THE WORK OF THE THE WORK OF THE CHURCHCHURCH

THE WORK OF THE CHURCHTHE WORK OF THE CHURCH

Defining terms -Defining terms -““TheThe churchchurch” we are discussing is a “” we are discussing is a “locallocal congregationcongregation.”.”

[[NOTENOTE: The “: The “universaluniversal churchchurch” has no ” has no organization, structure or machinery by which to organization, structure or machinery by which to function, nor is any work assigned to it in function, nor is any work assigned to it in scripturre.]scripturre.]

Phil. 1:1Phil. 1:1

THE WORK OF THE CHURCHTHE WORK OF THE CHURCH

Defining terms -Defining terms -““WorkWork” - the ” - the activity/functionactivity/function authorized in the authorized in the

New Testament for a local group of saints who New Testament for a local group of saints who have voluntairly associated together to constitute a have voluntairly associated together to constitute a locallocal churchchurch..

Must have either Must have either generalgeneral or or specificespecifice authority to authority to act.act.

Statements - commands - approved examples - Statements - commands - approved examples - necessary inferences.necessary inferences.

Col. 3:17Col. 3:17

THE WORK OF THE CHURCHTHE WORK OF THE CHURCH

NoteNote: The New Testament charges : The New Testament charges individualsindividuals (Christians) with some responsibilities that are (Christians) with some responsibilities that are in the same field of activity as that of the in the same field of activity as that of the church. This is church. This is notnot to say, “Whatever the to say, “Whatever the individualindividual does, the church may also do.” does, the church may also do.”

Each church is autonomous [independent].Each church is autonomous [independent].

1 Tim. 3:151 Tim. 3:15 - “the pillar and ground of the truth.” - “the pillar and ground of the truth.”

THE WORK OF THE CHURCHTHE WORK OF THE CHURCH

All work of the local church falls into one of All work of the local church falls into one of three categories.three categories.

EdificationEdification

Benevolence to needy saintsBenevolence to needy saints

EvangelismEvangelism

Therefore: any collective work that cannot be Therefore: any collective work that cannot be scripturrally placed in one of these categories scripturrally placed in one of these categories is is notnot and and cannotcannot be be ““the work of the churchthe work of the church!”!”

EDIFICATIONEDIFICATION

Defined - “the act of building…the promotion of Defined - “the act of building…the promotion of spiritual growth…to build up.” spiritual growth…to build up.”

Giving authority -Giving authority -

Eph. 4:8,11-16.Eph. 4:8,11-16.

1 Cor. 14:4,5,12,26.1 Cor. 14:4,5,12,26.

It is spiritual activity!It is spiritual activity!

EDIFICATIONEDIFICATION

Giving Authority -Giving Authority -““Coming together into one placeComing together into one place,” for ,” for edificationedification and and

worship worship impliesimplies a a timetime and and placeplace..

1 Cor. 14:23,26; 11:20,331 Cor. 14:23,26; 11:20,33

1 Cor. 14:19,28,35; Col. 4:16; Acts 1 Cor. 14:19,28,35; Col. 4:16; Acts 20:7.20:7.

Preaching, teaching, singingPreaching, teaching, singing and and prayingpraying are all are all included in 1 Cor. 14 for included in 1 Cor. 14 for edificationedification and and worshipworship. . Also, Also, Lord’s supperLord’s supper, 1 Cor. 11:20-34; , 1 Cor. 11:20-34; GivingGiving, , 1 Cor. 16:1,2. 1 Cor. 16:1,2.

EDIFICATIONEDIFICATION

Giving Authority -Giving Authority -Disciplining “disorderly members”Disciplining “disorderly members” - 1 Cor. 5:1-13 - 1 Cor. 5:1-13

[v.4]; Rom. 16:17,18; 2 Thess. 3:6,14.[v.4]; Rom. 16:17,18; 2 Thess. 3:6,14.

