Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/2005 1

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ There have been many questions pertaining to the “WORK” of the church. There have been many questions pertaining to the “WORK” of the church. What?Who?When?How?

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ a) Whatever we choose??? b) Whatever “seems right” to us??? c) Only the work HE has given us to do? 1) What does the Lord intend for His church to do in this world? _____ 2 Tim 3:16,17; Col. 3:17

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ a) However we choose??? b) Any way that “seems right” or “best” to us??? c) By seeking out and following the New Testament pattern? 2) How does the Lord intend for us to do the work He has given us to do? ______ 2 Tim 3:16,17; Col. 3:17

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/  Self-Edification, i.e. to build up and strengthen itself (Acts 20:28, 32; Col 2:6, 7).  Evangelism - Preach the gospel to the lost (Mat 28:18-20).  Benevolence – Providing the needs of destitute Christians (Acts 6:1-4)

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/  A local church caring for those of its own number - (Acts 4:32-37).  A local church Caring for its own widows – (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Tim 5:3-16 ).  The church in Antioch sent to the brethren in Judea – (Acts 11:27-30).  The churches in Macedonia, Achaia, and Galatia sent to the church at Jerusalem – (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-5; 9:1,2 ). 2 Cor 8:4

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/  The churches of Macedonia – (Helped supply Paul’s necessities) - 2 Cor. 11:8,9  The church at Thessalonica (Went everywhere preaching the word of the Lord)– 1 Thes 1:8  The church at Philippi – (At one time was alone in helping Paul – sent aide to him “time & again”) - Phili 1:3-5; 4:14-18  The church at Antioch – (Sent Barnabas & Saul) - Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27  The church at Jerusalem – (Sent Barnabas out as far as Antioch) - Acts 11:19-23

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Vines - OIKODOMEµ, (3619)) denotes (a) the act of building (oikos, a home, and demoµ, to build); this is used only figuratively in the N.T., in the sense of edification, the promotion of spiritual growth (lit., the things of building up), 2. Thayer - 1) (the act of) building, building up; 2) metaph. edifying, edification - the act of one who promotes another’s growth in Christian wisdom, piety, happiness, holiness

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Organization? – Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11 Worship? - Eph 5:19; Col 1:28; 3:16; Titus 2:1-10; Heb 13:7-17 Spiritual Gifts? – Eph 4:11,12; 1 Cor. 14:9-12,15-19,26 The Need For Understanding? – 1 Cor 14:14- 19

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ The Source – The revealed Word of God Acts 20:32; Col. 2:6,7; Eph. 4:11-15  Understandable – Eph. 3:3-5  Sufficient – 2 Tim. 3:16,17  Requires Diligence – 2 Tim. 2:15  Requires Love – 2 Thes. 2:10-12

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ The Means – Acts 20:28; Eph. 4:11; Col. 1:28  By Preaching – 2 Tim. 4:2; Col. 1:28  By Teaching –Rom. 12:7; Acts 15:35; 18:11; 28:31  By Example – Rom. 14:19:15:2; Eph. 4:29; 1 Thes. 5:11-12  By Doing – Mat 25:29; Heb 5:12-14; Js. 1:21-25

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/  In the assembly by preaching, teaching, singing, and praying – 2 Tim. 4:2; Col. 1:28; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Jude 1:20; Acts 4:31  What about using a Bible class arrangement?

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/  In the assembly by preaching, teaching, singing, and praying – 2 Tim. 4:2; Col. 1:28; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Jude 1:20; Acts 4:31  What about using a Bible class arrangement? Examples – Jesus & His disciples - Matthew 24:3 The apostles & hearers on Pentecost – Acts 2:5- 14 Paul & those of reputation - Gal 2:2 Aquila, Priscilla & Apollos - Acts 18:26 Both men & women – Titus 2:1-12

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/  People pass through different stages of development - Mature 1 Pet 2:2; Heb 5:12-14 Babes in Christ Servants Tit 2:9 Eph 6:5-9 Masters Wives Eph 5:22-25 Husbands Parents Eph 6:1-4 Children Aged women Titus 2:3,4 Young women Aged men Titus 2:2,6 Young men

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Specified: Gopher wood (14) Compartments (14) 450’ Long (15) 75’ Wide (15) 45’ Tall (15) 1 Window & Door (16) 3 Stories (16) 22 Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did. 7:5 5 And Noah did according to all that the Lord commanded him.

