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2 Authority Romans 1:21-25

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4 Colossians 3:17 Colossians 3:17 Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus... The Comprehensive Nature of The New Testament Scriptures  Understandable – Eph 3:3-5  Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim 3:16,17  Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 John 9  The totality of information revealed regarding any act of righteousness forms the pattern for that act – 2 Tim 1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;

Don McClain 5 ROMANS 10:17

Don McClain 6  Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of those things included in what God has authorized – When God specifies, then man has no choice but to obey or be in rebellion to God. To go beyond or fall short of that which is specified is “EVIL” –  Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of those things included in what God has authorized – When God specifies, then man has no choice but to obey or be in rebellion to God. To go beyond or fall short of that which is specified is “EVIL” – Numbers 20:8-12

Don McClain 7 It Must Be Lawful - Romans 3:7,8 It Must Be Lawful - Romans 3:7,8 It Cannot Be Specified - Num 4:4-6 It Cannot Be Specified - Num 4:4-6 It Must Edify - 1 Cor 10:23,33; 14:26 It Must Edify - 1 Cor 10:23,33; 14:26 It Must Not Cause My Brother To Violate His Conscience - Rom 14:13-23 It Must Not Cause My Brother To Violate His Conscience - Rom 14:13-23 It Can NOT Be An Addition To God’s Way – Deut 4:2; 2 Jo 9; Rev 22:18 It Can NOT Be An Addition To God’s Way – Deut 4:2; 2 Jo 9; Rev 22:18

Don McClain 8 Work To Be Done Missionary Society Work To Be Done Sponsoring Church Elders

Don McClain 9 Twentieth Century Efficiency?  The Church in Evangelism: –The local church send money to Christian Missionary Society. Early 1900’s Budget of Society: $6000 $ Society secretary Incidental expenses Preaching support. Is That Really More Efficient? NO BIBLE AUTHORITY!

Don McClain 10 Elders Scriptural pattern Phili 4:15-18 Direct – Does not relinquish oversight of work – Does not infringe upon the autonomy of the local church - Scriptural – It works -

Don McClain 11 Christian in need Source of Supply Grocery Co. Clothing Store Hospital Real Estate Co. Supervisor Church can provide Food Clothing Care Shelter

Don McClain 12Church Any Person in need Food Clothing Care Shelter Source of Supply Grocery Co. Clothing Store Hospital Real Estate Co. Supervisor TreasuryContribution Benevolent Institution Can Provide

Don McClain 13 Providing A Home 1 Peter 5:2 Acts 4:35 Acts 6:1-5 1 Timothy 5:16 Scripture????? ____________ Elders Provides

Don McClain 14 Twentieth Century Efficiency?  The Church in Benevolence: –The local church sends money to the Southern Christian Home. NO BIBLE AUTHORITY! THE CHURCH’S MONEY THE CHURCH’S MONEY Is That Really More Efficient? SOUTHERNCHRISTIAN HOME HOMESOUTHERNCHRISTIAN EMPLOYINDIVIDUALFAMILYEMPLOYINDIVIDUALFAMILY

Don McClain 15 Biblical Pattern Arrangement - Direct Arrangement - Direct Condition - From Ability to Need Condition - From Ability to Need Purpose - Alleviate Need Purpose - Alleviate Need Biblical Pattern Arrangement - Direct Arrangement - Direct Condition - From Ability to Need Condition - From Ability to Need Purpose - Alleviate Need Purpose - Alleviate Need The church in Evening Shade The church in Evening Shade A church Else- where A church Else- where Gospel Preacher Needy Saints CongregationalCooperation Phili 4:15-17; 2 Cor 11:8; Acts 11:27-30

