The Work Of The Church


A. The Sovereignty Of Christ1. Headship of the church

• Ac 20:28; Ep 1:22, 23; 3:8-12; 4:15, 16; 5:25-27

2. The subjection of the church• Mt 28:18-20; Ep 5:22-24; Co 1:18

3. The folly of insubordination• Nu 16; Le 10:1-3; Jg 17;6

4. Authenticity of the church• 1 Sa 8:6-8; Mk 7:6-13; Ac 4:10-20; Ga 1:3-

19

I. Introduction


B. Judgments and Traditions• Ac 15:19-22

I. Introduction


C. Authority Review• 2 Ti 2:15

1. Our source of authority• 2 Ti 3:14-17; 2 Pe 1:19-21• He 7:14; Lk 20:4

2. Methods of establishing authority• Direct command (Lk 10:26-28)• Necessary inference (Mk 12:26, 27)• Approved example (Mt 12:5)

I. Introduction


C. Authority Review (continued)1. Our source of authority2. Methods of establishing authority3. Generics and specifics4. Rules of expediencies

• Adds nothing (1 Co 4:6; 1 Sa 15:15)• Non-essential (Ge 6:14; Ex 12:5)• Edifies (1 Co 10:23-33; 14:26)• Non-offensive (1 Co 8:7-13; 10:32)• Lawful (1 Ch 13:7-10; 15:2; 1 Co 6:12; 10:23)

I. Introduction


C. Authority Review (continued)1. Our source of authority2. Methods of establishing authority3. Generics and specifics4. Rules of expediencies5. Figurative language6. Sound reasoning

I. Introduction


D. Doctrinal Purity1. Set aside self-will and preconceptions

• Co 3:17; Ep 4:17-19 2. Renounce the commandments of men

• 1 Ti 4:1, 2; 1 Ti 6:3-5; 2 Ti 4:1-4; Ti 1:143. The burden of proof

• 1 Pe 3:15

I. Introduction


A. The Kingdom Of Heaven• Is 9:6, 7; Da 2:44; He 12:23-28; Mt 16:18, 19; Ac

2:471. The saved

• Ep 5:23; Is 53:10-122. The called out

• EKKLESIA, Dt 9:10 (LXX)3. The body of Christ

• Ro 12:3-16; 1 Co 10:16, 17; 12:11-27;Ep 1:22, 23; 3:6; 4:4, 12, 16; 5:23, 30;Co 1:18, 24; 2:19; 3:15

II. Characteristics Of The Church


B. The Church Is An Organization1. Organization (Ep 1:22; Pp 1:1; 1 Ti 3:1-13)2. Corporation (Ep 4:16; He 7:12)3. Establishment (He 10:9)4. Institution (Mt 16:16-18; Ac 2:33, 41; Lk 24:47-49;

Ep 1:20-22)5. Association

• Fellowship (Ep 3:9, 10)• Union (1 Co 1:9-13)



C. The Church Is Unique• One head, one body• Ro 12:4, 5; 15:5, 6• 1 Co 10:17; 12:12, 13• Ep 1:10, 23; 4:4• Co 3:15

D. God's Wisdom Manifested• Ep 3:10



E. Usage Of The Word "Church"1. General or universal

• 1 Co 10:32; Pp 3:6; Mt 16:18; He 12:22, 23; Ep 5:23, 30; Ac 2:47; 2 Co 11:2; Ro 7:1-4; Ja 4:4

2. Specific or local• 1 Co 14:33; Re 1:11; Ac 1:8; 8:1, 5, 40;

9:22, 26-28, 31; 13:2-5, 14, 49; 14:21-23; 18:18, 19, 27; Mt 13:3-23; 18:15-17; 1 Pe 1:23; He 8:5; 1 Co 5:2, 7, 13; 16:19; Ro 16:1

