Don McClain 1. 2 Authority Romans 1:21-25 Don McClain 3

Don McClainDon McClain

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Authority

Romans 1:21-25


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Colossians Colossians 3:173:17

Whatsoever ye do in word

or deed, doall in the

name of the Lord Jesus...

The The ComprehensiveComprehensive Nature of The New Nature of The New

Testament Scriptures Testament Scriptures Understandable – Eph 3:3-5Understandable – Eph 3:3-5

Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim 3:16,173:16,17

Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 John 9John 9

The totality of information The totality of information revealed regarding any act revealed regarding any act of righteousness forms the of righteousness forms the pattern for that act – 2 Tim pattern for that act – 2 Tim 1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;1:13; 3:16,17; 2 Pet 1:3;


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ROMANS 10:17ROMANS 10:17


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Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of those things included in what God has authorized –

When God specifies, then man has no choice but to obey or be in

rebellion to God.To go beyond or fall short of that which is specified is “EVIL” –

Expediency in human wisdom involves the right of choice within the realm of those things included in what God has authorized –

When God specifies, then man has no choice but to obey or be in

rebellion to God.To go beyond or fall short of that which is specified is “EVIL” –

Numbers 20:8-12


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It Must Be Lawful - It Must Be Lawful - Romans Romans 3:7,83:7,8

It Cannot Be Specified - It Cannot Be Specified - Num 4:4-6Num 4:4-6

It Must Edify - It Must Edify - 1 Cor 10:23,33; 1 Cor 10:23,33; 14:2614:26

It Must Not Cause My It Must Not Cause My Brother To Violate His Brother To Violate His Conscience - Conscience - Rom 14:13-23Rom 14:13-23

It Can NOT Be An Addition It Can NOT Be An Addition To God’s Way – To God’s Way – Deut 4:2; 2 Jo Deut 4:2; 2 Jo 9; Rev 22:189; Rev 22:18

Don McClain

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Work To Be Done

Missionary Society

Work To Be Done

Sponsoring Church

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders

Elders


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Twentieth Century Efficiency? The Church in Evangelism:

– The local church send money to Christian Missionary Society.

Early 1900’s Budget of Society: $6000 $3000 - Society secretary. 1500 - Incidental expenses. 1500 - Preaching support. Is That Really More Efficient?

NO BIBLE AUTHORITY!NO BIBLE AUTHORITY!

Don McClain

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Elders

Scriptural patternPhili 4:15-18

•Direct –

•Does not relinquish oversight of work –

•Does not infringe upon the autonomy of the local church -

•Scriptural –

•It works -


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Christian in needChristian in need

Source of SupplySource of SupplyGrocery Co.Grocery Co.

Clothing StoreClothing StoreHospitalHospital

Real Estate Co.Real Estate Co.SupervisorSupervisor

Church Church can can

provideprovide

Church Church can can

provideprovideFood

Clothing

Care

Shelter


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ChurchChurch Any Person in need

FoodFood

ClothingClothing

CareCare

ShelterShelter

Source of SupplySource of SupplyGrocery Co.Grocery Co.

Clothing StoreClothing StoreHospitalHospital

Real Estate Co.Real Estate Co.SupervisorSupervisor

TreasuryTreasuryContributionContribution

Benevolent Institution Can

Provide


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Providing A Home1 Peter 5:2Acts 4:35Acts 6:1-51 Timothy 5:16

Scripture?????____________

Elders

Elders

EldersProvides


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Twentieth Century Efficiency? The Church in Benevolence:

– The local church sends money to the Southern Christian Home.

NO BIBLE AUTHORITY!NO BIBLE AUTHORITY!

THECHURCH’S

MONEY

THECHURCH’S

MONEY

Is That Really More Efficient?Is That Really More Efficient?

SOUTHERNSOUTHERNCHRISTIANCHRISTIAN

HOMEHOME

SOUTHERNSOUTHERNCHRISTIANCHRISTIAN

HOMEHOME

EMPLOYEMPLOYINDIVIDUALINDIVIDUAL

FAMILYFAMILY

EMPLOYEMPLOYINDIVIDUALINDIVIDUAL

FAMILYFAMILY


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Biblical PatternBiblical Pattern ArrangementArrangement - - Direct Direct

ConditionCondition - - From Ability to Need From Ability to Need PurposePurpose - - Alleviate Need Alleviate Need

Biblical PatternBiblical Pattern ArrangementArrangement - - Direct Direct

ConditionCondition - - From Ability to Need From Ability to Need PurposePurpose - - Alleviate Need Alleviate Need

Thechurch

inEvening

Shade

Thechurch

inEvening

Shade

AchurchElse-where

AchurchElse-where

Gospel Preacher

Needy Saints

CongregationalCongregationalCooperationCooperation

Phili 4:15-17; 2 Cor 11:8; Acts 11:27-30 Phili 4:15-17; 2 Cor 11:8; Acts 11:27-30

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All that believed – All that believed – Acts 2:44,45Acts 2:44,45

