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Equipping The Saints For Service. EDIFICATION. Keeping The Saved - Saved. The Church of Christ & Its Work? Part 3. There have been many questions pertaining to the “WORK” of the church. What? Who? When? How?. The Church of Christ & Its Work?. Introduction.
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Equipping The Saints For Service EDIFICATION Keeping The Saved - Saved W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Part 3 There have been many questions pertaining to the “WORK” of the church. What? Who? When? How? W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Introduction 1) What does the Lord intend for His church to do in this world? _____ 2 Tim 3:16,17; Col. 3:17 a) Whatever we choose??? b) Whatever “seems right” to us??? c) Only the work HE has given us to do? W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Introduction 2) How does the Lord intend for us to do the work He has given us to do? ______ 2 Tim 3:16,17; Col. 3:17 a) However we choose??? b) Any way that “seems right” or “best” to us??? c) By seeking out and following the New Testament pattern? W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Introduction • Self-Edification, i.e. to build up and strengthen itself (Acts 20:28, 32; Col 2:6, 7). • Evangelism - Preach the gospel to the lost (Mat 28:18-20). • Benevolence – Providing the needs of destitute Christians (Acts 6:1-4) What is the Work of the Local Church? W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? The Church Is To Engage In Benevolent Work • A local church caring for those of its own number - (Acts 4:32-37). • A local church Caring for its own widows – (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Tim 5:3-16 ). • The church in Antioch sent to the brethren in Judea – (Acts 11:27-30). • The churches in Macedonia, Achaia, and Galatia sent to the church at Jerusalem – (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-5; 9:1,2 ). 2 Cor 8:4 FELLOWSHIP BENEVOLENCE W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Finding The Pattern: • The churches of Macedonia – (Helped supply Paul’s necessities) - 2 Cor. 11:8,9 • The church at Thessalonica (Went everywhere preaching the word of the Lord)– 1 Thes 1:8 • The church at Philippi – (At one time was alone in helping Paul – sent aide to him “time & again”) - Phili 1:3-5; 4:14-18 • The church at Antioch – (Sent Barnabas & Saul) - Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27 • The church at Jerusalem – (Sent Barnabas out as far as Antioch) - Acts 11:19-23 EVANGELISM W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Defined 1. Vines - OIKODOMEµ, (3619)) denotes (a) the act of building (oikos, a home, and demoµ, to build); this is used only figuratively in the N.T., in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (lit., the things of building up), 2. Thayer - 1) (the act of) building, building up; 2) metaph. edifying, edification - the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Importance of Organization? – Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11 Worship? - Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; 3:16; Titus 2:1-10; Heb 13:7-17 Spiritual Gifts? – Eph 4:11,12; 1 Cor. 14:9-12,15-19,26 The Need For Understanding? – 1 Cor 14:14-19 WHY W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Finding The Pattern: The Source – The revealed Word of God Acts 20:32; Col. 2:6,7; Eph. 4:11-15 • Understandable – Eph. 3:3-5 • Sufficient – 2 Tim. 3:16,17 • Requires Diligence – 2 Tim. 2:15 • Requires Love – 2 Thes. 2:10-12 EDIFICATION W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Finding The Pattern: The Means – Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; Col. 1:28 • By Preaching – 2 Tim. 4:2; Col. 1:28 • By Teaching –Rom. 12:7; Acts 15:35; 18:11; 28:31 • By Example – Rom. 14:19:15:2; Eph. 4:29; 1 Thes. 5:11-12 • By Doing – Mat 25:29; Heb 5:12-14; Js. 1:21-25 EDIFICATION W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods • In the assembly by preaching, teaching, singing, and praying – 2 Tim. 4:2; Col. 1:28;Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Jude 1:20; Acts 4:31 • What about using a Bible class arrangement? W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods • Examples – • Jesus & His disciples - Matthew 24:3 • The apostles & hearers on Pentecost – Acts 2:5-14 • Paul & those of reputation - Gal 2:2 • Aquila, Priscilla & Apollos - Acts 18:26 • Both men & women – Titus 2:1-12 • In the assembly by preaching, teaching, singing, and praying – 2 Tim. 4:2; Col. 1:28;Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Jude 1:20; Acts 4:31 • What about using a Bible class arrangement? W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods • People pass through different stages of development - Young men Titus 2:2,6 Aged men Young women Titus 2:3,4 Aged women Children Eph 6:1-4 Parents Husbands Eph 5:22-25 Wives Masters Tit 2:9 Eph 6:5-9 Servants Babes in Christ 1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12-14 Mature W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods • Specified: • Gopher wood (14) • Compartments (14) • 450’ Long (15) • 75’ Wide (15) • 45’ Tall (15) • 1 Window & Door (16) • 3 Stories (16) 22Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. 