Work of the Church

The local church, those called out into God’s service in a definite locality who have banded together for work and worship (1 Corinthians 1:2; Acts 15:22; Romans 16:16), has to work God has given it to do. God established the local church as the collective medium through which Christians are to work. In the New Testament, the local congregation is presented as the only collective, organic structure to accomplish the mission of Christ. Preachers were sent out by local churches (Acts 13:1-3) who in turn reported back to them. Charity to needy Christians was accomplished (Acts 11:29-30) by the local congregations.

The Work Given by the Lord to a Local Church

The New Testament authorizes three areas in which the local church is to accomplish work for the Lord and His cause.

• Evangelism: Preaching the gospel to the lost (1 Thessalonians 1:8). Since mankind is lost in sin (Romans 3:23) and the gospel is the only power to save them (Romans 1:16), God wants the gospel preached to all mankind (Mark 16:15; 1 Corinthians 1:21). He has given this obligation to the church (Ephesians 3:10-11). Philippians 2:16 says the church is to hold forth the word of life.
• Edification: Strengthening the members of the body of Christ (Hebrews 10:24-25). The church is to develop its own spiritual strength by edification (Ephesians 4:16). It is to ground and stabilize itself in order to prevent false teachers with their erroneous doctrine from leading it astray (Colossians 2:6-7). By the church faithfully teaching and applying the truth, its members will be perfected to do the work of ministry (service) and the building up of the body of Christ (evangelism) (Ephesians 4:11-12).
• Benevolence: Taking care of the needy of the church (Acts 6:1-6; Romans 15:25-27). It can be clearly seen from Scripture that when a need arose among the people of God, the church rallied to their aid. Brethren were concerned for one another and demonstrated their love by giving to help satisfy their material needs. Though the church has responsibilities in this area, this work is limited. General benevolence, relief to all humanity from the church treasury, is unauthorized. It would also be an impossible task for trying to accomplish it would quickly exhaust all of the churches’ treasuries.

What the Work of the Church is Not

The work of another local church. The elders are only to oversee the flock of God which is among them (1 Peter 5:2).

• Recreation. It is not the work of the church to entertain the young or the old. The provision of recreation is left up to the individual and the home.
• Business. The church has no authority to engage in business enterprises. Its finances are to come from the free-will contributions of its members.
• Politics. The church is not to seek to run the government.
• All activities which are not clearly authorized in the New Testament. Everything done must be done “in the name of,” i.e., by the authority of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:17).

The Work of the Church is Plentiful

There are to be no useless or functionless members in a local church. Every member, no matter what their situation or level of maturity in Christ, is to be active (1 Corinthians 12:14-16). Let it be known to the brethren or elders, if your local church has them, that you are willing to work.

Attitudes Needed in the Work of the Lord

• A willing mind (2 Corinthians 8:12). “For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.”
• Humility (James 4:10). “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
• Lowliness of mind esteeming others better than self (Philippians 2:3). “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”
• Seeking the kingdom of God first (Matthew 6:33). “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
• Earnestly contending for the faith (Jude 3). “Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”

The Rewards of Work for the Lord

• The reward is certain (1 Corinthians 15:58). No labor done for the Lord is ever in vain.
• Joy in the knowledge of saving the lost and pleasing God.
• Fellowship with decent, God-fearing people who are trying to do right and seeking the best for you (1 John 1:7).
• A crown of life. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
• Heaven! (1 Peter 1:3-4). The Lord has promised eternal rest for those who labor for Him while they are here upon the earth (Hebrews 4:9-10).