All right, well, listen, we are going to pray, and I have a message I wanna preach this morning. Now, I have good news for you. We were originally going to be meeting outside, and for that reason, I shortened the message. I'll not be lengthening it here, and Brad is getting real excited about that, but that's okay. By the way, be praying for the lady next door. She's not doing well, and we're reaching the family. All of a sudden, honey, I'm forgetting your name. Marlis, that's right, that's right. And spoke to some in the family, was hoping that one of the granddaughters would be here this morning. She's not here. But one that had, when she was a teenager, came to our church. And there were actually a few in the family that trusted Christ and made a profession. So, also, I wanna encourage you, we'll be back broadcasting on Zoom tonight. And praise God, we're going to have the Garland family with us all the way from Hong Kong on Zoom. That's gonna be great. If you have been following the news, by the way, there is not, humanly speaking, There is not good news. This last week, the Chinese government has basically said they're doing away with the one nation, two system policy. Hong Kong has had some freedom, but now they're looking to erase that freedom. And there are many people right now in Hong Kong this last week that have been purchasing what is known as a VPN. where it looks like you're on the internet, but you're on the internet from a different nation. In mainland China, they control the internet. Sadly, that control they are trying to spread. They are daring the world to do something about it. One day, God will. One day, God will. But we're going to be looking at ourselves this morning in a manner of speaking. Actually, we're going to be looking to the Lord. But the title of my message this morning is this, and I will explain why. It's entitled, To Be the Church. To Be the Church. This is not going to be the only Sunday. I will be continuing, Lord willing, at least two other Sundays on this. But this is very important. I hope and pray that we listen. So let's pray. Heavenly Father, I ask that you would guide Lord now in this message. In this time, you saw fit to create an entity. You call your bride. The bride of Christ is the church. The local church is the institution that gets out the gospel. I pray, Lord, that you would help us to see the importance of this institution, this entity, this organism that you have created. Lord, bless, I pray, every Bible-preaching church in America today. May the message be plain, Lord, I ask that you would do a work in Christ's name. Amen. By the way, speaking of the local church, next Sunday in the state of California, there are over 1,200 churches that have declared they are reopening. This is one of them. We will do what we're doing right now. We will, socially distant. We have masks for those who wish to have them. If you want gloves, you'll need to bring them from home. We have sanitizer. But this is America, and it's time. It's time. If Bible-believing Christians do not see the body of Christ, the local church, as they ought. How can we blame governors and mayors for not saying it either? We just can't do it. God's people, Bible-believing, born-again, bought-by-the-blood-of-the-Lamb Christians, need to recognize and pastors and teachers need to continually remind and teach just what the local church is all about. This is as important an institution in America as anything else because God created it. This last week, there was the death of a Christian apologist by the name of Rabbi Zacharias. He moved many of God's people. If you have ever heard him, if you have ever watched him, if you have ever read his books, he was excellent at getting people to understand that Jesus is exactly who he said he was and is. One of the shortest, yet most profound statements I have ever heard outside of the Bible came from him. And it is this. Truth, by definition, excludes. Let me say that again. Truth, by definition, excludes. What does that mean? I'll tell you what it means. When truth walks into the room, a lie knows it. When truth comes in to take over, lies know that they don't have a chance. When truth comes into a person's heart, the lie will do everything it can, listen, to try and keep hold, somehow keep control. But when Jesus is truth, lies don't have a chance. When God is allowed to go after the lie by his truth in the heart of man, it has absolutely no chance. That is why in John 17, when Jesus was praying his high priestly prayer, and he thought about us as much as anybody else, he said this, "'Sanctify them through thy truth. Thy word is truth. May it never be forgotten.'" Listen, folks. It's not the writings of men. It's not positions of authority in man-made religious institutions like the Pope. Therein is why Satan, man-made religion, and the world hate Christ and his believers. That's why the church in the state of California is thought of as something less than a liquor store, a porn shop, You name it, all kinds. When we think of abortion clinics, the whole bit. That is not right. It is why the wicked one and his minions are ever attacking. It's why churches are being treated the way they are, even in this age in America. This last week, I read, for my devotions, the Book of Acts. I've said it before, and some of you can attest to this. If reading the Book of Acts doesn't thrill your heart, there's a problem, and it's not with God. One thing this time of shutdown has brought into the open is this question of whether the church is essential. In reality, This time exposes this truth, and listen carefully. There are many of us that were thrilled that on Friday, the President of the United States said that churches are essential. But again, please listen. In this time, it exposes the truth that for too many