Christ's Church

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

CHRIST and HIS CHURCH quotes

1) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.

“For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;...” 1 Timothy 2:5.

2) It is only “in” and “through” Jesus Christ that:

– we find “the truth” (John 14:6);

– we become part of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:13-18);

– we find “redemption” (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7);

– we are “justified” (Acts 13:39);

– we become righteous (Jeremiah 23:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21);

– we have “peace” with God (Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 1:20);

– we have “access” to the Father (Epheisans 2:18);

– God shows us “His kindness” (Ephesians 2:7);

– we receive “grace” (2 Tim. 2:1; Ephesians 2:7);

– we receive the “Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5-6);

– we become “wise” (1 Corinthians 4:10);

– we become “alive” and “live” (Romans 6:11; Philippians 1:21; 1 John 4:9; John 14:6);

– God works in us (Hebrews 13:21);

– we are “sanctified” (1 Corithians 1:2);

– we are made perfect (Colossians 1:28);

– we can do all things (Philippians 4:13);

– we gain the victory (1Corinthians 15:57);

– we triumph over sin (2 Corinthians 2:14);

– we can remain faithful (Ephesians 1:1);

– we can be “preserved” in sanctification (Jude 1:1);

– we become a child and “heir of God” (Galatians 4:7);

– we can “joy” and “glory” in God (Romans 5:11; 15:17);

– we receive “spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3);

– we become “rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9);

– we can sit “in heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6);

– we can escape from the “wrath” of God (Romans 5:9);

– we will be resurrected if we should die before Christ returns (John 11:25);

– we find our “salvation” and “shall be saved” (2 Timothy 2:10; John 10:9, 3:17);

– we find “eternal life” (2 Timothy 1:1; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-12).

OUR ONLY HOPE IS FOUNDED SOLELY IN AND THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Anything and everything which is good in us comes only through Him (Philemon 6)!

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

3) If all we need is Jesus, then why does the Bible also mention the need for fellowship?

“...Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body....the church is subject unto Christ...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish....For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Ephesians 5:23-27, 30.

These verses reveal that Christ's church is His body. This shows us that when we join or connect ourselves with Christ we instantly become part of His body or His church. You do not need to join any church denomination before you can become part of Christ's church, you just need to join Jesus Christ Himself.

“Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are. Let no man deceive himself...” 1 Corinthians 3:16-18.

When you allow Jesus into your heart, you instantly become yoked with Him, becoming part of His body and members of His church. Again, only Jesus is the only way, truth and life.

4) All denominations are made up of true and false Christians. Many of Christ's parables makes this fact clear.

The gospel net brings in both good and bad fish from the same water.

The Wise and Foolish Virgins are together in the same fellowship.

The Wheat and Tares are together in the same field.

The Sheep and the Goats are together in the same fold.

Also the wise and evil stewards are of the same profession.

All church denominations contain both true and false Christians.

“For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel”. Romans 9:6.

This verse reveals that not all members of Israel are the real or true Israel. Thus there are 2 groups within Israel, one true and the other false.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23.

There are Christians who are lost - even though they were claiming to be followers of Christ. But why? Because they worked inquity. Iniquity is sin, and what is sin?

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:4-8.

5) Salvation is not found by claiming to be a Christian, or becoming a member of any denomination. Salvation is found only by being connected with Jesus and remaining yoked together with Him – part of His body and true church.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:1-6.

These inspired verses reveal that some Christians who were originally connected with Christ – part of His body or vine, did not bear fruit. In other words, they accepted Jesus as their Saviour, but did not keep all of God's commandments, committed sin and were eventually lost.

In every church denomination, including the SDA church, there are 2 different groups of Christians composing its membership. But only the good composes God's true church, because they are connected with and follow Jesus Christ and keep His commandments.

“From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth.” Acts of the Apostles, p 11.

“In the days of the Reformation, the gentle and pious Melancthon declared, "There is no other church than the assembly of those who have the word of God, and who are purified by it." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 237.

