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)

Membership  Membership Is Necessary v Without it - No local congregation v For elders to have oversight (Acts 20:28) v To carry out discipline (1 Cor. 5)

Membership  Membership Is Necessary  Examples: v Paul (Acts 9:26-28) v Apollos (Acts 18:27) v Phebe (Rom. 16:1-2)

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

Responsibilities Within A Local Church 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

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend 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?

Responsibilities Within A Local Church I. Attend II. Contribute 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

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

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

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

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)

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 creates 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)

Wisdom / Judgment  Try to look past our nose – see down the line Inconsistency Consequences Where this will take us  Ask: Is this good or better judgment? More than question of is this sin Question of what is best!

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