An excerpt from a Bible study (CHRISTIAN DUTIES – Part 4)
(III.) MY RESPONSIBILITY… TOWARDS HIS (CHRIST’S) LOCAL CHURCH – (Heb. 10:25).
1. Introduction:
It is a privilege and joy to be a part of God’s program for this age which centers in the local assembly of believers. May I never despise or forsake God’s assembly in my locality. May I be fully committed to my Lord and thus to His Church.
John (2:16) Acts 2:42; 4:31-32; 10:33; 11:26; 12:5; 12:12; 14:27; 20:7; Romans 12:4-8; 15:5-6; 16:1; 1 Cor. 1:10; 3:16-17; 10:32; 11:2; 11:17-34; 12:12-31; Eph. (1:22-23; 2:19-22) 4:3-6; 4:11-16; Phil. (1:27; 2:2-3) Col. (2:2) 3:15; 1 Tim. (3:9) 3:15; Heb. 10:25; 1 Pet. 3:8; 4:10-11; 1 John 2:19.
2. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH (Eph. 5:24).
The local assembly of believers is to function according to the pattern and blueprint found in the New Testament epistles. As the body of believers is healthy the life of Christ will be manifested and God will be glorified.
Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. chapter 5; 6:1-8; 14:23-26; 14:40; Eph. 3:10 (3:21) 4:11-16; 5:24; Col. 1:18; (2:2) 2:5; 1 Thess. 1:7-8; 1 Tim. 3:15; 5:19-21; 1 Pet. 2:5; Jude 3; Rev. chapters 2-3.
3.MY RESPONSIBILITY…TO MY PASTOR AND CHURCH LEADERS (1 Thes. 5:12-13).
Am I thankful for the gifted men God has given to me (Eph. 4:11)? Am I submitting to my leaders, setting a high value on them because of the work Christ has given them to do? Do I cause them GRIEF or JOY (Heb. 13:17)?
Matthew (10:10; 10:40-42) Luke (10:7) Acts (6:1-4; 14:23) 15:40; 21:17; Romans (16:1-2) 16:4,6,9; 1 Cor. 4:16; 9:6-14; 11:1; 16:15-16; 2 Cor. 6:11-13 (7:2; 8:7) Gal. (4:12; 4:14-15) 6:6; Phil. (2:17-18; 2:29-30) 4:9; 4:10-19; Col. 4:3-4; 1 Thess. 1:6; 4:1-3; 5:12-13; 5:25; 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:1-2; 3:4; 3:6-7; 3:14; 1 Tim. 5:17-18; 5:19; 2 Tim. (1:16-18) Heb. 13:7; 13:17; 13:22; James 5:14.
4. THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PASTOR AND LOCAL CHURCH LEADERS (Heb. 13:17).
The great Shepherd of the flock has set over His loyal assembly certain faithful men and has entrusted them with shepherding duties. The responsibilities are awesome but God is totally sufficient.
Matthew (7:15) 28:19-20; Luke 22:32; John 21:15-17; Acts 6:1-4; 11:25-26; 14:21-22; 15:32,35,36,41; 18:11; 20:2; 20:7; 20:9; 20:17-35; Romans 1:11; (1:21-22) 1 Cor. 1:17; 1:21; 1:23; 2:1-7; 4:1-2
5. MY RESPONSIBILITY… TOWARDS FALSE TEACHING AND FALSE TEACHERS ( 1 John 4:1).
False doctrine is the poison of the soul. It must ever be exposed by the light of God’s truth. It must never be tolerated. “Truth cannot be perpetuated through compromise and compromise cannot be avoided without separation” (John C. Whitcomb).
Matthew 7:15; 15:13-14; 16:6-12 (23:13-33) 24:4-5; 24:11; 24:23-26; Mark 8:15; 12:38-40; 13:5-6; 13:21-23; Luke 6:39 (11:37-54) 12:1; 20:46-47; 21:8; John 10:8,10; Acts 20:28-31; Romans 16:17-18;
6. MY RESPONSIBILITY… WITH RESPECT TO MY COUNTRY, MY GOVERNMENT AND RULERS (Rom. 13:1).
God Almighty is my King and as I gladly submit to His government I also learn to submit to those earthly authorities who have been placed over me by my Sovereign Lord.
Matthew 14:3-4; 17:24-27; 22:17-21; Mark 6:17-18; 12:14-17; Luke 20:22-25; Acts 4:18-20; 5:24-29; 23:2-5; Romans 13:1-8; Phil. (3:20);
