Ephesians 4:11-12 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Ephesians 4:13 13 till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Ephesians 4:14 14 that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Ephesians 4:15 15 but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Ephesians 4:16 16 from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Introduction GOOD MORNING. We thank God… Please repeat after me: We are members – “of the church of the living God – the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

Introduction We are thankful for the men who have gone before us this morning… We are thankful for this congregation… VISITORS: you are our honored guest…

Introduction We are humbled and excited to again be able to share with you a small portion of the soul saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

THE DIVINE MISSION OF THE CHURCH The church is made up of saved souls (Acts 2:47), who are called Christians (Acts 11:26). Christians are the body or church of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Matthew 16:18).

THE DIVINE MISSION OF THE CHURCH The local church has been called out of the world into God’s service (2 Thessalonians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 15:22; Romans 16:16).

THE DIVINE MISSION OF THE CHURCH The church is NOT a “do-nothing” organization. We are to work in love (Galatians 5:6); to be active in our service to God (1 Timothy 6:18).

THE DIVINE MISSION OF THE CHURCH What is God’s purpose for the church? The Sword of the Spirit will tell us what this New Testament organization is to do (Ephesians 6:17; James 1:22).

THE DIVINE MISSION OF THE CHURCH If one adds to or takes away from the word, they have departed from the ONE faith (1 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 22:18-19) .

First – the church is an evangelistic body The body of Christ is God’s preaching, sending, sowing and supporting agency. Christians are to “testify the gospel of the grace of God” in every place (Acts 20:24; 1 Thess. 1:8).

First – the church is an evangelistic body “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The gospel is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).

First – the church is an evangelistic body God has given to the church the obligation to make known His wisdom and eternal purpose (1 Corinthians 1:21; Ephesians 3:10-11; Philippians 2:16).

First – the church is an evangelistic body “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations” (Matthew 24:14).

First – the church is an evangelistic body “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15; Acts 14:7, 21; Romans 10:15; 1 Corinthians 9:16).

First – the church is an evangelistic body Yes, preaching the word is the mission of the church (2 Timothy 4:2), and those who are to preach must be sent (Romans 10:15; 1 Corinthians 1:17).

First – the church is an evangelistic body The church which was in Jerusalem…sent forth Barnabas as far as Antioch” (Acts 11:22-23).

First – the church is an evangelistic body “The Holy Spirit said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. Then, they laid their hands on them (and) sent them away” (Acts 13:2-3).

First – the church is an evangelistic body As God’s preaching, sending and sowing agency, we find the kingdom of heaven likened unto a man who sowed seed on various types of soil (Matthew 13:4-8; Luke 8:11; Matthew 28:19-20).

First – the church is an evangelistic body The church is also God’s supporting agency.

First – the church is an evangelistic body “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

First – the church is an evangelistic body “In the beginning of the gospel…no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity” (Philippians 4:15-16).

First – the church is an evangelistic body John says, “the seven candlesticks are the seven churches” (Revelation 1:20). “As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).

First – the church is an evangelistic body “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Second – the church is a body that edifies itself By faithfully teaching and applying the truth, the church members will be perfected to do the work of ministry or service, and the building up of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:1-12).

Second – the church is a body that edifies itself Edifying the church is but another part of the preaching of the gospel.

Second – the church is a body that edifies itself “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Romans 1:14-15).

Second – the church is a body that edifies itself “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand” (1 Corinthians 15:1).

Second – the church is a body that edifies itself Those who are NOT members of the church need to be taught what to do to be saved, so that the Godhead can translate them into the kingdom of God’s dear Son (Colossians 1:13).

Second – the church is a body that edifies itself Those who are members of the church need to be taught how to live the Christian life, so they can remain in favor with the Lord (Hebrews 10:24-25; Colossians 2:6-7).

Second – the church is a body that edifies itself “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:11-16).

third – the church is a body that cares for its needy When a need arose among the people of God, benevolence or charity was accomplished by the local congregations (Acts 6:1-6; Romans 15:25-27).

third – the church is a body that cares for its needy “Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa: which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29-30 ; 2 Cor. 8:14).

third – the church is a body that cares for its needy General benevolence, relief to all humanity from the church treasury, is UNAUTHORIZED.

summary The church is to (1) preach the gospel to the lost, (2) edify itself, (3) and help the poor saints. We cannot go beyond these limitations.

summary It has ever been a fault of man to try to improve upon the arrangements of God. The mission of the church has not escaped this effort of man.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! Many churches have gotten caught up in the social gospel movement and are involving themselves in activities designed to satisfy and please the carnal desires of men rather than pleasing and glorifying God.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! First, the work of a local congregation is NOT the work of another local church (1 Peter 5:2). Second, social activities are NOT the work of the church.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! "What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?" (1 Corinthians 11:22). It is NOT the work of the church to provide for social meals and gatherings.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thessalonians 2:14).

Some things which the mission of the church is not! Third, it is NOT the mission of the church to operate some kind of profit-making business (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).

Some things which the mission of the church is not! Fourth, it is NOT the mission of the church to provide secular education. This is the responsibility of the home, NOT the church.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! Fifth, the church is NOT a political organization.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! There are issues such as abortion, homosexuality, etc. that we must oppose and teach against. However, we must recognize that it is NOT the work of the church to develop or carry out a political agenda.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! Sixth, recreation and entertainment for the young or old is NOT the work of the church.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! As a result of this thinking we see churches sponsoring ball teams, building gymnasiums and sponsoring various forms of entertainment.

Some things which the mission of the church is not! Paul tells us that God has provided all that is necessary, "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12, cf. v. 11).

Some things which the mission of the church is not! Paul acknowledges that there are responsibilities to be fulfilled by individuals "and let not the church be charged" (1 Timothy 5:16).

Some things which the mission of the church is not! The mission of the church is NOT secular, political, or social, but spiritual; i.e., to preach the gospel to those within and those without the church, and to help the poor saints (Colossians 3:17).

Important attitudes needed to accomplish the work First, there must be a willing mind. "For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12).

Important attitudes needed to accomplish the work Second, there must be humility. James wrote, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Important attitudes needed to accomplish the work Third, a Christian must do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but “in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (Philippians 2:3).

Important attitudes needed to accomplish the work Fourth, we all must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matthew 6:33).

Important attitudes needed to accomplish the work Fifth, daily, we must earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3).

The Rewards of OUR Work for the Lord The reward is certain, for no labor done for the Lord is ever in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). We are rewarded with JOY in the knowledge of saving the lost and pleasing God.

The Rewards of OUR Work for the Lord We will have fellowship with decent, God- fearing people (1 John 1:3, 7).

The Rewards of Work for the Lord "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day ” (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

The Rewards of OUR Work for the Lord The Lord has promised eternal rest in Heaven for those who labor for Him while they are here upon the earth (Hebrews 4:9-10; 1 Peter 1:3-4).

The Rewards of OUR Work for the Lord And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified" (Acts 20:32).