Christians, Those that are professing Christ as Savior, to too many of them, the church has not been essential. It's been optional. The Bible tells us in Hebrews 10.25, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is. but exhorting one another, and so much the more as ye see the day approaching." Think of that passage there. The command here is this, to meet together for worship of God, and it is enjoined on Christians as an important duty to do it. It's implied also that there is blame or fault when it is neglected. Now stop and consider that. If we treat the church as optional, we're doing exactly what the world is trying to impose on us right now. But if we recognize this, that it is essential for God's people to come together to worship, to share, to encourage, to provoke one another to love and good works. If we see that, praise God, if this time has shown that we don't, then it's time for revival. Amen? It's time for revival. This time ought to have been This time ought to have been for God's people to, in their time of sheltering at place, in home, wherever, to stop and think, what has my Christian life been all about? Has it been about me? Has it been about what God can do for me? Or has it been about my place in the body of Christ? in the local body of believers. There is always a place for a Christian in the local church. Don't ever forget that. Now, we're going to be going to Acts chapter 2 for our main text, but we need to do something first. I want you to take your Bibles and turn to Acts chapter 5. Acts chapter 5. In Acts chapter five, the disciples were doing something that, well, they couldn't help but do because they were following God and the powers that be were following their traditions. Look at verse 26. Then went the captain with the officers and brought them, the disciples, the apostles, I should say, without violence, for they feared the people lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council and the high priest asked them saying, did we not straightly command you that you should not teach in this name? Now stop and consider something. It's not about people getting together. People are getting together right now in the plumbing department at Home Depot. People are over at Lowe's. People are going together once again in many places in California. They're getting back together again in restaurants, social distancing, but they're coming together. Why is it that churches are being kicked down the road? I'll tell you why. Because they hate the name of Jesus Christ. This is the reason, it's been the reason since his death, burial, and resurrection. And this will continue until the day that Jesus Christ comes down to rule and reign for a thousand years. When that happens, it's all over for Satan and his minions. Never forget that. But right now, we're reading about people who got together in a huff and a puff are looking at people that are filled with Holy Spirit power and saying, didn't we tell you not to do this? Didn't we tell you not to start, not to keep talking about this man? They didn't want to hear about that man. They were terrified about that name, I believe, personally. And behold, they went on to say, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than man. Now those were strong words in front of politically and religiously strong men as far as flesh and blood goes. They are words that are ringing true once again, and sadly, that's happening in the land of the free and the home of the brave. But the Apostle Peter made plain there was a reason why they and we ought to obey God, the gospel, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Look at verse 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a savior, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things, and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. That is what it's all about. It's about the gospel of Jesus Christ. But now wait a minute. Once again, we as the local church, we as the local church need to stop and consider this. When they said we ought to obey God rather than man, are we picking and choosing what we obey? Or is He our Lord and Master? That is at times a tough one because we have to stop and daily put self to death. Pride needs to be set aside. Our own agenda needs to be done away with. We are not here because we want to stick a finger in the eye of government. We are here because we ought to obey God rather than man. And we will continue to do so. But it's about the gospel. It's not about Republican versus Democrat, left versus right. It's not about that. There is a message that needs to go out. We need to stop and think about this. Have we been getting the message out? So why should God, excuse me, why should we obey God rather than man? According to these last three verses, It's this, the glory of God and our Savior, salvation that is brought to all mankind, our place as believers, as a witness of His work, for the working of the Holy Spirit, who is given to us for His glory, for this we obey. There was a young man I've known since he was about this tall. He's now pastoring. church He came out with something that he had written and he posted it on Facebook and I got to reading it and I was I was pleased with what he said. In fact, I contacted him and I said, you know, I think I'm gonna use a little bit of what you said in my message this Sunday It just it fits perfectly But I want you to know I appreciate what you said and he thanked me He wrote this A family who had been a part of our congregation for years came to me and said that they were no longer going to be a part of our church. I asked them if there was anything wrong and they said no. So I probed a little deeper and asked if they would be attending somewhere else. They responded that they wouldn't be attending anywhere since, and he says this