Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 1

Don McClain W. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004

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There have been many There have been many questions pertaining to the questions pertaining to the

“WORK” of the church.“WORK” of the church.

There have been many There have been many questions pertaining to the questions pertaining to the

“WORK” of the church.“WORK” of the church.

What?What?

Who?Who?

When?When?

How?How?


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a) Whatever we choose???a) Whatever we choose???

b) Whatever “seems right” b) Whatever “seems right” to us???to us???

c) Only the work HE has c) Only the work HE has given us to do?given us to do?

1) What does the Lord intend for His church to do in this world? _____

2 Tim 3:16,17;

Col. 3:17


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a) However we choose???a) However we choose???

b) Any way that “seems right” or b) Any way that “seems right” or “best” to us???“best” to us???

c) By seeking out and following the c) By seeking out and following the New Testament pattern?New Testament pattern?

2) How does the Lord intend for us to do the work He has given us to do? ______

2 Tim 3:16,17;

Col. 3:17


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The Lord has equipped local The Lord has equipped local churches to do the work that churches to do the work that He has given them to do –He has given them to do –

If more organization is needed to If more organization is needed to carry out a work than is found in carry out a work than is found in the NT – then it should be the NT – then it should be obvious that such a work is NOT obvious that such a work is NOT a work of the church – (a work of the church – (whether whether establishing other institutions or establishing other institutions or reorganizing the local churchreorganizing the local church))


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Self-EdificationSelf-Edification, , i.e. i.e. to build up and to build up and strengthen itselfstrengthen itself ( (Acts Acts 20:28, 32; Col 2:6, 720:28, 32; Col 2:6, 7).).

EvangelismEvangelism - - Preach the gospel to Preach the gospel to the lostthe lost ( (Mat 28:18-Mat 28:18-2020).).

BenevolenceBenevolence – – Providing the needs of Providing the needs of destitute Christiansdestitute Christians ((Acts 6:1-4Acts 6:1-4))


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A local church caring for those A local church caring for those of its own number - (Acts 4:32-of its own number - (Acts 4:32-37).37).

A local church Caring for its own A local church Caring for its own widows – (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Tim 5:3-widows – (Acts 6:1-8; 1 Tim 5:3-16 ).16 ).

The church in Antioch sent to The church in Antioch sent to the brethren in Judea – (Acts the brethren in Judea – (Acts 11:27-30).11:27-30).

The churches in Macedonia, The churches in Macedonia, Achaia, and Galatia sent to the Achaia, and Galatia sent to the church at Jerusalem – (1 Cor. church at Jerusalem – (1 Cor. 16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-5; 9:1,2 ).16:1-3; 2 Cor 8:1-5; 9:1,2 ).

2 Cor 8:4


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• The universal needThe universal need – Rom 3:9,10,23; Ep 2:1-3,12

• The ONLY hopeThe ONLY hope – The gospel – Rom 1:16,17; Acts 10:6,22,32; 11:14; Rom 10:14-17

• Thus the great commissionThus the great commission – Mat 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8


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1 Tim. 3:15 (NKJV) but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the

living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.


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The churches of Macedonia – (The churches of Macedonia – (Helped supply Helped supply Paul’s necessities Paul’s necessities) - 2 Cor. 11:8,9) - 2 Cor. 11:8,9

The church at Thessalonica (The church at Thessalonica (Went Went everywhere preaching the word of the everywhere preaching the word of the LordLord)– 1 Thes 1:8)– 1 Thes 1:8

The church at Philippi – (The church at Philippi – (At one time was At one time was alone in helping Paul – sent aide to him alone in helping Paul – sent aide to him “time & again“time & again”) - Phili 1:3-5; 4:14-18”) - Phili 1:3-5; 4:14-18

The church at Antioch – (The church at Antioch – (Sent Barnabas & Sent Barnabas & SaulSaul) - Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27 ) - Acts 13:1-3; 14:26-27

The church at Jerusalem – (The church at Jerusalem – (Sent Barnabas Sent Barnabas out as far as Antiochout as far as Antioch) - Acts 11:19-23 ) - Acts 11:19-23


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• Support a Support a gospel gospel preacher preacher locallylocally

• Support a Support a gospel gospel preacher in preacher in another another areaarea

• Support a Support a gospel gospel preacher preacher with other with other churcheschurches

