1. LESSON 8 THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH

3. WHAT IS THE HOLY CHRISTIAN CHURCH?

4. 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:11  22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. 23 For you have been born again,(our spiritual birth—ed for Point #3) not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God(the Word is the means for new birth—ed) 24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.

5. 1 Peter 1:22 - 2:11 (cont)  1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

6. 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:11 (cont)  4As you come to him, the living Stone (JESUS-ed) —rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones,(Note #4) are being built into a spiritual house (holy Christian Church) to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

7. 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:11 (cont)  6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, (Note #4: this is Jesus) and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."

8.  7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,"

9. 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:11 (cont)  8and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message —which is also what they were destined for.

10. 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:11 (cont)  9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who CALLED YOU (Note #1) out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

11. 1 Peter 1:11 – 2:11  11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

12. What is the Holy Christian Church? 1. The word “church” means “called out.” 2. The Holy Christian Church is all the people who have been called out of darkness into God’s wonderful light (all believers everywhere). 3. We become a part of the church when the Holy Spirit gives us a new birth through God’s Word and the Sacraments. 4. The Cornerstone of the Church is Jesus. All who believe in Him are living stones built on the Cornerstone.

14. WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION?

15. What is a Christian Congregation? 1. It is a gathering, or assembly, of people around God’s Word and Sacraments 2. The difference between the Holy Christian Church and a Christian congregation: In a Christian congregation there may also be hypocrites (pretend believers).

16. 1 Peter 2:1-2  1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may GROW UP in your salvation,

17. What is a Christian Congregation? To keep us growing in our Christian faith and life through the Word of God 3. One important purpose for Christian congregations:

18. Hebrews 10:23-25  23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

19. What is a Christian Congregation? That we assemble together in congregations: to hear the Word to strengthen each other and to become equipped to spread the Word to others. 4. God’s will for Christians:

20. WITH WHICH CONGREGATION OR OTHER RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION SHOULD I JOIN IN FELLOWSHIP?

21. John 17:21  21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

22. With Which Congregation or Other Religious Organization Should I Join in Fellowship? 1. Jesus wants Christians to be one as He and His Father are one, that is, perfectly agreed in all things.

23. John 10:27-28  27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

24. John 8:31  31 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.

25. Matthew 28:20  20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

26. With Which Congregation or Other Religious Organization Should I Join in Fellowship? 1. Jesus wants Christians to be one as He and His Father are one, that is, perfectly agreed in all things. 2. Jesus wants Christians to remain faithful to His Word in all its parts. We should belong to an evangelical (Gospel-centered), orthodox (correct teaching) church.

27. Matthew 7:15  15 "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

28. Romans 16:17  17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

29. With Which Congregation or Other Religious Organization Should I Join in Fellowship? 1. Jesus wants Christians to be one as He and His Father are one, that is, perfectly agreed in all things. 2. Jesus wants Christians to remain faithful to His Word in all its parts. We should belong to an evangelical (Gospel-centered), orthodox (correct teaching) church. 3. We should not unite with, but keep away from, teachers, churches, and religious organizations which go against the teachings of any part of God’s Word.

31. With Which Congregation or Other Religious Organization Should I Join in Fellowship? Christians should be faithful to the Word, and not be involved in adding to it, subtracting from it, or changing it in any way. Every denial of the Word denies Jesus, since it is His Word we are denying. Christians should take care to fellowship with those who are striving to teach everything Christ commanded.

32. ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK 1.Study carefully the notes you have taken in class; be sure you understand them. 2.Study carefully questions Q 235-250 in the Catechism. Be able to answer these questions in your own words. 3.Complete the “Working with God’s Word” section. Parents please check their work and answer any questions. 4.Memorize these Bible verses: 1 Peter 1:23 – “You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” VIP 1 Peter 2:9 – “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:10 – “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

33. ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK 5.Memorize the 3 rd Article of the Apostles’ Creed and all of What Does This Mean? 6.Review all of the books of the New Testament: Matthew Romans1&2 Thessalonians Hebrews Mark 1&2 Corinthians1&2 Timothy James Luke GalatiansTitus 1&2 Peter John EphesiansPhilemon 1,2&3 John Acts Philippians Jude Colossians Revelation 7.Complete Worksheet #8 at home and have parents correct it with the answer key.

34. Assignment for Next Week 8. Complete Key Truths Sheet and be ready to take a quiz at our unit review session on Wednesday, November 3 rd.

35. KEY TRUTHS  The Holy Christian Church is invisible, make up of _________ believers in Jesus everywhere. A Christian congregation is made up of people who gather around God’s _____ and ___________. God wants me to be part of a congregation to _____ the Word, __________ each other, and _______ the Word to others; and one that is gospel- centered (____________) and true to the Bible (___________). We should be careful to fellowship in the church with those who teach ____________ Christ commanded.

36.  Closing Prayer. In the name of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day. Forgive me all my sins, and graciously keep me this night. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe May have no power over me. Amen.