INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

By David J. Riggs

Intro.
   A. When we examine the N.T. we see that churches were set up in
      various localities; hence, we call them "local" churches.
      1. In the N.T. we see 16 such local churches named:
         a. At Jerusalem. Acts 2:5,46-47; 15:1-4
         b. At Antioch. Acts 11:26
         c. At Corinth. Acts 18:8; 1 & 2 Corinthians
         d. At Ephesus. Acts 19:1-5; Rev. 2:1
      2. These are but four of the sixteen named in the N.T.
      3. We can see that some were rather large congregations such
         as Jerusalem (Acts 4:4), while others were small, especially
         in the remote places (1 Cor 16:19).
   B. These local churches were well organized functioning units.
      1. God did not organize the universal church into a functioning
         unit.
      2. He left the work up to the individual local churches in any
         given area.
   C. The question that I want to ask is, "WHAT IS MY
      RESPONSIBILITY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH?"
      1. Can I just worship at home? Could I just float from one
         congregation to another?
      2. I might have the right to start a new congregation in my
         home, but could I do this if there was a sound congregation
         nearby?
   D. Thus, it is of vital importance that we study this subject.

I. FIRST OF ALL, ONE MUST BE PART OF A LOCAL CHURCH.
   A. Paul set for us this example. Acts 9:26-27; 11:26; Phil. 4:9.
      1. One does not join the church universal, he is added by God
         once he obeys (Acts 2:47), but one needs to join a local
         congregation.
      2. Sometimes the decision we have to make is limited since
         there might be only one; however, when there are more than
         one group, a decision must be made as to the one with which
         we will work and worship.
   B. The decision should always be made upon the consideration,
      "Where am I needed the most?"

II. ONE NEEDS TO WORSHIP WITH A SOUND CHURCH, NOT AN APOSTATE GROUP.
   A. Not every group that calls itself the "church of Christ" is the
      Lord's church!
      1. Note Rev. 2:14-16. What if you are worshiping with a group
         like this?
   B. If there is no sound group to be found, there is no other      
      choice but to start one in your own home.

III. ONE MUST MEET WITH THE LOCAL CHURCH TO PARTAKE OF THE LORD'S    
   SUPPER.
   A. 1 Cor. 11:17-20, 33-34
      1. Some have made foot washing a church ordinance. They say
         it was done after the Lord instituted His supper and        
         therefore it should be practiced today. John 13:1-5.
      2. However, foot washing was never a part of the church as
         was the Lord's supper, but was part of the hospitality shown
         in the home towards guests. 1 Tim. 5:9-10.

IV. ONE MUST ADMONISH AND BE ADMONISHED.
   A. Heb. 10:24-25 - "Let us consider one another..."
      1. We must provoke, motivate and stir up one another to
         genuine love and diligence in doing good. vs 24
      2. Verse 25 - "not forsaking the assembly." It is impossible to
         "stir up" one another when we are absent.
         a. When we willfully forsake the assembling of ourselves
            together, we not only hurt ourselves but also keep
            others from fulfilling their responsibility in           
            admonishing us.
      3. We are to do it even more "as we see the Day approaching."
         This refers to either the end of one's life, or the Great
         Judgment Day. Rom 13:12; 1 Peter 4:7
         a. When one gets older, he comes to realize how short life
            really is.
         b. One's attitude toward life should manifest itself in his
            work and worship of God.
   B. We admonish each other in song. Col 3:16; Eph 5:19
      1. The question we need to ask ourselves is, "How can we
         admonish each other in song when we do not assemble with
         the saints?"
   C. Therefore, it is important for all of us to be in attendance so
      that we can fulfill our God-given responsibilities.

V. ONE MUST PROMOTE UNITY IN THE LOCAL CONGREGATION.
   A. Why would one want to be in the one body and not want to
      promote unity?
      1. Verses such as 1 Cor. 1:10-11 and Eph 4:2-3 apply to the
         local congregations.
         a. Thus, it is a responsibility of each and every member of
            the local congregation to strive to keep the unity of the
            Spirit in the bond of peace.
   B. But how does one promote and motivate unity in a group?
      1. Respect the consciences of others in matters of personal
         conviction. Rom 14:1-4
      2. Avoid envy and jealousy. Gal 5:19-21
      3. Avoid gossip. Gal 5:15
         a. Realizing that Gossip is character assassination.
      4. Avoid foolish questions and contentious matters. Titus 3:9
      5. Avoid clicks and divisions. Titus 3:10; Rom 16:17
      6. Work for peace. Matt 5:9; Heb 12:14; Rom 12:18.
      7. Learn to be humble. Rom 12:3
      8. Submit to one another. 1 Pet. 5:5
      9. We need a willingness to admit wrong, to say "I'm sorry,"
         and to apologize when the need arises. Ex. "easy to be
         entreated," "willing to yield." James 3:17

