1. Authority of God
Mission of the Church

2. Authority of God Must Be Respected Supreme
Cain & Abel – Gen. 4:4-5; Heb. 11:4; Rom. 10:17
Miriam & Aaron – Num. 12
Korah’s Rebellion – Num. 16
Uzziah – 2 Chron. 26:16-21
Supreme
From Heaven or Men? – Matt. 21:23-27
Man’s Authority Delegated by God – Jn. 19:10-11
God’s Takes Precedence Over Man’s – Acts 5:29

3. Must Have Divine Authority
Matthew 21:25
“The baptism of John--where was it from? From heaven or from men?" And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’”
Leviticus 10:1-2
Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the LORD, which He had not commanded them. So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

4. Must Have Divine Authority In the Name of Christ
Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Acts 4:7
And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?"

5. The Church of Christ Body of Saved Believers – Acts 2:38-47
Met in Local Bodies
Jerusalem – Acts 9:26
Corinth – 1 Cor. 1:2
Seven Church of Asia – Rev. 2-3
Universal: No Earthly Organization
Local: Organization and Divine Work – Phil. 1:1

6. Work of the Church-Preach Gospel
Proclaim Gospel – 1 Tim. 3:15
…I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
Example – 2 Cor. 11:8-9
I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. And when I was present with you, and in need, I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

7. Work of the Church-Preach Gospel
Proclaim Gospel – 1 Tim. 3:15
Example – Phil. 4:15-17
Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.

8. Work of the Church-Preach Gospel
Proclaim Gospel – 1 Tim. 3:15
Example – 1 Thess. 1:7-8
So that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything.

9. Work of the Church-Minister To Saints
Minister To Needy Saints – 2 Cor.8:4
“imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.”
Minister To Needy Saints – 2 Cor. 9:1
“Now concerning the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you.”

10. Work of the Church-Minister To Saints
Example – Romans 15:25-26, 31
“But now I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints. For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor among the saints who are in Jerusalem….that I may be delivered from those in Judea who do not believe, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.”

11. Work of the Church-Minister To Saints
Example – Acts 11:27-30
“And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.” (Acts 11:27-30).

12. Work of the Church-Edify Itself
Edify or Build Up the Brethren – Eph. 4:11-12
“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

13. Work of the Church-Edify Itself
Example – 1 Cor. 14:26
How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

14. Work of the Church Preach Gospel of Christ Minister To Needy Saints
Edify Itself

15. From Heaven or From Men?
Church Hospital
Church Ball Team
HOME
ORPHAN

16. Command, Example, Inference
Where Did The Early Church Ever Use The Social Gospel With The Approval of the Apostles?
1 Corinthians 11
22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.
34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

17. $ $ $ $ From Heaven or From Men? Sponsoring Church Church A Church B

18. Command, Example, Inference
Where Did The Early Church Ever Use The Sponsoring Church For evangelism With The Approval of the Apostles?
Phil. 4:15-16
2 Cor. 11:8-9
Church $

19. Remember Silence Prohibits – Heb. 7:14
For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.
No Authority = Trouble – Acts 15:24
Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, "You must be circumcised and keep the law" --to whom we gave no such commandment.
Nadab & Abihu – Lev. 10:1-2
Authority – Col. 3:17
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.