My Responsibility to the Local Church

Introduction: Establishing the fact that Christians have a responsibility to the Local Church

1.   Jesus is the HEAD of the church- Ephesians 5:23

2.   The church is the BODY of Christ- Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18

3.   Jesus NOURISHES and CHERISHES His body- Ephesians 5:29-30

4.   The body is SUBJECT to the head: Ephesians 5:24; 1 Corinthians 9:27

1.   Preserve Unity (PARTNERSHIP)

      a.   Unity is provided by GOD

            i.   1 Corinthians 3:6-9 “We are laborers together with God”

            ii.  2 Cor 6:1 “We then, as laborers together with Him . . .”

      b.   Ephesians 4:3 KEEP (not create) the unity of the Spirit

            i.   We are to be united as Jesus & the Father- John 17:17, 20-21

            ii.  By WALKING according to the SPIRIT-

                  (1) Romans 8:1 “There is now therefore no condemnation”

                  (2) Romans 8:8

                  (3) Rom. 8:14 “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God”

                  (4) No partnership denominations- they have not the Spirit

            iii. By PRAYING together- “Now I beseech you brethren , for the LJC sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me.” Rom 15:30

      c.   Prescription for partnership- 1 Corinthians 12:14-27

2.   Preserve PEACE

      a.   Note that unity is maintained in the BOND of peace- Eph 4:3

            i.   Bond- that which binds together as the ligaments bind and unite the human body- unity gives strength and shape.

            ii.  Ephesians 4:15-16 (like a well-oiled machine)

      b.   Romans 12:18 “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live...”

      c.   Romans 14:19 “Let us therefore follow after things that make for peace, and the things wherewith one may edify another.”

3.   Preserve PURITY

      a.   In life:

            i.   1 Timothy 5:22 “Be not a partaker ... keep thyself PURE.”

            ii.  2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee youthful LUSTS, but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

      b.   In doctrine:

            i.   Titus 2:1 “Speak those things which become sound doctrine”

            ii.  2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God.”

4.   Preserve a POSTERITY

      a.   1 Timothy 1:2 “My own son in the faith.”

      b.   Revelation 2:2-5 forgetting the first works = Great Commission

      c.   John 15:1-2, 8 failure to bear fruit will cause us to be CAST OUT, but in bearing fruit we GLORIFY the Father.

      d.   Many dying churches have no one to blame but themselves; others are more concerned about preserving history (e.g., “My great-grandfather donated the property for this building and paid for most of it himself.”) than posterity.