1 The church Jesus Built So far we have looked at: –Use of church (ekklesia) Universal – all saints throughout all time Local – Christians in a local area

1

The church Jesus Built•So far we have looked at:–Use of church (ekklesia)•Universal – all saints throughout all time•Local – Christians in a local area who are working together

2

The church Jesus Built•So far we have looked at:–Organization of the church:–Jesus Christ head over church “universal”

3

The church Jesus Built•So far we have looked at:–Organization of the local church:•Elders – overseers of one local congregation•Deacons – servants of the church under the oversight of the elders•Saints–Preachers, Teachers, Members

4

Not all worship is acceptable…

•There is “vain worship”•There is “ignorant worship”

•There is “will worship”

5

Worship "in Spirit”•To worship in spirit means to offer "spiritual worship"

•To "worship in spirit" is to offer up "spiritual" worship as taught in the NT and not the "physical" worship as found in the OT

6

Worshipping God in "Truth"...

•The contrast is not between “True" and “False" worship

•The contrast is between that which is “True" (or real), –and that which had been a “Shadow" (or type) pointing toward the true!

7

Worshipping God in "Truth"...

•To "worship in truth", then, is to offer up the "true", "spiritual" worship as taught in the NT

•And not the "physical" worship in the OT which was but a "shadow"

8

Activities in the Worship

•Observed the Lord's Supper

•Gave to meet certain Needs

•They Listened to the Word•Offered Prayers and Songs

9

The worship in the early church was simple, and

it was "spiritual"

10

The Work of

the ChurchThe church Jesus Built

11

What does the Lord intend for

His church to do in this world?

Are we free to involve the church in

whatever work we deem suitable?

12

•Continue to note the distinction between the church "universal" and the church "local" –The church "universal" has no earthly organization in which to do its work–What work it does is done as individuals who live and work in the world

13

•Continue to note the distinction between the church "universal" and the church "local" –The church "local" has organization, and as such is capable of some sort of corporate work

14

Edification

Preparing the saints for service

15

Edification•Explicitly stated in the Scriptures...–Speaking of the gifts which Christ gave His church –Eph. 4:11 “And He gave some as

apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,”

16

Edification•Such gifts are designed:–“for the equipping of the saints for the

work of service,”–“to the building up of the body of

Christ;”•Ephesians 4:12

17

Edification•As each person in the church does their part

•The end result will be the "growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love" - Eph. 4:15-16

18

Ephesians 4:15-16

“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who

is the head, even Christ,…”

19

Ephesians 4:15-16

“…16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual

part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.”

20

Ephesians 4:15-16



21

Ephesians 4:15-16



22

Ephesians 4:15-16



23

Ephesians 4:15-16



24

Edification•Implied by its Organization...–The local church when completely organized will have bishops–Their function is to feed and oversee the flock

25

Acts 20:28

“Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy

Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He

purchased with His own blood.”

26

Acts 20:28




27

Acts 20:28




28

Acts 20:28




29

1 Peter 5:1-2“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you,

as your fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, and a partaker also of the glory that is to be revealed, 2 shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising

oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God;

and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; ”

30





31





32

Edification•Implied by its Worship...–The activities of their worship are designed to edify–Singing is designed to exhort and admonish, as well as praise God

33

Ephesians 5:19

“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;”

34

Ephesians 5:19

“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,

singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;”

35

Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your

hearts to God.”

36

Colossians 3:16

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with

psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your

hearts to God.”

37

Implied by its Worship …

•Preaching is certainly designed to edify the church–We must make sure we are being brought lessons that are truly edifying–2 Timothy 4:1,2

38

2 Timothy 4:1,2“I solemnly charge you in the

presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the

dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience

and instruction.”

39

Implied by its Worship …

•Preaching is certainly designed to edify the church–Some sermons seem only uplifting, they don’t really tell us anything, they just let us go home feeling good about ourselves.

40

2 Timothy 4:3,4“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but

wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves

teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears

from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

41

2 Timothy 4:3,4“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but

wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves

teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears

from the truth and will turn aside to myths.”