7:5 5And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him. W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods • Specified: • Gopher wood (14) • Compartments (14) • 450’ Long (15) • 75’ Wide (15) • 45’ Tall (15) • 1 Window & Door (16) • 3 Stories (16) Generic: Build an ark of gopher wood – Expedients Tools& Size of material dependant upon specific need Liberty: Source and means of transporting materials W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods Authorized Incidental Tools Scaffolds Help Anything unauthorized is excluded Another door Different wood Different size Build An Ark of Gopher Wood W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods Generic: Teach God’s Word – Expedients Scriptural material, Chalk Boards, projectors, maps . . . Liberty: Individual, small groups, large groups – depending on needs and classifications • Specified: • “Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;” Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) • “Speaking the truth in love,” Ephes. 4:15 (NKJV) W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods Authorized Incidental Tools Location Personnel Anything unauthorized is excluded Secular Edu. Entertainment Recreation Teach them to observe all things . . . W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods Specified: Excludes: Make disciples Making athletes; Professionals Baptizing them Sprinkling or pouring Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you • Teach them – • chemistry? – • English? – • accounting? – • health? W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods Generic: - Includes Make disciples Method of going. Drive a car, boat, plane, walk, etc. Which nation – Baptizing them River; Creek; Pond; Ocean; Tub; Baptistery Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you One on one; Public preaching; Written lesson plans; Bible classes W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
Command Aide or Expedient Unauthorized Baptize (Mt. 28:18-20) Pool, River, Baptistery, Etc. Basin to Sprinkle – Cup for Pouring Assemble (Heb. 10:24-25) House, Hall, Church Building Family Life Center, Gymnasium, Etc. Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-29) Cups, Plates, Table, Etc. Social Meal (1 Co. 11:17-22, 34) Give (1 Cor. 16:1-2) Collection Baskets Raffle Tickets, Chili Suppers, Cake Walks, Etc. Sing (Eph. 5:19) Song Book, Leader, Pitch Pipe, Piano, Guitars, Organ, Violin, Etc. Edify/ Teach (Mat 28:18-20; Acts 20:28; 1 Thes 5:11) Bible Material, Place/Room, Chalk Board, Maps Secular Education, Entertainment, Athletics, etc. W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods • Is edification a work of the church? • Are private Bible studies authorized? • Are small group Bible studies authorized? The principle is: • That which assists is an aid; that which changes (either by addition, subtraction or alteration) is unauthorized. • The first is permitted while the second is condemned. • An "expedient" is an aid that is suitable for carrying out that which is authorized W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods • In what way would a congregation change or add to God’s instruction to teach its members by providing opportunities based upon the capabilities of the learners? • Age - • Gender – • Abilities – • Maturity - W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods The church can The church can’t • Classes to teach God’s word • Personnel to teach God’s word • Materials that will help both teacher & student in studying God’s word • Establish another institution to teach God’s word. • Support another institution to teach God’s word or anything else. • Get involved in secular education. W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? EDIFICATION - Methods Northwest Church of Christ Chicago, IL web-site • Colleges and Universities • Churches of Christ support several colleges and universities. Click on the links below if you'd like more information about them... • Abilene Christian University - Abilene, Texas • Freed-Hardeman University - Henderson, Tennessee • Harding University - Searcy, Arkansas • Lipscomb University - Nashville, Tennessee • Ohio Valley College - Parkersburg, West VirginiaOklahoma Christian University - Oklahoma City, OklahomaPepperdine University - Malibu, CaliforniaRochester College - Rochester Hills, Michigan No Authority W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005
The Church of Christ & Its Work? Conclusion What if we have the truth & We have people who capably teach the truth . . . BUT - the disciples, (learners) don’t try to learn? Irregular Attendance - Don’t listen to apply – Don’t apply & grow - There are three parts to edification: • The Truth • The Teacher • The Learner W. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005