August 4, 2016

Encouragement by Gary Rose


The Bible is a wonderful book! It provides everything we really need. That includes ENCOURAGEMENT. How?

Romans tells us...

Romans, Chapter 15 (WEB)
4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that through patience and through encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Consider the examples found in the Old Testament- Moses, Abraham, David, the prophets show us how to follow God faithfully. As for bad examples, well most of the kings that followed David fall into this category. 

Simple thought here- follow the good and learn from the bad. 

The same principals apply to the New Testament as well, so, to simplify still further- learn from Jesus!!!

Revelation, Chapter 3 (WEB) says...
 14  “To the angel of the assembly in Laodicea write: 

“The Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Head of God’s creation, says these things: 

  15  “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were cold or hot.   16  So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.   17  Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have gotten riches, and have need of nothing;’ and don’t know that you are the wretched one, miserable, poor, blind, and naked;   18  I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich; and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see.   19  As many as I love, I reprove and chasten. Be zealous therefore, and repent. (emp. added GDR)

The picture, the Old Testament and the words of Jesus are all basically saying the same thing- be encouraged and be zealous!!!

Be encouraged and encourage others as well- Who knows? Perhaps someone might just give you this nickname....

Acts, Chapter 4 (WEB)
 36 Joses, who by the apostles was also called Barnabas (which is, being interpreted, Son of Encouragement)(emp. added GDR) a Levite, a man of Cyprus by race, 37 having a field, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 

Bible Reading August 4 by Gary Rose


Bible Reading August 4 (WEB)

