"I Wish The Church Was The Way I Thought It Was When I First Became A Member!"

Introduction: Galatians 5:7
	A. Think back to when you first became a Christian.
		1. Was your impression of the Church different relative to today?
		2. Did it somehow seem better then than now?
	B. The answer is found in growing toward spiritual maturity.
		1. You knew what the Bible said the Church ought to be, but you didn't
		    know the local congregation well enough to realize that some folks do
		    not live up to what the word of God outlines for them.
		2. After a while, bitterness builds up within you and disillusionment sets in.
		3. At this point many new Christians become discouraged and depart from
 		    the Lord.
		4. Some believe that the whole congregation is hypocritical based on the
		    conduct of a few.
	C. They need, at this point, to look deeper and see with the eyes of faith.
		1. See past the professed Christians who have hurt your impression of the
		    Church, and look for the honest, faithful members whose names are
		    truly written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
			a. Simply because one's name is in the membership roster, does
			    not necessarily mean it is written in heaven.
			b. "Sitting in a hen house will not make one a chicken, nor will just
			    sitting in a church building make one a Christian."
			c. Matt. 7:13-14, 21-23
			d. Rev. 3:1-5 - Not a blast of terror, but a blaze of hope; 
			    "thou hast a few..."
			e. There was a real Church in Sardis. There were saints there who
			    measured up to what we thought the Church was when we first
			    became Christians.
		2. The faithful and devout are the true Church. The Church is not a
		    building; the Church is made up of godly people.
			a. And, we have many here.
	D. There are three stages in the development of the new Christian and his
	     relationship with a local congregation:
		1. First stage... That of being a bit naive; everyone that calls himself a
		    Christian is a wonderful, kind, loving, and loyal person.
			a. Eyes begin to open and see factions, cliques, bullheadedness…
		2. Second stage... That of being disillusioned; everyone who calls himself
		    a Christian is a hypocrite and trouble maker.
		3. Third stage... That of having true knowledge and wisdom; there are
		    special, devout persons worshipping God among a few pretenders.
			a. Seek out the faithful and follow their examples.
				1) Rev. 3:4; Phil. 3:16-20
			b. Realize that of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
	E. Now, what did I think the Church was like when I first became a member?

I. I THOUGHT EVERYONE GOT ALONG
	A. I mean, aren't we all special people?
		1. Who else has God Almighty as a loving, caring Father?
		2. Who else has the Lord Jesus Christ as an older Brother?
		3. Who else but God's children are going to heaven?
	B. With such blessings in common, one would think that we would be inseparable
		1. One would think that a personality quirk, misunderstanding, or
		    difference of opinion would never come between brethren blessed as
		    we are.
	C. There are some here who make every effort to get along with others. Seek
	     them out and take courage from their examples.

II. I THOUGHT EVERYONE WAS FAIR AND HONEST
	A. Aren't Christians fair because it comes natural to the offspring of God?
		1. "Like Father, like son."
		2. Eph. 4:31 - 5:2
	B. Aren't Christians honest because they have nothing evil to hide?
		1. A Christian is not defensive or evasive because his sins are gone; he
		    has no reason to be ashamed.
		2. If one is defensive or evasive, it usually indicates hidden sin that pride
		    will not allow him to confess.
		3. Gal. 6:1-2
	C. There are honest and fair Christians in the Church; seek them out and walk
	     with them.

III. I THOUGH EVERYONE COULD TALK THINGS OVER
	A. Isn't that one of the defining characteristics of a Christian: no grudges, hard
	     feelings, or immaturity?
		1. Matt. 18:15 - Got a problem with a brother? Go out and win him.
	B. Did you think that Christians were people who calmly settled their differences?
		1. Matt. 5:23-24 - They are. Seek them out and follow their examples.

IV. I THOUGHT EVERYONE WANTED THE CHURCH TO GROW
	A. I mean, doesn't everyone want what is best for the Church?
		1. Christians aren't stubborn, selfish, or hard-headed are they?
		2. Phil. 3:17-19; Rom. 16:17-18
		3. Romans 16:19 - Be wise to the good and innocent regarding the evil.
		4. As a minister, I am happy when someone is ignorant of any strife in the
		    congregation. That means they aren't involved in it or spreading it.
	B. Phil. 1:20-24, 2:1-5 - Apostle Paul's spirit toward the Church and his brethren.
		1. There are Christians here that want what is best for the Church. Find
		    them and work with them.

V. I THOUGHT EVERYONE CARED ABOUT THE LOST
	A. Isn't the message of salvation something Christians want to share with others?
		1. Don't we want our families, friends and neighbors in heaven with us?
		2. Acts 8:4 - They were not concerned about what was politically correct,
		    didn't worry about which other world religions would be offended, not
		    upset by the possibility that many would not want to hear it; they 
		    just preached it everywhere.
		3. Friends, the salvation of souls is much too important for us to be moved
 		    by the current religious fad of tolerance and "church of your choice." We
 		    had better scatter abroad and teach the world about the church of
		    GOD'S choice.
		4. Eph. 4:1-6; Col. 1:18 - don't apologize for what the Bible says; souls are
 		    at stake.
	B. There are Christians here who care and endeavor to teach the lost.

VI. I THOUGHT EVERYONE WANTED TO GO TO HEAVEN
	A. Don't Christians believe that the Lord could return at any time?
		1. One would think that they would live in such a way as to be prepared for
		    His coming; instead, some live openly in sin.
	B. In reality, many live in anticipation of the Lord's coming; learn from them.
		1. 1John 3:1-6

Conclusion:
	A. In heaven, the glorified, purified Church will be what you though it was when
	     you first became a member.
		1. Hang in there!  Seek out those who are striving toward perfection now
		    and follow their example; this will serve to make you a model for some
		    other new Christian to follow in time.
		2. In addition, your example, combined with the examples of the faithful,
		    will serve as a living admonition for those who are weak and sinful.
	B. Realize that we are at different levels of growth, striving to grow up like Christ.
		1. Rom. 12:1-3; Eph. 4:11-16; 1Tim. 4:11-16