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Presented, February 5, 2006 am

WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE CHURCH?

EVANGELISM

                As you study the New Testament, it becomes clear that the church has a reason for existing within a community.  Many of the letters in the New Testament were addressed to congregations clarifying what was expected of them, how to achieve their work and purpose, proper attitudes and often times, what NOT to do. 

Summarized the work of the church can be divided into four categories –evangelism, edification, benevolence and worship (note: some place worship as a part of edification).  From time to time this year, I want us to examine each of these categories individually.  We want to examine what was expected in each area, note how it was to be accomplished and what was permitted and forbidden.

A study such as this is important because so many churches today have established their purpose and goals without proper authority in God’s word.  Sadly today, too many churches appeal more to the carnal side of man than they do to what the Lord really wants His church to be and do.  In each category of work we find authority set aside, as churches: 1)seek to make their worship more entertaining and appealing, 2)create mega-church organizations and soften preaching in the name of evangelism, 3)in the name of benevolence they provide for the social needs of the community by setting aside God’s limitations, and 4)in the name of edification they create organizations, schools, clubs, activities, etc., all designed to cater to man’s physical wants and needs.  But WHERE IN THE BIBLE is authority for such?

We will begin today by noting the work of the church in the area of evangelism.

I.                     The Work of the Church in Evangelism

a.        It has always been God’s intention that the gospel be taught to others.
Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19 – the “great commission” implied that.
Luke 24:28 states it emphatically, “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

b.       Every example involved Christians teaching others.  If the gospel is to be taught it will be the result of someone taking the time to teach someone else.
2 Timothy 2:2, Acts 8:4, Philip goes to Samaria and there begins preaching Christ to them.  Many are converted.  Later, Philip was instructed to go the Eunuch – Acts 8:26-27

c.        The church has a part in evangelism. 

                                                   i.      The survival of the church depends on it.  One of the biggest dangers many churches face today is a failure to realize this fact.  Many churches today have lost their desire to reach the lost.   Their simply do not have the zeal God calls for (having left their first love – Rev. 2:1-7) or they are simply existing (lukewarm –Rev. 3:14-21) OR they are just plain dead (Rev. 3:1-6).  When churches settle on the fact that they either can’t reach out or they don’t need to be finding ways to reach the lost, they are on their way to extinction.  God CANNOT be pleased with this!

                                                  ii.      New Testament examples of pleasing churches included growth in numbers.  For example Jerusalem began with 3000 souls (Ac. 2:41), increased to 5000 men (Acts 4:4), and multiplying (6:1).

                                                iii.      Its primary task in this area is through supporting those who preach and teach others.  This would include supporting preachers and teachers both locally and abroad as opportunity affords itself.

                                                iv.      But it is also implied that the church take steps to equip its saints so that they can do their part in promoting growth in the body, cf. Ephesians 4:11-16.  The word, edify in vs. 12 means “(the act of) building up” (Thayer).  It is a form of the same word Jesus used in Matthew 16:18 where He said He would “build My church.”
Also 1 Timothy 3:15 describes the church as “the pillar and ground of the truth.”

                                                 v.      1 Thessalonians 1:8 finds Paul commending the church at Thessalonica saying, “For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place.”  Thessalonica was in Macedonia, so it is evident that the church did its part to spread the gospel locally.  This provides authority for the church to take steps to introduce the gospel within its local community, provided God’s pattern for the church continues to be respected.

II.                   How That Work was Accomplished in the 1^st Century

a.        Understanding the importance of evangelism and the fact that the church has an important role in its implementation, does NOT give authority for changing the pattern God has set forth in His word.  In all we do, we MUST respect God’s authority – Colossians 3:17. 
Ephesians 4:10-11 notes the church is a demonstration of God’s manifold wisdom.  To change God’s pattern and purpose for the church is to question His wisdom and elevate man’s ways and pride above Him.

b.       It must clearly be understood that local congregations maintained their independence (free from ties) and autonomy (self-governing) in all that they did.  As they fulfilled their responsibilities to evangelize (supporting preachers and equipping the saints for growth) they did not appeal to some higher governing organization (i.e. another church or organizational headquarters) or jointly pool their resources (i.e. a sponsoring church, or human organization) to accomplish their work.  Let us consider some of the examples we have in the New Testament.

c.        We have examples of located preachers (those who stayed for a prolonged period of time).  Paul remained in Ephesus for more than two years (Acts 20:30-31, 19:8-10).  He remained and preached in Corinth (Acts 18:11).  How long did Paul stay in one place? As long as he could remain effective there.  While in such occasions, he was supported (at least partially).
2 Corinthians 11:8-9 notes that Paul, “robbed other churches taking wages from the to minister to you…”  The way this was written, implies that there would have been nothing wrong with receiving wages from a local church, if they had the ability to support him.

d.       Sometimes several congregations supported a preacher –

                                                   i.      2 Corinthians 11:8 – Paul noted that more than one church supported him while he was in Corinth.

