Authority #7 - Individual and the Local Church

Seth McDonald
01/19/25 - Sunday AM Worship

 
Authority #7: The Individual and the Local Church

1.  Distinctions between Individuals & the Local Church
   1. A common attitude:
      1. “The church is made of individuals therefore I am the church.”
      2. “Church funds are just a collection of the funds of individuals.”
      3. Anything an individual is authorized to do; the church can do.”
   2. Most commands for individuals are impossible for the church.
      1. Each father is to instruct his children – Ephesians 6.4
      2. Each husband is to love his wife – Ephesians 5.25; 1 Corinthians 7.2-3
   3. The Bible makes a distinction between:
      1. Actions of the local church and the individual – Matt 18.15-17
      2. An individual’s money and the collective – Acts 5.4; 1 Cor 16.1-4
   4. Not all gatherings of Christians are churches.
      1. Having Christians to my house for game night does not mean “a church” gathered for games.
      2. Churches come together to Worship (pray, sing, Lord’s Supper) – 1 Cor 11.17-22
      3. Churches come together to do their assigned work.

2. The Limited Mission of the Local Church
   1. The local church has a specified mission & purpose.
      1. Analogy: hospital with fire extinguishers
      2. There are many good causes & charities working to make the world better but are outside the purpose of the local church (to help the spiritually sick be whole through Jesus.)
      3. Analogy: American Cancer Society stays out of curing heart disease, feeding the hungry, saving whales, etc.
   2. Support preaching the gospel
      1. Preachers should be supported by the church – 1 Cor 9.14
      2. Elders deserve financial support – 1 Timothy 5
      3. Send support to preachers outside our local area – Phil 4.15-16
   3. Edify the saints – 1 Corinthians 14.12-26; Hebrews 10.24-25
   4. Equip the saints – Ephesians 4.11-13
   5. Help needy Christians
      1. Temporary relief – Acts 4.34-37; 1 Corinthians 16.1-4
      2. Full support in extreme circumstances –1 Timothy 5

3. Morally Good Works Beyond the Authority of the local Church

** Seth McDonald cannot find any scriptures telling, showing, or implying these are within the authority of the local church. All are good and can and should be done by individuals but are not within the job of the local church. If you find any such passage, please share.

1. 1. Social reform or political activism
      1. Individual Christians can be involved, but not churches. – Matthew 5.14
      2. Churches teaching the truth may coincide with political topics but must stay out of “this-world problems.”
      3. No political candidate endorsements or lobbying for social change.
   2. Providing for social needs of members of the community
      1. No examples of:
         1. Church basketball teams
         2. Board game / movie night
         3. “Trunk or Treat” 
      2. Using “free food with a side of Jesus” does not rely on the power of the gospel.
          – Romans 1.16
      3. The ends do not justify the means – 2 Timothy 3.16-17
   3. Providing for the physical needs of those outside the body of Christ
      1. To individuals: “work for the good of all people” - Galatians 6.3-10
      2. To individuals: Take care of orphans and widows -James 1.27
          

Discussion Questions

1. What are the consequences of going beyond Christ’s teachings? – 2 John 1.9; Revelation 22.18-19; Galatians 1.6-9
   
    
2. What are some commands from the Bible for an individual that are impossible for a church to do? 
   
    
3. Did Jesus ever feed people who were not His followers? If so, why? What happened when people started following Him for the free food?
   
    
4. Do ends justify the means when it comes to the good that comes from recreation provided by the church?
    

5. Is James 1.27 a command for individuals or for local churches to obey?