42

Implied by its Worship...

•Preaching is certainly designed to edify the church–Be wary of hobby riders, always preaching on the same subject–Never broadening the scope of their preaching.

43

Bible Study•Are they truly helping?•Are we truly growing?–Does our material present a cohesive, growing subject?–How do we know if we are truly learning?

44

Bible Study•We must take an honest look at our Bible classes–Are students being taught what they need? •On their level?

–Do we have students lumped together in classes unnecessarily?

45

Bible Study•We need to tailor our teaching to the audience before us.–Learning from Paul’s example •1 Corinthians 9:20-23

46

1 Corinthians 9:20-23

“To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who

are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who

are under the Law; …”

47


“… 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without

the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who

are without law. …”

48


“… 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have

become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all

things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of

it.”

49

Acts 17:22-31

“So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in

all respects. …”

50

Acts 17:22-31

“… 23 "For while I was passing through and examining the objects of

your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, 'TO AN

UNKNOWN GOD.' Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I

proclaim to you. …”

51

Acts 17:22-31“… 24 "The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of

heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He

needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and

all things; …”

52

Acts 17:22-31

“… 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all

the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and

the boundaries of their habitation, …”

53

Acts 17:22-31

“… 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of

your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' …”

54

Acts 17:22-31

“… 29 "Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the

Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and

thought of man. …”

55

Acts 17:22-31

“… 30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now

declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, …”

56

Acts 17:22-31

“… 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in

righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from

the dead.”

57

Benevolence

Providing for the needy

saints

58

Benevolence•The Early church cared for its Members...–The church at Jerusalem for its own - Acts 4:32-35

59

Acts 4:32-35

“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul;

and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common

property to them. …”

60

Acts 4:32-35

“… 33 And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.

…”

61

Acts 4:32-35

“… 34 For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the

sales 35 and lay them at the apostles' feet, and they would be distributed to

each as any had need.”

62

Benevolence•The Early church cared for its Members...–We see it in the church at Antioch for their brethren in Judea - Acts 11:27-30

63

Acts 11:27-30

“Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up

and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great

famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.

…”

64

Acts 11:27-30

“… 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of

them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the

brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did ”

65

Benevolence•The Early church cared for its Members...–The churches of Macedonia and Achaia for their brethren in Jerusalem •Rom. 15:25-26

66

Romans 15:25-26

“but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. 26 For Macedonia

and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the

saints in Jerusalem.”

67

Benevolence•Its Organization and Worship accommodated such work...–Deacons were appointed•cf. Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim 3:8-13

–They served the congregation

68

Benevolence•Its Organization and Worship accommodated such work...–The collection for needy saints was made a part of the weekly assembly –1 Cor. 16:1-2

69


“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. 2 On the

first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may

prosper, so that no collections be made when I come.”

70

Limitations to its Benevolence...

•In Paul's instructions to Timothy –1 Tim. 5:9-16

71

1 Timothy 5:9-16

“A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for good works;

and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers,

…”

72

1 Timothy 5:9-16

“…if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress,

and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to put

younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married,

…”

73

1 Timothy 5:9-16“… 12 thus incurring condemnation,

because they have set aside their previous pledge. 13 At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go

around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and

busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. …”

74

1 Timothy 5:9-16

“… 14 Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children,

keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15 for some have already turned aside to follow

Satan. …”

75

1 Timothy 5:9-16

“… 16 If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist

them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those

who are widows indeed.”

76

1 Timothy 5:9-16

“… 16 If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist

them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those

who are widows indeed.”