3. Assembled• Ac 14:27; 1 Co 11:18; 14:23-28



F. Church Autonomy• 2 Co 8:14

1. Self-managing• Ac 14:23; 20:28; 1 Pe 5:1-3; He 13:17; 1 Ti

5:17-20; Ep 4:11, 122. Self-ministering

• Pp 1:1; Ac 6:2-4; Ro 16:1; Co 1:73. Self-monitoring

• Ro 16:2, 17; 1 Th 5:21; Ac 9:26-28; 1 Co 5:1-5; 11-13



F. Church Autonomy (continued)4. Self-delegating

• Ac 11:22; 1 Co 16:3, 4; 2 Co 8:18, 195. Self-financing

• 1 Co 16:1; 2 Co 8:8-126. Self-motivating

• Ro 12:4-8; He 10:24, 25; Ep 4:16; 1 Th 5:12-14



A. Distinction between individual and church• 1 Ti 5:16

B. Collective Action:• As a Church (1 Co 11:18)• Not as a church (Ac 10:3-8; 18:3)

III. The Individual And The Church


C. Duties Of Individual Christians1. Areas of responsibility

• Community (1 Pe 2:12; Co 4:5; Ga 6:6-10; Ja 1:27)

• Business (Co 3:22-4:1; Ep 6:5-9; 1 Ti 5:8, 16)• Home (Ep 5:22-6:4; 1 Pe 4:9, 10)• Government (Ro 13:1-8; 1 Pe 2:13)• Church (He 12:28; 1 Pe 1:13-16; 2 Pe 3:11)

1 Ti 5:8, 16; Ep 5:25, 29; 6:4; 1 Pe 2:13; 4:9, 10; Ga 6:1-5; Ja 1:23-27

2. Sound reasoning• Pr 30:5; 2 Pe 3:16; 1 Pe 4:11



D. Duties Of The Collective Body• The Lord's Supper, 1 Co 11:20-29• Contributing to the church treasury, 1 Co 16:1, 2

Valid premise: "Whatever the collective church does, it is the individuals that are doing it."(Ac 20:7; 1 Co 11:28, 33; Ep 4:16)

False Premise: "Whatever a Christian individual can do, the church as a collective body can do."(1 Ti 5:16)



E. Duties Shared Individually And Collectively• Withdrawal from unruly Christians

1 Co 5:4,5; 2 Th 3:14• Teaching the gospel

1 Th 1:8; 2 Ti 2:2• Supporting gospel preachers

Pp 4:15-18; 2 Co 11:8, 9; Ga 6:6-10• Benevolence of needy Christians

1 Ti 5:16; 1 Jn 3:17(Le 10:1-3)



F. The Work Of The Collective Church• Ac 2:38-47

1. Teaching the gospel2. Assembled worship3. Benevolence of needy saints



A. Evangelizing• 1 Ti 3:15; Ac 13:1-5; Ac 15:1-3; 1 Th 1:8; 5:12; Ep

4:11, 12; Ti 1:5; He 10:25

B. Edification And "Evangelism"• "Evangelizing" = Good news telling

Lk 1:19; 1 Co 15:1, 2; Mt 4:23; 2 Ti 4:5• "Evangelism" = "Winning personal commitments"• Conflicting English and Greek definitions• Edification = Encouragement by deed or word

Ro 14:19-15:2• Not a scripturally identified work of the church

IV. Teaching The Gospel


B. Evangelism And Edification (continued)1. Edification by the church

• Ep 4:11, 12, 15, 16; 1 Co 14:26• Instruction in the word, exclusively

2. Edification by individuals• Ro 14:19-15:2; 1 Co 10:23; 1 Th 5:11• Thoughtful deeds, cheering gifts, kindly words



C. Baptizing• Making disciples: followers of Christ (Jn 8:31)• Teaching and baptizing (Mt 28:19, 20)• Joint participation (Ac 8:35-37; Jn 3:23)



