Sunday, July 29, 2012
THE INDIVIDUAL AND THE
LOCAL CHURCH
It
is no secret that we emphasize respect for God’s word in all that we do,
whether we are speaking of the church or as Christians.
Today many churches have clouded her true purpose by engaging in
all sorts of activities that we find no authority for them in scripture
– whether it be “catering to the whole man” with church sponsored
recreational activities, social programs, or general benevolence, many
have come to expect such as the primary purpose of the church.
Friends there is no command, example or inference in scripture
that justifies some things that churches are engaged in.
As a result, some will appeal to various passages of scripture or
principles that they THINK authorizes such activities.
In our lesson today, we are going to examine one such principle.
Sometimes we are asked the question, “Is there a difference between what
the individual and the local church can do?”
It is certainly a valid question and worthy of consideration.
The answer to this question will have a bearing on the work of
the church and its limitations, as well as the responsibilities of every
Christian. In our lesson
today we want to examine what the Bible says about this subject.
NOTE: As we begin I want to make it clear that we are not questioning
whether or not some of the things being done are good works.
They are! And in many
cases they are works that NEED to be addressed by us as Christians.
IN recent weeks we have discussed both judgment and
accountability in matters of caring for the poor and needy, and we will
continue to do so. But the question is whether or not such is the work
and purpose of the church.
It is because of our respect for the Lord’s church that we discuss such
things.
a.
1 Tim. 5:16,
“If any believing man or woman has
widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened,
that it may relieve those who are really widows.”
This is in a text that deals with the church (local congregation)
helping the needy of their number.
NOTICE how the church is only to step in if other avenues have
been exhausted.
b.
Matt. 18:15-17,
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault
between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your
brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that
‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’
17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he
refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a
tax collector.” NOTICE
how in dealing with a sinning brother, as a Christian you first have an
obligation to go to him alone and seek to resolve that difference
individually. Only if that
doesn’t work does the church EVENTUALLY become involved.
c.
Acts 5:1-4,
“But a certain man named Ananias,
with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of
the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain
part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why
has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part
of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not
your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why
have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men
but to God.”
d.
1 Cor. 11:33-34,
“Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one
another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come
together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.”
This text comes at the conclusion of a discourse where Paul is
addressing abuses concerning the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:17-33).
They had turned it into a common meal.
Paul rebuked them. In
our text, Paul notes that eating meals is to be done at home while
eating the “Lord’s Supper” is for when we assemble together.
e.
In all these verses we
find a clear distinction between the church and individual Christians.
WE could conclude our lesson right now and have a Biblical answer
to the question. But there
is more to consider as we seek to understand this.
II.
The Church in the life
of a Christian
a.
As you study scripture
you will see that the church is only PART of the Christian’s life.
b.
There are 5
relationships in the life of a Christian.
Roy E. Cogdill in his book, Walking by Faith, observed 5
distinct relationships that are addressed in scripture concerning the
Christian’s life.
i.
Home – to
fulfill the various roles in the family relationship (husband-wife,
parent-child, sibling, etc.) – 1 Tim. 5:8, Eph. 5:22-6:4, etc.
ii.
Work –
taking care of economic responsibilities - 1 Thess. 4:11-12, Col.
3:22-4:1, Eph. 4:28
iii.
Community –
addressing social responsibilities, such as being a good neighbor,
helping the needy, making society a better place – 1 Pet.2:12, Col. 4:5,
Rom. 13:8, 15:2, Gal. 6:10, etc.
iv.
Government
– we are obligated to pay taxes and support our government – Rom.
13:1-7, 1 Pet. 2:13-17.
v.
The church
– clearly, we have responsibilities to the church.
It is why we assemble and “lay by in store”, etc.
Eph. 4:1-16, 1 Cor. 12:12-27, 16:1-2, etc.
vi.
In all of these, we have
responsibilities as Christians to fulfill our duties.
When we stand before God we are going to give an accounting for
the way we have lived and if we have done what we ought to do in all
aspects of life.
c.
The church is only part of the Christian’s life.
i.
There are many things an
individual can do that the church CANNOT do.
1.
Husbands and wives have
responsibilities toward one another that are not the work of the church.
There are clearly things the church cannot do for a wife or
husband.
2.
Christians can start
businesses and work for companies, etc. You do not find churches in the
Bible starting business or engaging in business enterprises.
In fact, the ONLY manner of receiving funds was the free will
offering of its members (1 Cor. 16:1-2, 2 Cor. 8-9, etc.)
3.
Christians can go to
movies, restaurants, parks, etc.
Where in the Bible do we find the church engaged in recreational
or entertainment activities?
4.
Christians OUGHT TO be
involved in the community and seek to make it better.
5.
