"EXCEPT THESE ABIDE IN THE SHIP YE CANNOT BE SAVED"

ACTS 27:3

A. SETTING OF OUR TEXT
  1. Paul's voyage to Rome was beset with many dangers:
  2. Attempts of the shipmen to abandon the ship to the raging seas caused Paul to warn the captain against such a risk: Acts 27:30, 31
B. THE BURDEN OF THIS MESSAGE
  1. Humanity finds itself in mortal danger:
    1. Nations are being shaken by internal unrest - Luke 21:25, 26
    2. The development of the H-Bomb and other weapons of annihilation make our present age a nightmare.
    3. Morality in society is at the lowest of this corrupt age - 2 Tim. 3:1-9
  2. The church of the living God is the only lifeboat seaworthy:
    1. The devil knows this; that is why he is making war against God's people - Rev. 12:12, 17; 1 Pet. 5:8, 9
    2. Do we realize that the church is, as Noah's ark was, God's place of refuge for His people? John 10:15, 16
    3. The church is to us what the cities of refuge were to ancient Israel - Compare Num. 35:3, 15 with Josh. 20:7, 8
    4. Think dear reader, what happens to the misguided souls that leave the sheepfold as Judas did - John 13:30; Matt. 27:1-5
  3. The importance of the church is illustrated in a number of our Lord's parables:
    1. The parable of the prodigal son - Luke 15:11-32
    2. The lost coin - verses 8, 9
    3. The vineyard - Matt. 21:33-43
    4. A watered garden - Isa. 58:11
  4. Too many people do not realize that the church of God is, as it were, the apple of the eye of the Lord: Deut. 32:10; Zech. 2:8; Lam. 2:18
C. COMPELLING REASONS FOR STAYING IN THE CHURCH
  1. God, in Christ, is the author of the church; He is its builder: Matt. 16:18; Heb. 12:2; Matt. 21:33-43
  2. Christ bought the church with His own blood: Acts 20:28; 1 Cor. 6:19, 20
  3. Christ, according to Paul, is the Head of the church, His body: Col. 1:18; 2:19; Eph. 1:22; 4:15
  4. It is utterly impossible for one to be connected with Christ and yet not be a member of His body, the church: Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Cor. 12:1-28
  5. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are in, and not outside, of the church: 1 Cor. 12:1-28; Eph. 4:11-16
  6. All the gospel ordinances point into the church:
    1. Water baptism - 1 Cor. 12:13
    2. Feetwashing - John 13:1-17
    3. The Lord's Supper - 1 Cor. 10:15, 16; 11:23-28
    4. Prayer for the sick - Jas. 5:15, 16
  7. When Christ comes, He comes to receive the bride of the Lamb, the church: Rev. 19:7, 8; Heb. 12:22-28
  8. That being true, what will happen to the people that leave the church? Matt. 25:31-43
  9. All heaven is interested in the church, and the inhabitants will have a big welcome reception for the redeemed: Ps. 24:1-10 10. Friends of mine, if you are tempted to leave the church of the living God, please stop and think! Did the prodigal son benefit by leaving his father's house? Luke 15:11-32; did Judas gain anything when he left the small group of followers of our Lord? What can you gain if you stay in the house of the church, the temple of God? It is a wonderful privilege to be associated with a group of people that are bound for the kingdom of God.


Design © John Bryant 2011