1 Don Mc Clain 2 Romans 1

1 Don Mc. Clain

2 Romans 1: 21 -25 Authority Don Mc. Clain

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4 Colossians 3: 17 Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. . . The Comprehensive Nature of The New Testament Scriptures 4 Understandable – Eph 3: 3 -5 4 Sufficiently Instructs - 2 Tim 3: 16, 17 4 Cannot Be Transgressed – 2 John 9 4 The totality of information revealed regarding any act of righteousness forms the pattern for that act – 2 Tim 1: 13; Don Mc. Clain

5 ROMANS 10: 17 Don Mc. Clain

6 ÚExpediency 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 Don Mc. Clain

7 ü It Must Be Lawful - Romans 3: 7, 8 ü It Cannot Be Specified - Num 4: 4 -6 ü It Must Edify - 1 Cor 10: 23, 33; 14: 26 ü It Must Not Cause My Brother To Violate His Conscience - Rom 14: 13 -23 ü It Can NOT Be An Addition To God’s Way – Deut 4: 2; 2 Jo 9; Rev 22: 18 Don Mc. Clain

8 Elders Work To Be Done Elders Missionary Society Elders Sponsoring Church Elders Work To Be Don Mc. Clain

9 Twentieth Century Efficiency? Ú 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! Don Mc. Clain

10 • Direct – Elders • Does not relinquish oversight of work – • Does not infringe upon the autonomy of the local church - Scriptural pattern Phili 4: 15 -18 Don Mc. Clain

11 Christian in need Church can provide Food Clothing Source of Supply Grocery Co. Hospital Supervisor Care Shelter Real Estate Co. Clothing Store Don Mc. Clain

12 Church Any Person in need Food Treasury Contribution Clothing Benevolent Institution Can Provide Source of Supply Grocery Co. Hospital Supervisor Care Shelter Real Estate Co. Clothing Store Don Mc. Clain

13 Providing A Home 1 Peter 5: 2 Acts 4: 35 Elders Acts 6: 1 -5 1 Timothy 5: 16 Provides Elders Scripture? ? ? ______ Elders Don Mc. Clain

14 Twentieth Century Efficiency? Ú The Church in Benevolence: – The local church sends money to the Southern Christian Home. THE CHURCH’S MONEY SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN HOME EMPLOY INDIVIDUAL FAMILY Is That Really More Efficient? NO BIBLE AUTHORITY! Don Mc. Clain

15 Biblical Pattern Arrangement Direct Condition From Ability to Need Purpose Alleviate Need Phili 4: 15 -17; 2 Cor 11: 8; Acts 11: 27 -30 The church in Evening Shade Gospel Preacher Congregational Cooperation A church Elsewhere Needy Saints Don Mc. Clain

16 Benevolent Work Of The Church Is Limited Examples Of Church Benevolence All that believed – Acts 2: 44, 45 Them that believed – Acts 4: 32 -35 The disciples – Acts 6: 1 Limited To Relief unto the brethren – Acts 11: 29 Needy Saints Unto the saints – Rom. 15: 25 For the poor saints – Rom. 15: 26 Accepted of the saints – Rom. 15: 31 Collection for the saints - 1 Cor. 16: 1 Ministering to the saints – 2 Cor. 8: 4 Supplieth the need of the saints – 2 Cor. 9: 12 Relieve the widows indeed – 1 Tim 5: 16 Don Mc. Clain

17 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. Don Mc. Clain

18 What about James 1: 27? – (Congregational or Individual? ) (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 “antiorphan, ” and the helpless widows and orphans languish in institutionalized care. ) Keith Sharp Don Mc. Clain

19 James 1: 27 Gal. 6: 10 Shifting Responsibility Local church Saints Individual Benevolent Society r sfe an Tr Elders Deacons Phili 1: 1 Care - Food Clothing - Shelter The Work Don Mc. Clain

20 • 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. Don Mc. Clain

21 Individual 1. Method of raising Local church By honest labor Eph. 4: 28 By voluntary offering 1 Cor. 16: 1, 2; 2 Cor. 9: 6, 7 2. Oversight Local elders Titus 1: 7 The individual Acts 5: 4 3. Use Liberal Cont. Pay Taxes Provide Family Maintain Good Works Preaching the Gospel Edify Saints Preach to Lost Relieving Needy Saints Don Mc. Clain

22 q. The Individual’s Responsibility: –Politically. Romans 13: 1 -7; 1 Peter 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 The church cannot alleviate your responsibility in any of these areas. Each individual is obligated to fulfill his or her individual responsibility. Don Mc. Clain

23 ÚThe Distinction is seen in: –Eating. - have ye not houses? 1 Corinthians 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 The Church Cannot: > show piety at home. v. 4 > provide for own household. v. 8 > marry, bear children, guide the house. Don Mc. Clain

Things NOT in the doctrine of Christ. . . 24 Many Churches Are Engaged In: Teaching the false doctrines of men – Focus ONLY On Family Issues – Positive Preaching ONLY – Secular Education Politics – Entertainment – Recreation Social Services – Community Services – Don Mc. Clain

25 Things NOT within the doctrine of Christ. . . Don Mc. Clain

26 Southside Church of Christ in Rodgers Don Mc. Clain

The Limited Churchers Cent l creationa en Re Col ergart lege nd Ki s Orphan Homes hens Child Kitc Unlimited Benevolence Day Care Banquet Ha lls Schools Youth M inistries ge ies ls A r dle s Minist pita Mid streely ir Hos Bus Ministries s i d min. El inistrie Medical Missionaries Single m Ball Teams Divorcee ministries No wonder It’s Running Hot Ch Institution s 27 urc h Don Mc. Clain

28 The Work The New Testament Way Don Mc. Clain

29 The Work The New & Improved Institutional Way No Scripture – No Sense! Don Mc. Clain

30 Heaven Matthew 7: 13, 14, 21 -23 Don Mc. Clain

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