The Social Gospel Gospel is a Redemptive Message A Series Gospel is a Redemptive Message The Distinction in Individual & Church History of the Social Gospel Movement What Builds Faith, Edifies & Causes Growth Dangers Among Us

Gospel Message Redemptive Message Is A Gospel Addresses Man’s Need: Sin Gospel Gives A Remedy: Christ Gospel Has A Message: Salvation Gospel Does Not Address: Social Needs

The Distinction in Individual and Church Social Gospel Series Individual Church

“distinguish things that differ” Philippians 1:10 “That you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,” “distinguish things that differ” (fn: KJV; ASV) “The margin here more correctly expresses the sense of the Greek word. The idea is, that he wished them to be able to distinguish between things that differed from each other; to have an intelligent apprehension of what was right and wrong-of what was good and evil.” (Barnes)

“Distinguish” “The word used here denotes the kind of trial to which metals are exposed in order to test their nature.” (Barnes)

Confusion Created When Lines Are Blurred List 1 List 2 Marriage Faith Sin Individual Weak Social Committing Sin Bond Opinion Bad Judgment Church Unruly Spiritual Continuing in it

Confusion Created When Lines Are Blurred List 1 List 2 Marriage Faith Sin Individual Weak Social Committing Sin Bond Opinion Bad Judgment Church Unruly Spiritual Continuing in it

Confusion Created When Lines Are Blurred List 1 List 2 Marriage Faith Sin Individual Weak Social Committing Sin Bond Opinion Bad Judgment Church Unruly Spiritual Continuing in it

Confusion Created When Lines Are Blurred List 1 List 2 Marriage Faith Sin Individual Weak Social Committing Sin Bond Opinion Bad Judgment Church Unruly Spiritual Continuing in it

Confusion Created When Lines Are Blurred List 1 List 2 Marriage Faith Sin Individual Weak Social Committing Sin Bond Opinion Bad Judgment Church Unruly Spiritual Continuing in it

How Lines Are Blurred Equate two things that are different Apply principles of one to the other Fail to distinguish in speech and action

Distinction in Individual and Church Work Role Money Liberties

I. Individual & Church Are Not The Same

Individual Church Individual Church “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” 1 Cor. 12:12

“For in fact the body is not one member but many.” Individual Church Individual Church Many Members Member “For in fact the body is not one member but many.” 1 Cor. 12:14

“Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” Church Individual Church Many Members Member “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Cor. 12:27

“If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them...” Individual Church Individual Church “…and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.” “If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them...” 1 Tim. 5:16

Individual Church “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established...” “…and if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17

Individual Church Get Money Get Money Buy & Sell James 4:13 Free Contribution 1 Corinthians 16:1,2

Individual Church Name Name Christian Acts 11:26; 1 Peter 4:16 Church of God 1 Corinthians 1:2 Church of Christ Romans 16:16

Individual Church Diotrephes 3 John 9 “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us.” 3 John 9

Indiv. Matters to Church Contribution Individual Church Member Care of Own Indiv. Kept Private Buy & Sell Christian Diotrephes Many Members Church Not Burdened Indiv. Matters to Church Contribution “Church of Christ” Church=Them

I. Individual & Church Are Not The Same II. Blurring the Lines

II. Blurring the Lines A. Personal/Private Matters—Spread through the church Matthew 18:15-17 B. Expect church to relieve individual responsibility 1 Timothy 5:16 C. “Church can do what the individual can do” James 1:27; Galatians 6:10 D. Social Gospel - 1 Corinthians 11:22,34 1. Social meals (fellowship halls) 2. Recreation (Games, entertainment, family life centers) 3. Ball teams (Gyms) 4. Making social activities essential to spiritual growth

II. Blurring the Lines A. Personal/Private Matters—Spread through the church Matthew 18:15-17 B. Expect church relieve individual responsibility 1 Timothy 5:16 C. “Church can do what the individual can do” James 1:27; Galatians 6:10 D. Social Gospel - 1 Corinthians 11:22,34 E. Calling individual matters—”church functions” F. Treating individual functions—as essential G. Speak of social matters—as spiritual (“Fellowship”)

Some Brethren—Blurred Lines

III. Maintaining the Distinction I. Individual & Church Are Not The Same II. Blurring the Lines III. Maintaining the Distinction

III. Maintaining the Distinction A. If we don’t keep a clear distinction: 1. Lines become blurred—in our own mind 2. Lines will be gone – to world & next generation 3. Confused on what are “Church matters” – “Individual” 4. Give birth to social gospel & youth ministries 5. Think individual function – equal to assembling (essential)

III. Maintaining the Distinction A. If we don’t keep a clear distinction: B. How to keep the distinction clear: 1. Keep Biblical teaching on distinction before us - 1 Peter 1:12 2. Don’t refer to individual & social matters as “church functions” 3. Don’t make people feel they have neglected the Lord if they don’t make every individual/social function. 4. Don’t equate social matters with spiritual matters 5. Don’t talk about “church group” when speaking of social & recreational matters

III. Maintaining the Distinction I. Individual & Church Are Not The Same II. Blurring the Lines III. Maintaining the Distinction