D. Church-supported Gospel Preachers• 1 Ti 5:17, 18; 1 Co 9:3-14; Pp 1:3-6; 4:10-18; 2 Co

11:7-9; 2 Th 3:7-9Church(s) —$ Preacher(s)

1. Missionary societies (unauthorized, Is 55:8, 9)Church —$ Missionary Society —$ Preacher

2. Sponsoring church arrangement (unauthorized)Church —$ Sponsoring Church —$ Preacher

3. The divinely appointed institution• 2 Co 8:18-24; Ep 3:21; 5:25-27



D. Church-supported Gospel Preachers (cont.)4. Publishing companies

Unlawful arrangements:


publishing company

paymentbooklets

church booklets

individuals

church contributions

publishing company

booklets

individuals

church contributions

missionary society

preachers

individuals


E. Expediencies In Teaching The Gospel1. Printed exegesis (1 Co 5:9; Co 4:16)

• Ac 17; Ne 8:7, 82. Classroom instruction (1 Co 1:10-13; Ep 6:4)

• 2 Ti 1:5; 3:15; Mk 16:15• Ac 15:4-6; 1 Co 3:1, 2

3. Multimedia (2 Th 2:2; 2 Ti 4:13)4. Aids and supporting items (Ne 8:1-8)

• Not expedient: drama and theatrics• Not expedient: gifts and door prizes• Not expedient: food and beverages



Not an expediency for teaching (1 Cor 11:26)

A. Worship Defined1. Service (LATREUO)

• Ac 24:14; Ro 12:1; He 9:92. Reverence (EUSEBEO)

• Ac 17:233. Obeisance (PROSKUNEO)

• Mt 2:11; 4:10; 8:2; 1 Co 14:25; Re 4:10• Not performed in every-day activities

V. Worship


B. Attributes Of WorshipJn 4:19-24

1. In spirit (PNEUMA)Mt 15:8; Ac 12:5; Ro 8:1-8

2. In truth (ALETHEIA)a. Objectively2 Th 2:10-13; 2 Pe 2; 3:15-17; Mt 7:21-23; Mk 7:7-9b. Subjectively Mt 21:23-27; Ja 1:14-16; Co 2:4-8; Pr 14:12

V. Worship


C. Worship In The Church1. The Lord's Supper

• Mt 26:26-29; 1 Co 11:18-302. Singing

• Ep 5:18-20; Co 3:16, 17; He 2:12; 13:15; Re 15:3, 4

3. Praying • Ac 4:24-31; 12:5; 13:1-3; 14:23; 1 Ti 2:8

4. The collection• 1 Co 16:1, 2; 2 Co 9:11-14• Service (LEITOURGIA), Lk 1:23; He 10:11

V. Worship


C. Worship In The Church1. The Lord's Supper2. Singing3. Praying 4. The collection5. Teaching

• Ne 8:5-8; Mt 15:9; Ac 20:7; 1 Co 14:23-316. Baptism

• Lk 7:29, 307. The essence of worship in church: PROSKUNEO

V. Worship


D. Worship Expediencies In The Church1. Lord's Supper expediencies (Mt 26:26-29)

• Bread trays, serving table, etc2. Singing expediencies (1 Co 14:15)

• Song books, pitch pipe, etc3. Prayer expediencies (1 Co 14:26-33)

• Prayer lists, prayer leaders, etc4. Collection expediencies (1 Co 14:40)

• Collection baskets, bank account, etc

V. Worship


D. Worship Expediencies In The Church (cont.)5. Teaching expediencies (Mat 26:26-29)

a. Outreach• 1 Th 1:8; Ac 19:5-10; 1 Co 15:58

b. Bible classes• Ac 20:28

6. Baptism expediencies• Jn 3:23; Ac 8:36

V. Worship


A. Benevolence Among Individuals1. Individual responsibility

• Mt 25:31-46; Ro 12:10-13; Ga 6:9, 10; Ep 4:28; 1 Ti 6:17, 18; He 13:16; Ja 1:27; 2:15, 16; 1 Jn 3:17