Aug. 4
Ezra 1-3

Ezr 1:1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of Yahweh by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, Yahweh stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put italso in writing, saying,
Ezr 1:2 Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, All the kingdoms of the earth has Yahweh, the God of heaven, given me; and he has commanded me to build him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Ezr 1:3 Whoever there is among you of all his people, his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of Yahweh, the God of Israel (he is God), which is in Jerusalem.
Ezr 1:4 Whoever is left, in any place where he sojourns, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with animals, besides the freewill offering for the house of God which is in Jerusalem.
Ezr 1:5 Then rose up the heads of fathers' houses of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, even all whose spirit God had stirred to go up to build the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem.
Ezr 1:6 All those who were around them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with animals, and with precious things, besides all that was willingly offered.
Ezr 1:7 Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of Yahweh, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put in the house of his gods;
Ezr 1:8 even those did Cyrus king of Persia bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them to Sheshbazzar, the prince of Judah.
Ezr 1:9 This is the number of them: thirty platters of gold, one thousand platters of silver, twenty-nine knives,
Ezr 1:10 thirty bowls of gold, silver bowls of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels one thousand.
Ezr 1:11 All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up, when they of the captivity were brought up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Ezr 2:1 Now these are the children of the province, who went up out of the captivity of those who had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away to Babylon, and who returned to Jerusalem and Judah, everyone to his city;
Ezr 2:2 who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:
Ezr 2:3 The children of Parosh, two thousand one hundred seventy-two.
Ezr 2:4 The children of Shephatiah, three hundred seventy-two.
Ezr 2:5 The children of Arah, seven hundred seventy-five.
Ezr 2:6 The children of Pahathmoab, of the children of Jeshua andJoab, two thousand eight hundred twelve.
Ezr 2:7 The children of Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
Ezr 2:8 The children of Zattu, nine hundred forty-five.
Ezr 2:9 The children of Zaccai, seven hundred sixty.
Ezr 2:10 The children of Bani, six hundred forty-two.
Ezr 2:11 The children of Bebai, six hundred twenty-three.
Ezr 2:12 The children of Azgad, one thousand two hundred twenty-two.
Ezr 2:13 The children of Adonikam, six hundred sixty-six.
Ezr 2:14 The children of Bigvai, two thousand fifty-six.
Ezr 2:15 The children of Adin, four hundred fifty-four.
Ezr 2:16 The children of Ater, of Hezekiah, ninety-eight.
Ezr 2:17 The children of Bezai, three hundred twenty-three.
Ezr 2:18 The children of Jorah, one hundred twelve.
Ezr 2:19 The children of Hashum, two hundred Twenty-three.
Ezr 2:20 The children of Gibbar, ninety-five.
Ezr 2:21 The children of Bethlehem, one hundred twenty-three.
Ezr 2:22 The men of Netophah, fifty-six.
Ezr 2:23 The men of Anathoth, one hundred twenty-eight.
Ezr 2:24 The children of Azmaveth, forty-two.
Ezr 2:25 The children of Kiriath Arim, Chephirah, and Beeroth, seven hundred forty-three.
Ezr 2:26 The children of Ramah and Geba, six hundred twenty-one.
Ezr 2:27 The men of Michmas, one hundred twenty-two.
Ezr 2:28 The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred twenty-three.
Ezr 2:29 The children of Nebo, fifty-two.
Ezr 2:30 The children of Magbish, one hundred fifty-six.
Ezr 2:31 The children of the other Elam, one thousand two hundred fifty-four.
Ezr 2:32 The children of Harim, three hundred twenty.
Ezr 2:33 The children of Lod, Hadid, and Ono, seven hundred twenty-five.
Ezr 2:34 The children of Jericho, three hundred forty-five.
Ezr 2:35 The children of Senaah, three thousand six hundred thirty.
Ezr 2:36 The priests: the children of Jedaiah, of the house of Jeshua, nine hundred seventy-three.
Ezr 2:37 The children of Immer, one thousand fifty-two.
Ezr 2:38 The children of Pashhur, one thousand two hundred forty-seven.
Ezr 2:39 The children of Harim, one thousand seventeen.
Ezr 2:40 The Levites: the children of Jeshua and Kadmiel, of the children of Hodaviah, seventy-four.
Ezr 2:41 The singers: the children of Asaph, one hundred twenty-eight.
Ezr 2:42 The children of the porters: the children of Shallum, the children of Ater, the children of Talmon, the children of Akkub, the children of Hatita, the children of Shobai, in all one hundred thirty-nine.
Ezr 2:43 The Nethinim: the children of Ziha, the children of Hasupha, the children of Tabbaoth,
Ezr 2:44 the children of Keros, the children of Siaha, the children of Padon,
Ezr 2:45 the children of Lebanah, the children of Hagabah, the children of Akkub,
Ezr 2:46 the children of Hagab, the children of Shamlai, the children of Hanan,
Ezr 2:47 the children of Giddel, the children of Gahar, the children of Reaiah,
Ezr 2:48 the children of Rezin, the children of Nekoda, the children of Gazzam,
Ezr 2:49 the children of Uzza, the children of Paseah, the children of Besai,
Ezr 2:50 the children of Asnah, the children of Meunim, the children of Nephisim,
Ezr 2:51 the children of Bakbuk, the children of Hakupha, the children of Harhur,
Ezr 2:52 the children of Bazluth, the children of Mehida, the children of Harsha,
Ezr 2:53 the children of Barkos, the children of Sisera, the children of Temah,
Ezr 2:54 the children of Neziah, the children of Hatipha.
Ezr 2:55 The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Hassophereth, the children of Peruda,
Ezr 2:56 the children of Jaalah, the children of Darkon, the children of Giddel,
Ezr 2:57 the children of Shephatiah, the children of Hattil, the children of Pochereth Hazzebaim, the children of Ami.
Ezr 2:58 All the Nethinim, and the children of Solomon's servants, were three hundred ninety-two.
Ezr 2:59 These were those who went up from Tel Melah, Tel Harsha, Cherub, Addan, and Immer; but they could not show their fathers' houses, and their seed, whether they were of Israel:
Ezr 2:60 the children of Delaiah, the children of Tobiah, the children of Nekoda, six hundred fifty-two.
Ezr 2:61 Of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Hakkoz, the children of Barzillai, who took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name.
Ezr 2:62 These sought their register among those who were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they deemed polluted and put from the priesthood.
Ezr 2:63 The governor said to them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, until there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.
Ezr 2:64 The whole assembly together was forty-two thousand three hundred sixty,
Ezr 2:65 besides their male servants and their female servants, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty-seven: and they had two hundred singing men and singing women.
Ezr 2:66 Their horses were seven hundred thirty-six; their mules, two hundred forty-five;
Ezr 2:67 their camels, four hundred thirty-five; their donkeys, six thousand seven hundred and twenty.
Ezr 2:68 Some of the heads of fathers' houses, when they came to the house of Yahweh which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for the house of God to set it up in its place:
Ezr 2:69 they gave after their ability into the treasury of the work sixty-one thousand darics of gold, and five thousand minas of silver, and one hundred priests' garments.
Ezr 2:70 So the priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinim, lived in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.

