- Introduction
- 1. The Universal Church
- 2. The Local Church
- 3. Both made up of individual members
- I. THE LOCAL CHURCH
- A. The Essence of a Local Church
- 1. Partnership, a sharing relationship (Acts 15:22; Romans 16:1; Colossians 4:12; Acts 9:26)
- 2. God decides its work: scope, nature, etc.
- 3. Determination based upon Word of God
- 4. Teamwork requires decisions in judgment be made
- B. Leaders Selected (I Timothy 3; Titus 1)
- 1. Common minds working as one
- 2. Leaders limited in oversight (I Peter 5:2-3; Acts 14:23)
- C. Local Church Supportive by Nature
- 1. Helping each other grow
- 2. Support servants
- 3. Some we send to work on our behalf (Colossians 1:7; Philippians 4:15-17)
- D. Team Working by Means of Medium of Exchange - Money
- 1. I Corinthians 16:1-3; Philippians 4:15-17
- 2. Church treasury is group's pooled funds
- 3. Cannot contribute to what is opposed to conscience (Romans 14:22-23)
- 4. Each congregation has own funds and responsible (I Corinthians 16:3)
- II. TWO MAIN DISTINCTIONS
- A. Universal Church relationship with God
- B. Local relationship with each other
- Conclusion
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