Matt. 18:15-17Matt. 18:15-17UnfortunatelyUnfortunately, this “, this “work of the churchwork of the church” is one of the ” is one of the

most neglected areas of labor in the interest of most neglected areas of labor in the interest of lost soulslost souls and the and the purity of the churchpurity of the church..

Ungodly exemptions for “family,” etc.Ungodly exemptions for “family,” etc.

Edification is the Lord’s plan for the church...Edification is the Lord’s plan for the church...

BENEVOLENCE TO NEEDY BENEVOLENCE TO NEEDY SAINTSSAINTS

Defined - “relief, assistance, aid to Christians.”Defined - “relief, assistance, aid to Christians.”

Giving authority -Giving authority -ItsIts ownown needy saints needy saints - Acts 4:32-37; 6:1-4. - Acts 4:32-37; 6:1-4.

Includes “widows indeed, 1 Tim. 5:16.Includes “widows indeed, 1 Tim. 5:16.

Directly assisting another local churchDirectly assisting another local church so it can care so it can care for for itsits ownown needy saints - Rom. 15:25,26,31. needy saints - Rom. 15:25,26,31.

2 Cor. 8:1-4; 9:1-5,12,13’ 1 Cor. 16:1-3.2 Cor. 8:1-4; 9:1-5,12,13’ 1 Cor. 16:1-3.

Acts 11:29,30Acts 11:29,30

The local church will assist needy saints.The local church will assist needy saints.

EVANGELISMEVANGELISM

Defined - “preaching the gospel.”Defined - “preaching the gospel.”

Giving authority -Giving authority -A local church sounding forth the truthA local church sounding forth the truth - 1 Thess.1:8. - 1 Thess.1:8.

Acts 13:1-3 [14:26-28]; 15:3 [brought on their way”].Acts 13:1-3 [14:26-28]; 15:3 [brought on their way”].

Gospel preachers were supported directlyGospel preachers were supported directly - Phil - Phil 4:15-17; 2 Cor. 11:8,9. No “sponsoring church.”4:15-17; 2 Cor. 11:8,9. No “sponsoring church.”

EvangelismEvangelism [preaching the gospel] is the work of [preaching the gospel] is the work of the local church.the local church.

FUNDING THE WORK OF THE FUNDING THE WORK OF THE CHURCHCHURCH

The collection of necessary funds -The collection of necessary funds -Acts 4:33-37 - “at the apostles feet.”Acts 4:33-37 - “at the apostles feet.”

1 Cor. 16:1,2 - a 1 Cor. 16:1,2 - a patternpattern for collecting funds for a for collecting funds for a scriptural work.scriptural work.

Churches had funds for necessary work -Churches had funds for necessary work -*Phil. 4:14-17; *2 Cor. 11:8,9.*Phil. 4:14-17; *2 Cor. 11:8,9.

How did they get these funds? 2 Cor. 9:6,7; How did they get these funds? 2 Cor. 9:6,7; 1 Cor. 16:1,2. 1 Cor. 16:1,2.

FUNDING THE WORK OF THE FUNDING THE WORK OF THE CHURCHCHURCH

There is no authority for There is no authority for hoardinghoarding the Lord’s the Lord’s money or money or investinginvesting it to make more money! it to make more money!

Churches are involved in the work of Churches are involved in the work of “spending,” not “saving!”“spending,” not “saving!”

Funds collected are for authorized work -Funds collected are for authorized work - RELEASE THEM TO DO THEIR WORK!!!RELEASE THEM TO DO THEIR WORK!!!

THE CHALLENGETHE CHALLENGE

Edification, benevolence to needy saints and Edification, benevolence to needy saints and evangelism constitute the evangelism constitute the sumsum [whole] [whole] ofof

thethe workwork of the local church. of the local church.

Let the church Let the church workwork in every authorized way, in every authorized way, to the glory of God! to the glory of God!

Eph. 3:20,21Eph. 3:20,21