Intro.

1.  Two extremes:

  a.  Church minimized out of importance (Acts 20:28).

  b.  Local church emphasized to the neglect of individual respon. of daily Christian living [Funnel approach]. {cf. Missionary society; support of human organ.; social activities}

2.  What is the church? What is its purpose?

  a.  The saved - Acts 2:47 (Called out ones--of sin, world, etc.); church is composed of Christians; distinction (1 Tim. 5:16).

  b.  Two specific uses: Universal (all of God’s redeemed w/o regard to place & time - Matt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23); Local (Christians in a particular location who join together for scriptural worship and work - Acts 11:22, 26).

3.  To expect the local church to organize/direct your Christian life & living is unwarranted & unscriptural. The local church has been given very specific work to perform, while the individual Christian has equally been given his own work to do. (cf. 1 Tim. 5:16)

I.  THE WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Col. 3:17).

  A.  Preach The Gospel - 1 Ths. 1:8. Accomplished collectively by:

    1.  Sending preachers - Acts 11:22-23.

    2.  Supporting preachers to preach - Phil. 1:3-5 (2 Cor. 11:8).

  B.  Edify The Saints (teaching & training of members) - Eph. 4:11-12,15-16.

    1.  Using truth, saints are perfected, equipped to serve, & body of Christ is built up (v. 12). cf. Acts 11:23, 25-26.

    2.  Worship - 1 Cor. 14:26. (Collective aspects: singing, prayers, L.S. - Heb. 10:25).

  C.  Care For Needy Saints - 1 Tim. 5:16.

    1.  Among its own number - Acts 6:1-3.

    2.  Needy saints elsewhere - 1 Cor. 16:1-3.

      -Acts 6:1-4 - Basic areas: Ministry of the word / tables.

II.  WORK OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH.

  A.  The Universal Church Does Not Work In An Organized Fashion.

    1.  I.e., No common oversight, coordination, funding, etc. - No ability / authority to function as a single unit (where "sponsoring church" arrangements are faulty).

    2.  Scriptures are silent about such efforts (Heb. 7:12).

  B.  The Universal Church Does Work When Christians Live By Faith Under The Leadership Of Christ - Eph. 1:22-23; 4:13-16.

III.  EVERY INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN IS TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST - Eph. 4:16. (This will cause the church to grow.)

  A.  Notice Individual Christian’s Obligations (As Compared To The Work Of The Congregation): {We don’t have to wait for the congregation to organize the work - indeed, some works are not to be organized by the local church!}

    1.  Preach & teach - Acts 8:4 (Heb. 5:12).

    2.  Worship - Acts 16:25 (1 Ths. 5:17).

    3.  Edify / restore fallen - Gal. 6:1.

    4.  Help needy - Gal. 6:10 (Lk. 10:36-37).

    5.  Be faithful to Christ in every situation - Matt. 6:33; 1 Cor. 15:58.

  B.  Christians Are To Be "Self-Starters" In The Lord’s Work - As Well As "Jumper Cables" For Each Other - Gal. 6:1-2.

    -If we want the church (univ. & therefore local) to grow (and of course, we do), let each Christian get busy working.

Conclusion

1.  We must see both the importance of the church & the limited (specific) role the local church plays in the Christian life.

2.  Each must be active for Christ to be honored - Gal. 5:6-7.