1	"The current state of the..." The current state of the religious world and the current state of the church in our world, necessitates that we study again the scriptures concerning the nature of the church. Lassen Street is committed to being faithful to God’s Word, thus striving to restore in all matter’s of faith and practice
2	"Amidst all the Religious Division..." Amidst all the Religious Division and Confusion we must have… …“A RESTORATION PERSPECTIVE or VIEWPOINT.” - By restoration perspective or viewpoint, I mean that it is the ongoing obligation of every generation to continually restore the TEACHING and PRACTICES of the inspired, Apostle led, First Century Church.
3	"It is true that Churches..." It is true that Churches of Christ, this congregation and thousands of others, trace our identity to the early and mid-nineteenth century RESTORATION MOVEMENT in America, but to understand our identity, we must understand, the principle of RESTORATION.
4	"The very concept of the..." The very concept of the need for restoring the teaching and practices of the inspired, apostle led, first century church; NEGATES THE ESTABLISHING OF A NEW RELIGION OR CHURCH; this pre-supposes the fact that a totally sufficient body of teaching exists to enable the ‘RESTORATION’ of the church which Christ established through his apostles, beginning on the First Pentecost after his resurrection, approximately in A.D. 30
5	"The restoration plea is fundamentally..." The restoration plea is fundamentally an appeal to go back to the Bible, and to abandon all human names, creeds and practices in order to be the one BODY OF CHRIST.
6	"I" I. At stake in restoration, is confidence in the sufficiency of the scriptures to provide all that’s needed to truly restore the teachings and practices of the First Century Church.
7	"I stress what is at..." I stress what is at stake because I fear so many are terribly naïve and un-informed about what is really at stake!
8	"1" 1. Many sincere religious people ; in denominations believe the Bible to be the WORD OF GOD; but the approach to division issues (lack of unity), contradictory doctrines, and clearly human names and inventions, has NOT been to go back to the BIBLE and honor God by seeking to restore whatever has been changed or lost through the CENTURIES.
9	"The approach has instead been..." The approach has instead been to allow distinct and different religious traditions and teachings; to develop into established religious institutions/churches that often bear little resemblance to the church we read about in the Bible.
10	"These institutions and traditions" These institutions and traditions; in time have become the philosophical base of a ‘CHRISTIAN’ religious community that ACCEPTS glaring contradictions of doctrine in the name of unity, grace and tolerance. All the while, many proclaim their trust in the scriptures; but the religious system which has developed really undercuts in serious ways , their ability to convince unbelievers of the RELIABILITY OF THE SCRIPTURES.
11	"When we tell unbelievers that..." When we tell unbelievers that it is o.k. to teach and believe contradictory teachings, all purporting to be found solidly in scriptures – we in EFFECT deny the very nature and intent of scripture that we should know and understand ‘Truth.’ (John 8:32)
12	"If this were true" If this were true; divinely revealed truth would of necessity be reduced to nothing more than generalizations open to individual opinions and interpretations – nothing more.
13	"Ephesians 3:10,11" Ephesians 3:10,11 (10) “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (11) according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
14	"KINGDOM" KINGDOM, POWER, HOLY SPIRIT, PENTECOST. The Kingdom/Church (Matthew 16:18), was to come when the power came (Mark 9:1), the power was to come when the Holy Spirit came (Acts 1:8)
15	"Denominations have distinct characteristics and..." Denominations have distinct characteristics and doctrines, separating them from one another; and thus promote and cause division among believers. John 17:20,21 (20) "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, (21) that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
16	"The very concept of a..." The very concept of a plurality of ‘churches’ – together claiming to be the New Testament Church, but holding different fundamental beliefs; UTTERLY REJECTS THE CONCEPT OF ‘ONENESS’!
17	"(3) “ Make every..." (3) “ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (4) There is one body and one Spirit– just as you were called to one hope when you were called–(5) one Lord, one faith, one baptism; (6) one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
18	"Christ thought the church was..." Christ thought the church was so essential that he was willing to give his life for it.
19	"“Keep watch over yourselves..." “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Note: God in this text is Jesus
20	"In addition to showing the..." In addition to showing the value of the church in Gods’ sight, we see clearly the awesome VALUE OF EACH INDIVIDUAL. -- Self–esteem issues are fully addressed for every person who believes the gospel.
21	"“But God demonstrates his..." “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
22	"The church is spoken of..." The church is spoken of in the universal sense, with no specific congregation in mind (Matthew 16:18) The church is spoken of in the local sense, when the writer has a specific congregation in mind, (1 Cor. 1:2) “… The Church of God at Corinth…”
23	"The church has no earthly..." The church has no earthly organization other than autonomous local congregations. Jesus is… …OUR ONLY HEAD Colossians 1: 18 “ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.”
24	"(22" (22) “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, (23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
25	"Though there is no universal..." Though there is no universal organization, locally the Lord has organized his church. Philippians 1: 1 “ Paul and Timothy (evangelist) servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints (members) in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers (Elders, Pastors, Bishops) and deacons. (special servants.)”
26	"There were “Churches of..." There were “Churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2) and “Churches of Judea” (Galatians 1:22), but they were separate congregations having their own leadership, all under the authority of Christ.
27	"As churches were being established..." As churches were being established and maturing; Elders were being appointed. Titus 1:5 “ The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.”
28	"Oversight of elders was limited..." Oversight of elders was limited to a local congregation and the eldership always consisted of a plurality of faithful men.
29	"(2) “Be shepherds..." (2) “Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers - not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; (3) not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.”
30	"In his farewell address to..." In his farewell address to the elders of the church at Ephesus, he gives much information about the autonomous nature of the church and the role of elders in each congregation.
31	"“Keep watch over yourselves..." “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood”
32	"(29" (29) “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. (30) Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (31) So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”
33	"A Biblical Principle" A Biblical Principle: We are to speak as the “VERY WORDS OF GOD” (1 Peter 4:11)
34	"The church is spoken of..." The church is spoken of as; THE CHURCH OF GOD (Acts 20:28) THE CHURCH OF CHRIST (Romans 16:16) -- All designations… HONOR THE LORD.
35	"The church does not save..." The church does not save but is the saved.
36	"To be in Christ is..." To be in Christ is to be in the body (church). Galatians 3:27 “…for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Ephesians 1:22,23 (22) “And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, (23) which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way”
37	"Christ and his church (..." Christ and his church ( his body) are inseparable Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”