The Relationship Of The Universal & Local Church (II)

Outline:

I. INTRODUCTION:

A. Last week noted how the universal & local church are not related.

1. Universal church not made up of:

a. Denominations (Jo.15:1-8)

b. Local churches (Eph.5:23; I Cor.5:1-2)

2. Universal church is made up only of saved individuals (Acts 2:47; Eph.5:23; 1 Cor.12:12-27)

B. How they are related:

a. Those in fellowship with God in the universal church should be in fellowship with those in local church.

1. By fellowship with God (1 Jo.1:3-7; 2 Cor.6:1)

C. Purpose of lesson to show this relationship of the saved in the local church.

II. FELLOWSHIP IN THE LOCAL CHURCH: (1 Jo.1:3; 2 Cor.6:1)

A. Shown by example and command.

1. Paul at Jerusalem (Acts 9:26)

2. Not forsake assembling (Heb.10:23-25)

3. Seen by their collective activity:

a. Lord's supper (Acts 20:7; 1 Cor.11:18-22)

b. Giving (1 Cor.16:1-2)

c. Support preaching (Phil.1:5; 4:15-16)

d. Edification (1 Cor.14:23, 26)

e. Organization (Phil.1:1; Acts 14:23)

B. How to decide which church to join.

1. "nor share in other people's sins" (1 Tim.5:21-22)

a. No fellowship (Eph.5:11; 2 Cor.6:14 - 7:1)

b. Do not commit same sin together (Prov.1:10-15; Rom.2:1-3)

c. No consent with sinners (Rom.1:32; Acts 8:1; 22:19-20)

d. No financial support of error (2 Jo.9-11)

1) Support truth (3 Jo.5-8; Phil.1:3-7)

e. Know guilt, must act (Ezek.3:17-21; Rev.2:20)

f. Improper association (1 Cor.15:33; 5:6)

2. Easy ways that won't work:

a. Just "Christians" (Gal.1:6-9; 2 Jo.9-11)

b. Just preach gospel (Rev.2:2-5)

c. Have scriptural name (Rev.3:15-16)

d. In "faithful" church directory (Rev.3:1)

3. Does fellowship require complete agreement?

a. With whom are you in complete agreement?

b. Matters of expediency (Gal.6:15; Rom.14:1-6; 1 Cor.8:13)

c. Issues not of expediency, but do NOT affect collective action (i.e.: 1 Cor.11:1-16)

d. Issues potentially involving collective action in which we are not involved (Rom.14:22)

e. When we cannot be in fellowship (Rom.14:23)

4. Biblical principles used to guide us in decision making within the local church:

a. Elders to oversee (Acts 20:28; Heb.13:17)

b. Churches may function without elders (Acts 14:21-23; Gal.6:1)

c. Principles involved (1 Pet.5:5; Heb.5:13-14; Rom.14:1, 19; 12:16; Eph.5:21; Phil.2:1-4; 1 Tim.2:12)

III. CONCLUSION:

A. Our first priority should be to conform to the doctrine of Christ; be a member of His body (Eph.5:23)

1. This is fellowship with God (I Jo.1:7)

B. We should then seek fellowship with like minded Christians to fulfill the responsibilities Christ has given to the local church.

1. Worship, support truth, edify one another.