Untitled Sermon

Work of The Church - Part 2

(Lesson 25)

I. In last weeks lesson I stated that, “the church which Christ founded has work to do.” This work exists on two levels

1. Congregational level (The work of the local congregation)

2. Personal level (The work of each Christian)

II. In Paul shows how these two coexist and are co-dependent.

1. In vs. 11,12 he speaks of the spiritual leaders work in relation to the individual Christian, on a congregational level.

a. They are too equip the saints for the work of service.

b. They are to build up the body of Christ.

2. In vs. 13-15 he states the result of that work on an individual basis.

a. We are no longer to be children.

b. We are to grow up in all respects.

3. In v.16 Paul shows how the two are co-dependent.

a. The whole body is fitted and held together by every member according to the proper working of each individual part.

b. This causes the growth of the body, for the building up of itself.

III. What we see in this passage is the work of the church on a congregational level as well as a personal level.

IV. The point is, The church is called to work for our Lord. We accomplish this work on both the congregational and personal level.

V. This morning I will be addressing the work we are to be doing on a personal level as the Lord’s church.

Trans: The work of the church on a personal level can be divided into two categories. Let’s consider the first.

1. Working on Self

A. Working on self may not seem like a work of the church, but it really is.

B. Working on self is necessary to carry out works of the church on a personal level.

1. Looking back at we see this.

2. As we are taught the word of God we are to spiritually improve on a personal level, v.14-15

3. As a result we are to help cause the growth of the body, v.16

4. As I work on self I help carry out the work of the church on a personal level.

C. A good example of this is found in

1.

a. Improving on a personal level

1. Lay aside the old self

2. Renewed in the spirit of your mind

3. Put on the new self, in the likeness of God

b. Leads to working on a personal level

1. Lay aside all falsehood

2. Speak the truth

3. Be angry and do not sin

2.

a. Improving on a personal level

1. Let him who steals, steal no longer

2. Labor with your hands performing what is good

b. Leads to working on a personal level

1. Share with him who has need

3.

a. Improving on a personal level

1. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth.

b. Leads to working on a personal level

1. But only such a word as is good for edification

2. That it may give grace to those who hear

4. ,

a. Improving on a personal level

1. Put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice

b. Leads to working on a personal level

1. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted

2. Forgive one another

Illust: (Peter and Cornelius’ household) Peters view of the gentiles had to be changed before he would take the Gospel to them. Later Peter had to again work on himself or his work with the Gentiles would suffer, (Paul opposes Peter to his face in Antioch)

Appl: Throughout the Scriptures we find numerous references to Christian growth.

Without question this growth is to help maintain our spirituality. But it is also necessary for the work of the church on a congregational and a personal level.

As we work on self, we better prepare ourselves to work in other areas on a personal level.

Trans: Lets no move on to the second category of working on a personal level.

2. Working for others

A. The Scriptures are clear that the Lord’s church must be doing the Lord’s work on a personal level, ,

B. As I stated last week some of the works we do on a congregational level can be applied to the work we do on a personal level.

D. The four congregational works I spoke of last week fall into this category.

1. Evangelism

a. Evangelism is a work done on a congregational level,

b. Evangelism is also a work I am to do on a personal level,

,

2. Edification

a. Edification is a work done on a congregational level,

,

b. Edification is also a work done on a personal level,

3. Relief

a. Relief is a work done on a congregational level, ,

b. Relief is also a work I am to do on a personal level,

,

4. Discipline

a. Discipline is a work done on a congregational level,

b. Discipline is also a work done on a personal level,

,

D. Another work we should be doing on a personal level is the work of encouragement to remain faithful

1.

2.

Appl: Every Christian must seek to do the work God has given them. That work takes place on a personal level and involves working for others.

In my daily life I should be ready and willing to do the Lords work in such a way that it affects others lives.

Until I do, I am not carrying out the work of the church, which makes me part of the church.

Con: Those who have found the Lord’s church and have become members of it must see that there is a life beyond their own salvation.

It is our responsibility to carry on the work of the Lord and that work exists on a congregational level and a personal level.

Yet, it seems many dispel the work they are to do on a personal level to the congregational level.

But, the work of the congregation can never take the place of the work we are to be doing on a personal level. The two coexist and are co-dependent.

Sadly this is not always the case. Most often you will find the few doing the most on the congregational level and the number drops even further on at least one category of the personal level and that is working for others.

Can you imagine the things we could accomplish if every member were busy in the work of the Lord on a personal level as well as a congregational level?

We shouldn’t have to imagine, because this is what we are commanded to do.

The church is called to work for our Lord. We accomplish this work on both the congregational level and the personal level.