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The New Testament Church - 5

The New Testament Church - 5. The Work of Evangelism. What is the work of the church?. Evangelism – seeking the lost Edification – building up the saints Benevolence – relieving material needs of the saints Worship. Evangelize.

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The New Testament Church - 5

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  1. The New Testament Church - 5 The Work of Evangelism

  2. What is the work of the church? • Evangelism – seeking the lost • Edification – building up the saints • Benevolence – relieving material needs of the saints • Worship

  3. Evangelize • Evangelize – to convert one to another religion (Webster)to convert one to Christianity (Random House) • Evangelist – Acts 21:8, Eph. 4:11, 2 Tim. 4:5

  4. Evangelize • εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) Gospel, “to tell the good news” (L&N, 33.217)“God’s good news to humans, good news as proclamation” (BDAG)Some 77 times in NT

  5. Evangelism • A primary function of the church • The church of the first century continually grew through evangelism

  6. Evangelism • It is through the preaching of the gospel that man is saved – Rom. 1:16,17, 10:14-17James 1:21, 1 Cor. 1:21

  7. Evangelism • The Great Commission – Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16Cf. Acts 1:8, 8:4, 5-13, 2 Tim. 2:2 • Evangelism is important

  8. Evangelism • Christians are to evangelize – Acts 8:41 Peter 3:152 Corinthians 5:10-11Philippians 2:14-161 Peter 2:9 • Every example of conversion!

  9. Evangelism • Churches and evangelism • 1 Thessalonians 1:8 • Acts 13:1-3 • 1 Timothy 3:14-15 • The survival of the church depends upon this!

  10. How Churches Evangelized • They edified the saints – built them up spiritually to teach • Ephesians 4:11-16

  11. How Churches Evangelized • They supported efforts to preach the gospel - locally • 1 Thess. 1:8 • Paul – Ephesus, Acts 19:10, 20:31 • Jerusalem and its growth

  12. How Churches Evangelized • They supported efforts to preach the gospel - abroad • Philippians 1:3-5, 2:25-30, 4:14-20They supported Paul in Thessalonica and perhaps elsewhere

  13. How Churches Evangelized Paul at ThessalonicaPhil. 4:15-16 Philippi • The support of Phillipi • No human organizations (i.e. missionary societies) or sponsoring churches. • Funds sent directly to Paul (not to a local church) • They maintained independence and autonomy $ Paul in Thessalonica

  14. How Churches Evangelized • Philippi was NOT a sponsoring church! • Consider Phil. 4:15, “shared” and Phil. 1:4, “fellowship” BOTH words are from the Greek κοινωνία, (koinonia) which means “fellowship”.

  15. How Churches Evangelized IF Phillip was a Sponsoring Church Phil. 4:15-16 Philippi • Philippi was NOT a sponsoring church! • IF Philippi was a SC, then other congregations had NO “fellowship” with their resources which defeats the arguments being made. $ Fellowship Paul in Thessalonica $ $ NOFellowship Church 1 Church 2

  16. How Churches Evangelized Paul at Corinth2 Corinthians 11:7-8 Ephesus • They supported efforts to preach the gospel - abroad • 2 Corinthians 11:7-8While in Corinth, more than one church supported Paul $ Philippi Paul in Corinth $ Thess. $

  17. Examples today • In this electronic age there are churches that are doing good works with websites, television and radio programs, social media, etc. as well as more conventional ways of reaching the lost • IF a local work takes on such an effort by itself, it is authorized.

  18. Examples today Sponsoring Church Elders of Southaven Church of ChristSouthaven, MS Where in Scripture? • BUT, there are also churches that have chosen to “sponsor” works larger than itselfTruth in love Broadcast (ttil.tv, Bedford, TX)In Search (searchtv.org, Edmond, OK)gbntv.org (Southaven, MS) • Such violates scriptural examples of autonomy! $ GBNTV.ORG $ $ Brown Trail, Bedford,TX Centergrove Church of Christ, Gainesboro, TN

  19. Examples today • Other examples: Sometimes churches might “sponsor” the evangelism of a particular country. • They hire and send preachers. They solicit funds from individuals and other churches. • WHERE is the Biblical example?

  20. Examples today • NOTE: That what these churches are doing is good works is NOT disputed! • They may even be teaching the truth! • BUT WHERE is the authority?

  21. Is It A Big Deal? • Respect authority – such are additions, NOT aidsIt is NOT the pattern of NT! • Such things tamper with autonomy of the local church • They divide brethren • They denominationalizethe church • Where does it end?

  22. Thoughts: • NOTE: There are churches that are failing to carry out their responsibilities in evangelism! They do not encourage members, or engage in what efforts they can! • But such is no excuse for going outside of God’s boundaries (1 Cor. 4:6)

  23. Final note • ANYTHING a church does that is authorized in scripture… • IS no substitute for each of us carrying our own load!

  24. God’s way WILL work! Can He count on us to do our part His way?

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