I fear that the Church of God has become deficient in the full teachings of Jesus Christ as conveyed to us through the teachings of the apostles.  We would be wise to examine ourselves to see if we are indeed grounded in truth.  We must ask ourselves, “Am I founded and rooted in Jesus Christ?”  It is easy to say, “My foundation is in Jesus Christ," but what does that exactly mean?

Would we know if we were not grounded and rooted in Christ?  There is a requirement for a Christian to obey the commandments and laws of God if he is to be founded in Christ.  It should go without saying that a right understanding of how to live a Christian life is based on the life of Jesus Christ.  In the book of Colossians, Paul tells us that when we are rooted in Christ our ways will become like His ways.  If we were not rooted in Christ, how would we know it?

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in Him: Rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”  (Colossians 2:6-7)

Being rooted in Christ, means that we embrace His doctrine, His Law, His principles, His teachings, and His values.  A firm and right connection to Christ includes trusting in all of His words, and greatly appreciating the forgiveness He earned for us.  It also includes looking to God in faith, realizing our total dependence on our Creator while demonstrating the fruits of God's Holy Spirit, and expressing true Christianity through good works.

When we are becoming founded and rooted in Christ, it means that we know and love His ways more than the ways of the world.  We put on Christ when we are being created in righteousness and true holiness.

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof.”  (Romans 13:14)

“As many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  (Galatians 3:27)

“Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”  (Ephesians 4:24)

At the very time that all the brethren should be pulling together, we find old grudges and factions continuing.  Why is that?  Why won’t the ministers of the various groups bury the hatchet and come together?  If they won’t do that, they owe it to the brethren to spell out in detail their doctrinal position for not working toward Christ’s desire for oneness of the body of brethren.

Jesus prayed, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are.”  (John 17:11)

The reason for the separation in the Church of God, even after so many years, attests to the fact that there are those who have not yet become founded and rooted in Christ as they should be.  If Jesus were to return physically today – would He favor one political corporate organization and exclude all the other brethren?  

It is simply unfathomable to have true Church of God brethren existing side by side, while ignoring each other’s very existence as brothers and sisters of Christ.   Because of the reluctance of the various off-shoots of the scattered brethren to work toward harmony, you would think that we had all the time in the world. 

It is high time that all the converted brethren who are founded and rooted in Christ pull together and recognize one another – despite which political corporate organization they find themselves in.  When we are all truly walking in Christ as we should be, a right fellowship of the body will be the sure outcome.

Make no mistake about it – Jesus Christ is not going to return to a scattered bunch of churches.   If we claim that we are not worldly, but spiritually founded and rooted in Christ, then we must admit that all this church party spirit we see all around us is wrong.  What are we to do about the problem?  The answer is that we must be instrumental in healing the breach.  Take a stand!  Recognize your brothers and sisters in other groups who have a right relationship with God.

 Reestablish a fellowship that is pleasing to Jesus Christ.  Yes, the Bible reveals that there are many false ministers that the brethren are to be careful of – they are not rooted and founded in Jesus Christ.  Have the courage to do what God requires of us.  Our task is not to find the single corporate organization that Christ is fully pleased with – it does not exist on earth.  Every true Christian's task is to be firmly grounded in Jesus Christ.

Brethren, it is time to be firmly grounded in Truth.

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Sermon:

"Grounded in Truth"