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Specified: Gopher wood (14) Compartments (14) 450’ Long (15) 75’ Wide (15) 45’ Tall (15) 1 Window & Door (16) 3 Stories (16) Generic: Build an ark of gopher wood – Expedients Tools & Size of material dependant upon specific need Liberty: Source and means of transporting materials

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Authorized Anything unauthorized is excluded Build An Ark of Gopher Wood IncidentalToolsScaffoldsHelp Another door Different wood Different size Another door Different wood Different size

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Specified: *“Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;” Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) *“Speaking the truth in love,” Ephes. 4:15 (NKJV) Generic: Teach God’s Word – Expedients Scriptural material, Chalk Boards, projectors, maps... Liberty: Individual, small groups, large groups – depending on needs and classifications

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Authorized Anything unauthorized is excluded Teach them to observe all things... IncidentalToolsLocationPersonnel Secular Edu. Entertainment Recreation Secular Edu. Entertainment Recreation

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Teach them – chemistry? – English? – accounting? – health? Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you Sprinkling or pouringBaptizing them Making athletes; Professionals Make disciples Excludes:Specified:

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ One on one; Public preaching; Written lesson plans; Bible classes Teach them to observe all things that I have commanded you River; Creek; Pond; Ocean; Tub; Baptistery Baptizing them Method of going. Drive a car, boat, plane, walk, etc. Which nation – Make disciples - IncludesGeneric:

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Secular Education, Entertainment, Athletics, etc. Bible Material, Place/Room, Chalk Board, Maps Edify/ Teach (Mat 28:18-20; Acts 20:28; 1 Thes 5:11) Piano, Guitars, Organ, Violin, Etc. Song Book, Leader, Pitch Pipe, Sing (Eph. 5:19) Raffle Tickets, Chili Suppers, Cake Walks, Etc. Collection BasketsGive (1 Cor. 16:1-2) Social Meal (1 Co. 11:17-22, 34) Cups, Plates, Table, Etc. Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:23-29) Family Life Center, Gymnasium, Etc. House, Hall, Church Building Assemble (Heb. 10:24-25) Basin to Sprinkle – Cup for Pouring Pool, River, Baptistery, Etc. Baptize (Mt. 28:18-20)

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ The principle is: –That which assists is an aid; that which changes (either by addition, subtraction or alteration) is unauthorized. –The first is permitted while the second is condemned. –An "expedient" is an aid that is suitable for carrying out that which is authorized  Is edification a work of the church?  Are private Bible studies authorized?  Are small group Bible studies authorized?

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/  In what way would a congregation change or add to God’s instruction to teach its members by providing opportunities based upon the capabilities of the learners?  Age -  Gender –  Abilities –  Maturity -

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ The church can  Classes to teach God’s word  Personnel to teach God’s word  Materials that will help both teacher & student in studying God’s word The church can’t  Establish another institution to teach God’s word.  Support another institution to teach God’s word or anything else.  Get involved in secular education.

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ Colleges and Universities Churches of Christ support several colleges and universities. Click on the links below if you'd like more information about them... Abilene Christian University - Abilene, Texas Freed-Hardeman University - Henderson, Tennessee Harding University - Searcy, Arkansas Lipscomb University - Nashville, Tennessee Ohio Valley College - Parkersburg, West Virginia Oklahoma Christian University - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Pepperdine University - Malibu, California Rochester College - Rochester Hills, Michigan Northwest Church of Christ Chicago, IL web-site

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/ There are three parts to edification:  The Truth  The Teacher  The Learner What if we have the truth & We have people who capably teach the truth... BUT - the disciples, (learners) don’t try to learn? Irregular Attendance - Don’t listen to apply – Don’t apply & grow -

Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 1/16/