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The question of with which church one worships is important to every Christian committed to having no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph 5:11). It will not do to proclaim allegiance to the truth and then choose to worship with a church that has left the path of truth.

Deciding where to worship arises when Christians move to a new area or when we travel on business or pleasure. It can also arise when a church departs from the faith in its teaching and practice and we must decide no longer to be in fellowship with it. Whatever the specific reason, deciding with whom to worship affects whether or not you will offer God true worship (Jno 4:23-24). While we are urged to have fellowship with and encourage those who are faithful brethren, we must not endorse by our presence and participation in worship those who have gone beyond the doctrine of Christ (3 Jno 5-8; 2 Jno 9-11).

Please study and apply these Biblical principles to decide with whom to worship:

1) Worship with Christians (Acts 2:42; 20:7). This sounds like a no-brainer, nevertheless, some Christians yield to the temptation to worship with denominationalists. Non-denominational services at the RV camp site or some other such installation have lured some into unauthorized worship when on vacation. We should always seek out faithful brethren with whom to worship (Ac 28:13-14).

2) Worship where truth is taught and obeyed (Jno 4:24; 1 Cor 14:26; Acts 20:27, 32). Just because a building has a sign in front that says “church of Christ meets here” does not mean it is upholding the truth. Like the church at Sardis, churches of Christ may have a name that they are alive, but are dead (Rev 3:1). To avoid giving your influence to a dead church it is important to investigate what a church stands for and what it practices – not just what its reputation may be.

3) Worship where immorality is not shielded and defended. Jesus Christ had this against the church in Thyatira: they allowed “that woman Jezebel” to teach and seduce Christians into immorality and idolatry (Rev 2:18-23). Some churches are willing to tolerate sin among them. Why would a faithful Christian wish to worship with such a church if he or she knows this is its consistent practice?

4) Worship where false doctrine is not taught and accepted. Sadly, many pulpits in churches of Christ are occupied by men who teach doctrinal error. And in most places, over time, the church accepts the same error (2 Pet 2:2). If it were not so the church would either urge the preacher to repent of his error or finally, if he refuses, ask him to leave. When a church tolerates a false teacher in its pulpit it is having fellowship with evil. If we choose to worship with such a church then we are joining in with their sin (2 Jno 9-11).

5) Worship where faithful brethren are accepted (3 Jno 5-10). Some churches will not receive and encourage faithful brethren; they refuse them. Surely the faithful Christian does not wish to lend his or her voice to such a sin.

Worship must be in spirit and in truth, wherever we are and whenever we offer it. While we may worship with some who hide their sins, there is no divine approval to worship with a church that is known to tolerant sin and error (2 Cor 6:14-7:1). Make it your aim worship with God’s faithful ones.

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You can find the complete outline of this sermon plus PowerPoint and MP3 Audio files at BIBLE ANSWERS

1. A spirit of compromise has descended on God’s people (2 Co 6:14; Eph 5:11; 2 Jn 9-11)
2. Fashionable to say person is not a false teacher unless he knowingly and deliberately teaches error. This is false doctrine!

I. FALSE TEACHERS & FALSE DOCTRINE.

  A. Prominent View among Brethren: Only Dishonest and Insincere are False Teachers.
  B. Bible Definition of False Teacher, Phil 1:15-18.
    1. Promote destructive heresies, 2 Pet 2:1-2 (cf. 1:19-21).
    2. Cause divisions and stumbling contrary to the doctrine learned, Rom 16:17.
    3. Teach contrary to sound doc­trine, 1 Tim 1:10-11.
    4. Contrary doctrine is pro­hibited, Gal 1:8-9 (2:11-14).
    5. False prophets assessed by teaching, not by his moral character, 1 Jno 4:1, 6.
-Teaching takes its nature from its relation to God’s revelation, not from the attitude of heart with which one engages in it, Lev 10:1-3; 2 Tim 2:16-18; 3:13.

II. CONSEQUENCES OF IDENTIFYING FALSE TEACHERS AND FALSE DOCTRINE ON THIS MAN-MADE BASIS.

  A. To Identify a False Teacher We Would have to Read a Man’s Heart, 1 Cor 2:11; Matt 7:15-20; 1 Jno 4:1, 6
  B. The Clarity and Authority of Gospel Truth is Doubted, 1 Cor 4:6.
  C. It will become Impossible to Close the Door to any Error.

Conclusion

1. Not alarmists, Jer 5:30-31; Isa 30:9-11.
2. Don’t ignore; be courageous, 1 Tim 6:12.

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