God’s plan of work for the church Introduction God’s plan of work for the church Three-fold work of the church: Evangelism: 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:6-8 Edification: Eph. 4:15-16 Benevolence: Acts 4:34-35; 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Much division over the work of the church: Evangelism: missionary society, sponsoring church, carnal inducements Edification: church-sponsored social meals, recreation, secular educational institutions/support Benevolence: general benevolence from church treasury, as an aid to evangelism, church-supported benevolent institutions (e.g., orphan’s homes) Bible Authority

God’s plan of work for the church Introduction God’s plan of work for the church Evangelism: 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 8:4; 11:22-24; 13:1-3; 15:36; Phil. 4:15-16; 1 Thess. 1:8 Preachers authorized to receive support: 1 Cor. 9:14; 2 Cor. 11:8 Support direct to preacher: Phil. 4:14-16 Edification: Matt. 28:19-20 Spiritual growth: Phil. 2:12; 2 Pet. 1:3-11; Eph. 4:11-16 Bible only! 1 Tim. 3:15; Acts 2:42 No secular education! Col. 3:17; 2 Jn. 9 Bible Authority

Our Need for Authority Introduction We must not trifle with divine authority, even if the results are ‘good,’ we disrespect God! “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9 Forewarned is forearmed: Sooner or later we will be confronted with brethren unwilling to abide by divine authority. Bible Authority

The Authority of Jesus Christ: Bible Authority: Lesson 10 The Authority of Jesus Christ: The Work of the Church (Part 3): Benevolence 1 Timothy 5:3-16

Benevolence is a “no brainer”! 1. Introduction to benevolence Benevolence is a “no brainer”! Benevolence: the authority for the church to use money from its treasury to help those who are in need. “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.’ 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:9-12 What guides us? Emotion? Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23; Num. 20:1ff; 1 Chr. 13:11; 15:13 Scripture? Col. 3:17; Rom. 4:3; 1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Tim. 3:16-17 Bible Authority

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 2. Two realms of responsibility Individual Christian: 1 Tim. 5:4, 16 Condemned if we fail: 1 Tim. 5:8 Very plain & direct: 1 Tim. 5:4, 16, 8 Distinction between church and individual responsibility. Christian cannot transfer their responsibility to the church and vice versa. Bible Authority

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 2. Two realms of responsibility The New Testament Clearly defines a “pattern” for benevolence. Clearly distinguishes between benevolent responsibilities of the local church and indivi-dual Christian. Clearly teaches individual Christian cannot avoid or shift their benevolent responsibilities to the local church and vice versa. Clearly teaches local church has benevolent responsibilities to its needy saints (only!). Local Church: 1 Tim. 5:16 Specific qualifications: 1 Tim. 5:3-16 Destitute: vv. 4-5 ≥ 60 years old: v. 9 No family to help: v. 4 Good works: v. 10 Faithful: v. 5 Raised children: v. 10 Godly lifestyle: vv. 5, 7 One husband: v. 9 Bible Authority

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 3. Benevolent responsibility of the local church Three recorded cases: local church benev-olence Jerusalem church cared for its needy: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37; 6:1ff Church at Antioch sent aid to needy saints in Judea: Acts 11:27-30 Several churches sent aid to needy saints in Jerusalem: 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Rom. 15:25-26 Bible Authority

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 3. Benevolent responsibility of the local church Treasury authorized: 1 Cor. 16:1-2 “in store” : Greek thesaurizo; our word for treasury. Pattern for both the collection and use of funds by the local church. Purpose: “relieve” a “need” : Acts 11:29; 4:35; 2 Cor. 8:14; 9:12 Manner: “must” “orders” “urgency” : 1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 8:4; 1 Cor. 16:2; Acts 11:29; 2 Cor. 8:12; 2 Cor. 9:7; Mk. 12:42-44 Bible Authority

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 3. Benevolent responsibility of the local church Subjects: always limited to needy saints Jerusalem church: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37; 6:1ff “all who believed and had all things in common” : Acts 2:44 “divided them among all” : Acts 2:45 “the multitude of those who believed” : Acts 4:32 “they had all things in common” : Acts 4:32 “the disciples…their widows…neglected” : Acts 6:1ff Bible Authority

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 3. Benevolent responsibility of the local church Subjects: always limited to needy saints Church in Antioch: Acts 11:27-30 “the disciples…determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea” : Acts 11:29 Churches in Galatia, Macedonia, etc.: 1 Cor. 16:1-3; Rom. 15:25-26; 2 Cor. 8, 9 “collection for the saints” : 1 Cor. 16:1 “supplies the need of the saints” : 2 Cor. 9:12 “a…contribution for the poor saints” : Rom. 15:26 Bible Authority

THIS Elders & Deacons Needy Saints Distribution of funds in Jerusalem relief: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37; 6:1ff Elders & Deacons Needy Saints THIS Bible Authority

