20.
III. The New Testament Church is Important Because She is Divinely Commissioned.   Matt. 28:18-20
    A. Commissioned for evangelism, (make disciples).
    B. Commissioned with authority for baptizing, (baptize them).
    C. Commissioned as a school for teaching.
        1. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
    D. Commissioned to be the guardian of the truth, I Tim. 3:15. But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest
        to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
        1. The church is entrusted with the business of maintaining the truth, defending it from assaults of error and of transmitting
            it to future times.
        2. The truth is upheld in the world by the church.
        3. The people of the world feel no interest in defending it, and it is by the churches of the Lord Jesus Christ that it is
            preserved and transmitted from age to age.
    E. Commissioned to contend for the faith, Jude 3.
IV. New Testament Churches are Important Because They are divinely Empowered.
    A. Power from on high, Luke 24:49. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of
        Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
    B. Power to witness, Acts 1:8. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be
        witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
    C. Power to stand, Eph. 6:10, 13-14. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”
    D. Power to suffer, Col. 1:10.
V. The New Testament Church is Important Because it is an Institution Divinely Engaged.
    A. Engaged to the Son of God, II Cor. 11:2. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to
        one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
    B. Engaged to have a heavenly wedding, Rev. 19:7-9
Conclusion: If you are saved you ought to be a member of one of the Lord’s churches. You ought to be faithful if you enjoy such a glorious privilege.