Intro.

1. Two extremes:

a. Church minimized out of importance (Acts 20:28).

b. Local church emphasized to the neglect of individual respon. of daily Christian living [Funnel approach]. {cf. Missionary society; support of human organ.; social activities}

2. What is the church? What is its purpose?

a. The saved - Acts 2:47 (Called out ones--of sin, world, etc.); church is composed of Christians; distinction (1 Tim. 5:16).

b. Two specific uses: Universal (all of God’s redeemed w/o regard to place & time - Matt. 16:18; Heb. 12:23); Local (Christians in a particular location who join together for scriptural worship and work - Acts 11:22, 26).

3. To expect the local church to organize/direct your Christian life & living is unwarranted & unscriptural. The local church has been given very specific work to perform, while the individual Christian has equally been given his own work to do. (cf. 1 Tim. 5:16)

I. THE WORK OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Col. 3:17).

A. Preach The Gospel - 1 Ths. 1:8. Accomplished collectively by:

1. Sending preachers - Acts 11:22-23.

2. Supporting preachers to preach - Phil. 1:3-5 (2 Cor. 11:8).

B. Edify The Saints (teaching & training of members) - Eph. 4:11-12,15-16.

1. Using truth, saints are perfected, equipped to serve, & body of Christ is built up (v. 12). cf. Acts 11:23, 25-26.

2. Worship - 1 Cor. 14:26. (Collective aspects: singing, prayers, L.S. - Heb. 10:25).

C. Care For Needy Saints - 1 Tim. 5:16.

1. Among its own number - Acts 6:1-3.

2. Needy saints elsewhere - 1 Cor. 16:1-3.

-Acts 6:1-4 - Basic areas: Ministry of the word / tables.

II. WORK OF THE UNIVERSAL CHURCH.

A. The Universal Church Does Not Work In An Organized Fashion.

1. I.e., No common oversight, coordination, funding, etc. - No ability / authority to function as a single unit (where "sponsoring church" arrangements are faulty).

2. Scriptures are silent about such efforts (Heb. 7:12).

B. The Universal Church Does Work When Christians Live By Faith Under The Leadership Of Christ - Eph. 1:22-23; 4:13-16.

III. EVERY INDIVIDUAL CHRISTIAN IS TO BE AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST - Eph. 4:16. (This will cause the church to grow.)

A. Notice Individual Christian’s Obligations (As Compared To The Work Of The Congregation): {We don’t have to wait for the congregation to organize the work - indeed, some works are not to be organized by the local church!}

1. Preach & teach - Acts 8:4 (Heb. 5:12).

2. Worship - Acts 16:25 (1 Ths. 5:17).

3. Edify / restore fallen - Gal. 6:1.

4. Help needy - Gal. 6:10 (Lk. 10:36-37).

5. Be faithful to Christ in every situation - Matt. 6:33; 1 Cor. 15:58.

B. Christians Are To Be "Self-Starters" In The Lord’s Work - As Well As "Jumper Cables" For Each Other - Gal. 6:1-2.

-If we want the church (univ. & therefore local) to grow (and of course, we do), let each Christian get busy working.

Conclusion

1. We must see both the importance of the church & the limited (specific) role the local church plays in the Christian life.

2. Each must be active for Christ to be honored - Gal. 5:6-7.