Don McClain 16 All that believed – Acts 2:44,45 Them that believed – Acts 4:32-35 The disciples – Acts 6:1 Relief unto the brethren – Acts 11:29 Unto the saints – Rom. 15:25 For the poor saints – Rom. 15:26 Accepted of the saints – Rom. 15:31 Collection for the saints - 1 Cor. 16:1 Ministering to the saints – 2 Cor. 8:4 Supplieth the need of the saints – 2 Cor. 9:12 Relieve the widows indeed – 1 Tim 5:16 Benevolent Work Of The Church Is Limited Examples Of Church Benevolence Limited To Needy Saints

Don McClain 17 What about James 1:27? – (Congregational or Individual?) James 1:27 (NKJV) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. [27] For if anyone is a hearer [24] for he observes himself, [25] But he who looks... this one will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone among you thinks he is religious,... deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. [27]... to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Don McClain 18 (James 1:27 assigns Christians the obligation of caring for “orphans and widows in their trouble.” Brethren often want to shift their responsibilities. Some take the care of these helpless ones away from the individual and burden the church with them. And then the church sends a pittance off to a distant institution where they are shipped. Brethren congratulate themselves on their benevolence, castigate those who personally care for widows and orphans as “anti- orphan,” and the helpless widows and orphans languish in institutionalized care.) Keith Sharp What about James 1:27? – (Congregational or Individual?)

Don McClain 19 Care - Food Clothing - Shelter The Work Benevolent Society Transfer Shifting Responsibility James 1:27 Gal. 6:10 Individual Local church Saints EldersDeacons Phili 1:1

Don McClain 20 Who’s Money Is It? Acts 5:1-4 They sold their possessions. v. 1 While it remained, it was in their power. v. 4 When given, ownership changed. v.4 The contribution is commanded by God, but the money belongs to the church. The money must be used to fulfill the obligations God has placed upon His church.

Don McClain 21Individual Local church 1. Method of raising By voluntary offering 1 Cor. 16:1,2; 2 Cor. 9:6,7 By honest labor Eph. 4:28 The individual Acts 5:4 Local elders Titus 1:7 3. Use Liberal Cont. Pay Taxes Provide Family Maintain Good Works Preaching the Gospel Edify Saints Preach to Lost Relieving Needy Saints 2. Oversight

Don McClain 22 The church cannot alleviate your responsibility in any of these areas. Each individual is obligated to fulfill his or her individual responsibility.  The Individual’s Responsibility: –Politically. Romans 13:1-7; 1Peter 2:13-17 –Family. Eph. 5:22-6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Thes. 3:10-12 –Spiritually. 1 Peter 2:5; 2 Cor. 6:17

Don McClain 23 The Church Cannot: > show piety at home. v. 4 > provide for own household. v. 8 > marry, bear children, guide the house.  The Distinction is seen in: –Eating. - have ye not houses? 1Corinthians 11:22, –Discipline. - tell it to the church. Matthew 18: –Benevolence. - let not the church be charged. 1 Tim. 5:16

Don McClain 24 NOT Things NOT in the doctrine of Christ..... Many Churches Are Engaged In: Teaching the false doctrines of men – Focus ONLY On Family Issues – Focus ONLY On Family Issues – Positive Preaching ONLY – Positive Preaching ONLY – Secular Education - Secular Education - Politics – Politics – Entertainment – Entertainment – Recreation - Recreation - Social Services – Social Services – Community Services – Community Services –

Don McClain 25 Things NOT within the doctrine of Christ......

Don McClain 26 Southside Church of Christ in Rodgers

Don McClain 27 The Limited Church No wonder It’s Running Hot Institution s Church Schools Orphan Homes Unlimited Benevolence Hospitals Ball Teams Recreational Centers Medical Missionaries Divorcee ministries Single ministries Middle Age ministries Elderly Ministries Bus Ministries Youth Ministries Banquet Halls Kitchens Colleges Child Day Care Kindergarten

Don McClain 28 The Work The New Testament Way

Don McClain 29 The Work The New & Improved Institutional Way No Scripture – No Sense!

Don McClain 30 Heaven Matthew 7:13,14,21-23

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