What does God ask the church to do? How should the money of the church be spent? What can be supported and what should not be supported?

1. Work of the Church
A two-part study of the work of the church and
parachurch organizations

2. Two parts to this study
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This morning – What work has God given the
church to do?
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Tonight – Should the church support
“parachurch” organizations?

3. Introduction
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What does the Lord intend for the church to do
in this world?
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Are we free to be involved in whatever work we
think is suitable?
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The church universal has no organization to
make decisions.
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The local congregation does have structure and
does plan and support various works.

4. EDIFICATION
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Ephesians 4:11-13 11 And He Himself gave
some to be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of
the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect
man, to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ

5. EDIFICATION
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The work of evangelists, pastors (elders) and
teachers is designed to equip the saints
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They are to edify (support, build up, strengthen,
encourage) the brethren
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The result will be the growth of the body “for
edifying itself in love.” (verse 16)

6. EDIFICATION
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How does the church edify one another?
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Singing – Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the
Lord.
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Teaching
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Prayer
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Word of encouragement

7. BENEVOLENCE
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There will always be people who are in need of some
temporary help – food, clothes, financial help, etc.
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Storms, house fire, loss of job, financial bind
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Galatians 6:10 And let us not grow weary while doing
good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose
heart. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all, especially to those who are of the
household of faith.

8. BENEVOLENCE
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The early church did this
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Acts 4:32-35 32 Now the multitude of those who
believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did
anyone say that any of the things he possessed was
his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And
with great power the apostles gave witness to the
resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was
upon them all. 34 Nor was there anyone among them
who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the
things that were sold, 35 and laid them at the apostles'
feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.

9. BENEVOLENCE
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Deacons were appointed to do this in Acts 6
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They made sure that the widows were fed
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Judea was in a famine – others sent funds to help
them
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1 Corinthians 16:1-2 1 Now concerning the collection
for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches
of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 On the first day of
the week let each one of you lay something aside,
storing up as he may prosper, that there be no
collections when I come.

10. EVANGELISM
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The early church was involved in reaching the lost
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They sent out preachers on mission trips
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They provided support for preachers
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2 Corinthians 11:8-9 8 I robbed other churches,
taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And
when I was present with you, and in need, I was a
burden to no one, for what I lacked the brethren who
came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I
kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I
will keep myself.

11. SUMMARY
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The work of the church is:
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Edification – equipping saints to be strong,
active and faithful Christians
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Benevolence – providing for physical needs
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Evangelism – proclaiming the gospel
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The local church will do this work under the
guidance and direction of the elders and with
the support of the members.

12. TONIGHT
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The sermon tonight looks at a disturbing trend
in the church today.
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There are organizations seeking financial
support from churches but the local church has
no control over how the funds are used.