2. The scope of individual benevolence• Mt 15:1-9; 1 Ti 5:3-8; Mt 25:24-30; 2 Th

3:10, 113. Hospitality

• Ro 12:13; 1 Ti 3:2; Ti 1:8; 1 Pe 4:9; He 13:2

VI. Benevolence Of Needy Saints


B. Benevolence Within The Church1. Scriptural examples

• Ac 2:44, 45; 4:32-35; 6:1-4; 11:26-30• Ro 15:25-28• 1 Co 16:1-3• 2 Co 8:1-6, 13-15, 19-23; 9:1, 12, 13• 1 Ti 5:5-16



B. Benevolence Within The Church (continued)2. Limited responsibility of the church

a. To saints• 2 Co 9:13, 8:4; 9:1, 12; Ac 2:41-45; 4:32-35; Ro

16:2

b. To the needy• 1 Ki 17:1-16; 2 Ki 4:8-11; Psa 37:25; 1 Ti 6:8, Ja

2:15, 16

c. To widows indeed (continuous)• 1 Ti 5:5-16 (1 Co 7:1-9, Mk 7:6-13)• Compare to transient (Ac 11:28-30; Ro 15:26-28;

2 Co 8:6)



B. Benevolence Within The Church (continued)3. Qualifications of widows examined

a. Wife of one husband (1 Ti 5:9)• Ref: Ti 1:6; Lk 5:12, 17; Ac 17:2• "Widow indeed" 1 Ti 5:3, 5, 16

b. Well reported for good works (1 Ti 5:10)• Condition of fact (Ref: Ro 2:17; 1 Jn 3:13)• Contrast to condition of acceptance (Ref: Mt

5:20; 6:15; Lk 13:3; Ja 2:17)



C. Church Co-operation In Benevolence• Ac 11:28-30• Ro 15:25-28• 1 Co 16:1-3• 2 Co 8, 9


church $ another churchc/o elders

$ needy saints among them


D. Heresy In The Church Over Benevolence1. Church-supported orphan children

• Saints (HAGIOS), consecrated believers (Ep 1:15-23; 3:17-19; 5:3; Re 14:12; Ac 26:10; Ro 8:26-34; 1 Co 1:2; 6:2)

• Innocent children are not saints by definition (Mt 18:3; 19:14; Ek 18:20; Ja 1:14, 15; Jon 4:11; Is 7:16)

• Accountability (Dt 1:39; Je 19:4, 5; Ro 3:23; He 4:12, 13; Lk 2:40-52)

• God's wisdom (1 Jn 1:5, 6; Is 55:9)



D. Heresy In The Church Over Benevolence2. Church-supported benevolent societies

Equality (2 Co 8:13-15)


churches $ benevolent society

$ needy saints

churches $ orphans'home

$ needynon-saints

churches $ anotherchurch

$ church with needy saints

churches with needy

$ another church with abundance

$ saints not among them


D. Heresy In The Church Over Benevolence3. Direct support of needy saints not among the local

church

• Church affiliation (Ac 9:26-28)• Distribution managed by local church elders (Ac

11:30)• Individual support authorized (Ga 6:10)


church $ needy saints NOT among them


E. Benevolent Societies• Authorized: individual support (1 Ti 6:18)

individuals $ needy peopleindividuals $ benevolent society $ needy

• Authorized: support from human institutionsinstitutions $ needy peopleinstitutions $ benevolent society $ needy

• Unauthorized: church support (Ex 25:40; Ep 3:21)churches $ all needy peoplechurches $ benevolent society $ needychurches $ benevolent society $ saints



F. Misunderstanding Church Benevolence• Ja 1:22-27

1. Individual and corporate distinction (He 5:12-14)2. Religion (Ga 6:10; 1 Ti 5:16)3. Sound reasoning (Mt 25:31-46; 4:23-5:2)4. Silence of the scriptures (He 7:14)5. Expediencies (Co 3:17)6. Source of authority (1 Pe 3:15)7. Incidentals (Ac 20:7, 8)



