1. Embarrassed by the Church The church is the body of Christ, the Son of God (cf. Eph. 1:22-23) If this is so… Why would any Christian be embarrassed by the church?

2. Ephesians 1:22-23 “And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”

3. Embarrassed by the Church That there is only one church Our tolerant society deplores exclusiveness But, Eph. 4:4

4. Ephesians 4:4 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.” Body is the church, cf. Eph. 1:22-23

5. Embarrassed by the Church That there is only one church Our tolerant society deplores exclusiveness But, Eph. 4:4 By how one becomes a member of the church Most individuals deny we must be baptized But, 1 Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16

6. 1 Corinthians 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body; whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free; and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”

7. Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

8. Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’”

9. Embarrassed by the Church By sound preaching about the church Some will not stand for a contrast being made between the N.T. church and denominations But, 1 Cor. 2:2; 11:18; 12:28; 14:33-35

10. 1 Corinthians 2:2 “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Part of preaching Christ is preaching the truth about his blood bought church!

11. 1 Corinthians 11:18 “For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.”

12. 1 Corinthians 12:28 “And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”

13. 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 34 Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.”

14. Embarrassed by the Church By sound preaching about the church Some will not stand for a contrast being made between the N.T. church and denominations But, 1 Cor. 2:2; 11:18; 12:28; 14:33-35 By using a scriptural name for the church Some Christians want to take our name from the sign because it is “prejudicial” to the world But, Rom. 16:16; 1 Pet. 4:11

15. Romans 16:16 “Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.”

16. 1 Peter 4:11 “If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

17. Conclusion Our faith and courage are not what they should be if we are embarrassed by the church for which Christ shed his blood (cf. Acts 20:28)

18. Acts 20:28 “Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”