1. Why
We Have
Announcements

2. We seek biblical authority for
everything we do.
There is no authority for
making announcements.
Why do we have announcements?

3. Acts 14: 27
When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.
( Special assembly .. not Sunday )

4. This lesson deals with expediencies.
1. The concept of expediency.
2. It must be lawful before it can be expedient.
3. The announcements are an expedient way.
4. The announcements are part of the worship.

5. I. God leaves many things
to the discretion of
elders and disciples.

6. Remember :
There is no specific set of regulations for how to conduct an assembly.

7. Expedient ( sumphero ) 1 to bear or bring together
Expedient ( sumphero ) 1 to bear or bring together. 2 to bear together or at the same time. 2a to carry with others. 2b to collect or contribute in order to help. 2c to help, be profitable, be expedient
Expedient : Something advantageous, or advisable on practical rather than moral grounds, or something suitable, appropriate, or finally a means of attaining an end to a means

8. Thus:
The church has the freedom to do some things just because they are advantageous.

9. II. Something must be
lawful before it can
be expedient.

10. The expediencies we practice are tied to things which are lawful for a church to do.

11. If the scriptures give direct instructions, expediency is no excuse to change it.

12. Ephesians 5: 19
Be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

13. βαπτίζω [baptizo] 1 to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge (of vessels sunk).
It was a common word .. NOT a theological term
Example : Acts 8: 38 – And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch, and he baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch ...

14. - They are not permanent
An expedient can never
be bound as law.
- They are local
- They are not permanent
- They are man’s opinion

15. Nothing can be expedient if it causes someone to stumble, to sin or to fall away.

16. I Corinthians 6: 12 – All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. (expedient) All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.
I Corinthians 8: 13 – … wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

17. III. Having announcements
in the assembly is an
expedient.
( Permitted – not required )

18. The assembly is for much more than just performing “acts of worship.”

19. I Corinthians 11: 18 – For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.
I Timothy 3: 15 – In case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

20. I Corinthians 14: 26 – What is the outcome then, brethren
I Corinthians 14: 26 – What is the outcome then, brethren? When you assemble, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a, tongue has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.
Hebrews 10: 24 – Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not forsaking our own assembling together,

21. The assembly provides an avenue for fulfilling the 24 “one another” commands.

22. Romans 12: 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12: 10 – Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Romans 13: 7 – Render to all what is due them: …. ; honor to whom honor.

23. The announcements provide a time for interaction between brethren.

24. The announcements enable us to know what’s going on in the wider church.

25. IV. Because announcements
are part of God’s
assembly, they must be
done well.

26. Those doing the announcements
should be made to understand
it’s an important responsibility.

27. Those doing the announcements needs to prepare themselves for the task.

28. The announcements are for the members, but be mindful of the visitors.

29. The formula for announcements is the same as for preaching:
Stand up
Speak up
Shut up

30. What have we covered ? 1. God leaves many things to the discretion
of the elders. ( expediencies )
2. A thing must be lawful before it can be
expedient; elders can’t make law.
3. Having announcements in the assembly
is an expedient way obey commands.
4. As a part of the assembly, announcements
must be done so as to glorify God.

31. you. The most important announcement is that God wants to save all
men; He wants to save
you.

32. Remember His
sacrifice for you.