The Church and Her Responsibilities
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Intro
Intro
Text - Ephesians 4.11-12
11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;
Title - The Church and Her Responsibilities
Series - Church Matters, Part 6
Background
Background
Congregational church polity - why it matters
most old churches that held to episcopalian and prebyterian polities (or forms of government) have apostasized
congregationalist churches have survive the past centuries since the days of the Separatist Baptists
Congegationalist polity - its primary difference
Episcopalian church structure
led by a Bishop who governs multiple churches
hierarchy persists
congregation has no say in church polity
Presbyterian church structure
led by a group of elders (Synod)
these group of elders is in charge over a number of churches
the congregation has no say in church polity
Congregationalist church structure
the church governs its affairs
the congregation has a voice in church polity
The Main Idea
The Main Idea
The Ascension Gifts are responsible for equipping the saints for the work of ministry.
What is the work of ministry, actually?
the ministry is the work
ministry - the primary purpose of Christ in building His church
to proclaim the gospel to all the earth - Mark 16.15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
16 The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved; but the one who has not believed will be condemned.
to make disciples of all nations - Matthew 28.19-20
19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
the work - means the activities and tasks essential to fulfilling its ministry.
What are these tasks and activities?
These are the responsibilities that were placed upon the church for its own welfare and efficacy.
Principle no 1 - the congregation has the final say in church matters
Principle no 1 - the congregation has the final say in church matters
17 And if he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, he is to be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.
19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.
20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
Problems that are no resolved through personal confrontation will be decided by the congregation.
The church’s decision on earth is to reflect the decision in heaven.
it does not mean that the heaven waits for our decision on earth
The church decides in accordance with God’s will
God respects the agreements made between and among us.
pledges
covenants
marriage union
Disfellowships and disciplinary actions
God is present when God’s people makes decisions together.
The early church practiced this principle.
The early church practiced this principle.
Acts 6, where the church chose men to help the apostles - Acts 6.1-4
1 Now at this time, as the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint developed on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food.
2 So the twelve summoned the congregation of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable for us to neglect the word of God in order to serve tables.
3 Instead, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
2. Acts 15, where the church in Jerusalem convened to resolve the issues concerning Gentile believers - Acts 15.19-22
19 Therefore, it is my judgment that we do not cause trouble for those from the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood.
21 For from ancient generations Moses has those who preach him in every city, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
22 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas who was called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers,
Principle no 2 - the congregation is responsible for resolving internal problems
Principle no 2 - the congregation is responsible for resolving internal problems
Matthew 18.15-20 also emphasizes the responsibility of the congregation to resolve its internal problems.
Paul establishes this principles in 1 Corinthians 5-6
Paul establishes this principles in 1 Corinthians 5-6
12 For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church?
13 But those who are outside, God judges. Remove the evil person from among yourselves.
1 Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints?
2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to form the smallest law courts?
3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life?
4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church?
The church must discipline its own members.
The outsiders have no say in the local church’s problems.
The purpose of discipline is to restore the erring person - 2 Cor 2.6-11
6 Sufficient for such a person is this punishment which was imposed by the majority,
7 so that on the other hand, you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a person might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow.
8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.
9 For to this end I also wrote, so that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things.
10 But one whom you forgive anything, I also forgive; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did so for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
11 so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
Principle no 3 - the congregation is responsible for appointing its own workers
Principle no 3 - the congregation is responsible for appointing its own workers
The apostles practiced this principle in Acts 6
The Church choose its own workers.
The Church choose its own workers.
5 The announcement found approval with the whole congregation; and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch.
6 And they brought these men before the apostles; and after praying, they laid their hands on them.
The Church chose men that met the qualifications - Acts 6.3
The Church chose men that met the qualifications - Acts 6.3
3 Instead, brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we may put in charge of this task.
Note - there are functions that are not church appointed
the ascension gifts -
the elders - the were appointed by the apostles
the church pastor has the ability to recognize who qualifies for eldership
Principle no 4 - the congregation is responsible for the safekeeping and defense of the truth
Principle no 4 - the congregation is responsible for the safekeeping and defense of the truth
14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long;
15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one should act in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
While the apostles are the stewards of the mysteries of God, the church becomes responsible to safeguard the truth once it is handed down to the people.
3 Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all time handed down to the saints.
The Church is responsible to defend the faith (body of beliefs) against false teachers.
The Church is responsible to defend the faith (body of beliefs) against false teachers.
Note - false teachers come in among the congregation only when the church allows them.
some churches tolerate false teachings - 2 Tim 4.1-4
1 I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:
2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction.
3 For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires,
4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
some preachers should not be allowed to come in - 2 John 10 -11
10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, and do not give him a greeting;
11 for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds.
Conclusion
Conclusion
How can the local church carry out these responsibilities?
They must be equipped - Eph 4.11-12
11 And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ;
They must be taught the whole counsel of God - Acts 20.26-27
26 Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all people.
27 For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God.
They must not shrink in performing their duties - how?
pray before you decide
choose spiritual men, not because they your loved one or relative
uphold what is right and good for everyone
do not abstain - that washing your hands of responsibility
Song - This Is Your House