VI. ONE MUST PROMOTE THE PURITY IN THE LOCAL CONGREGATION.
   A. 1 Cor. 5:6; Gal 5:9 - both speak of the danger of a little     
      leaven, leavening the whole lump.
   B. Christ died that the church might be pure. Eph 5:25-27
   C. Nothing will aid the local congregation more than that of godly
      living on the part of all of its members.
      1. It is not a new building, or a man-made gimmick, but godly
         living and teaching that will make the church grow.
   D. Christians ought to have purity of speech (Eph 4:29); purity of
      deeds (Eph 5:3-5); and purity of thought (2 Cor 10:5).
   E. In order for the church to keep itself pure, discipline must be
      practiced. 1 Cor. 5:4-5; Matt 18:15-17; Rev 2:14-16
      1. Each and every member is responsible in these matters.

VII. ONE MUST LAY BY IN STORE AND SEE THAT THE FUNDS ARE USED        
   CORRECTLY.
   A. 1 Cor 16:1-2 shows that each individual congregation is to have
      its own and separate treasury.
      1. The concept that we are to have is: "I am to give and when I
         do, the money is dedicated to the Lord and is no longer
         mine!"
   B. Each one has the responsibility to see that the Lord's money is
      used in accord with the Scriptures.
      1. Support evangelism. Phil 4:15; 2 Cor 11:8-9
      2. Relieve widows indeed. 1 Tim 5:16
      3. Enroll older widows. 1 Tim 5:9-10.
      4. Support of the elders. 1 Tim 5:17

VIII. ONE MUST ENCOURAGE LOVE AMONG THE MEMBERS.
   A. Heb 10:24-25; 1 Thess 3:12; 4:9-10
   B. 1 Pet. 1:22; 4:8; Col. 2:2; 3:12-14; John 13:34-35
   C. All these verses show our responsibilities in encouraging and
      loving one another.
   D. The church should be a place of peace and love.
      1. There is much turmoil in the world, but in God's family     
         there is love and happiness. Psalm 133:1
      2. When we bring visitors and they feel tensions of animosity
         existing between members, is it any wonder that they do not
         want to be part of the group?
   E. If each encourages peace and love, there will be no room for
      conflict and bitterness.

Concl.
   A. All of us have responsibilities in the local congregation.
      1. We should be loyal to Christ and the responsibilities He has
         given us.
         a. We are to function as the unit God designed, and it is
            only possible when we all do our part.
   B. Every member is responsible. Eph 4:16; 1 Cor 12:20-27.
   C. Are you doing your part or have you failed, not only God but   
      His family as well?

Chart #1
INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY IN THE LOCAL CHURCH

1. First of all, one must be part of a local church. Acts 9:26-27;
11:26; Phil. 4:9
2. One needs to worship with a sound church, not an apostate group. 
Rev. 2:14-16
3. One must meet with the local church to partake of the Lord's
Supper. 1 Cor. 11:17-20, 33-34
4. One must admonish and be admonished. Heb. 10:24-25; Col. 3:16     
5. One must promote unity in the local congregation. 1 Cor. 1:10-11;
Eph. 4:2-3
6. One must promote the purity in the local congregation. 1 Cor. 5:6;
Gal. 5:9
7. One must lay by in store and see that the funds are used
correctly. 1 Cor. 16:1-2
8. One must encourage love among the members. Heb 10:24-25; 1 Pet.
1:22; 4:8; Col. 2:2; 3:12-14; John 13:34-35

Chart #3
COLLECTIVE ACTIONS OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
    
1. Chooses Officers and Servants - Acts 6:2-3; 1 Tim. 3:10; Rom.
16:1-2
2. Has Messengers - 2 Cor. 8:23 
3. Pays Wages - 2 Cor. 11:8-9; Phil. 4:14-18 
4. Relieves and Enrolls - 1 Tim. 5:9-10,16 
5. Hears and Speaks - Matt. 18:17 
6. Disciplines - 1 Cor. 5:4-5 
7. Greets In Letters - 1 Cor. 16:19 
8. Sends Out Preachers - Acts 11:22; 15:3 
9. Is Reported To - Acts 14:26-27 
10. Has Worship - 1 Cor. 11:20, 34 
11. Has Its Own Treasury - 1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 11:8-9