1. “…among who you appear as lights in the world,
holding fast the word of life…” (Philippians 2:15b-16a)
A lighthouse has a distinctive purpose; so does the Lord’s church. If we lose sight of that purpose, then we have lost that unique and distinctive arrangement set in place by God. We cease to be what God designed the church to be and do
“In order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ.” (Ephesians 3:10-11)
UNIQUE: “being the only one of its kind; being without equal or rival”
DISTINCTIVE: “serving to identify; or set apart

2. “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid,
CHRIST’S CHURCH
Unique & Distinctive
Distinctive Nature
Unique Purpose
Distinctive Message
Unique Organization
Identifying Marks That Matter Of The Lord’s Church
“For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid,
which is Jesus Christ.”
(1Corinthians 3:11)

3. “Now give us a king to judge us like all the nations.”
(1Samuel 8:5)
The children of Israel, turned their back to God. Longing to be like the nations that surrounded them. No longer desiring to be unique nor distinctive. Rejecting God as their leader and citing as a reason that Samuel had grown old and his sons did not follow after God. Mere excuses, to try and justify that they wanted to be like the other nations.
Clearly, We Do Not To Follow In Their Footprints…
Must Remain Unique and Distinctive. “ People For God’s Own Possession” (1Peter 2:9)

4. UNIQUE & DISTINCTIVE NATURE
“But you are a CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION…” (1Peter 2:9)
Christ asserts His will not be a temporal kingdom
(Luke 17:20-21; John 18:36-39; Romans 14:17)
SPIRITUAL NATURE…
Jesus made clear His displeasure with methods of man…
Matthew 20:25-28
TRUTH, the conquering power
John 8:31-36

5. ALL THINGS POINT TO A UNIQUE PURPOSE (Matthew 18:11)
Ephesians 4:11-12 Soul saving; spiritual teaching…
“for the equipping…” Exhortation (1Thess. 5:11-14)
“work of service…” (Acts 11:28-30; 1Corinthians 16:1-2)
“building up of the body…” Teaching, preaching, reaching out with the message of the Gospel
Matthew 13:3-8, 31-33; Acts 8:1-5; Acts 13:1-3
“Pillar and support of truth” (1Timothy 3:14-15)
What The Purpose of the Church Is Not…
Not a social institution
Not involved in business ventures
Not involved in secular education
Not political

6. A UNIQUE & DISTINCTIVE MESSAGE
Romans 1:16; 1Corinthians 1:17-24, 2:1-2
A MESSAGE CENTERED ON CHRIST & THE CROSS
A message of love
(Romans 5:6-10; John 15:13-14; 2John 6)
A message of hope
(2Thessalonians 2:16-17; 1Peter 1:2-4)
A message stressing “oneness” with Christ in His body
(John 14:6; Ephesians 2:1ff; Galatians 3:26-29)
A Timeless, Unchangeable Message…
“Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints…” (Jude 3)
A message declaring the “kindness & severity” of God
(Romans 11:22)

7. A UNIQUE & DISTINCTIVE ORGANIZATION
There is but ONE who has ALL AUTHORITY with respect to the church. Jesus, who is the Christ, was given all authority by the Father (Matthew 17:5; 28:18)
“And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who is all in all.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Zechariah 6:12-13; Hebrews 6:18-8:4
Jesus Christ is both High Priest & King
He Governs Through Divine Fiat…His Word
An Absolute Monarchy…
church universal
local autonomy (1Corinthians 1:2; Acts 13:1-3, 11:29-30)
Manifold wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10-11)