77


•In Paul's instructions to Timothy - 1 Tim. 5:9-16–Widows with believing family members were not to be supported–Their own families should support them, that "the church not be burdened"

78


•Examples of church benevolence are limited to needy saints–In every case of church benevolence the recipients were believers in need

79

Romans 15:25-26




80

Romans 15:25-26




81





82





83

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

“Now, brethren, we wish to make known to you the grace of God which

has been given in the churches of Macedonia, 2 that in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the

wealth of their liberality. …”

84

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

“… 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability,

they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the

favor of participation in the support of the saints,”

85

2 Corinthians 8:1-4

“… 3 For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability,

they gave of their own accord, 4 begging us with much urging for the

favor of participation in the support of the saints,”

86

2 Corinthians 9:1

“For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to

the saints;”

87

2 Corinthians 9:1

“For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to

the saints;”

88

Benevolence•Individually–Christians would be expected to be "good Samaritans" and help those in the world as they had opportunity and ability

89

Benevolence•The local church was not intended to be an agency to cure all the social ills in the world.

•It has neither the organization nor resources to do so!

90

Evangelism

Proclaiming the Gospel to the

Lost

91

Evangelism•Early churches were involved in Evangelism...–They sent out preachers to spread the word in new places •cf. Acts 13:1-3

92

Acts 13:1-3

“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and

teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of

Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,

and Saul. …”

93

Acts 13:1-3

“… 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit

said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have

called them." 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands

on them, they sent them away.”

94

Acts 13:1-3





95

Acts 13:1-3





96

Evangelism•Early churches were involved in Evangelism...–They provided support for such preachers •e.g., 2 Cor. 11:8,9

97

2 Corinthians 11:8,9“I robbed other churches by taking wages from them to serve you; 9 and when I was present with you and was in need, I was

not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept

myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so.”

98




99




100

Evangelism•Individually, Christians were involved in evangelism–After the death of Stephen and persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” Acts 8:4

101

Evangelism•Individually, Christians were involved in evangelism–After the death of Stephen and persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem, “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.” Acts 8:4

102

Acts 11:19-21

“So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that

occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the

word to no one except to Jews alone.…”

103

Acts 11:19-21

“… 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the

Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.”

104

Acts 11:19-21

“… 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the

Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.”

105

Evangelism•Individually, Christians were involved in evangelism–This is the beginning of the church that sent out Paul and Barnabas on each of their missionary journeys.

106

Evangelism•This is Consistent with what the Lord expects...–For His disciples were to make more disciples – Matthew 28:19-20

107

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

108

Matthew 28:19-20

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

109

1 Peter 2:9-10“But you are a chosen race, a royal

priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may

proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His

marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of

God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

110

1 Peter 2:9-10“But you are a chosen race, a royal

priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may

proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His

marvelous light; 10 for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of

God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

111

Evangelism•This is Consistent with what the Lord expects...–Among the gifts He gave to His church was the function of "evangelists" - Eph. 4:11

112

Methods of Evangelism

•Individually, speaking with our …–Neighbors–Relatives–Friends–Co-workers–People we meet in our lives

113


•As a congregation–Encourage our individual members to continue in teaching and inviting.

114


•As a congregation–Providing them with materials they need•Tracts•Bulletins•Correspondence Courses•Home Bible Studies

115


•As a congregation–Having Gospel Meetings–Holding Lectures on timely subjects–Sending preachers into other lands

116


•As a congregation–Articles in local newspaper–Radio or television programs

117


•As a congregation–Websites offering …•Bible studies•Tracts•Bulletins•Correspondence Courses•Sermons•Presentations

118

Our work can be summarized as:

•Edification –Preparing the saints for service

•Benevolence –Providing for the needy saints

•Evangelism –Proclaiming the gospel to the lost

119

Work of the Church•When we let the local church do its proper work, it will...–"equip saints for the work of the

ministry"–"edify the body of Christ"–"grow up in all aspects into Him who

is the head, even Christ"

120

Ephesians 4:15-16

“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who

is the head, even Christ,…”

121

Ephesians 4:15-16



122

Ephesians 4:15-16



123

Ephesians 4:15-16



124

Ephesians 4:15-16



125

Ephesians 4:15-16



Documents

1 The church Jesus Built So far we have looked at: –Use of church (ekklesia) Universal – all saints throughout all time Local – Christians in a local area