Don McClainW. 65 st. church of Christ - 12/4/2005 1.

Don McClainDon McClain W. 65 st. church of Christ - 12/4/2005W. 65 st. church of Christ - 12/4/2005

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The church The church universaluniversal . . . the whole . . . the whole body of baptized believers, body of baptized believers, (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:41,47; (Matt. 16:18; Acts 2:41,47; Eph. 4:4; 5:23; 1 Cor. Eph. 4:4; 5:23; 1 Cor. 12:13; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 12:13; Rom. 6:3,4; Gal. 3:26,27) 3:26,27) 18 times18 times - -

A local churchA local church . . . A . . . A congregation of those who congregation of those who belong to the Lord in a belong to the Lord in a particular locality who have particular locality who have banded together to work banded together to work and worship collectively in and worship collectively in those things God would those things God would have them to do. (Rom. have them to do. (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; Phili 1:1; 16:16; 1 Cor. 1:2; Phili 1:1; Acts 9:26). Acts 9:26). 92 times92 times

The The Christian, Christian,

while added while added to the to the

universal universal church by church by the Lord, the Lord,

should seek should seek to join to join

himself to a himself to a local church local church

like the like the apostle Paul apostle Paul did with the did with the

church in church in Jerusalem in Jerusalem in Acts 9:26.Acts 9:26.


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The church universal The church universal has no organization has no organization with which it can with which it can function. (Eph. 1:22,23; function. (Eph. 1:22,23; Col. 1:18)Col. 1:18)

Each local congregation Each local congregation is an independent, is an independent, autonomous, i.e., self-autonomous, i.e., self-governing group with governing group with elders, deacons, & elders, deacons, & saints. (Acts 14:23; saints. (Acts 14:23; 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1; 1 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; Tim. 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:2; Heb. 13:17) 1 Pet. 5:2; Heb. 13:17)

Every Christian Every Christian needs to be needs to be

identified with identified with a local church. a local church. He should seek He should seek out a faithful out a faithful group of the group of the Lord's people Lord's people and identify and identify with them in with them in

order to fulfill order to fulfill his share of the his share of the

collective collective responsibilities. responsibilities.


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Hebrews 13:17 (NKJV)

Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive,

for they watch out for your souls, as those who must

give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.


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There is a relationship There is a relationship between the overseers between the overseers and the overseen.and the overseen.

Since the elders Since the elders authority is limited to a authority is limited to a local church, this local church, this relationship can only relationship can only exist in a local church.exist in a local church.

When one “joins” When one “joins” himself to a local himself to a local church, he places church, he places himself under the himself under the oversight of the elders.oversight of the elders.






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It is true that we can It is true that we can worship God by worship God by ourselves in some ways ourselves in some ways . . . Whenever and . . . Whenever and wherever we want . . . wherever we want . . . (John 4:21-24; Acts (John 4:21-24; Acts 10:9; 16:25)10:9; 16:25)

But – NT Christians did But – NT Christians did and MUST worship and MUST worship together regularly! together regularly! (Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-31; (Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-31; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17,18; 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17,18; 16:1,2; Heb 10:24,25)16:1,2; Heb 10:24,25)






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Sing (Eph 5:19; Col. Sing (Eph 5:19; Col. 3:16) 3:16)

Pray (Acts 12:5)Pray (Acts 12:5)

Lord’s Supper (Acts Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7; I Cor. 11:18, 20:7; I Cor. 11:18, 20, 23-29)20, 23-29)

Teaching - (Acts 20:7).Teaching - (Acts 20:7).

Giving (I Cor. 16:1, 2).Giving (I Cor. 16:1, 2).

We are to assemble We are to assemble and offer mutual and offer mutual edification – this is a edification – this is a responsibility (Heb responsibility (Heb 10:23-25).10:23-25).






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Evangelism – (Acts Evangelism – (Acts 11:19-26; 12:25-13:3) 11:19-26; 12:25-13:3)

Edification – (Eph. 4:16; Edification – (Eph. 4:16; 1 Thes. 1:3; Heb. 1 Thes. 1:3; Heb. 10:24)10:24)

Benevolence - (Acts Benevolence - (Acts 11:27-30)11:27-30)

These things imply the These things imply the necessity of necessity of organization, & organization, & teamwork!!! (1 Cor. teamwork!!! (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph 4:11-16)12:27; Eph 4:11-16)






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As a member of the As a member of the church the Christian is church the Christian is a part of the family of a part of the family of God (1 Tim. 3:15).God (1 Tim. 3:15).

Being a member of a Being a member of a local church one local church one sustains peculiar sustains peculiar responsibilities to those responsibilities to those who are his fellow-who are his fellow-members in that local members in that local body. It is like being a body. It is like being a part of a physical part of a physical family. – (Mark family. – (Mark 10:29,30)10:29,30)






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Mutual Responsibilities:Mutual Responsibilities: Love (1 Pet. 1:22) Love (1 Pet. 1:22) Comfort & Edify (1 Thes Comfort & Edify (1 Thes

5:11) 5:11) Encourage (Heb. 3:13; Encourage (Heb. 3:13;

10:24) 10:24) Teach & Admonish (Col. Teach & Admonish (Col.

3:16) 3:16) Bear Burdens (Gal. 6:2) Bear Burdens (Gal. 6:2) Forgive (Eph. 4:32; Mt. Forgive (Eph. 4:32; Mt.

6:14-15) 6:14-15) Work Together (Phil. Work Together (Phil.

1:27) 1:27) Discipline - (1 Cor. 5:4)Discipline - (1 Cor. 5:4)






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Local - 1 Cor 1:2; Rom Local - 1 Cor 1:2; Rom 16:516:5

Composed of Saints Composed of Saints Who Agree to Work Who Agree to Work Together - Acts 9:26-28Together - Acts 9:26-28

Organized - Phil 1:1Organized - Phil 1:1 Autonomous - 1 Pet 5:1-Autonomous - 1 Pet 5:1-

22 Assembles Regularly - 1 Assembles Regularly - 1

Cor. 11:18; Heb. 10:24-Cor. 11:18; Heb. 10:24-2525

Functions Collectively – Functions Collectively – 1 Cor. 12:14-30; 1 1 Cor. 12:14-30; 1 Tim 5:16Tim 5:16


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Can’t find a faithful Can’t find a faithful congregation . . .congregation . . .

Lack of understanding Lack of understanding the need . . . the need . . .

Not willing to submit to Not willing to submit to the Lord’s way . . . the Lord’s way . . .


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You can come You can come forward . . .forward . . .

You can write a note, You can write a note, mark it on a card, call us mark it on a card, call us . . . . . . . .

Simply communicate Simply communicate your desire to us . . . your desire to us . . .

Will you be accepted?? Will you be accepted??


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Have you been Have you been baptized into Jesus baptized into Jesus Christ for the remission Christ for the remission of your sins?of your sins?

Do you desire to submit Do you desire to submit to the Lord’s teachings to the Lord’s teachings and be faithful to Him?and be faithful to Him?

Are you willing to work Are you willing to work and serve under the and serve under the oversight of the elders oversight of the elders here? here?


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Don McClainW. 65 st. church of Christ - 12/4/2005 1.

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