Thechurch

inLittle Rock

1 Cor. 9:141 Cor. 9:14; ; 2 Cor. 11:8;2 Cor. 11:8; 12:1312:13


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• Support a Support a gospel gospel preacher preacher locallylocally



Romania

Thechurch

inLittle Rock

Phili. 1:3-5; 4:15Phili. 1:3-5; 4:15


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Romania• Support a Support a

gospel gospel preacher preacher locallylocally



65th StChurch

of Christ

Church of ChristFairview

Church of ChristAthens

AL

2 Cor. 11:8,92 Cor. 11:8,9Concurrent CooperationConcurrent Cooperation


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• Support Support gospel gospel preachers preachers through through another another organizatioorganizationn

• Support Support gospel gospel preachers preachers through an through an unscripturaunscriptural l arrangemearrangementnt

65th StChurch

of Christ

65th StChurch

of Christ

M.S.

S.C.

Scripture???Scripture???


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65th StChurch

of ChristS.C.

Violates the principle of Violates the principle of church autonomy – 1 Pet 5:2church autonomy – 1 Pet 5:2

Violates N.T. pattern of Violates N.T. pattern of church cooperation (i.e. church cooperation (i.e. Concurrent Cooperation) one Concurrent Cooperation) one church acts as the agent church acts as the agent for other churches –for other churches –

Creates an Creates an arrangement arrangement of centralized of centralized

control – control –


AL



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65th StChurch

of ChristS.C.


AL


Collective CooperationCollective Cooperation


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Collective CooperationCollective Cooperation

Asia

AfricaEurope

Russia Canada


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Biblical PatternBiblical Pattern Arrangement - Direct

Condition - From Ability to Need Purpose - Alleviate Need

Thechurch

inLittle Rock

AchurchElse-where

Gospel Preacher

Needy Saints

Phili 4:15-17; 2 Cor 11:8; Acts 11:27-30 Phili 4:15-17; 2 Cor 11:8; Acts 11:27-30

Concurrent CooperationConcurrent Cooperation


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Authorized Activity:

Evangelism - 1 Thess. 1:6-8; Phil. 4:15-16

Authorized Means: Authorized Means: News Paper; Bulletin; Radio; TV; Pulpit; Home Bible Studies; Internet

Unauthorized Means:Unauthorized Means: Other institutions; Unscriptural Cooperation; Centralization of Control

Authorized Activity: Singing psalms, hymns & spiritual songs – Eph. 5:19; Col.

3:16

Authorized Means:Authorized Means: Parts; Pitch Pipe; Song Leader; Song Books

Unauthorized Means:Unauthorized Means: Choirs; Solo’s; Mechanical Instruments -


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Place – Preacher Place – Preacher Amount of Amount of

supportsupport

The Work

Missionary Society

Transfer

Individual

Local church

SaintsSaints EldersEldersDeaconsDeacons

Phili 1:1

Acts 4:20; 8:4; Acts 4:20; 8:4; 1 Pet. 3:151 Pet. 3:15


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A television & radio broadcast under the oversight of the A television & radio broadcast under the oversight of the elders of the Highland church of Christ in Abilene TX:elders of the Highland church of Christ in Abilene TX:

• Conception: James Williford and James Walter Nichols set up a five-radio station network in Iowa and Wisconsin using the name Herald of Truth in 1947.

• February 10, 1952, thousands throughout the U.S. heard the Herald of Truth on 31 stations of the ABC radio network

• In 1968, approximately 3, 000 local churches financially contributed to the Herald of Truth organization

• The Herald of Truth is an entity that is umbilically affixed to the Highland Church of Christ in Abilene and yet it maintains its separate status. The Herald of Truth is a legally structured organization that has its own board and treasury.


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A television & radio broadcast under the oversight of the A television & radio broadcast under the oversight of the elders of the Highland church of Christ in Abilene TX:elders of the Highland church of Christ in Abilene TX:

• The Herald of Truth is an arrangement that involves the pooling of resources that is unknown to the New Testament;

• The Herald of Truth is against the autonomy set forth in the New Testament

• The Herald of Truth and all sponsoring church practices involve a violation of the local church independence taught in the New Testament

• The Herald of Truth constitutes a centralization of power

• The teaching done was eventually watered down – WHY??