Christians OUGHT TO be
concerned for the needy within their community and care!
6.
Christians MUST pay
their taxes. They can vote,
work to reform society for the better, run for public office, etc.
Nowhere in the Bible do we find the church involved in political
reform, lobbying governments, etc.
ii.
Some actions assigned to
both the individual and local church –
1.
Both the church and
individuals are to teach – Individuals - Acts 8:4, 11:20, 18:24-26; The
church – Acts 11:22-23 – the church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas to
Antioch to teach.
Churches supported the preaching of the gospel – Acts 13:1-3, etc.
2.
Both engaged in
benevolence – individuals have great responsibilities in this area –
Jas. 1:27, Titus 2:14; the church has limited responsibilities in this
are – namely, to relieve needy saints after other means have been
exhausted – 2 Cor. 8:1-5.
Notice in particular – 1 Tim. 5:16 which distinguishes the two.
3.
Both are instrumental in
exhorting one another – Individuals were to continually exhort each
other (Heb. 3:12-13); The
church - Heb. 10:24-25
describes one way that we exhort one another is when we assemble
together as the church.
4.
But they do not conflict with one another.
As an individual carries out his personal responsibilities, they
NEVER conflict with his responsibilities as a member of the Lord’s
church. In fact,
while distinct, they actually complement one another – in the same way
that a man can be a father and a husband at the same time. Each comes
with its unique responsibilities, but the work of a husband does not
negate the work of being a father and visa-versa.
d.
We have responsibilities
concerning the local church
i.
The church is built up
based upon what we as individuals supply – Eph. 4:16.
That is why it is important that we grow as Christians (2 Pet.
3:18)
ii.
1 Cor. 12:12, 27 speaks
of the church being comprised of individuals each with his/her own
unique abilities. Together
we make the church strong.
We must develop these abilities!
iii.
If the church is to
carry out its responsibilities in evangelism and benevolence it is
dependent upon we as Christians giving as we ought to – 1 Cor. 16:1-2
iv.
Each member has a
responsibility to maintain unity
and peace – Eph. 4:1-3
v.
Each member is
responsible to maintain the purity of the church – 1 Cor. 5:6-8, 1 Pet.
1:22, Titus 2:14, etc.
e.
Is a Christian a
representative of the Lord’s church at all times? It depends on
what you mean. You are
always a Christian (and thus always a representative of Christ – Rom.
13:14). Since the church is
the body of Christ, you must realize that anything you do is a
reflection of that relationship.
Therefore your personal life and responsibilities as an
individual must be consistent with your responsibilities as a part of
the Lord’s body.
But that doesn’t mean that
everything you do is the church doing it, simply that your life is one
of consistency. The church
is an important part of your life BECAUSE you are a Christian!
f.
Concerning judgment – when you stand before God, you are going to answer individually as a
Christian. You will give an
accounting for how you were involved with the church (including whether
or not you sought to identify with the ONE true church, cf. Acts
20:28-31, 2 Tim. 4:2-4, etc.), but you will also answer for every other
areas of your life (2 Cor. 5:10, Rom. 14:10-12, etc.).
You are not going to answer based upon what the church did on your
behalf! (i.e. did they evangelize for you and do benevolent works for
you?)
a.
As you study the work of
the church according to God’s word, you will find that it is limited.
i.
Worshipping God,
evangelism, edification, & limited benevolence.
ii.
In addition to the works
being limited, so is the pattern that governs HOW these works are
carried out. And that is
what we are concerned about.
We need to RESPECT God’s pattern for His church.
iii.
As we have seen, the
sphere of the individual is much broader.
b.
We cannot “hire the
church” to do those things God commands us to do as Christians.
c.
Many reason that what
the individual can do the church can do.
They might argue that since the church is made up of individuals,
anything the individual does is actually the church at work.
While it is true that the church is the individuals who make up the body
(1 Cor. 12:27), we have seen that such is not the case.
Paul’s point in addressing the Corinthian brethren in 1 Cor.
12:12-27 was a call for unity in their conduct AS the church.
It was a call for them to work together and do their part.
In that text, he wasn’t dealing with their responsibilities in
other aspects of their lives.
d.
Others take passages
that are clearly directed at individuals and use them to justify some
work within the church.
General benevolence is justified with such passages as Gal. 6:10 & James
1:27. But if you examine the
contexts of these verses, they clearly appeal to Christians and not
congregations.
And thus we can see the distinction between the church and the
individual. It is a
distinction clearly defined in scripture.
Let us respect that distinction and seek to be the individual
Christians God would have us to be at all times, including as part of
His church. IF we ALL do
this, rest assured that the church will be all it ought to be and will
accomplish all its purposes heartily.
And you’ll be ready to stand before God.
Are you?