Them that believed – Them that believed – Acts 4:32-35Acts 4:32-35

The disciples – The disciples – Acts 6:1Acts 6:1

Relief unto the brethren –Relief unto the brethren – Acts 11:29Acts 11:29

Unto the saints – Unto the saints – Rom. 15:25Rom. 15:25

For the poor saints – For the poor saints – Rom. 15:26Rom. 15:26

Accepted of the saints – Accepted of the saints – Rom. 15:31Rom. 15:31Collection for the saints - Collection for the saints - 1 Cor. 16:11 Cor. 16:1

Ministering to the saints – Ministering to the saints – 2 Cor. 8:42 Cor. 8:4

Supplieth the need of the saints – Supplieth the need of the saints – 2 Cor. 9:122 Cor. 9:12

Relieve the widows indeed – Relieve the widows indeed – 1 Tim 5:161 Tim 5:16

Benevolent Work Of The Church Is Limited

Examples Of Church Examples Of Church BenevolenceBenevolence

Limited To Limited To Needy Needy SaintsSaints


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What about James 1:27? – (Congregational or Individual?)

James 1:27 (NKJV)

Pure and undefiled religion before God

and the Father is this: to visit orphans and

widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

[27] For if anyone is a hearer [24] for he observes himself, [25] But he who looks . . . this one

will be blessed in what he does. [26] If anyone among you thinks he

is religious, . . . deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.

[27] . . . to keep oneself unspotted from the world.


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(James 1:27 assigns Christians the obligation of caring for “orphans and widows in their trouble.” Brethren often want

to shift their responsibilities. Some take the care of these helpless ones away from the individual and burden the

church with them. And then the church sends a pittance off to a distant institution where they are shipped. Brethren congratulate themselves on their benevolence, castigate

those who personally care for widows and orphans as “anti-orphan,” and the helpless widows and orphans languish in

institutionalized care.) Keith Sharp

What about James 1:27? – (Congregational or Individual?)

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Care - FoodClothing - Shelter

The Work

BenevolentSociety

Transfer

Shifting Responsibility

James 1:27

Gal. 6:10

Individual

Local church

SaintsSaints EldersEldersDeaconsDeacons

Phili 1:1


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• Who’s Money Is It? Acts 5:1-4• They sold their possessions. v. 1• While it remained, it was in their

power. v. 4• When given, ownership changed. v.4

The contribution is commanded by God, but the money belongs to the church.

The money must be used to fulfill the obligations God has placed upon His church.


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IndividualIndividual Local churchLocal church1. Method of raisingBy voluntary offering 1 Cor. 16:1,2; 2 Cor. 9:6,7

By honest labor Eph. 4:28

The individual Acts 5:4 Local elders Titus 1:7

3. UseLiberal Cont.

Pay TaxesProvide Family

Maintain Good Works

Preaching the GospelEdify Saints

Preach to LostRelieving Needy Saints

2. Oversight


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The church cannot alleviate your responsibility in any of these areas. Each individual is obligated to fulfill his or her

individual responsibility.

The Individual’s Responsibility:–Politically. Romans 13:1-7; 1Peter 2:13-17

–Family. Eph. 5:22-6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8; 2 Thes. 3:10-12

–Spiritually. 1 Peter 2:5; 2 Cor. 6:17


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The Church Cannot:> show piety at home. v. 4> provide for own household. v. 8> marry, bear children, guide the house.

The Distinction is seen in:–Eating. - have ye not houses? 1Corinthians 11:22,33-34.

–Discipline. - tell it to the church. Matthew 18:15-17.

–Benevolence. - let not the church be charged. 1 Tim. 5:16


24Things NOTNOT in the doctrine of Christ . . . . . Things NOTNOT in the doctrine of Christ . . . . .

Many Churches Are Engaged In:Many Churches Are Engaged In:Many Churches Are Engaged In:Many Churches Are Engaged In:

Teaching the false doctrines of Teaching the false doctrines of men – men –

Focus ONLY On Family Issues –Focus ONLY On Family Issues –

Positive Preaching ONLY –Positive Preaching ONLY –

Secular Education -Secular Education -

Politics –Politics –

Entertainment – Entertainment –

Recreation -Recreation -

Social Services –Social Services –

Community Services –Community Services –

Don McClain

25Things NOT within the doctrine of Christ . . . . . .

Don McClain

26Southside Church of Christ in RodgersSouthside Church of Christ in Rodgers

Don McClain

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The Limited Church

No wonder

It’s Running

Hot

Institutions

Church

Schools

Orphan Homes

Unlimited Benevolence

Hospitals

Ball Teams

Recreational Centers

Medical MissionariesDivorcee ministries

Single ministriesMiddle Age

ministries

Elderly Ministries

Bus Ministries

Youth Ministries

Banquet Halls

Kitchens

CollegesChild Day Care

Kindergarten


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The WorkThe WorkThe New Testament

Way


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The WorkThe WorkThe New & Improved

Institutional Way

No Scripture – No Sense!


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Heaven Matthew 7:13,14,21-23Matthew 7:13,14,21-23Matthew 7:13,14,21-23

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Documents

Don McClain 1. 2 Authority Romans 1:21-25 Don McClain 3