Local churches are authorized to provide for needy Christians, continued

Objections, continued

• Galatians 6:10 – “The church should ‘do good to all people,’ not just Christians.”
  • The book of Galatians was written to a church, but not everything in the book is specific to churches.
  • Galatians 6:1-10 – Notice that this passage has been addressing individuals. The topic is how to help people caught in sin, but no church action is in the passage. Also notice that spiritual restoration is in the passage, but not material benevolence. Galatians 6:6 does not seem to be the right passage to use to justify paying a preacher.

What makes Benchley work

Introduction

• John 14:7-15

God spoke in a way that we could understand

• I Corinthians 2:6-13
• II Peter 1:13-15; 3:1
• John 20:30-31 – The written word is powerful and can cause readers to believe.
• Ephesians 3:4-6
• All these men thought the word of God could be understood!

We can still miss the meaning if we’re not careful.

• Luke 9:22, 43-45 – Jesus spoke plainly more than once, but they failed to understand it.
• I Corinthians 2:14; 1:22-24 – It’s possible I am not spiritually-minded enough to understand.
• Therefore, we must be objective and open-minded.

God views His message as an extension of Himself.

• Luke 6:46-49 – Hear God’s word and act on it.
• Numbers 20:6-11
• Habakkuk 2:18-20 – God is on His throne. We need to be quiet and listen to Him.
• Therefore, we must respect His message!
  • Acts 7:51-53

God’s word is the most important truth we have!

• Hebrews 1:1-2; 2:1-4 – How will we escape God’s judgment if we reject this message?

The women who supported Jesus and the apostles

• Luke 8:1-3; Matthew 27:55-56
• Mary Magdalene
• Martha
  • Luke 10:38-42 – Compare Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Mary showed the correct priority, Martha did not. See also John 4:13-14.
• (Another) Martha
  • Matthew 16:24
• Joanna
• The woman who washed Jesus’ feet
  • Luke 7:36-50
  • Over time, we may forget how much we have been forgiven of and lose some of our love for God. We must be careful to not let that happen!
  • Proverbs 11:22; 12:4; 14:1; 19:14

Introduction

• Luke 5:8 → II Peter 1:16

Helping someone else starts with helping myself.

• Matthew 7:3-5
• Luke 22:61
• We are continual works in progress, so we can’t wait until we’re perfect to help others.

Courage to confront my own sins … so that I can help others do the same.

• Acts 26:18, 9

Learning God’s truth … so that I can help others do the same.

• I Timothy 4:15-16
• II Timothy 2:2, 14-15
• Acts 17:2-3

Wise decision-making … so that I can help others do the same.

• Colossians 1:9-11
• II Timothy 2:24-26

Zeal … so that I can help others do the same.

• Titus 2:14
• I Corinthians 12:14
• If everybody at Benchley was as zealous as me, what kind of church would it be?

Local churches are authorized to provide for needy Christians, continued

Objections

• James 1:27 – “Can’t the church practice pure and undefiled religion?”
  • This passage is talking about individuals – not the church acting collectively.

• Luke 10:30-37 – “Jesus taught us to do the same as the good Samaritan.”
• “Even the Old Covenant provided for the needy and the New Covenant is better than the Old Covenant.”
  • God defines what is “better.” We can’t pick and choose things from the Old Covenant.
• Acts 2:46 – “The early church broke bread from house to house.”
  • “All” must be kept in context. The passage is not saying that 100% of their goods were in the church treasury.
• II Corinthians 9:13 – “Paul said the money went to ‘them’ (needy saints) and to ‘all’ (non-saints).
  • This money would do more than just pay the bills – it would cause others to glorify God.
  • Paul mentioned this money seven times in three different letters, always noting it was for needy saints.
    • I Corinthians 16:1; II Corinthians 8:4; 9:1,12; Romans 15:25, 26, 31
  • Acts 10:28, 34-35; Galatians 2:11-13 – Relations were icy between Jews and Gentiles.
  • Romans 15:25-27
  • Paul is referring to the money and the message is sent about the relationship between Gentile saints and Jewish saints.