The Christians Duty To The Church
1 Timothy 3:15
“but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.”

Introduction
When someone mentions the church, most people in our world just think of any group of people that worship any god or the true God.
When we discuss the church of the Bible, we are not talking about a denominational church.
We are talking about the Lord’s Church.
The church Jesus said He would build: “And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18).
The rock is not Peter, but the statement Peter made in verse 16: “and Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
The church is also called the body of Christ Ephesians 1:22-23: “And He (God, the Father) put all things in subjection under His (Jesus, the Son) feet, and gave Him (Jesus) as head over all things to the church, which is His (Jesus) body, the fulness of Him (God) who fills all in all.”
Congregations were called churches of Christ Romans 16:16

When we obey the Gospel and put on Christ, we become a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
God adds us to His church (Acts 2:47)
So, what is my duty to this church.

Put It First
Matthew 6:33 “seek ye first…”
First means as of most importance.
This means seeking to learn about God and doing what God teaches us in His word.
The church and the Kingdom are the same.
Put church before relatives (Matthew 10:37) [Actually, anyone we put as more important than God, we give up our right to claim to be God’s child].
Put it ahead of sinful pleasures (Hebrews 11:24-26).
We must also put it ahead of the government (Acts 5:29).

Love It
Jesus Christ died for the church (Ephesians 5:25).
Jesus purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28).
Jesus demonstrated His love for the church by doing these things.
Should we not also love the Lord because He did these things for us?
The body of Christ is the church of Christ (Colossians 1:18).
There are many members, yet but one body (1 Corinthians 12:20).

Assemble With It
We should not forsake the church (Hebrews 10:25).
Christians should want to be where Jesus is.
Matthew 18:20 where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is in their midst.
We meet for the purpose of breaking bread (the Lord’s supper memorial feast) (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
We can teach others by our singing (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19).
Our duty is to help others get to heaven, and that does not happen if we are not there with them.

Give To It
Christians must support the local church.
Yes, financial support is required by God, but emotional support is also part of this.
Every member must purpose in their own heart what they will give as they have prospered
(this is not a spend on yourself first, and anything left over goes to God).
Must give cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6-7).
Should give according to what we have (2 Corinthians 8:12) (our ability).
Paul mentioned that the Philippians gave first of themselves (2 Corinthians 8:5).

Pray For It
We should pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 2:8).
Pray that the church might do right 2 Corinthians 13:7 “Now we pray to God that you do no wrong, not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we should appear unapproved”.
Pray that the church will spread the gospel (Acts 8:4).
The church at Philippi supported the preaching of the gospel (Philippians 4:15-16) (Remember who the church is.)
Pray that we can continue to meet freely without hindrance from civil authorities or evil people (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
Pray that we all be filled with the knowledge of the will of God (Colossians 1:9).

Work With It
We should abound in the work of the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Help the church spread the gospel (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 15:1-2).
Like I said, our job is to help people get to heaven.
Help the church restore the erring (Galatians 6:1; James 5:19-20).
Support the church when discipline is administered against the disorderly (1 Corinthians 5:4-5; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:6).

Defend It
Earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3).
Christ built it, and it is designed to withstand the evils of Satan, but only with our help.
Christ is the head, but we are His body to do His work today (song: The Worlds Bible).
Christ is Savior of the church (Ephesians 5:23).
We must keep things in line with His will (Colossians 3:17).

The church must follow Christ.
Because He is the only way (John 14:6)
Because He is our perfect example (1 Peter 2:21).
Therefore we should imitate Him (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Following Christ will give us the victory that belongs to Him (Colossians 3:3-4; 1 John 3:2).

Be Faithful To It
We must endure temptations (James 1:12).
We must endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; Revelation 2:10).
We must obey God’s commandments (Revelation 22:14).
We must live and die in the Lord to be blessed (Revelation 14:13).
We must seek to restore the disciples that have fallen away (2 Peter 2:20-22; Hebrews 6:4-6).

Conclusion
Many of us are faithful in some of these things.
And some are faithful in a most of these things.
We must resolve to treat the Church the way it was meant to be treated.
As the body of Christ to be reverenced and respected.
Are you fulfilling your obligations to this church?
If not, start today.

By Carey Scott

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