Sunday, November 12, 2017 am
New Testament Church
2017
The Work of the Church (2)
Evangelism
We also began to add the work of evangelism, noting that the
church has a part in reaching the lost.
The word “evangelism” is based upon the Greek word for the gospel
and evangelists are proclaimers of that good news.
While Christians will carry the gospel to others, congregations
were involved in supporting that work.
1 Thessalonians 1:8, Acts 11:22, 13:1-3, 1 Timothy 3:14-15, etc.
Congregations sent preachers to other locations and at times
supported them in that work.
In the New Testament
churches were involved in evangelism in 2 different ways.
a.
They edified the saints
– built them up spiritually and in knowledge (more on this next week) –
Ephesians 4:11-16 so that they could defend and teach the word of God.
They were taught to teach (cf. 2 Tim. 2:2).
That is why we emphasize studying God’s word so much – so that we
will be ready to “give a defense for the hope that is in us” (1 Peter
3:15)
This is one of the primary ways a church is involved in sending the
gospel to the lost.
b.
They supported efforts
to preach the gospel
i.
Congregations can
support one who is preaching the gospel.
ii.
Locally – again note 1
Thessalonians 1:8 – throughout the region would have included the city
of Thessalonica.
NOTE: This is an example of a congregation doing what it could to reach
the lost locally. This could
include supporting a preacher (more in a moment), preparing or obtaining
materials to distribute to the community (fulfilling the “great
commission” in the form of the written word – Mark 16:15), events such
as gospel meetings, maintaining a website and other social media
platforms, media programs – television, radio, newspapers, etc.
As long as we respect God’s boundaries in what we do, we are free
to choose what methods we use to evangelize (i.e. generic authority).
iii.
Considering the growth
of the church in Jerusalem we see the local congregation involved in
evangelizing the lost. Acts
2 records how they met daily in the temple and from house to house (Acts
2:42, 46).
iv.
Locally -
Acts 20:31 – Paul was in Ephesus for 3 years (cf. Acts 19:10).
v.
Locally - Acts 18:11-
Paul works in Corinth for 18 months, with the church there.
1 Corinthians 9:3-14 finds Paul addressing the support of a preacher.
Interestingly, while Paul does NOT take support from Corinth
(lest he be falsely accused), he makes the case for a local congregation
supporting its preacher.
c.
They supported preachers as they carried the gospel to the lost in other
places
i.
Philippi supported Paul – Phil. 1:3-5 – Paul commended them for their fellowship in
the gospel. Phil. 2:25-30 –
they accomplished this by sending funds to Paul through Epaphroditus.
Phil. 4:14-20 – more than once they sent to his aid – while in
Thessalonica and at times they were the ONLY church supporting him (in
Macedonia).
Concerning this note that:
1.
NO human organization
(such as a missionary society) or “sponsoring church” was utilized to accomplish this work.
2.
They sent the funds
directly to Paul to preach
– NOT to the church, which in turn wrote Paul a check.
3.
They maintained their
independence and autonomy at every step of the process. No human
organizations or sponsoring churches.
4.
This is corroborated by
the context of our passages.
NOTE: Some say that Philippi was a “sponsoring church” in this
work, but that is not indicated in the text.
What is a sponsoring church? A congregation that takes on a work either
evangelistic or benevolence, and “sponsors” the work by soliciting
and/or receiving funds from other congregations to do the work.
In essence, they become managers of the work – whether
evangelistic or benevolent
5.
Consider that IF that
were true, then all the churches sending funds to Philippi had no
“fellowship” in the work.
The word “shared” in Phil. 4:15 has a base form of κοινωνέω, (koinoneo).
This is the word for “fellowship” and means to share with.
When Paul commended Philippi in 1:5 he used the same word and
commended them for their “fellowship.”
IN addition to this, Phil. 4:17 speaks of “the fruit that abounds to
your account” speaking again ONLY of Philippi.
IF other churches sent to Philippi, they did not benefit in God’s
eyes from it based on this text.
Understanding this fellowship NEGATES the whole premise behind
establishing a “sponsoring church” (at least the pitch that is made to
receive funds).
6.
Furthermore, sending
funds to a “sponsoring church” or other organization to do the work God
intends for a local church is surrendering autonomy and independence
with that work.
ii.
Several churches supported Paul while in Corinth
– 2 Cor. 11:7-8. The
expression, “robbed other churches” does not mean he was a thief.
He is using sarcasm to note that other churches supported him to
preach in Corinth so they could not accuse him of profiteering.
i.
