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2. What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

3. What We See  Many churches offer carnal activities  Free food, ball teams, retreats, etc.  Church’s desire should be to support truth 1 Tim 3:15  Church should not be in the business of building championship ball teams What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

4. What We See  Many churches offer carnal activities  When churches provide such, they give in to popular demand Phil 3:17-19  When these churches are challenged for authority, some turn to John 6  Jesus fed the physical to feed the spiritual What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

5. What We See  Many churches offer carnal activities  This appeal to John 6 is wrong 2 ways… Ê It misses the purpose for the miracle of feeding the 5,000 vv. 6, 14 Ë It ignores the rest of the recorded episode vv. 22-27, 32-65, 66, 67 What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

6. What We See  An important point all disciples need to understand and appreciate  Especially young people…they have friends who attend such churches  They need to know how to defend truth re: church’s work What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

7. What We Should See Eph 4:11-12  Overall context must be considered  God expects unity in His body vv. 1-3  God has provided means for unity in the universal church vv. 4-6  God has given “gifts” for producing unity & work in the local church vv. 11-12 What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

8. What We Should See Eph 4:11-12  “Gifts” to the church v. 8  Given that man may serve Him in the body  They are “functions” (works)  Not given to institutionalize (clergy, laity)  Given because of necessity for work…to accomplish necessary tasks What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

9. What We Should See Eph 4:11-12  “Gifts” to the church v. 8  APOSTLES Ù ambassadors; Divinely sent eyewitnesses Lk 10:16  PROPHETS Ù spokesmen to early believers Acts 11:27-30 1 Cor 13:8-10 What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

10. What We Should See Eph 4:11-12  “Gifts” to the church v. 8  EVANGELISTS Ù announcers of good news 2 Tim 4:1-5  PASTORS & TEACHERS Ù overseers Acts 20:28 1 Pet 5:2 Heb 13:7, 17 1 Thess 5:12-13 What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

11. What We Should See Eph 4:11-12  The church’s work v. 12  Equipping the saints  Develop to spiritual maturity; to bring something to its intended completion Mt 4:21 Gal 6:1 1 Thess 3:9-10 What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

12. What We Should See Eph 4:11-12  The church’s work v. 12  Work of ministry  Serving the spiritual needs of others Rom 12:6-8, 10-16 What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

13. What We Should See Eph 4:11-12  The church’s work v. 12  Edifying the body of Christ  Building up, strengthening the church  No edification through food 1 Cor 11:22  No edification through social activities What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

14. Closing Comments  The N.T. church was important enough that Jesus died for it Acts 20:28  Many will still contend their social activities are edifying…are a vital part of their church’s work What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

15. Closing Comments  As the church’s Builder, Jesus has the final say in what it can do Mt 16:18  To engage in anything without His authorization puts us in jeopardy before Him Mt 7:21-23 What Is The Work Of The N.T. Church Of Christ?

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