And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

Micah 4:2

And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.”

Isaiah 35:8

THE CHURCH AT WORK

By Glen D. Owens

From the Chapel Glen Church of Christ Bulletin

There are many directions that this topic can lead us. Is there a difference between the work of the church and the church at work? There is no problem finding what the work of the church is but the question is whether we, as the church, fulfill that work.

It is good for us to not only see the scriptures that deal with the purpose of the church and what it should do as a unit but to also see what individual members need to do. Without listing these passages in any order of believed importance the following is a list of scriptures to consider:

Ephesians 3:10---The manifold wisdom of God is to be made known through the church
Ephesians 3:21---To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
Acts 12:5----Peter was kept in prison but constant prayer was offered for him by the church
Acts 15:3----Paul and Barnabas were sent on their way by the church
Philippians 4:15---The church at Philippi supported Paul in his travel for the church
1 Corinthians 16:1-4---The church collected money to send to the church at Jerusalem
1 Thessalonians 1:8---The gospel was sounded out by the church

The above listed scriptures deal with what the church as a body did or is to do in its work for the Lord. Of course, each member acts in the work that is listed since they are a member of the church. However, there are things that we can and should do individually in our relationship with each other. The church cannot succeed without our individual efforts.

Ephesians 4:11-16 deals with our individual responsibility in doing the work of the church. God has provided that the church consists of people with differing abilities acting individually with the benefit going to the work of the church. Paul describes the way the church is to work together as if it were a physical body with all the parts working together. He says that the church is to be fitly joined together so that each part supplies what is needed by the entire body. It is much like a jigsaw puzzle that regardless of the number of pieces, they all fit together to make a perfect picture. If a piece is missing or damaged, the picture is not perfect.

A difficulty that many churches have is doing what Paul told the churches in Galatia to do. In Galatians 6:1-5 he discuses how we are to treat each other. Since the church is composed of people from all walks of life, different backgrounds and education with differing social and financial levels, what Paul says we are to do is often next to impossible. It is necessary that we shed whatever pride and personal feelings we might have so that this passage is workable in the church by sharing with each other.

One of the works of the church is therefore to provide each other with a support system. It was noted by God in the beginning was that man should not live alone. This did not mean that everyone had to be married since many throughout history have not been married. However, since mankind is a social being, the church provides and supplies the needs for that relationship. Whenever we, as a church, fail in this regard, the church suffers.

One scripture to keep in mind in doing the work of the church is Colossians 3:17: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” When we consider the work of the church, this verse should sum up how we are to live our life. If our actions cannot pass the test of being done in the name of Jesus Christ, we need to make an adjustment in our behavior. This verse applies from the ‘least to the greatest’ in the church.