Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 18:28–35

Introduction

A. To the Assyrians, all lands were pretty much the same, but for the Jews, there was no place like the land of Canaan.

B. In like manner, there is no church like the Lord’s.

Discussion

I. To the Jews, there was no place on earth like Canaan.

A. It was unsurpassed in beauty (Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 8:7–9).

B. It was the land of their fathers (Genesis 12:1–3).

C. It was hallowed ground (Deuteronomy 12:5).

II. There was no nation on earth like Israel.

A. God had redeemed them (2 Samuel 7:22–24; Exodus 19:4–6).

B. As the Egyptians and the Assyrians learned the hard way, Israel’s God was unlike any other (Jeremiah 10:14–16; Psalms 86:8–10).

III. There is no church on earth like the Lord’s.

A. To most people in the world, one church is pretty much the same as all the rest (cf. Galatians 1:6–12).

B. The Lord’s church is unlike any other because of the one who built it (Daniel 2:44–45; Matthew 16:18).

C. Christ’s church is unique in its organization (Ephesians 1:22–23; 1 Peter 5:1–2) and its worship (John 4:24).

Conclusion

A. There is also no place like heaven (Revelation 21–22). If you don’t want a mere facsimile of heaven, why settle for a facsimile of the church?

B. Just as the Assyrians couldn’t see what was so special about Canaan, most people fail to see what is so special about the Lord’s church, but the fact is that there is no other church like it anywhere.