THERE IS NO GREATER GIFT FROM GOD THAN TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS GROUP!  OUGHT TO BE THE SOURCE OF MUCH JOY!

• Ephesians tells us what we have in Jesus Christ- Why His precious blood purchased for us. 
• We have things reserved in the Heavenlies- and they are spiritually realized here today!
• We are given membership in the most elite group of eternity- the Beloved of God! We are part of a historic family - was considered a secret society for 1500 years - hunted, & killed!

I. "WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT?"

The 1st telegraph message asked a question - & when we see "what" we are still amazed today!

A. PRAISE HIS GLORY  - LOOK WHAT HE HAS DONE!  "HE HATH MADE US ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED."  Eph. 1:6

• Ephesians tells us what the Church would be- as the Body of Christ! & are- in the heavenlies.
• A long prayer of Paul recorded - 1:2 - that tells a lot about what the Lord has done for us!
• I am amazed- that He took a snaggle-toothed, freckled red head- & made me acceptable in beloved!

B. THE BIBLE SAYS - Eph. 2:12 ! I WAS WITHOUT CHRIST, ALIEN, STRANGER, NO HOPE, WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD!

• I know the meaning of Eph. 2:1-3, & 11 - as this describes my life completely!  & it describes YOU.
• Until I was saved- I was  OUT with the other kids- last chosen in ball, no close friends, an out kid!
• Football gave me a chance-still I was called only when they had a hard job!  Pres. of Lettermen's

But if I had been a part of the "Social" crowd, or of the Intelligencia - still OUT OF GOD!

C. "BUT NOW IN CHRIST JESUS!  MADE NIGH BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST!"  WHAT A CHANGE!  Eph. 2:13

• This little word "In" - when used with Christ- becomes the most important connection in eternity.
• ALL of the blessings In the Heavenlies became mine!  And Spiritually I realize much today!  MINE!
• This makes me part of a spiritual family- Adam & Eve - John & Paul, Wycliffe, Tyndale, my family.

Being a part of this IN crowd - even lifted me beyond some of the kids in the church where I was saved.

II. WHO IS IN OUR CROWD?

Does this mean we are a real cool dude?  Real hip?  A Punk Rocker? - different from the world.

A. IT MEANS WE ARE A PART OF THE CHOSEN ONES, SELECTED BY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR HIS OWN!

• We did not choose Him- He chose us!  John 15:16, & the World hates us- v.17, We are not of the world - 19
• The Lord knew our situation- & prayed for us- John 17:15- We are not of this world- kept from evil.
• We are a strange bunch- If Followers of Jesus- we are in the world- but simply do not fit!

B. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO PEOLE LIKE US THROUGH THE CENTURIES?  DID THE LORD LOSE TRACK OF US??

• You can study the history of the early church- Matt- Acts! Some in I, II Tim. Heb. - even Rev.-
• But does our kind of people have a history?  Can we trace our lineage back to Christ?
• I have some material for you- Some you will want to keep!  Notebooks- 8-1/2 x 11 & 5-1/2 x 8-1/2

FOCAL POINT, from Denver Seminary-July-Sept 87, on Church history!  Chart of current Baptist History!  Paper on Baptist Distinctives!

C. FOR CENTURIES OUR ENEMIES MADE US A SECRET SOCIETY BY MURDEROUS PERSECUTION!  BUT EVEN WORSE!  HOW OUR FRIENDS HAVE WIPED OUT OUR HISTORY IN THE GUISE  OF HIGHER EDUCATION

• The prime book-burners have tried- but little marks still remain!  Need honest search for them ex: Sir Isaac Newton- "The Baptists are the only body of known Christians that have never symbolized with Rome." - When Church was taken over- our kind refused closed shop union!  Ex: -Cardinal Hosius-Council of Trent-1524 "Were it not that the Baptists have been grievously tormented and cut off with the knife during the past 1200 years, they would swarm in greater numbers than all the reformers." - Our enemies could count- We were alive in 324 - Beginning of Catholic Church.
• But history has been "Corrected" - like Babylon emperors of old- Catholic power hides our history.
• Historians like Bible Translators- prefer many Catholic documents to a few pure records! -So!  But when the Catholics invaded England- Augustine, - they massacred the early Christians- Wales!

III. LET'S CHECK OUR FAMILY TREE!

Do you doubt that we are a Bible church? cf "FUNDAMENTALS" 1919 -, Historic Christians

A. I MIGHT NOT BE PROUD OF ALL OF MY ANCESTORS, NOR KNOW WHY THEY FOUGHT THEIR BATTLES -BUT I'M THEM!

• 150 AD the Montanist objected to some churches increasing formalism & worldliness, - Believers only
• 3rd Century Novatians & 4th Cent. Donatists- were against a "unionized" clergy as rulers!  They wanted ministers with a pure & loyal record, & members who were Believers & Baptized- Immersed.
• Soon after the councils called by Constantine- people who rejected the legislative power of such councils were outlawed-; People who accepted Bible as supreme instead of councils -1881 Harvard Prof-in Germany wrote-Society ladies afraid of Baptist churches- heard they turned out the lights and indulged in kissing!  Social pressure against the Non-Society Church.

AS CHRISTIANS OF THE BAPTIST BRANCH WE ARE PART OF THE HISTORIC "IN" CROWD WITH GOD!  ARE YOU?

• To join the Beloved- you must accept Christ- publicly confess this for strength! Have you?
• To be a member- after Salvation-you must be Baptized by Immersion! - Historic way to join.
• Then- take your Bible and study like fury- life is so short- & so much to learn!