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MISSION OF THE CHURCH

MEMORY VERSES: Romans 1:14-16.

1. EDIFICATION:
   1. The last part of the Great Commission has to do with edification (Matthew 28:19, 20).
      1. This work is so often neglected. Yet, it is just as important as the first part of the Great Commission.
      2. The last part of the Great Commission is often harder to accomplish than the first because we have not done a good job with the first.
      3. Every member of the church should be developed to the fullest measure. There is no place for the weakling in the Lord's army. Every person comes into the church as a newborn babe, regardless of his years, his furrowed cheeks, or his silver hairs. The natural thing is for him to grow and develop.
   2. "Edify" means to build up, to strengthen.
   3. Christians are to grow in:
      1. Grace and knowledge (II Peter 3:18).
      2. Faith and love (II Thessalonians 1:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:12, 13).
      3. Love, knowledge, and all discernment (Philippians 1:9).
      4. Ability to resist temptation (James 4:7; I Peter 5:8-10).
      5. Sacrificial service (Romans 12:1, 2).
   4. Admonitions:
      1. Be rooted and established in the faith and walk in Christ (Colossians 2:6, 7).
      2. Seek things which are above (Colossians 3:lff).
      3. Desire the Lord's word (I Peter 2:1, 2).
      4. Edify one another (I Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 14:19; 1 Corinthians 14:12).
      5. Be strong in the Lord (Ephesians 6:10).
      6. Five great duties of a Christian life (I Corinthians 16:13, 14):
         1. Watch ye.
         2. Stand fast in the faith.
         3. Quit ye like men.
         4. Be strong.
         5. Let all you do be done in love.
   5. Things that hinder spiritual growth:
      1. Youthful lust (II Timothy 2:22).
      2. Love of money (I Timothy 6:6-11).
      3. Wickedness, guile, hypocrisy, envies, evil speakings (I Peter 2:1, 2).
      4. Improper diet (Matthew 4:4; 5:6).
      5. Pride (Proverbs 16:18).
      6. Dullness of hearing (Hebrews 5:11).
      7. Foolish and ignorant questions (II Timothy 1:13; 2:23).
   6. Things which promote spiritual growth:
      1. A well balanced diet (Titus 2:1; II Timothy 2:14-16, 22, 23).
      2. Heed the word of God (Hebrews 2:1-3; 3:13, 14).
      3. Proper exercise in spiritual matters (Hebrews 5:13, 14; I Timothy 4:7, 8, 13). Be a doer of the word (James 1:22-25).
      4. Prayer (Hebrews 4:14-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6, 7).
      5. Association with Christians. It gives one an uplift to be with other warm-hearted Christian people who are full of the same high ideals and are striving for the same righteous goals.
      6. Elders who are alert and busy overseeing the flock (Hebrews 13:7-17; Acts 20:28-31).
      7. Well arranged, scriptural, and orderly worship services (I Corinthians 14:40; Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).
      8. Christians who take thought one for another (Philippians 2:1-4; I Thessalonians 5:12-14).
2. BENEVOLENT WORK:
   1. Christians are commanded to work so they will be able to help the needy (Ephesians 4:28).
   2. Dorcas made garments (Acts 9:39). This disciple was full of good works and almsdeeds (Acts 9:36).
   3. Christians are to practice pure religion (James 1:27).
      1. "Visit widows and orphans in their affliction."
      2. "To visit" means "go to see," but it also means to supply the needs of and to care for.
   4. The New Testament teaches that the church has a financial responsibility in caring for orphans and widows, but how this is to be done is a matter of expediency (I Timothy 5:16; James 1:27).
   5. A look at the church doing benevolent work in the first century:
      1. Those who had sold their possessions divided with the needy (Acts 2:45; 4:34, 35).