Since in all the denominations in the world you have both true and false Christians worshipping together, then this proves that the denominaiton itself is not God's true church, only those who are connected with Christ compose the true church.

6) How does one tell the difference between the true and the false church?

“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:18-20.

Those good Christians are able to bear good fruits because of their connection with Christ, and it is by their good fruits that they are seen to be part of God's true church. The bad Christians do not have Christ with them, and their bad fruits reveal that they are not part of God's true church. The only difference between these 2 groups of Christians is 1 group has Christ, the other does not. This reveals that it was the presence of Christ that can make a church of Christ, and without the presence of Christ you are not His church.

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20.

“God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church.

“Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls.” Upward Look, p 315.

7) Again, you do not need to visit or join any denomination in order to become part of God's true church, because all you need to join is Jesus!

"But Solomon built him (God) an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hands made all these things?" Acts 7:47-50.

Stephen was basically telling all the Jewish church members that in this New Covenant period, God does not dwell in literal buildings, but desires to dwell in the individual hearts of His people through Jesus Christ. And Jesus Himself says the same:

"The woman (of Samaria) saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain (the temple at Mount Gerizim); and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for (the message of) salvation is of (was committed to) the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:19-24.

This reveals that God's true church is not made up of this denomination or that denomination, but is made up of individuals who are connected with Jesus Christ and who worship God in spirit and truth. You do not need to find any denomination in order to worship God, but you can worship Him in your very homes -- just like the disciples and followers of Christ chose to do (see Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2).

8) Is this all that God requires - for His people to worship Him alone in their homes?

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25.

These inspired verses reveal that it is a command of God for all His followers to join together in fellowship in worshipping God and helping one another to grow in love, faith and works. But since there are over 1000 different church groups, does God want us to fellowship with just any group?

“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:3-7.

These inspired verses reveal that we are to first have fellowship with God and Jesus Christ by following the light of truth ourselves, and then we are to have fellowship with others who are also walking in the light or the truth of God. He does not want us to purposely remain like a hermit all alone in our worshipping of God, and God also does not want us to join in fellowship with just any church group. But He does want us to meet together with other followers of God who are walking in the light of Christ.

This means that if any church group are not following the truth of God, then they do not have fellowship with God and Christ, they do not have God and Christ in their midst, and therefore they are not a safe church group for any of the followers of God to fellowship with.

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be”. John 12:26.

This means that if the presence of Christ is in a church group because they are following the truth and therefore have fellowship with Christ, then that is where the servants of Christ will want to join in fellowship. But if the presence of Christ is not in a church group, then none of the servants of Christ will want to fellowship there either.

9) The Jews loved and worshipped their unfaithful temple or church more than they loved and worshipped God.

“Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.” Jeremiah 7:4.

And Paul writes to every Jewish church member:

“Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” Hebrews 13:12-13.

This meant that any who remained in their unfaithful church were lost without Christ, but any who left and joined together with Christ were sanctified, part of His true church and were saved. Why? Because sanctification, salvation as well as Christ's church are only found with and through Christ Jesus.

“He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12.

10) Are all church denominations today without the presence of Christ in their midst?

“And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” Isaiah 4:1.

11) What about the Laodicean SDA church denomination?

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth....Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:14-16, 20.

“The church (SDA) is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst.” Notebook Leaflets, book 1, p 99.

12) Do you love Christ above everything else in this wicked world – including the unfaithful church?

“He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37-38.

“And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads....These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Revelation 14:1, 4.

Are you a true servant and follower of Christ Jesus? If so, then follow Him!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.