                                                  ii.      One of the messages of Philippians was Paul’s commendation of them for their “fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now” (Phil. 1:5)
Philippians 4:14-17 – Paul notes that they were the only church that supported him when he first left for Macedonia.  Then he says that even in Thessalonica, they sent aid more than once.  He commended them in this.
Philippians 2:25 notes that Epaphroditus was the messenger, chosen and sent from Philippi.

e.        This work was accomplished with no missionary societies or sponsoring churches.

                                                   i.      In the New Testament there are NO examples of such.

                                                  ii.      Some say that Philippi was a sponsoring church in supporting Paul.  Based on the verses mentioned above.  They reason that the churches of 2 Corinthians were sent to Philippi who was (at times) the ONLY church supporting Paul.  Therefore, they conclude Philippi was a sponsoring church. 

                                                iii.      But such is not substantiated in the text.  These two accounts are TWO different occasions.  Paul speaks of only Philippi helping him in Macedonia AT THE FIRST.  Corinth was in Achaia, which Paul went to AFTER leaving Macedonia. (Acts 16-18) There is no proof that these two texts are dealing with the same occasion.

                                                iv.      FURTHERMORE, a sponsoring church would have violated the principles of autonomy and independence, as churches sending to the sponsoring church would surrender whatever control they had that which they gave up.
Also note Philippians 4:15-18 which says that “no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving.”  The word “shared” is the word translated “fellowship” in other places.  Paul was saying that at that time ONLY Philippi had fellowship with him.  Thus IF it was a sponsoring church, those churches sending to Philippi had NO FELLOWSHIP with Paul in this.  ALSO, note vs. 17 which says the fruit “abounds to your account”.  Thus those churches sending to Philippi had no fruit abounding to their account.
The argument simply is not supported by the text.

                                                 v.      AND Jerusalem cannot be used as an example either.  The work of the apostles among churches is NOT something we can duplicate today, because their work is done.  They had authority DIRECTLY from Jesus through inspiration and direct guidance of the Holy Spirit.  All we have to appeal to is God’s completed word (Jude 3).

f.         TODAY, there are churches who in the name of evangelism are doing “good works” but they are violating God’s pattern for the church.

                                                   i.      One example is the Gospel Broadcasting Network (www.gbntv.org) is work overseen by the elders of the Highland Church of Christ in Dalton, GA.  It is a television network designed to evangelize to the world – while this is a noble cause, it is paid for by the contribution of individuals and congregations.  We received information a few months ago soliciting our help.  This is an example of a human organization created to do the work God gave local churches to do.

                                                  ii.      Sometimes a church will take on the work of evangelizing in a specific area of the world.  Doing such is not wrong within itself.  Paul and Barnabas were sent out by the church at Antioch (Acts 13:3).  But what often happens today is a congregation takes on the work of selecting, sending and monitoring the preaching in a given area.  They solicit funds for the work from other congregations and give reports, etc.  They determine who goes and who does NOT go, etc.  The problem with this is there is no pattern for it in the New Testament.  All we find is the examples above and other similar examples.  Churches sent DIRECTLY to the preacher and supported him, even in places where the church needed correction (cf. Corinth).

Thus we have briefly seen the work of the church in the area of evangelism.  Having said all this, ultimately, evangelism depends on us.  All the church does depends on Christians being Christians.  We have seen her primary role is SUPPORTING individuals who are fulfilling their responsibilities.  Supporting preachers and at times elders financially so that they can devote more time to building up the body of Christ both locally and abroad.  
AND locally whatever they is designed to teach and train its members to do their work.

                What we do here might be popular to others, but we strive to follow God’s pattern and please Him rather than man and his ways.   We have given modern examples of doing this work in an unauthorized and therefore ungodly way.  It is my hope that in these examples we will carefully weigh what is being done, not simply by the good that is accomplished, but by the authority of God’s word in these things.

I close with this thought, we now know what we can do and how that is carried out, but WHAT ARE WE DOING?  Are we doing our share?