Ezr 3:1 When the seventh month was come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem.
Ezr 3:2 Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brothers the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brothers, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
Ezr 3:3 They set the altar on its base; for fear was on them because of the peoples of the countries: and they offered burnt offerings thereon to Yahweh, even burnt offerings morning and evening.
Ezr 3:4 They kept the feast of tents, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the ordinance, as the duty of every day required;
Ezr 3:5 and afterward the continual burnt offering, and the offeringsof the new moons, and of all the set feasts of Yahweh that were consecrated, and of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to Yahweh.
Ezr 3:6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings to Yahweh: but the foundation of the temple of Yahweh was not yet laid.
Ezr 3:7 They gave money also to the masons, and to the carpenters; and food, and drink, and oil, to them of Sidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Ezr 3:8 Now in the second year of their coming to the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the rest of their brothers the priests and the Levites, and all those who were come out of the captivity to Jerusalem, and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to have the oversight of the work of the house of Yahweh.
Ezr 3:9 Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brothers, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to have the oversight of the workmen in the house of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brothers the Levites.
Ezr 3:10 When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of Yahweh, they set the priests in their clothing with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise Yahweh, after the order of David king of Israel.
Ezr 3:11 They sang one to another in praising and giving thanks to Yahweh, saying, For he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever toward Israel. All the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised Yahweh, because the foundation of the house of Yahweh was laid.
Ezr 3:12 But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers'houses, the old men who had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:

Ezr 3:13 so that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people; for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.

 Aug. 3, 4
Acts 20

Act 20:1 After the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, took leave of them, and departed to go into Macedonia.
Act 20:2 When he had gone through those parts, and had encouraged them with many words, he came into Greece.
Act 20:3 When he had spent three months there, and a plot was made against him by Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he determined to return through Macedonia.
Act 20:4 These accompanied him as far as Asia: Sopater of Beroea; Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians; Gaius of Derbe; Timothy; and Tychicus and Trophimus of Asia.
Act 20:5 But these had gone ahead, and were waiting for us at Troas.
Act 20:6 We sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and came to them at Troas in five days, where we stayed seven days.
Act 20:7 On the first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and continued his speech until midnight.
Act 20:8 There were many lights in the upper chamber where we were gathered together.
Act 20:9 A certain young man named Eutychus sat in the window, weighed down with deep sleep. As Paul spoke still longer, being weighed down by his sleep, he fell down from the third story, and was taken up dead.
Act 20:10 Paul went down, and fell upon him, and embracing him said, "Don't be troubled, for his life is in him."
Act 20:11 When he had gone up, and had broken bread, and eaten, and had talked with them a long while, even until break of day, he departed.
Act 20:12 They brought the boy in alive, and were greatly comforted.
Act 20:13 But we who went ahead to the ship set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for he had so arranged, intending himself to go by land.
Act 20:14 When he met us at Assos, we took him aboard, and came to Mitylene.
Act 20:15 Sailing from there, we came the following day opposite Chios. The next day we touched at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium, and the day after we came to Miletus.
Act 20:16 For Paul had determined to sail past Ephesus, that he might not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hastening, if it were possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost.
Act 20:17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called to himself the elders of the assembly.
Act 20:18 When they had come to him, he said to them, "You yourselves know, from the first day that I set foot in Asia, how I was with you all the time,
Act 20:19 serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears, and with trials which happened to me by the plots of the Jews;
Act 20:20 how I didn't shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, teaching you publicly and from house to house,
Act 20:21 testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus.
Act 20:22 Now, behold, I go bound by the Spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there;
Act 20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me.
Act 20:24 But these things don't count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.
Act 20:25 "Now, behold, I know that you all, among whom I went about preaching the Kingdom of God, will see my face no more.
Act 20:26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all men,
Act 20:27 for I didn't shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.
Act 20:28 Take heed, therefore, to yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the assembly of the Lord and God which he purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know that after my departure, vicious wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Men will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, remembering that for a period of three years I didn't cease to admonish everyone night and day with tears.
Act 20:32 Now, brothers, I entrust you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build up, and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Act 20:33 I coveted no one's silver, or gold, or clothing.
Act 20:34 You yourselves know that these hands served my necessities, and those who were with me.
Act 20:35 In all things I gave you an example, that so laboring you ought to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that he himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' "
Act 20:36 When he had spoken these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Act 20:37 They all wept a lot, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him,
Act 20:38 sorrowing most of all because of the word which he had spoken, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship. 

