Christ has authority over churches, Mt. 28:18 ▪ Organization, Titus 1:5 ▪ Worship, Jn. 4:23, 24 ▪ Work, Col. 3:17

Submission to or rejection of His authority Brings consequences ▪ Submission: fellowship, 1 Jn. 1:3 ▪ Rejection: wrath, Mt. 15:7-14

Israel sacrificed to God, Lev. 9 ▪ Aaron offered the sin offering, Lev. 9:1-21 ▪ The Lord received it, Lev. 9:22-24

Nadab & Abihu were punished For their violation, Lev. 10:1-3 ▪ Burned incense w/unauthorized fire, 10:1 ▪ Struck dead by God, 10:2 ▪ Moses exhorted: respect God, 10:3

Faulty “reasons” for their actions ▪ Right people: priests ▪ Right desire: praise God ▪ Right activity: burning of incense ▪ Right elements: incense & fire ▪ Occasion of excitement & worship ▪ WRONG source for the fire, Lev. 16:12

How a church raises money ▪ Voluntary contribution of members, 2 Cor. 9:7 ▪ Give as purposed, 2 Cor. 9:7 ▪ Give as prospered, 1 Cor. 16:1, 2 ▪ Give on 1 st day of the week, 1 Cor. 16:1, 2

How a church spends money ▪ For needy saints, 1 Cor. 16:1, 2; Acts 11:27-30 ▪ Support gospel teaching, Phil. 4:15-17; 2 Cor. 11:8 ▪ For worship & edification, Heb. 10:25; Jas. 2:2; 1 Cor. 11:20, 22

Generic authority in raising & spending ▪ At beginning, middle, end of service ▪ Tray, hat, basket, bag ▪ Keep at member’s home, in bank ▪ Send check, wire transfer, give cash ▪ Buy material goods (food, clothes, gas) ▪ Pay rent, electric bill, hospital bill

In raising money ▪ Bake sale ▪ Yard sale ▪ Asking for public contributions ▪ Business ventures ▪ Ticket sales to church events ▪ Seek money from governments ▪ Preach tithing ▪ Collections on days other than Sunday

In spending money ▪ Recreation facilities ▪ Food-service facilities ▪ Send money to other churches for evangelism

In spending money ▪ Support of human institutions ∙Colleges ∙Orphan homes ∙Nursing homes ∙Missionary organizations ∙Charities ∙Hospitals ∙Non-profit political or social-issue groups

“Justification” will not excuse rebellion, Mk. 7:8-13 ▪ We can raise more money ▪ We can reach more people ▪ We just want to praise God ▪ We can get more people involved

Christ has authority over churches, Mt. 28:18 ▪ Organization, Titus 1:5 ▪ Worship, Jn. 4:24 ▪ Work, Col. 3:17

Submission to or rejection of His authority Brings consequences ▪ Submission: fellowship, 1 Jn. 1:3 ▪ Rejection: wrath, Mt. 15:7-14