The Cross Centered Church

Mike MazzalongoBibleTalk.tv

St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal

Insight #1

The church comes from the BibleNot

The Bible comes from the church

Insight #1

God is the one who inspired the BibleNot the church

Insight #2

Why Am I A Member of The Church of Christ?

Insight #2

Many groups claim that they are the “True Church”.

Ecumenism tries to reconcile all the different groups within Christianity.

Problems with Ecumenism:

1. Not Biblical- Eph. 4:15-16

Problems with Ecumenism:15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Eph. 4:15-16

Problems with Ecumenism:

1. Not Biblical- Eph. 4:15-162. Not the “Unity” Jesus prayed for-

…Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me,

that they may be one even as We are.John 17:11b

Problems with Ecumenism:

The major tenet of our movement is the restoration of the church as it is described in

the New Testament.

Gyrocompass

The “Restoration” idea is our Spiritual Gyrocompass

Jude 33  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 which was once for all handed down to the saints.

6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;

Galatians 1:6

Restoration is a Necessary Biblical Principle.

The Church of Christ is the Most Successful Restorationist Church.

Insight #3

Restoring the cross to the center of church life is very important.

Restoring The Cross To The Center1. Restore cross-centered preaching

-Rom. 1:16

Restoring The Cross To The Center1. Restore cross-centered preaching2. Restore cross centered teaching

-Acts 2:42

Restoring The Cross To The Center1. Restore cross-centered preaching2. Restore cross centered teaching3. Restore cross centered living

-Rom. 8:13

Restoring The Cross To The Center

21 “ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

Matt. 7:21

Restoring The Cross To The Center

22  Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’Matt. 7:22

Restoring The Cross To The Center

23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’Matt. 7:23

Restoring The Cross To The Center

  It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him

II Tim. 2:11-12a

Summary

1. Keep the cross at the center:• Keep cross centered preaching as our

message to the world

Summary

• Promote cross-centered teaching to build true N.T. churches

Summary

• Persevere in cross-centered living that we may be found faithful when He comes.

Summary

1. Keep the cross at the center.2. Pass on the “Restoration” principle to

the next generation.