What is the work of the church? Roy Davison


http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/workofch.html

What is the work of the church?
In Revelation Jesus says to each of the seven churches: “I know your works”1.
He is not satisfied when the works of a congregation are inadequate. To the church at Ephesus He says: “I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Revelation 2:4, 5). To the church at Sardis, He says: “I have found no works of yours perfected before my God” (Revelation 3:2 WEB). He commended the church at Thyatira: “As for your works, the last are more than the first” (Revelation 2:19).
We must be “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

The work of the church is prescribed in Scripture.
Paul told Timothy: “I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God” (1 Timothy 3:15).

The work of the church is done by its members.
The church is the body of Christ.2 “For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:4, 5).
Christians are always members of the body of Christ. We are to do everything in the name of the Lord (Colossians 3:17) and to present our bodies as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).
In a sense, then, all that Christians do, is done by the church. But some things are done by individual members and some things are done at the congregational level.3
Because all the work of the church is done by its members (either in their own name or as a congregation) New Testament letters addressed to churches deal both with congregational and with personal matters. A sharp distinction is seldom made because many things apply to congregations and to members.

Various tasks are entrusted to believers and to congregations.
Individual Christians earn money to support their families.4 Believers are to care for their own relatives (1 Timothy 5:4, 8, 16). “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Lydia was a seller of purple.5 Aquila and Priscilla were tentmakers.6 
A church of Christ, however, has not been authorized to operate a business. Jesus condemned those who conducted business in the temple: “Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, ‘It is written, “My house shall be called a house of prayer,” but you have made it a “den of thieves”’” (Matthew 21:12, 13).
Jesus condemned dishonest gain, but also using the temple for something other than its intended purpose! This also applies to the church. It may not be used for wrongful purposes.
Congregational resources result from free-will offerings on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2)7 and from special gifts (Acts 4:34, 35). These resources may be used for all assignments God has given the church.
Christians administer their own resources. Referring to the land Ananias had sold, Peter said: “While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control?” (Acts 5:4).
Congregational funds are administered by the elders: “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul” (Acts 11:29, 30).8

What are tasks of a local congregation?
One must read the entire New Testament to get a complete picture of the tasks of the church. Here are some examples.