The PROBLEM with the
sponsoring church or human organization is that we have created
something larger than the local church.
Denominationalized her.
The problem with denominationalism is that it creates an extra
intermediary level between God and the local congregation.
ii.
In this age of
electronic media, we have many more avenues through which to evangelize.
They can be useful, and some are very effective.
BUT we must still respect God’s authority in HOW we carry our
evangelistic efforts. Not
all do this.
iii.
Among churches of Christ
today there are several broadcast programs that are televised in
multiple markets. Many of
them solicit and receive funds from other churches (and individuals) and
become a sponsoring church of the work.
Examples include: The Truth in Love broadcast (ttil.tv),
searchtv.org, (Edmond, OK) and gbntv.org (Southhaven, MS), etc.
These works are either soliciting and receiving funds from
churches or they have in the past.
WHILE the works are good, and they even preach the truth (for the
most part), the question is if such an organizational structure is
scriptural. The answer is
NO!
NOTE: There are local
churches that have solely aired programs (radio & television) while
respecting the autonomy and independence of a congregation.
iv.
Sometimes a church will
take on the work of evangelizing in a specific area of the world.
Doing such is not wrong within itself. Paul and Barnabas were sent
out by the church at Antioch (Acts 13:3). But what often happens
today is a congregation takes on the work of selecting, sending and
monitoring the preaching in a given area. They solicit funds for
the work from other congregations and give reports, etc. They
determine who goes and who does NOT go, etc. The problem with this
is there is no pattern for it in the New Testament. All we find is
the examples above and other similar examples. Churches sent
DIRECTLY to the preacher and supported him, even in places where the
church needed correction (cf. Corinth).
e.
Why should we be
concerned about this?
i.
Do we respect God’s pattern? (cf. Ephesians 3:10)
What happens when we add to or change God’s pattern?
What are we saying about His wisdom?
Example: Sponsoring churches extend the work of elders beyond the
limitations of the local church – cf. 1 Peter 5:1-4 and Acts 20:28, etc.
NOTE: We do not question whether or not the works being done are good.
The preaching of the gospel is a good thing.
The question is: Is it authorized?
Some rationalize that the end justifies the means.
NOT if it involves sin!
Romans 3:8. Remember
Paul taught the same thing in every church – 1 Corinthians 4:17 (cf. vs.
6 – not to think beyond what is written).
ii.
These are divisive practices. A study of the
history of the Lord’s church over that past 80+ years shows this
division. Toward the middle
of the 20th century, churches created and promoted works, and
made recognition or participation in these works a test of fellowship.
When brethren questioned the authority for the practices they
were “quarantined”.
iii.
When we disregard God’s pattern in one area, it often leads to the same in
other areas.
Typically churches that dismiss God’s pattern in how to
evangelize (and benevolence) will be more LIBERAL minded in other
matters as well.
iv.
There are doctrinal concerns as well.
Suppose a church chooses to adapt the evangelistic work in a
given area and you determine to support it.
What if they demand those they send teach error?
You become complicit in the error OR pressuring the preacher to
conform to the error (because now all of his support comes from ONE
congregation). God’s way
prevents this, as one stands for the truth and is “cut off” by
congregations in error, but those standing for truth will continue to
support him and may even increase their support so he can preach the
whole counsel of God.
v.
Often when works gain a larger following they are sanitized of the truth
in particular divisive areas. For some these “works” become more important than the truth
being taught. Preserving the
work becomes the priority.
You will be less likely to hear lessons on controversial moral issues,
or even the one true church, instrumental music, etc.
vi.
There are also the administrative costs of larger works
– including advertising and soliciting funds.
While administrative costs do not make something wrong within
itself (much of what we do has administrative costs – e.g. promoting a
gospel meeting, purchasing tracts, etc.), they can call into question
stewardship. The bigger
project the larger the administrative efforts behind it.
vii.
NOTE: Some
of these arguments do not always apply, but they are potential concerns
facilitated or enhanced by the sponsoring church arrangement.
f.
One more concern.
There is a problem with many congregations simply failing to
carry out their responsibilities in this area.
Some do not encourage or engage their members enough, and others
are just plain indifferent.
Such an attitude is wrong and needs to be addressed and repented of.
BUT, failures in various congregations to do and be what they
ought to is no reason to dismiss God’s pattern.
The truth is, it WILL work if we seek to do it.
And
thus we can see the work of the church in the area of evangelism.
It is very important and it is often neglected and limited
because of the lack of resources.
But that does not have to be.
May we strive to follow God’s pattern and will as we seek to
reach the lost.