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“ What is the mission of the church?”

“ What is the mission of the church?”. What does it mean to be a “ non-institutional ” Christian. What is “institutionalism”. If “institutionalism” was part of the First Century Church, we wouldn’t have needed to name it

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“ What is the mission of the church?”

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  1. “What is the mission of the church?” What does it mean to be a “non-institutional” Christian

  2. What is “institutionalism” • If “institutionalism” was part of the First Century Church, we wouldn’t have needed to name it • Vegas preacher: “believes it is sinful to give money to widows and orphans, doesn’t believe in institutions” • “A very simplistic definition of institutionalism is the doctrine or practice of a church sending money to an institution of some kind in order to carry out some work that the church has deemed worthy of support.” (http://www.goodfight.com/notes/Institutionalism.html) • Opinions may vary on what those institutions may be

  3. What is “institutionalism” • “An institution of some kind” – NOT the church • May be a secular group receiving funds or organized participation from the local church • May be a church-operated organization separate from and outside of the church’s traditional role • Orphanage, “Herald of Truth”, “sponsoring church” • “Some work that the church has deemed worthy of support” • Work may be one that is scriptural in itself • Work may be spiritual or secular in nature • Common point – question is “do WE deem it worthy”, not “do we have authority”

  4. What is “institutionalism” • Institutionalism is contrary to God’s work because it takes work assigned to the church or individual Christian and gives it to another organization • Institutionalism is contrary to God’s word because it inevitably draws us into work that is not authorized by God • Institutionalism is contrary to God’s word because it is not FOUND in God’s word

  5. The one church has three missions • Support the preaching of the gospel (Phil. 4:15-18, I Cor. 9:7-14) • Edify the brethren spiritually (I Cor. 14:26) • Provide benevolence for the saints in need (Rom. 15:25-27, I Tim. 5:16)

  6. Preaching the gospel • Local works sending its members out to preach in other areas • Acts 13:1-3 – “Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

  7. Preaching the gospel • Local works sending to assist preachers in other areas • Phil 4:18 – “But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” • Local work supports the preaching of one working with them in the gospel • I Cor. 9:1-15 – v. 14 “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.”

  8. Preaching the gospel • 3 John 3-8 – “For I was very glad when brethren came and testified to your truth, that is, how you are walking in truth. I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth. Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, so that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”

  9. Preaching the gospel • The pattern • Individual evangelist receives (or may choose not to receive!) financial assistance from a local church • Individual evangelist receives financial assistance from a church in another location directly (or delivered by an individual from that local work) • NO OTHER GROUP is involved • No “central fund” is established and administered • No separate group is established • No “Plan B” in case “Plan A” doesn’t produce • No teaching that forbids one evangelist from having multiple sources of support

  10. Building up, edifying the brethren • Edify the brethren spiritually • 1 Cor 14:26-27 – “When you assemble … Let all things be done for edification.” • Heb 3:12-14 – “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” • Heb 10:24-25 – “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

  11. Building up, edifying the brethren • Does the church have a responsibility to provide secular services or activities? • How do I nourish a child? • 1 Peter 2:2 – “like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation” • Scripture, prayer, elements of worship cause “growth, edification” – no mention of anything else! • It may be “growth”, but in what direction? • Eph 4:11-13 – “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ;”

  12. Building up, edifying the brethren • A unique responsibility to our brethren • Can I “edify” a non-Christian? • Do we spend “secular time” together because we are commanded or because we want to? • Acts 2:46-47 –“Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people.” • Even outside the assembly, the association was marked by a common love for God and a joy in salvation • 1 Peter 1:22-23 –“Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart”

  13. Providing benevolence • Helping the saints in specific need worldwide • Rom 15:25-27 – “but now, I am going to Jerusalem serving the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things.” • 1 Cor 16:1 – “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also.” (NOTE: which saints?) … v. 3 “When I arrive, whomever you may approve, I will send them with letters to carry your gift to Jerusalem;”

  14. Providing benevolence • Helping the saints in specific need worldwide • 1 Thess 4:9-11 – “Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more…” • NOTE – authority to help saints both locally and abroad

  15. Providing benevolence • Helping specific saints on a regular basis • I Tim. 5 – “Widows indeed” to be “put on the roll” • V. 5 – “Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day.” • 1 Tim 5:9-11 – “A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to put younger widows”

  16. Providing benevolence • Who is authorized to perform benevolence? • Acts 6:1-3 – “Now at this time while the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint arose on the part of the Hellenistic Jews against the native Hebrews, because their widows were being overlooked in the daily serving of food. 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. Therefore, brethren, 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. • As with every other task assigned the local church, it is performed by the local church!

  17. Last week: “Corban” and the Law • Mark 7:5-13 – “And He said to them, ‘Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME. BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’ Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” • Who is guilty of this???

  18. Is “saints-only” from God or man? • If church benevolence is for all, why do we have no examples??? • Rom 15:25-27 – “serving the saints. … For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things…” • I Cor. 16:1 – “the collection for the saints” • I Thes. 4:11 – “all the brethren in Macedonia” • 2 Cor 8:4 – “begging us with much urging for the favor of participation in the support of the saints” • 2 Cor 9:12 – “For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints…”

  19. Is “saints-only” from God or man? • “To them and to all…”, II Cor. 9:13 • “Them” = the brethren who received the specific gift • “All” = whoever else to whom Corinth had been “contributed liberally” • Did “all” Judea go out to see Jesus? Mtt. 3:5 • Will God really give us ALL things if we ask? Mtt. 21:22 • Are “all things” lawful? I Cor. 6:12 • Context ALWAYS determines what “all” means! • What does the scriptural pattern and context tell us?

  20. Is “saints-only” from God or man? • What about Galatians 6:10 • “So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” • Key: individual versus collective responsibilities • 1 Tim 5:16 – “If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are widows indeed.” • Rich charged to “do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” – no restrictions! • Jesus: “love your enemies; do good…” • Can the church help immoral, ungodly Christians? Why then can it assist those outside the body?

  21. Is “saints-only” from God or man? • Does Galatians 6 discuss individual or collective action? • “you who are spiritual, looking to yourself”, v. 1 • “bear one another’s burdens”, v. 2 • “each must examine his own work”, v. 3 • V. 8 – “the one who sows to his own flesh” • V. 9 – “we will reap if we do not grow weary” • Can the church do my good work for me? • 1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

  22. Which emulates the Pharasee? • “Follow the scriptural pattern of benevolence to “qualified” saints by the local church, combined with individual benevolence whenever there is opportunity”… • Or “the local church MUST collectively participate in benevolence to non-Christians and institutions, and if brethren refuse, they are in sin!” • Which of these follows the spiritual pattern, and which teaches for doctrine the commandments of men?

  23. Following the scriptural pattern • Do I do it only when it’s what I want to do? • Do I do it only when other churches won’t ridicule me or ostracize me? • When the church uses funds for man-devised works, it diverts money away from divinely commanded works! • Matt 7:22-23 – “Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?‘ And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” • “What further need was there for another”, Heb. 7:11 – is the church here to do the work man is already doing? Or is it here as an instrument for teaching the word?

  24. Who should the church follow? • The scripture: the local church is the instrument for spreading the gospel • Man: create secular schools, centralize efforts through a man-made organization or a larger local church • The scripture: the local church is charged with spiritual growth • Man: the local church should teach secular things, self-improvement, provide entertainment and fun • The scripture: the local church is charged with aiding the indigent saints • Man: the local church is charged with taking on the benevolent responsibilities appointed to its members

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