G. SummaryThe work of the church:

• Teaching the gospel (1 Ti 3:15)• Assembled worship (1 Co 14:23-26)• Benevolence of needy saints (2 Co 8, 9)• Withdrawal of unruly saints (1 Co 5)



A. A Storage Of Resources• 1 Co 16:1-3, THESAURIZO • Ref: Mt 6:19-21; 1 Ti 6:18, 19; Ja 5:3

B. The Purpose For The Treasury• 1 Co 16:2, 3

1. Economics: property and intent• Mt 25:25-27; Dt 23:19, 20

2. Monetary funds: ownership and control• Ac 4:36-5:4

VII. The Treasury Of The Church


C. The Use Of The Church Treasury• Teaching the gospel (Ac 13:1-5)• Providing for assembled worship (Ac 20:7)• Relieving the needy saints (Ac 11:26-30)

1. Collective action (2 Co 9:7-14; Pp 1:3-7; 4:15)

2. Limitations of use3. Holy things

• Divine, venerable; devoted, separated• QADOWSH, Le 10:3; 11:44, 45; 20:26; 27; Ezr

8:28; Jos 6:19• HAGION, 1 Pe 1:14-16; 2:9; Re 4:8; Ro 15:16, 26



D. The Abuse Of Church Property• Ep 5:11• Ne 13:4-9• Mt 21:12, 13; Mk 11:15-18; Lk 19:45-47; Jn 2:13-16• Lord's money = Lord's property• Lord's property = Lord's control• Lord's control = Lord's purposes



