The Works of the Local Church

Why Not Just Say “Evangelism, Edification, & Benevolence?”

• Pros & Cons: – Pro: Easy to remember.– Pro: Easy to categorize N.T. activities.– Con: Suggest we have much more general authority. – Con: Encourages one-sided thinking about works.

• We Need A More Detailed Appreciation For The New Testament Accounts Of Local Churches At Work.

• We Need A Recognition Of the Multipurpose Nature Of The Works God Has Planned For The Local Church.

• We Need A Better Understanding Of The Fruits Produced As Local Churches Perform Their Work.

1.) To Worship God

• To Worship Under The New Covenant– John 4:23, Hebrews 8:6, 13:15

• To Worship Joyfully & Reverently– Philippians 4:4, Hebrews 12:28

• To Worship Decently & In Order– 1 Corinthians 14:40

2.) To Teach The Gospel• Teaching & Studying The Gospel Is Part

of Our Weekly Worship & Daily Privilege– Acts 5:42, Acts 20:7

• Teaching The Gospel…– Stirs Up One Another To Love & Good

Works(Hebrews 10:24, 2 Timothy 3:17)

– Offers Salvation To The Lost (Romans 1:16)– Equips & Matures The Saved

(Ephesians 4:11-13)

3.) To Share Information About The Work & Well-Being of

Saints• Personal Greetings & Updates Were Included In

The Epistles Publicly Read– Colossians 4:12-16

• Reports Were Given To The Church At Jerusalem– Led To A Fantastic New Local Church Starting

(Acts 11:18-20) – Led To Restored Peace & Unity (Acts 15:4)

• 21st Century Application: Announcements, Zimbabwe Report, Evangelist Reports On Bulletin Boards

4.) To Select Saints For Service

• The Apostles & Elders Both Involved The Local Church In Selecting Servants.– Acts 6:3, Acts 15:22

• The Local Church Selected Saints To Provide Financial Oversight.– 1 Corinthians 16:3

• Elders, Deacons, Teachers, Evangelist, & Other Servants Benefit From The Involvement of the Local Church.

5.) To Participate In Spiritual Discipline

• Because Sin Should Not Be Tolerated– 1 Corinthians 5:2,11

• Because Sin Will Spread– Galatians 5:9

• Because Division Is Tragic– Titus 3:10-11

• Because We All Care For Our Brother or Sister– Matthew 18:17

6.) To Financially Assist Saint In Need

• Saints In Need, But Not To Enable!– Acts 11:27-30, 1 Timothy 5:8,

2 Thessalonians 3:10-14• Widows Indeed– 1 Timothy 5:9-10

• Elders Who Lead & Teach Well– 1 Timothy 5:17

• Evangelist “Worthy of Their Labor”– 1 Corinthians 9:14, 1 Timothy 5:18,

Philippians 4:15-16

The Works of the Local Church