	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Sermon Quotes CHRIST and HIS CHURCH quotes 1) “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6. “For [there is] one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;...” 1 Timothy 2:5. 2) It is only “in” and “through” Jesus Christ that: – we find “the truth” (John 14:6); – we become part of the New Covenant (2 Corinthians 3:13-18); – we find “redemption” (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7); – we are “justified” (Acts 13:39); – we become righteous (Jeremiah 23:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21); – we have “peace” with God (Romans 5:1; Philippians 4:7; Colossians 1:20); – we have “access” to the Father (Epheisans 2:18); – God shows us “His kindness” (Ephesians 2:7); – we receive “grace” (2 Tim. 2:1; Ephesians 2:7); – we receive the “Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5-6); – we become “wise” (1 Corinthians 4:10); – we become “alive” and “live” (Romans 6:11; Philippians 1:21; 1 John 4:9; John 14:6); – God works in us (Hebrews 13:21); – we are “sanctified” (1 Corithians 1:2); – we are made perfect (Colossians 1:28); – we can do all things (Philippians 4:13); – we gain the victory (1Corinthians 15:57); – we triumph over sin (2 Corinthians 2:14); – we can remain faithful (Ephesians 1:1); – we can be “preserved” in sanctification (Jude 1:1); – we become a child and “heir of God” (Galatians 4:7); – we can “joy” and “glory” in God (Romans 5:11; 15:17); – we receive “spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1:3); – we become “rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9); – we can sit “in heavenly places” (Ephesians 2:6); – we can escape from the “wrath” of God (Romans 5:9); – we will be resurrected if we should die before Christ returns (John 11:25); – we find our “salvation” and “shall be saved” (2 Timothy 2:10; John 10:9, 3:17); – we find “eternal life” (2 Timothy 1:1; Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:11-12). OUR ONLY HOPE IS FOUNDED SOLELY IN AND THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST (1 Thessalonians 1:3). Anything and everything which is good in us comes only through Him (Philemon 6)! “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. 3) If all we need is Jesus, then why does the Bible also mention the need for fellowship? “...Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body....the church is subject unto Christ...Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish....For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” Ephesians 5:23-27, 30. These verses reveal that Christ's church is His body. This shows us that when we join or connect ourselves with Christ we instantly become part of His body or His church. You do not need to join any church denomination before you can become part of Christ's church, you just need to join Jesus Christ Himself. “Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are. Let no man deceive himself...” 1 Corinthians 3:16-18. When you allow Jesus into your heart, you instantly become yoked with Him, becoming part of His body and members of His church. Again, only Jesus is the only way, truth and life. 4) All denominations are made up of true and false Christians. Many of Christ's parables makes this fact clear. The gospel net brings in both good and bad fish from the same water. The Wise and Foolish Virgins are together in the same fellowship. The Wheat and Tares are together in the same field. The Sheep and the Goats are together in the same fold. Also the wise and evil stewards are of the same profession. All church denominations contain both true and false Christians. “For they [are] not all Israel, which are of Israel”. Romans 9:6. This verse reveals that not all members of Israel are the real or true Israel. Thus there are 2 groups within Israel, one true and the other false. “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:21-23. There are Christians who are lost - even though they were claiming to be followers of Christ. But why? Because they worked inquity. Iniquity is sin, and what is sin? “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:4-8. 5) Salvation is not found by claiming to be a Christian, or becoming a member of any denomination. Salvation is found only by being connected with Jesus and remaining yoked together with Him – part of His body and true church. “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast [them] into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:1-6. These inspired verses reveal that some Christians who were originally connected with Christ – part of His body or vine, did not bear fruit. In other words, they accepted Jesus as their Saviour, but did not keep all of God's commandments, committed sin and were eventually lost. In every church denomination, including the SDA church, there are 2 different groups of Christians composing its membership. But only the good composes God's true church, because they are connected with and follow Jesus Christ and keep His commandments. “From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth.” Acts of the Apostles, p 11. “In the days of the Reformation, the gentle and pious Melancthon declared, "There is no other church than the assembly of those who have the word of God, and who are purified by it." Spirit of Prophecy, vol 4, p 237. Since in all the denominations in the world you have both true and false Christians worshipping together, then this proves that the denominaiton itself is not God's true church, only those who are connected with Christ compose the true church. 