Distribution of funds in Jerusalem relief: Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37; 6:1ff Elders & Deacons Needy Saints NOT THIS Benevolent Society/ Sponsoring Church Bible Authority

Distribution of funds in Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet Distribution of funds in Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22 Church at Antioch NOT THIS Ben. Society Paul & Barnabas Church at Bethany Church at Emmaus Church at Lydda Church at Joppa Bible Authority

Distribution of funds in Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet Distribution of funds in Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22 Church at Antioch NOT THIS Church at Jerusalem Paul & Barnabas Church at Bethany Church at Emmaus Church at Lydda Church at Joppa Bible Authority

Distribution of funds in Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet Distribution of funds in Judean relief: Acts 11:27-30; 14:23; 1 Pet. 5:2; 1 Thess. 2:14; Gal. 1:22 THIS Church at Antioch Church at Bethany Church at Emmaus Church at Lydda Church at Joppa Paul & Barnabas Sending church sent funds directly to receiving church with needy saints. Bible Authority

Church at Thessa-lonica Distribution of funds in Jerusalem (2) relief: 1 Cor. 16:1-3 NOT THIS Antioch S.C. Church at Galatia Church at Thessa-lonica Church at Philippi Church at Corinth Paul, Silas, & others Church at Jerusalem Bible Authority

Church at Thessa-lonica Distribution of funds in Jerusalem (2) relief: 1 Cor. 16:1-3 NOT THIS Ben. Society Church at Galatia Church at Thessa-lonica Church at Philippi Church at Corinth Paul, Silas, & others Church at Jerusalem Bible Authority

Church at Thessa-lonica Distribution of funds in Jerusalem (2) relief: 1 Cor. 16:1-3 THIS Church at Jerusalem Church at Galatia Church at Thessa-lonica Church at Philippi Church at Corinth Paul, Silas, & others Sending church sent funds directly to receiving church with needy saints. Bible Authority

Summary Purpose: relieve a true need. 3. Benevolent responsibility of the local church Summary A failure by the local congregation to follow the New Testament pattern in benevolence has the same rami-fications and consequences as not following the New Testament pattern in any other area (e.g., worship, plan of salvation, etc.; recall Lk. 6:46; Matt. 7:21-23). Purpose: relieve a true need. Manner: every saint gave on first day of every week. Subjects: needy saints only. Distribution: direct to elders of church w/needy saints. Bible Authority

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 4. Benevolent responsibility of individual Christians We are influenced by our materialistic society: 1 Cor. 15:33; 1 Jn. 2:15-17 Christians have an important individual bene-volent responsibility: Eph. 4:28; Lk. 12:16-21; Mk. 10:17-22 Scope of individual benevolent responsibility: 1 Jn. 3:17-18; Jas. 2:14-17; 1 Tim. 6:17-18; Matt. 25:31-46 Bible Authority

1 John 3:17 James 2:14-17 1 Timothy 6:17-19

Matthew 25:31-46

NT teaches two realms of benevolent responsibility 4. Benevolent responsibility of individual Christians We can no more turn over our individual benevolent responsibilities to the local church than we can turn over other individual responsibilities (e.g., assemble & participate in worship, responsibility as a father, husband, mother, wife; of “keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Scope of individual benevolent responsibility: 1 Jn. 3:17-18; Jas. 2:14-17; 1 Tim. 6:17-18; Matt. 25:31-46 Family: 1 Tim. 5:4, 8, 16 Fatherless and widows: Jas. 1:27 All men: Lk. 10:25-37; Matt. 25:31-46; Gal. 6:10 Bible Authority

God’s Word is the source of all religious authority! Conclusion God’s Word is the source of all religious authority! The Lord has given His church a very simple, yet very profound and important, program of work: Evangelism: 1 Tim. 3:15; 1 Thess. 1:6-8 Edification: Eph. 4:15-16 Benevolence: Acts 4:34-35; 11:27-30; 1 Cor. 16:1-2 The NT makes a clear distinction between benevolent responsibilities of the church vs. individual Christian. Denominations and liberal “churches of Christ” violate the NT pattern regarding benevolence: 2 Jn. 9 They use emotionalism to demean and denigrate those who DO follow the NT pattern. Bible Authority

God’s Word is the source of all religious authority! Conclusion God’s Word is the source of all religious authority! We must follow God’s Word! 1 Pet. 4:11; Jn. 8:31; 15:14; 1 Cor. 2:9-13 Detracts from true work of the church. A burden the church can never meet: Matt. 26:11 Robs individual benevolent responsibility: Matt. 25:31-46 “How will the work get done?!” It gets done when every Christian discharges His God-given responsibilities in the way God has directed: Matt. 25:31-46; Gal. 6:10; Jas. 1:27 Let us as local churches and individual Christians follow God’s pattern for benevolence: Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11; 1 Jn. 3:17; Jas. 2:15-17; Matt. 25:31-46 Bible Authority