[By Ron Halbrook]

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26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

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26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

• Introduction:

3. When we obey the gospel today, what is our role in the local church?

Learn to Worship & Work TogetherLearn to Work Out ProblemsConstant Need for Strong, Sound PreachingShow Mutual Love & ConcernRequires Spiritual Leadership 6

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42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

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16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

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43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.

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44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.

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46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

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I. Learn to Worship & Work Together B. Serving Christ in the Local Church:

Requires deep commitment to ChristPromotes spiritual growthMakes us fruitful, not barren (2 Pet. 1:8-9)

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I. Learn to Worship & Work Together C. Not Serving Christ in the Local Church:

Sitting at home—”I get in touch with God in my own way”Missing worship for other activitiesNot joined, cemented, united to local church: perpetual visitor, float place to place, no responsibility or accountability 18

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1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

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2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

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5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

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7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

II. Learn to Work Out Problems B. If Not a Member, Cannot Help Solve Problems

Cannot function as part of the body if not joined, cemented, united to the bodyIsolated, disengaged, unconcernedSuch souls are a problem to God & to the church

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22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

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23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

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25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

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7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.

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20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

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24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

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25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

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27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

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29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

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III. Constant Need for Strong, Sound Preaching D. Weak Souls Not United to the Local Church

Cannot Uphold Strong, Sound PreachingWeak attendance deprives themTheir weak, negligent example undermines such preachingComplain, criticize (2 Tim. 4:3-4)

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12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many.

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25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

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23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

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1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

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6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.

IV. Show Mutual Love & Concern E. Lack Love & Concern: Not Functioning

as a Faithful Member of the Local ChurchIsolated or negligent body parts cannot function in love for the body’s good Weak attendance: lack of love

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IV. Show Mutual Love & Concern E. Lack Love & Concern: Not Functioning

as a Faithful Member of the Local Church

Need to be restored: repent, unite with local churchCannot support loving discipline if not an active, faithful member 50

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12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

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5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: 6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

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7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

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17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

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26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

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• Invitation:

3. When we obey the gospel today, what is our role in the local church?

Learn to Worship & Work TogetherLearn to Work Out ProblemsConstant Need for Strong, Sound PreachingShow Mutual Love & ConcernRequires Spiritual Leadership 61