1. The church is to assemble. 
Christians come together to “stir up love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24, 25).9
About the Jerusalem congregation we read: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).
This fellowship included friendly association, eating together and helping one another: “Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2:44-46).
The believers came together both as a large group (in the temple) and in smaller groups (in homes). The expression ‘ate their food with gladness’ refers to ordinary meals, not to the Lord’s supper as in verse 42. They enjoyed being together and they enjoyed eating together.
Where a congregation is to meet is not specified. Meetings were held in the temple at Jerusalem,10 in an upper room,11 in homes,12 and in their own synagogues: “For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring,” etc. (James 2:2). Some translations have ‘assembly’ for ‘synagogue’, but it is synagogue in Greek.13
The command to assemble authorizes a congregation to make arrangements for a place to meet.14

2. The church assembles to eat the Lord’s supper.
The church assembles on the first day of the week to break bread (Acts 20:7).15 The Jerusalem church continued steadfastly in the breaking of bread16. “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” (1 Corinthians 10:16).17

3. The church prays and sings to God.
The Jerusalem church continued steadfastly in prayers.18 In the assembly, Christians sing with the spirit and with the understanding (1 Corinthians 14:15), “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody” in their heart to the Lord (Ephesians 5:19).
Singing is melodious speaking. Unspiritual songs are excluded, of course, but the general command to sing includes all types of singing whether in unison or with harmony, whether in the chromatic scale or some other scale, whether in a major or minor key. It is all singing.
If the command had been “to make music” instrumental music would be included. But the command to sing excludes non-vocal music.

4. The church preaches the gospel.
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature’” (Mark 16:15). No single congregation or individual can preach to everyone in the world. All Christians and congregations work together to carry out this assignment.
Exactly how the gospel is to be preached, is not said. Thus Christians and congregations may decide the best way to go (on foot, by boat, by train, or by airplane) because they have been given the general command19 to “go.” They also make use of available means of proclamation (sermons, tracts, newspapers, radio, TV, Internet) because they have been given the general command to “preach.” 
Christians preach both in their own vicinity and in other parts of the world. Some go and others support those who go20 (Romans 10:11-15).

5. The church teaches disciples to obey Christ.
“Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you’” (Matthew 28:18-20).
God gave apostles and prophets in the first century to found the church (Ephesians 2:20) and evangelists, elders and teachers for all times to build up the church21 (Ephesians 4:11-16). 
To teach disciples to observe all that Christ has commanded, each congregation provides instruction according to its needs, abilities and opportunities.
Exactly how the instruction is organized is not prescribed. Such details may be decided by each congregation according to their own circumstances. Many congregations, for example, have special classes for children of various ages, for women, for people with various levels of knowledge,22 and to train men for leadership.23

6. The church is financed by gifts from its members.
A collection is taken on the first day of the week. “Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside,24 storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:1, 2).
This example authorizes a congregation to have a collection on the first day of the week and to form a treasury from which needs can be met.25 Special contributions may also be given (Acts 4:34, 35).

7. The church does good works.
Paul prayed that the church at Colosse might be “fruitful in every good work” (Colossians 1:10). Pure religion includes helping orphans and widows (James 1:27).
In connection with the gifts collected by the church at Corinth,26 Paul says that they shared with the saints and with all men. “For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men” (2 Corinthians 9:12, 13).27 By doing good, the church brings glory to God. 
In the letter “to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2) Paul wrote: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9, 10).
Since the church cannot alleviate all needs, fellow Christians have priority.
In the second letter “to the church of the Thessalonians”28 Paul wrote: “But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good” (2 Thessalonians 3:13).
Jesus is our example: “He went about doing good”29 (Acts 10:38). One of His distinctive teachings is that we should do good to all, not just to brethren (Matthew 5:46, 47).
The church at Jerusalem (with more than 5000 members30) distributed food daily to the widows (Acts 6:1-4). The church is to support older, godly widows, who have insufficient help from their family (1 Timothy 5:3-16).
Congregations helped brethren in other places who were in need because of famine.31 This help was extended “to all” (2 Corinthians 9:12, 13).

8. The church appoints elders and deacons.
After seven men had been “sought out” by the church at Jerusalem, they were appointed by the apostles to take care of the widows (Acts 6:3).
The appointment of elders and deacons who meet the Biblical qualifications, may be done with the help of an evangelist. Paul told Titus: “For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you” (Titus 1:5).32 

9. The church withdraws from Christians who persist in sin.
A congregation may not allow its members to bring reproach on the church by their conduct or by false teaching. After a loving attempt to bring the person to repentance, if he refuses to repent, he must be excluded from the fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:11-13).33 
A congregation can give letters of recommendation to traveling Christians to confirm that they may be accepted as fellow believers (2 Corinthians 3:1).