6) How does one tell the difference between the true and the false church? “A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” Matthew 7:18-20. Those good Christians are able to bear good fruits because of their connection with Christ, and it is by their good fruits that they are seen to be part of God's true church. The bad Christians do not have Christ with them, and their bad fruits reveal that they are not part of God's true church. The only difference between these 2 groups of Christians is 1 group has Christ, the other does not. This reveals that it was the presence of Christ that can make a church of Christ, and without the presence of Christ you are not His church. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20. “God has a church. It is not the great cathedral, neither is it the national establishment, neither is it the various denominations; it is the people who love God and keep His commandments. "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20). Where Christ is even among the humble few, this is Christ's church, for the presence of the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity can alone constitute a church. “Where two or three are present who love and obey the commandments of God, Jesus there presides, let it be in the desolate place of the earth, in the wilderness, in the city enclosed in prison walls.” Upward Look, p 315. 7) Again, you do not need to visit or join any denomination in order to become part of God's true church, because all you need to join is Jesus! "But Solomon built him (God) an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? Hath not my hands made all these things?" Acts 7:47-50. Stephen was basically telling all the Jewish church members that in this New Covenant period, God does not dwell in literal buildings, but desires to dwell in the individual hearts of His people through Jesus Christ. And Jesus Himself says the same: "The woman (of Samaria) saith unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain (the temple at Mount Gerizim); and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for (the message of) salvation is of (was committed to) the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." John 4:19-24. This reveals that God's true church is not made up of this denomination or that denomination, but is made up of individuals who are connected with Jesus Christ and who worship God in spirit and truth. You do not need to find any denomination in order to worship God, but you can worship Him in your very homes -- just like the disciples and followers of Christ chose to do (see Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2). 8) Is this all that God requires - for His people to worship Him alone in their homes? “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25. These inspired verses reveal that it is a command of God for all His followers to join together in fellowship in worshipping God and helping one another to grow in love, faith and works. But since there are over 1000 different church groups, does God want us to fellowship with just any group? “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship [is] with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:3-7. These inspired verses reveal that we are to first have fellowship with God and Jesus Christ by following the light of truth ourselves, and then we are to have fellowship with others who are also walking in the light or the truth of God. He does not want us to purposely remain like a hermit all alone in our worshipping of God, and God also does not want us to join in fellowship with just any church group. But He does want us to meet together with other followers of God who are walking in the light of Christ. This means that if any church group are not following the truth of God, then they do not have fellowship with God and Christ, they do not have God and Christ in their midst, and therefore they are not a safe church group for any of the followers of God to fellowship with. “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be”. John 12:26. This means that if the presence of Christ is in a church group because they are following the truth and therefore have fellowship with Christ, then that is where the servants of Christ will want to join in fellowship. But if the presence of Christ is not in a church group, then none of the servants of Christ will want to fellowship there either. 9) The Jews loved and worshipped their unfaithful temple or church more than they loved and worshipped God. “Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, [are] these.” Jeremiah 7:4. And Paul writes to every Jewish church member: “Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” Hebrews 13:12-13. This meant that any who remained in their unfaithful church were lost without Christ, but any who left and joined together with Christ were sanctified, part of His true church and were saved. Why? Because sanctification, salvation as well as Christ's church are only found with and through Christ Jesus. “He that hath the Son hath life; [and] he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12. 10) Are all church denominations today without the presence of Christ in their midst? “And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name, to take away our reproach.” Isaiah 4:1. 11) What about the Laodicean SDA church denomination? “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth....Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Revelation 3:14-16, 20. “The church (SDA) is in the Laodicean state. The presence of God is not in her midst.” Notebook Leaflets, book 1, p 99. 12) Do you love Christ above everything else in this wicked world – including the unfaithful church? “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Matthew 10:37-38. “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty [and] four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads....These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.” Revelation 14:1, 4. Are you a true servant and follower of Christ Jesus? If so, then follow Him! “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.