is a quote from them, they no longer felt like church was essential for them. And he went on to say, here are some of the ways that professing Christians are making church non-essential. Number one, some Christians are forfeiting what they need most in exchange for what they want now. Good point. Just like going to the gym isn't necessarily fun, and eating healthy isn't always easy. Come on, there's some of you in here, you'd agree with that. Church isn't always fun and easy either, but it's still healthy to our souls and provides some of the essential ingredients to living an abundant Christian life. And he's right. Secondly, some Christians are allowing the good things in this world to replace the best things God has for them. That's true. Some Christians are becoming disenchanted when church doesn't automatically fix their problem instantly. It's easy to view church as a lucky charm, he said, that should fix all our problems quickly. But attending church doesn't magically fix your family, fix yourself. God begins to change your values, motivations, habits, and ultimately your behaviors that will eventually change the results that you see in your life every day. I thought that was a very good point. And then lastly, some Christians have begun to forget the value and importance of a faith community. Last week, as I looked out and I saw the group that we had here, it about brought tears to my eyes. I'm praising God for this now. I'm seeing people that I haven't seen in a long time, tall and skinny. Good to see you. Hey, brother, praise God. Absolutely rejoicing in it. A faith community is important, he went on to say, because it is vital to human flourishing, and it's a huge part of our spiritual formation. And by the way, the wicked one knows that, and that's why he directs his minions to go ahead and allow open some of these perverted places, but take churches and put them back here with an NBA game. That's garbage. That's garbage. The president was right. Church is essential. Take your Bibles now and go to Acts 2. Acts 2. I tell you, I love this chapter. It's a thrill. It's a joy to read. I praise God for it. There is so much written in it. I would encourage you to read the rest of Acts 2. We're going to be going to the last part. I'm going to be taking this at length. I'm only going to be looking at a first point here. A first point. But we need to learn this. We need to understand this. And over the next two Sundays, by God's grace, we will. Acts chapter 2. Let me say this first. The local church is at its best when it is fulfilling its God-given purpose. Therein is the church truly essential. Acts 2, verse 42. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together and had all things common and sold their possessions and goods and parted them to all men as every man had need. And they continued, excuse me, and they continuing daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily, such as should be saved." When you find the Lord adding to the church, you find God's people doing what we just read before that statement. Now, sadly this, America has deteriorated around us. though we still have our Constitution and the recording, and the record that tells us the story behind it, I should say. What has been lost, though? It's the culture that made America. That culture, that is what has been lost. Well, what happened? Subversive ideas and apathetic response subversive ideas and apathetic response have combined to change it and eventually see it, and I'm talking about the culture, to see it destroyed. But here's the point. A large part of why that has happened is that the same general pattern took place in local churches all over the nation. You had subversive ideas, apostasy, people coming in and belittling the Word of God in churches. Subversive ideas, but also apathetic response. In other words, the church was no longer essential. The message of the church, no longer essential. How many of you praise God that you are born again and you're on your way to heaven, say amen? How many of us are so rejoicing in that? that we recognize that that is the singular message we need to spread. Because we have people so very close to this building right now that if and when they die, it's a Christless eternity. You know, I've been wrong about something I've repeated many times. It is true. It is true. that as California goes, so goes the nation. And that terrifies me when I think about what we're seeing today. But here is something that is just as ominous. As Bible preaching churches go, so goes the nation. Maybe I should say churches in general, but as churches go, so goes the nation. And that's not good. The 21st century desperately, desperately needs the first century church. And that means one thing, revival. That's why, once again, we're going to be getting together again at 7 o'clock in the morning, Friday morning, here in this auditorium. There'll be pastors here, and we'll be praying for revival, because we still have the October revival coming. You know, next Sunday is Pentecost. What happened when Pentecost came? The Holy Spirit came. Guess what was empowered and went out? the church, the ecclesia, the God-called people called out to do the work of the Lord. I think it's great that there are churches that are saying, you know what? There needs to be a rebirth of our message, God's message. There needs to be a rebirth, as it were, of what we ought to be doing. And so we will be. Looking at the church, makes much of our calling in Christ very, very apparent. I want you to take your Bible, Acts 2. We started reading in verse 42, but to make my first point, we're going to be going back to verse 14. Verse 14, and my first point is this. In the church, You have an atmosphere, if you will. You have a culture, just like America has a culture, an atmosphere, a way of life to it, something that identifies it as the United States of America. It just runs through the whole nation. It's the same thing with local churches. And the first one is this. A culture, an atmosphere, whatever you want to call it, born of a message. Look at verse 14. