The Mission of Christ's Church

1. Things that are important to the life and work of the church:
1. CONTENDING for the faith once delivered - Jude 3
2. BENEVOLENCE
1. James 1:27 - caring for ORPHANS & WIDOWS
2. 1 Corinthians 16:1 - providing for needy SAINTS
3. Saints FIRST, but not saints ONLY:
1. Galatians 6:10 - "let us do good unto ALL men"
2. 2 Corinthians 9:12-13
3. FELLOWSHIP - Acts 2:46
4. EDIFICATION -
1. 1 Cor 14:5, 12, 26 - Spiritual gifts were for the edification of the ENTIRE church. "Let all things be done unto . . ."
2. 1 Timothy 1:3-4 - our DOCTRINE and TEACHING is to edify us in the faith.
3. Ephesians 4:12, 16, 29 - our ROLE in the work of the local church should edify the body.
5. These are important, but they are not the MOST important.
6. The life blood of the church is EVANGELISM.
7. Believing in one church is vital to evangelism - you'll never convert a person if you do not truly believe him to be lost.

1. Why is evangelism of such great importance?
1. All accountable men are under the condemnation of SIN:
1. Romans 3:10 - "There is NONE righteous, no not ONE."
2. Romans 3:23 - "for ALL have SINNED"
3. Mark 16:15-16 - the GOSPEL must be preached to ALL
4. The GOSPEL is the only message with the power to SAVE mankind: Romans 1:16
5. All men must OBEY the Gospel to be SAVED
1. 1 Corinthians 15:1-2
2. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9
2. All who will be saved in the Christian age will be members of the church of Christ: Acts 2:47; Eph 5:23

1. The church must REPLENISH her membership:
1. Some will FALL AWAY:
1. 1 Timothy 4:1-6 some WILL depart from the faith
2. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 some WILL not endure SOUND doctrine and shall turn away from the TRUTH
2. The faithful who remain will DIE - Hebrews 9:27
1. Job 16:22 - "When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return."



2. 1 Kings 2:1-2 "I go the way of ALL the earth."