• We do not have to guess as to the work God wants the church to do. He has authorized her to do all He wants her to do.
  • Negatively speaking, the work of the church is not to:
    • Build and operate kitchens
    • Sponsor youth camps
    • Sponsor Boy Scout troops
    • Have ball teams
    • Own and operate rental property
    • Operate a farm
    • Operate a school for reading, writing, and arithmatic
  • The work of the church is seen in its purpose:
    • To glorify God (Romans 15:6
  • Does a church glorify God by providing recreation?
  • Authorized functions for a local church
    • Assemble to worhip in Truth (Acts 20:7
    • Teach the Word to:
      • Edify the saved
      • Save the lost (Philippians 4:15-16
    • Benevolence in some circumstances
    • Discipline in some circumstances
  • Work of a local church must be done within local framework
    • No disciplinary societies
    • No worshipping societies
    • No benevolent societies (to do the work God commanded the church to do)
    • No missionary societies
    • No edifying societies (or preacher training societies)
  • The functions of a local church
    • The elders of a local church are to oversee ALL its functions!
    • Acts 20:28