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THE MABELVALE CHURCH THE MABELVALE CHURCH OF CHRIST OF CHRIST

""Search:"Search:" Television ministry of the church of Christ, Edmond, OK - Mack Lyon is the regular speaker for the television program In Search Of The Lord's Way.

Gospel Gleaner quarterly publicationGospel Gleaner quarterly publication - a quarterly publication of the Mabelvale Church of Christ in Mabelvale, Arkansas and the Mountain Home Church of Christ in Mountain Home, Arkansas. Gospel Gleaner is also supported financially by interested sister congregations and individuals and is mailed free of charge to its subscribers. Gospel Gleaner is dedicated to restoring New Testament Christianity. Dennis Gulledge Editor.


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• River City Ministries North Little Rock, AR www.rivercityministry.org (We exist to meet the felt needs of urban residents in Little Rock and North Little Rock in the name of Jesus.)

• Search TV Program Edmond, OK www.searchTV.org

• Silver City Church North Little Rock, AR www.silvercitychurch.com (The Silver City Church is a Group of Christians who meet together in Downtown North Little Rock. We meet each Sunday at noon at the Gardner Memorial Methodist Church @ 1723 Schaer Street. Some are members of both pleasant Valley & Silver City)

• Truth for Today Searcy, AR http://www.biblecourses.com

• World Christian Broadcasting Franklin, TN http://wcb.faithsite.com

Pleasant Valley Church of ChristPleasant Valley Church of Christ


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Mark 16:15 Mark 16:15 (NKJV) (NKJV)

And He said to And He said to them, "them, "Go into all Go into all

the world and the world and preach the gospel preach the gospel to every creatureto every creature. .


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Sponsoring Church Arrangement

The “Mother Church”

Concept? -

The “Catholic Church’s” Concept -

The “Denominational

” Concept? –

Answering Arguments used to advocate general benevolenceAnswering Arguments used to advocate general benevolence

The door that

brings the Sponsoring church arrangement into evangelism brings in many

other things


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What is the issue? –What is the issue? – A violation of church autonomyA violation of church autonomy - When - When

the elders of a congregation receive funds for the elders of a congregation receive funds for the work of evangelism from other the work of evangelism from other congregations – then their oversight is no congregations – then their oversight is no longer limited to “the flock which is among longer limited to “the flock which is among them,” (1 Pet 5:2).them,” (1 Pet 5:2).This violates the N.T. pattern of concurrent This violates the N.T. pattern of concurrent

cooperation by practicing collective cooperation by practicing collective cooperation – cooperation –

And centralizes the financing and oversight And centralizes the financing and oversight of a work thus violating the N.T. pattern of of a work thus violating the N.T. pattern of church organization.church organization.


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Instead of one enormous organization Instead of one enormous organization functioning to perform the collective work functioning to perform the collective work involving thousands of local churches, involving thousands of local churches, God's plan is that each local church do God's plan is that each local church do

their own work that God has assigned - their own work that God has assigned - and that work to be overseen by the and that work to be overseen by the elders of that church. elders of that church.

Such is not only what we see taught in the Such is not only what we see taught in the scriptures, but it also averts power scriptures, but it also averts power struggles and widespread contamination struggles and widespread contamination when moral or doctrinal issues develop when moral or doctrinal issues develop within the influential entity.within the influential entity.


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30Community OutreachCommunity Outreach

Ministry Ministry Leader Contact Information

Children's Homes Sam McDonald(501) 835-0997Send an E-mail

River City Ministry Kyle McNeese(501) 753-7047Send an E-mail

Visitation Ralph Stewart (501) 988-9761

World Bible School Marcel Bertholet (501) 834-2285

Church FacilitiesChurch Facilities


Family Center Doug Childress (501) 834-1533

Grounds Maintenance Aaron Bussard (501) 835-8640

FellowshipFellowship


Congregational Enrichment / Meat & Mingle

Brian Bussard (501) 834-5503

Scott Horton(501) 771-1888Send an E-mail

Scott Teague(501) 834-4227Send an E-mail

Senior Fellowship Farrell Falwell (501) 835-6375

JAM Mark Fonville(501) 835-8733Send an E-mail

7th-12th Grade Activities Ronnie Swayne (501) 834-0616

mailto:[email protected]






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Don McClainW. 65th St church of Christ - 12/19/2004 1