TEXT:  1 Cor. 4:17;  7:17

INTRODUCTION:

A.  THE CHURCH IS CHRIST’S (Matt. 16:18).

B.  THE CHURCH IS ONE (Eph. 1:22-23;  4:4).

C.  GIVEN THE SAME INSTRUCTIONS (1 Cor. 4:17;  7:17).

D.  YET THERE ARE DIFFERENCES AMONG US.

I.      WHY ARE THERE DIFFERENCES?

A.  DON’T ALL BELIEVE THE SAME THING.

B.  DON’T ALL TEACH THE SAME THING.

C.  DON’T ALL PRACTICE THE SAME THING.

D.  YET WE ALL CLAIM THE SAME STANDARD.

II.     THE DISTINCTIVENESS OF THE LORD’S CHURCH.

A.  A SPIRITUAL HOUSE (1 Pet. 2:5).

B.  WITH A SPIRITURAL MISSION (1 Tim. 3:15).

C.  WHAT IS THE WORK OF THE CHURCH IN CONNECTION WITH ITS MISSION?

          1.  Evangelism (Eph. 3:10-11;  1 Thess. 1:8).

          2.  Edification (Eph. 4:11-13;  Acts 20:28-32).

          3.  Benevolence (Acts 11:27-30;  1 Cor. 16:1).

III.    THE BIBLE PATTERN FOR EVANGELISM:

A.  1 Tim. 3:15;  1 Cor. 9:14;  Acts 11:22;  13:3;  Phil. 4:15;  2  Cor. 11:8-9.

B.  SUPPORT FROM THE CHURCHES SENT DIRECTLY TO THE EVANGELIST.

C.  WE SPLIT WITH DISCIPLES OF CHRIST OVER MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

                                      NO AUTHORITY!!!!

D.  NO AUTHORITY FOR SPONSORING CHURCH.

E.  MONEY FOR PAUL WAS DIRECTLY TO HIM, NOT THE CHURCH (2 Cor. 11:8-9).

IV.   BIBLE PATTERN FOR BENEVOLENCE:

A.  Acts 2, 4, 6.  IN THE LOCAL CHURCH.

B.  Acts 11:27-30.  SENT DIRECTLY TO ELDERS OF THE NEEDY CHURCHES.

C.  1 Cor. 16:1-4;  2 Cor. 8-9;  Rom. 15:26.  DIRECTLY TO JERUSALEM BY THE HAND

          OF MESSENGERS CHOSEN BY THE SENDING CHURCHES.

D.  NO SPONSORING CHURCH OR SOCIETY HERE.

V.    BIBLE PATTERN FOR EDIFICATION (Eph. 4:11-16):

A.  vs. 16.  THE PLACE è THE CHURCH

B.  vs. 11.  THE PERSONEL è FUNCTIONARIES IN THE CHURCH.

C.  vs. 15.  THE PROVISIONS è THE TRUTH (Acts 20:32).

VI.   THE LORD’S CHURCH IS NOT …

A.  A POLITICAL ORGANIZATION (John 18:33-38).

B.  A BUSINESS ORGANIZATION (1 Cor. 16:1;  2 Cor. 9:7).

C.  A SECULAR EDUCATION ORGANIZATION (School) (1 Cor. 1:20-21).

D.  A SOCIAL RECREATIONAL ORGANIZATION (Rom. 14:17;  1 Cor. 11:22, 34).

E.  NO RESPONSIBILITY OR AUTHORITY (2 John 9).

VI.   BIBLE AUTHORITY IS IMPORTANT.

A.  2 Tim. 3:16-17.  ALL GOD’S WILL REVEALED BY INSPIRATION.

B.  TO ACT WITHOUT CONFIDENCE IS TO SIN (Rom. 14:23).

C.  WHERE DOES ONE ACQUIRE SUCH CONFIDENCE? (Rom. 10:17).

D.  THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS (Gal. 1:6-9).

VII.  WHERE DOES THE SOCIABLE GOSPEL COME IN?

A.  KITCHENS, FELLOWSHIP HALLS, BALL TEAMS, RECREATION, DAY CARE,

          SCHOOLS, GIMMICKS TO DRAW CROWDS, CAMPS.

B.  NO AUTHORITY FOR SPONSORING SOCIAL EVENTS OR PROGRAMS.

          1.  Not a social organization (Rom. 14:7;  John 18:36;  1 Pet. 2:5).

          2.  It is not a social gospel (John 6:26-27;  1 Cor. 11:22, 34).

C.  FAITH CAN BE SUPPORTED BY SOCIAL CONTACT (1 Cor. 15:33;  Rom. 12:9-10).

D.  BUT IT IS DEPENDENT ON THE PROMISE OF GOD (Rom. 10:17).

E.  EATING IN THE BUILDING IS NOT THE ISSUE.

          1.  Is the building sacred – can one eat on the property?

          2.  The issue:  Is it the work of the church to provide or sponsor a common meal for social

                   and recreational purposes?

                                      BOOK, CHAPTER, AND VERSE!

CONCLUSION:

A.  WE ARE DETERMINED TO DO BIBLE THINGS IN BIBLE WAYS.

B.  LET’S STAY WITH THE BOOK.