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“And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.” Acts 9:26-28

(27) But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (28) And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.”

“Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” James 4:17 When people know better, they do better.

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr The Serenity Prayer

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr The Serenity Prayer tranquility, peacefulness, contentment

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr The Serenity Prayer bravery, nerve, valor

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr The Serenity Prayer insight, understanding, good judgment

“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Reinhold Niebuhr The Serenity Prayer

Antioch (Acts 13:1)  Antioch (Acts 13:1)  Corinth (I Cor. 1:2)  Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1)  Philippi (Phil. 1:1)  Ephesus (Rev. 2:1)  Smyrna (Rev. 2:8)  Pergamos (Rev. 2:12)  Thyatira (Rev. 2:18)  Sardis (Rev. 3:1)  Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7)  Laodicea (Rev. 3:14)  Thessalonica (I Thess. 1:1)  Crete (Titus 1:5)  Iconium (Acts 14:23)  Derbe (Acts 14:23)  Lystra (Acts 14:23) Local Churches Romans 16:16

Membership Membership Is Necessary  Without it - No local congregation  For elders to have oversight (Acts 20:28)  To carry out discipline (I Cor. 5)

Membership Membership Is Necessary Examples:  Paul (Acts 9:26-28) Jerusalem  Apollos (Acts 18:27) Achaia  Phebe (Romans 16:1-2) Cenchrea

Responsibilities Within A Local Church Fulfilling My Obligations Whether Others Do or Not

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend

 Not to forsake (Hebrews 10:25)  Contextual cause: Persecution  Presence encourages (Heb.10:24f)  “Of yourselves” – Local assembly  If one regularly miss – then all could  If one gone a lot – then all could

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute

 It is an order (I Cor. 16:1-2)  It is an act of worship (Acts 2:42)  How the local church financially can function.  Withhold contribution – disagree?  “Partial Fellowship”? If can’t have fellowship in this, can’t have fellowship in Lord’s supper, singing, prayer, study of God’s word, etc.

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute III. Consider One Another

 Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”  Means: think about, regard, thoughtful, look at closely, turn over in mind, observe fully.  Reason: What can I do to promote love & good works versus what can I do to cause trouble and disrupt the work.

III. Consider One Another  Wear other’s shoes for while – Matthew 7:12 (Golden Rule) – Philippians 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”  Try to understand – Give benefit of doubt (I Cor.13:7 “Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”) – Recognize differences in people

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute III. Consider One Another IV. Work Toward Peace / Unity

“Let us therefore follow after (pursue) the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.” Romans 14:19

IV. Work Toward Peace / Unity  Learn to work together (I Cor.12)  Communicate – Essential to any relationship – Solve problems by communication  Forbear (Col. 3:13) [ “to hold up, put up with” ]  Not be stubborn / self willed – Matthew 7:12; Titus 1:7; III John 9 – Not refuse to yield, listen or work things out

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute III. Consider One Another IV. Work Toward Peace / Unity V. Be Kind / Friendly

V. Be Kind & Friendly  Command (Ephesians 4:32)  To be right – not because I think others are right!  Part of love (I Corinthians 13:4)  Proverbs 18:24 - friends? be friendly  Greet one another (Romans 16:16)  In what say to & about others (Col.4:6)

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute III. Consider One Another IV. Work Toward Peace / Unity V. Be Kind / Friendly VI. Use Wisdom & Judgment

VI. Use Wisdom / Judgment Brethren often use little judgment Brethren often use little judgment – Do things that solve one problem and creates two more. – Fail to see where things lead – consequences Reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9) Reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-9) Pray for wisdom (James 1:5) Pray for wisdom (James 1:5) Wisdom promotes peace (Jas.3:13-17) Wisdom promotes peace (Jas.3:13-17)

Wisdom / Judgment  Try to look past our nose – see down the line. Possible perceptions? Inconsistency! Inconsistency! Consequences! Consequences! Where this will take us? Where this will take us? Are we like the Medes & Persians? Are we like the Medes & Persians?  Ask: Is this good or better judgment? More than question of is this sin! More than question of is this sin! Question of what is best! Question of what is best!

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute III. Consider One Another IV. Work Toward Peace / Unity V. Be Kind / Friendly VI. Use Wisdom & Judgment

God’s Simple Plan HEAR (Rom. 10:17) BELIEVE (John 8:24) REPENT (Luke 13:3) CONFESS (Rom. 10:9-10) BAPTIZED (Gal. 3:27) ADDED TO THE CHURCH (Acts 2:41,47)