May our works be acceptable to God!
We have examined several tasks God has given the church. The church is to assemble for worship and for other suitable purposes. A collection is taken on the first day of the week and special contributions may also be given. With these resources the gospel is preached and believers are edified. The church does good, especially to believers. The church appoints qualified men as elders and deacons, and withdraws fellowship from those who persist in sin. These are some examples of works of the church.
Both in our daily lives and as a church, let us be “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Amen.
Roy Davison
The Scripture quotations in this article are from The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers unless indicated otherwise. Permission for reference use has been granted.
Published in The Old Paths Archive
http://www.oldpaths.com
Endnotes:

1 Revelation 2:2, 9, 13, 19; 3:1, 8, 15. This is according to the Textus Receptus and the Majority Text. A few manuscripts lack this statement for Smyrna and Pergamos.

2 Ephesians 1:22, 23.

3 A Christian, for example, may place an ad offering to study the Scriptures with people. He does not have to ask anyone’s permission to do this if he uses his own name and address, and pays for it himself. He may not do something in the name of a congregation, however, without asking permission. This also applies to preachers. They may preach whenever and wherever they wish. But they may not do something in the name of a congregation without permission.

4 Christians may not burden the church with their personal responsibilities. Believers are commanded to work with their own hands so they will lack nothing (1 Thessalonians 4:11, 12). Christians are to work in quietness and eat their own bread (2 Thessalonians 3:11, 12). They must work with their hands so they will have something to give to those who are in need (Ephesians 4:28). Children and grandchildren ought to help their needy mother or grandmother (1 Timothy 4:4, 16). The church has a back-up responsibility with regard to such needs (1 Timothy 5:16).

5 Acts 16:14.

6 Acts 18:2.

7 See also 2 Corinthians 9:7.

8 This proves that one congregation may send funds to another congregation. Division has been caused by some who condemn churches that send funds to another congregation for mission work. Although this instance relates to benevolent work, the principle, like the Sunday collection, applies to all works a congregation is authorized to do.

9 Christians assembled to pray for Peter when he was in prison (Acts 12:5, 12) and to hear a report given by missionaries (Acts 14:27). Everything must be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40).

10 Acts 2:26; 5:12.

11 Acts 20:8.

12 Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2.

13 In the New Testament, the word usually refers to a meeting house. The statement ‘come into your synagogue’ suggests a building, as does the reference to seating arrangements. Compare with Mark 1:21; Luke 4:16; Acts 18:19; 19:8.

14 The meeting place has no special meaning for Christians because under the New Covenant the believers themselves are the temple of God (1 Peter 2:4, 5). Thus special rules about what may or may not be done in ‘the church building’ have no Scriptural foundation because a congregation can just as easily meet in a field, under a tree, in a cave, or in someone’s home. What one may do in the assembly or with congregational resources are Scriptural questions.
Discord is sometimes sown by people claiming that Christians may not eat in a building that belongs to the church. To support this they usually appeal to Paul’s statement: “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?” (1 Corinthians 11:22). In that context, however, Paul is discussing a situation where the Lord’s table was being degraded to a regular meal. In the assembly it is indeed true that one may not have a regular meal rather than the Lord’s supper! The Lord’s supper is not intended to satisfy hunger.
Paul ate in the meeting place at Troas. In Acts 20:7 the believers came together in an upper room on the first day of the week to break bread, which refers to the Lord’s supper. Paul preached until midnight. After he raised Eutychus from the dead, he went back upstairs. Then we read: “Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed” (Acts 20:11). This refers to a regular meal since it says only that ‘he’ ... ‘had broken bread and eaten’. If it referred to the Lord’s supper, it would have said when ‘they’ had broken bread and eaten. The informality of the situation makes it clear that this was not a part of the regular assembly “and talked a long while, even till daybreak.”


