To The Angel of The Church In Crestwood….

Acts 15:36-41

Introduction

Letters to the seven churches Commendation or condemnation? Some of each in Asia

God looks at churches Judged individually Problems need to be solved

Past Accomplishments

Standing for the Truth In the face of denominationalism

(Matthew 15:9) Brethren in apostasy regarding the

work and worship of the church Error on various moral issues

Past Accomplishments

Promoting preaching Local and elsewhere

(1 Corinthians 9:14) Gospel meetings Teaching program (Ephesians 4:12-16)

Past Accomplishments

Discipline Many churches fail in this area Done to save a soul

(Galatians 6:1; James 5:19, 20) Keep the church pure (Ephesians 5:27)

Past Accomplishments

Survived efforts to destroy it Division

(Psalm 133:1; 1 Corinthians 1:10) Unrest (Galatians 5:15; 3 John 9, 10) Peace begins in the heart

(Ephesians 4:3; Colossians 3:15)

Future

Press on individually and collectively Cannot live in the past

(Philippians 3:13-15) Can’t rely on the past, the building, the

preacher, etc. Be “fishers of men,” not “keepers of

the aquarium”

Future

Areas needing attention Personal work efforts

(John 1:41; Galatians 6:1, 2) Preparation for Bible classes

(Ephesians 4:11-16) Working (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) Developing as elders and deacons

(1 Timothy 3:1-13)

Conclusion

Fight in behalf of our children (Nehemiah 4:14)

Helping or hindering?