030. Church, Weakness of the

030. Church, Weakness of the

30 WEAKNESS OF THE CHURCH 2 Corinthians 4:7

INTRODUCTION Th ere are many ways to look at the church. It has its strength and its weakness. A divine-human book- the Bible; the divine/human institution- the church.

I. DIVINE ELEMENT OF THE CHURCH 1 . God planned it-its organization perfect.

2. Christ purchased it with his blood. (Acts 20:28.) 3. He is the head . (Ephesians 5:23.) , 4. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 3:16.) 5. lts strength in its divine element.

6. No one should mo lest or change it.

II. THE HUMAN ELEMENT OF CHURCH 1. Not composed of angels.

2. Members are frail human beings- unskillful operation of a machine is no reflection on the inventor.

3. The divine ORGANIZATION controlled by man.

(a) Some places by ONE man . (3 John 1:9-10.) (b) Some places by a clique or party. (c) Party politics disturb its peace. (d) Some churches are filled with partisans, cliques, quarrels, critics, and self-righteous snobs.

4. It s work left in the hands of man.

(a) Divine head will not do this work. (b) He will not send angels to do it. (c) If done, we must do it. (d) We fall down on the job . (e) No firm would keep such on payroll. (f) No business can succeed by the standard set by the average church member.

5. The worship of church now with man.

(a) Angels have sung the praises of God. (Luke 2:13-14.) (b) They have sung praises of Christ. (Revelation 5:11-12.) (c) But members must praise him now. (d) Many fail to do this.

6. MAN must PREACH his gospel.

7. MAN must TEACH the members.

8. Maners in ALL these-hence the weakness of the church. (Mark 14:38.)