15 See also 1 Corinthians 11:18, 26, 33; 14:23; Hebrews 10:25.

16 Acts 2:42.

17 See also 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.

18 Acts 2:42.

19 Sometimes discord is caused by people who insist that an example must be found in the Bible for every application of a general principle or command in the New Testament. But a general command authorizes all ways of obeying that command that do not conflict with other principles or commands.

20 Churches have an obligation to support preachers and missionaries (1 Corinthians 9:6-14; Philippians 4:15-18). When Paul preached at Corinth, he received support from churches in Macedonia (2 Corinthians 11:8, 9), and he suggested that the church at Corinth might “help him on his way” at a later time (2 Corinthians 1:16). Churches also sent men to serve Paul on their behalf (Acts 19:22; Philippians 2:25; Philemon 12-14).

21 There can be several brethren in one congregation who are teachers (Acts 13:1). Not everyone is a teacher in this sense (James 3:1). Elders and teachers can be supported (1 Timothy 5:17, 18; Galatians 6:6).
Teaching disciples to observe all that Christ has commanded includes combating false doctrine (Ephesians 4:14; Titus 1:9). When false teachers from Judea came to Antioch, the church sent Paul and Barnabas and a few others to Jerusalem to discuss the problem (Acts 15:1-4).
A congregation can send someone to help build up a congregation in another place (Acts 11:22).
Although each congregation has its own responsibility, evangelists sometimes give instruction in more than one congregation. Titus taught several congregations on Crete (Titus 1:12-14; 2:6, 8, 15; 3:1, 2, 8). This does not mean that Titus exercised authority over these congregations, as is sometimes claimed, but simply that he provided instruction.


22 A new Christian must be fed with ‘milk’ until he is able to digest ‘solid food’. “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able” (1 Corinthians 3:1, 2). “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age” (1 Corinthians 2:6).
In time, Christians are to advance in knowledge. The Hebrews were reprimanded because they had not grown: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:12-14).


23 To fill the need for advanced instruction, some congregations set up a program of concentrated or even full-time Bible study with teachers from their own congregation and from other congregations. The instruction is given to people in the area, some of whom may have moved there to study. A congregation is authorized to do this by the commission of Christ: “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20) and the brethren who teach are authorized by Paul’s command to Timothy: “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2).

24 Some translations have “at home” although the original has “by himself,” corresponding with “as he purposes in his heart” (2 Corinthians 9:7). That “at home” is not intended is clear from the context because Paul wanted to avoid a collection being taken after he arrived. Also, why would it have to be on the first day of the week if it were not in the weekly assembly?

25 A congregation may agree to give something in the future (2 Corinthians 9:5). A congregation may appoint a brother to take a gift to its destination (1 Corinthians 16:3). One brother may be chosen for this by several congregations, and accountability should be maintained (2 Corinthians 8:18-23). Paul made these arrangements so no one could question his integrity in financial matters. In church finances, high accounting standards should be maintained, providing for what is honorable “not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Corinthians 8:21). 

26 1 Corinthians 16:1, 2.

27 Since “them” in verse 13 refers back to “saints” in verse 12, “all” includes non-Christians. Some condemn churches that help needy non-Christians. They say individual Christians may help them, but that the church may not. They claim that “all men” means “all Christians” and they deny that “Let us do good to all” (Galatians 6:10) applies to the church. Considering the subjectivity of their opinion, ought they not to at least admit that “all” possibly refers to “all men” and that Galatians 6:10 possibly applies to the church? Then they could be less judgmental.

28 2 Thessalonians 1:1.

29 Once when Jesus was criticized for healing on the Sabbath, He replied: “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:11, 12). 

30 Acts 4:4.

31 Acts 11:28-30; 1 Corinthians 8:1-4, 12-15; 9:12, 13; Romans 15:25-28; Acts 24:17.

32 See 1 Timothy 3:1-15; Titus 1:5-9.

33 See also Matthew 18:15-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:6; 1 Corinthians 5:4, 5, 13; Romans 16:17; 2 Corinthians 2:6.