A. An Earthly View Of The Church• 2 Co 10:2, 3; Ga 5:13-17; 6:8; Ep 6:12; Co 2:18; 2

Pe 2:18; 1 Jn 2:161. Modern-day Sadducism

• Ac 23:8; 4:1-3; 5:17, 18; 1 Co 15:12-19

2. Carnal mindedness• Jn 18:36; Ro 8:5-14; 1 Co 2:12-15; 3:1-3; 2 Co

1:12; 10:3-7

VIII. Carnal Influences In The Church


B. Understanding FellowshipKOINONIA: sharing, joint participation• Ro 12:13; 15:26; 1 Co 10:16; 2 Co 6:14; Ga

6:6; Ep 2:19; 3:6; 4:4-6; Pp 4:15; Co 4:10; Pm 1:1, 2, 6; 1 Pe 4:13; 2 Jn 11

1. Individual fellowship• Ro 12:10-18; He 13:1-16

2. Church fellowship• Ac 2:42; 1 Co 1:9, 10; 2 Co 8:4; Ep 3:9, 10; Pp

1:5

3. Fellowship of both• Ga 2:9



C. Social And Recreational Activity1. Necessary meals

• Mt 14; Mk 6; Lk 9

2. Social and recreational meals• 1 Co 11:20-34

3. Examples of social meals• Ac 2:42, 46; 20:6-11

4. A supposed expediency for evangelism• Ro 1:16; 10:13-17; 14:17; 1 Co 1:17; 2:1-5; He

13:9; Jn 12:32, 33; Jn 6:26; 2 Pe 1:16



• 1 Pe 3:15; 1 Th 5:21

A. Fund-raising Activities• 2 Jn:9; 1 Co 16:1, 2

B. General Deeds Of Kindness• 1 Ti 5:8-16; 2 Th 3:6-15; 1 Jn 3:17-19

C. Healthcare And Secular Education• Ja 5:14; 1 Ti 4:6-8; Jn 8:36

D. Social And Political Activism• 1 Co 14:37, 38; Ro 6:17; 2 Th 2:10-12; Re

22:11

IX. Things Not The Work Of The Church


E. Weddings1. Difference between weddings and marriages

• Mal 2:14; Jn 2:1, 2; Ro 7:2• 1 Co 7:10; Mt 10:22; 22:1-12; Jn 2:2; He

13:4• Ge 2:24; 4:17; Nu 30:6; Mt 19:4, 5

2. A search for authority from command or example• So 3:6-11; Mt 9:15; 22:3, 4, 11; 25:1; Lk

14:8; Jn 2:2, 3• None found



E. Weddings (continued)3. Arguments from expediency and inference

a. Expediency (Dt 4:2; 12:32; Pr 30:6)b. Ordained by God

(Ro 13:1-7; Ge 3:19; Ep 4:28; 1 Th 4:11)c. Non-holy church building (Ezr 8:28)d. Jesus attended weddings (Jn 2:1-3; Mk 6:3)e. Traditions and opinions

(1 Ti 6:3, 4; 2 Ti 4:2-4; 2 Pe 3:16)

f. Logical conclusion



E. Weddings (continued)4. The origin of church weddings

• 1 Co 2; Ro 16:25, 265. A social event (Jn 12:48; Ac 17:31; Ro 2:16)

• Attended by private invitation (1 Co 14:22-25)

• Honored guests (Ja 2:1-9)• Centered on bride and groom (1 Co 2:2)• Secular music (Ep 5:19)• Woman leading public speaking (1 Co 14:34)• Greet the newlyweds (2 Th 2:14)• Food and entertainment (1 Pe 2:5)



F. Funerals1. History of funerals

• Ge 23:2, 19; Nu 1:20; 19; Dt 10:6; 34:6; Jos 7:25; 2 Ki 23:20

• Ac 9:37-39; Mk 5:35-40; Lk 7:12-14• Modern culture• No divine ordinance for church

involvement



F. Funerals (continued)2. Attempts to authorize a church funeral

a. From example (Ac 8:2)b. From expediency (Re 22:18; Ja 1:27)c. From priorities (Lk 12:1; 1 Co 5:6, 7)d. From misunderstanding incidentalse. From ambiguity and opinions (Ps 119; 2 Co

1:12; 10:3-7; Ep 1:17, 18; 3:3, 4; 5:17; Co 1:9; 2:2-4; 1 Ti 6:3-5, 20, 21; 2 Pe 3:16)

f. From non-holy church buildings and traditions



F. Funerals (continued)3. A social affair

a. Comparison of funeral and worship• Attendees come to honor the deceased

(Re 14:7)• Attendees come to visit family and friends

(He 10:22)• Eulogy for the deceased (1 Co 11:24, 25)• Body of deceased observed (1 Co 10:16)• Attendees invited to gravesite (1 Co 14:23-25)

b. Church funding• If church building, then funeral home expenses



F. Funerals (continued)4. The origin of church funerals

• Catechisms• Man-made creeds• Human traditions

Scripture does not indicate church involvementin any funeral.



G. Incidental Matters• Water fountains do not authorize church tea

parties.• The building as an emergency shelter does not

authorize church health clinics.• Property maintenance does not authorize church

hunger drives.• Restrooms do not authorize church weddings.• Garment repair does not authorize church sewing

parties.• Secular discussions after worship dismissal do not

authorize church ball teams (Ti 3:9-11).



H. Conclusion1. A call for self-surrender

• Da 3; Ga 2:20; Ro 12:1, 2; 2 Ti 2:15

2. The need for instruction• 1 Pe 3:15; He 5:12-6:2

3. A plea for unity• Ep 4:1-3; 13-16; Pp 2:1-9; Co 3:12-14; 1 Co 1:10;

9:22



H. Conclusion (continued)

• Let the church be the church and do its glorious, God-ordained work.

• Not: a benevolent society, social club, sports league, fitness center, rehab center, funeral home, wedding chapel, match-maker, civic organization, scout group, summer camp, community theater, school, hospital, or day care facility


The Work Of The Church

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