Local Churches Rom. 16:16 Antioch Acts 13:1 Corinth 1 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 1 Thess. 1:1 Crete Titus 1:5 Iconium Acts 14:23 Derbe Acts 14:23 Lystra Acts 14:23 Local Churches Rom. 16:16

Membership Membership Is Necessary Without it - No local congregation For elders to have oversight Acts 20:28; Heb 13:17 To carry out discipline 1 Cor. 5 Act 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to 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. NKJVS Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. (ESVST)

Membership Membership Is Necessary Examples: Paul Acts 9:26-28 Apollos Acts 18:27 Phebe Rom. 16:1-2 Act 9:26-28 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. NKJVS Act 18:27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; NKJVS Rom 16:1-2 I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also. NKJVS

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

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend

I. Attend Not to forsake Heb. 10:25 Context: Persecution Presence encourages Heb. 10:24f “Of yourselves” – Local assembly If one regularly miss – then all could If one gone lot – then all could Heb 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (NKJVS)

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute

II. Contribute It is an order 1 Cor. 16:1-2 It is an act of worship Acts 2:42 How a local church functions Withhold contribution – disagree “Partial Fellowship” – why? 1Co 16:1-2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. NKJVS Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles ' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. NKJVS

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

III. Consider One Another Heb. 10:24 – Means: think about, regard, thoughtful, look at closely, turn over in mind, observe fully. Reason: What do to promote love & good works!

III. Consider One Another Wear other’s shoes for while Matt. 7:12 Phil. 2:4 Try to understand Give benefit of doubt 1 Cor. 13:7 Differences in people Mat 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. NKJVS Phi 2:4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. NKJVS 1Co 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. NKJVS

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

Romans 14:19 “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

IV. Work Toward Peace / Unity Learn to work together 1 Cor. 12 Communicate Essential to any relationship Solve problems by communication Forbear Col. 3:13 [“to hold up”] Not be stubborn / self willed Matt. 7:12; Tit. 1:7; 3 Jno. Not refuse to yield, listen or work things out Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. NKJVS Mt 7.12 “The Golden Rule” Mat 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. (NKJVS) Tit 1:7 For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self- willed, not quick- tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, (NKJVS) 3Jo 1:9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. (NKJVS)

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 Eph. 4:32 To be right – not because I think others are right! Part of love 1 Cor. 13:4 Prov. 18:24 Greet one another Rom 16:16; 2 Cor. 13:12; Acts 20:37 In what say to & about others Col. 4:6 Eph 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. NKJVS 1Co 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; NKJVS Pro 18:24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly,But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. NKJVS

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 Do things that solve one problem and create two more. Fail to see where things lead – conseq. Reap what we sow Gal. 6:7-9 Pray for wisdom Jas. 1:5 Wisdom promotes peace Jas. 3:13-17 FIRST consult the Scriptures, not after mistake already made Gal 6:7-9 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. NKJVS Jam 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. NKJVS Jam 3:13-17 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self- seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self- seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. NKJVS

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