Church's Purposes As We Go Out

- we've been talking about the local church the last few
weeks and how the local church ought to have an important
place in our lives because of the important place it has in
the plan and program of our Lord

- most recently we've been talking about the purposes of the
church.

- 3 primary ideas that have dominated our thinking have been:

1) INPUT - what is our source concerning the purposes of
our church? (the Word of God - therefore, anyone
who wants to speak authoritatively to what the
church should or should not be doing must have
carefully studied various passages in the Bible on
this subject.)
- that brings a sense of confidence because as you
run into folks here and there who criticize you
for what you do or don't do - as you talk to
them, you may not be able to convince them that
what you're doing is right--but at least you can
intelligently discuss from the Word of God why
you do what you do.

2) INPUT - what did we say is one of the primary causes of
confusion when it comes to this subject of the
purpose of the church? (failing to distinguish
between purposes that are to be accomplished when we
come together and purposes we are to accomplish we
"go out."
- can't confuse them
- can't reverses them

- as a result, we've attempted the last two weeks to
carefully study what the passages say, and also
whether they were speaking about a "come together"
purpose, or a "going out" purpose

3) Last week we studied the purposes for which we come
together.
INPUT? (what are they?)

- what are some implications of that? (how
should they affect us?)
- (hit issue of new folks jumping right in
and attending faithfully)

- today, we're going to look at the church's purposes as we
go out.

B. The church's purpose as we go out

(not necessarily in order)

1. do the work of the ministry

Eph. 4:12

- some Christians have the same view toward
church as they do toward NFL Football (Sunday
is game day)

2. edifying the body of Christ

Eph. 4:12

- looking for concrete ways to build up fellow
believers in their faith during the week

3. mutual helpfulness

Acts 2:44-46

4. praising God

Acts 2:47

5. favor with others

Acts 2:47 - "having favor with all the people"

6. evangelism

Acts 2:47 - "such as should be saved"

7. making disciples

Matt. 28:19

- the primary point that we want to see from these verses is
that the Lord's purpose for us as we go out is that we
"multiply."
- we share the gospel
- make disciples
- get them in a church where they can be baptized and
taught
- learn both in and out of the church how "to observe"
- they them repeat the process

- go over the articles:

- not criticizing anyone personally (thats why the names
are whited out)
- but these letters give us a great opportunity to think
about and perhaps clarify this issue of purpose

1) Wondering? and "Read Matthew 25"

a. not man's greatest need

- must be looking for ways to share the good news of
Jesus Christ
- in creative ways
- sensitive to:
- where you are in the community
- financial condition and generosity of the
church

b. we are involved in "poor relief"

- taxes
- voluntary programs at work
- BCH
- counseling ministry
- missionaries around the world

c. churches aren't commanded to feed all the poor of the
world, they're commanded to care for those in the
body.

INPUT - (groups) - based on what we've been studying, what
are some of the things that should mark a church
which is seeking to have biblical purposes?