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice and said unto them, all those people that were wondering, what in the world is going on? Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be it known unto you, and listen, hearken to my words. Harken to my words. There's a message that goes with the Holy Spirit-empowered people of God and the local church. The amazing explosion that took place there in Jerusalem, that explosion of growth, can only be attributed to one thing, the coming of the Holy Spirit. empowered the message and sent it abroad by those people those men they were preaching with purpose prophecy you read everything that Peter says from there to verse 42 and you'll see this prophecy has been fulfilled salvation has come to mankind Jesus Christ is who we said he is Personal decisions, personal decisions must be made now. And the call goes out. Trust Him. Trust Him. Go to 1 Corinthians 1. 1 Corinthians 1. Listen to this. Look at verse 21. For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching. What do you do? You preach the word. The foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but into them which are called, both Jews and Greeks." What? Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God. He went on to say in 2 Corinthians 4, for we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus, the Lord, and ourselves, your servants, for Jesus' sake. You see, we need to live our lives tuned to that message. We have very, very little chance that somebody would be knocking on the door while I'm preaching right now. It could happen, but very little chance of that. One day, it's going to. One day, something is going to take place. Because we are in an unusual situation. We have religious freedom. We haven't always had that, even in America. And by the way, if I may say this, It was local Baptist pastors that helped push the founders of our nation to give religious freedom, even to those that they did not agree with. It's there. Well, were there Muslim? Yeah, there were a few. And you know what? They were given the gospel. They were given the gospel. In fact, there was a young man that was in Congress that had gone to Islam. And a very famous Christian in Congress led him to Christ. I'll not go into his name right now. Remember what I said about Rabbi Zacharias? Truth, by definition, excludes. You see, once again, therein is the challenge. This man wrote a book, he's written many, but he wrote a book that I have called The Logic of God. I want you to listen to this if you would please. Quote, the question really is, how did we know that this is the truth? Whether religious or irreligious, everyone has a worldview. Now stop and consider that. Everybody here has a worldview. And according to George Barna, sadly, it is a very small minority of Christians that actually have a Christian worldview. That's why it's worth it to study your Bible and go after Christ. A worldview basically offers answers to four necessary questions. Origin, meaning, morality, and destiny. In turn, these answers must be correspondingly true on particular questions, and as a whole, all answers put together must be coherent. Taking it a step further, the three tests for truth must be applied to any worldview, logical consistency, empirical adequacy, and experiential relevance. When submitted to these tests, the Christian message is utterly unique and meets the demands for truth. Consider the empirical test of the person, teaching, and work of Jesus Christ. A look at human history shows why He was who He claimed to be and why millions follow Him today. A comparison of Jesus' teaching with any other claimant to divine or prophetic status quickly shows the profound differences in their claims and demonstrations. In fact, none except Jesus even claimed to be the divine Savior. His offer of grace and forgiveness by being the perfect sacrifice of our offense, that quote, we might become the righteousness of God, unquote, is profoundly unique. And that is where I close the message this morning. But understand something, that profound message that is unique by Christ is given to this place to disperse abroad. That's why we have these flags flying. That's why we see in this world, not just in our nation, but around the world, there are people that are rising up to try to suppress the message. These are truly, I believe, the very last of the last days. And for that reason, we need to be the church. We need to be the obedient body of believers, like the first century church. because the 21st century world needs it desperately. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, as we continue on this understanding of the local church, I pray that you'd speak to us in a great way. Lord, we are always mindful of the message when we come to this pulpit, to this place, There are those that do not know you as Savior. They might be here. They might be listening. I pray, God, that wherever that be, they would recognize that they are sinners, that they cannot save themselves, that Jesus is exactly who he said he was. And the Bible says the wages of sin is death, separation from God. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ, our Lord. I pray that Faith Baptist would understand, though it may not understand it completely. But it is true, like any other fellowship, large or small, it is a desperately essential place with a message that only can bring eternal life. The only one, Jesus Christ. Jesus saves. Guide, we ask. Bless, I pray, your local church. In Christ's name, amen.