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Paris Reidhead
"If You
Agree" - Audio sermon from 1973
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=1507
Description: Your
understanding of the Christian Life, and especially your prayer
life, will be challenged and revolutionized by this message. You will
never hear this text again without remembering this powerful
exposition of God's Word. From Matthew 18:19-20. What does it mean to
pray/live/gather "in Jesus' name"? In this sermon, we look
at what it truly means to be in unity with Christ and his Body. We
find that there are five different groups in the organized church:
1) Those who have
met the "forgiving Christ." That is, they have
"accepted Jesus" primarily to escape hell, suffering, and punishment.
2) Those who have
met the "utilitarian Christ." That is, they have found that
God can help them get what they need -- their whole interest in
Christianity is that they should be taken care of by faith.
3) Those who have
met the "status-giving Christ." These have joined the
Church because they wanted fellowship and to be around the people.
Position within the group is also typically very important within
this group, and any achievement is hailed as part of the "glory
of God."
4) Those who have
met the "emotion-satisfying Christ." Their whole purpose in
Christianity and religion is to satisfy their emotional needs. They
look for everything that will make them laugh, cry, or both.
5) Those "who
have met the Holy God and the Sovereign Christ." They have seen
their terrible sinfulness and have known forgiveness, their prayers
have been answered, they have found status as God's Children, and
they have been filled with the Joy of God. But in addition to all
this, this group is living only for God's glory and to walk according
to the Cross. Only this fifth group is the true Church of God.
Any attempt to
revive or unite all five groups will fail, but the fifth group can
truly be one and bring glory to God. |
