FRUITFULCHURCH

A

ACTS 11:27-30

A GOOD CHURCH

OFTEN A SUBJECTIVE LABEL

“…I know your deeds, that you have a name that you are

alive, but you are dead.”Revelation 3:1

A GOOD CHURCH

A GOOD CHURCH

OFTEN A SUBJECTIVE LABEL

SOMETIMES REFERS TO DOCTRINAL POSITIONS

A FRUITFUL CHURCH

IS THIS A FRUITFUL CHURCH

“So because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor

cold, I will spit you out of my mouth”

Revelation 3:16

A GOOD CHURCH

A FRUITFUL CHURCH

IS THIS A FRUITFUL CHURCH

A FRUITFUL CHURCH IS BUSY DOING THE GOOD THE LORD HAS GIVEN THEM

“…be ready for every good deed”Titus 3:1

“…therefore be zealous and repent”Revelation 3:19

A FRUITFUL CHURCH

A NEED IDENTIFIED

“…there would certainly be a great famine all over the world”

Needs may exist both without and within the local church

Needs will go unmet if they are not identified

A NEED IDENTIFIED

Defining “need” is essential to identifying needs

“dearth” - dying of hunger, starving to death

“throughout all the world” - inescapable for those effected

A NEED IDENTIFIED

Defining “need” is essential to identifying needs

The benevolent needs the church is called on to help are those of such severity and scope that those effected cannot find relief in any other way

A DESIRE TO HELP

“…determined to send relief” Acts 11:29

“Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem” Rom 15:27

A DESIRE TO HELP

“…pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem” Rom 15:27

pleased (eudokeo) - to consider something as good and therefore worthy…delight in, like, approve (BDAG)

A DESIRE TO HELP

We must focus on the spiritual (Acts 11:19-26, 28-30; 2Cor 8:7)

We must have the same desire to meet the needs of the wayward saint as we do to meet the needs of the hungry saint (1Thess 5:14)

This desire often overcomes obstacles (2Cor 8:3-4)

INDIVIDUALS COMMITTED THEMSELVES

“…EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY”

The church was fruitful because the members were fruitful

This individual commitment led to this church existing (Acts 11:19-21)

INDIVIDUALS COMMITTED THEMSELVES

“…EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS ABILITY”

The church was fruitful because the members were fruitful

This individual commitment led to this church existing (Acts 11:19-21)

INDIVIDUALS COMMITTED THEMSELVES

A local church is only as fruitful as its members

Sardis was dead despite the few who had not “soiled their garments”

We must eliminate the “Bro. Somebody” and the “they” mentality

INDIVIDUALS COMMITTED THEMSELVES

The work of this church is the responsibility of everyone according to their ability

Participation does not require equality of talent just equality of commitment

A GODLY ARRANGEMENT WAS EMPLOYED

“…and sent it to the elders”

No middle man was employed

No attempt on the part of Antioch to distribute beyond the elders

A GODLY ARRANGEMENT WAS EMPLOYED

This principle holds true in every workWe warn the unruly (1Thess 5:14)

We attempt to restore the erring (Gal 6:1-10)

We “keep away” from the impenitent (2 Thess 3:6;13-15)