Does It Make Any Difference?

Part 4

Clergy/laity distinctions, fund raising, and women leadership

We have already noted…

• The danger in false teachers & doctrines• What God says about “good” people• Church founders• Church beginnings• Church names and their authority

A Common Practice is the Clergy/Laity Distinction

• Seen in the “clergy” claiming authority to forgive sins and refuse communion

• Seen in the wearing of special clothing to set them apart

• Seen in accepting titles like Reverend, Doctor, Pastor, Father, etc., etc.

Matthew 20:25-26

But Jesus called them to him and said,

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles the rulers of the Gentiles

lord it over themlord it over them, and their great ones

exercise authority over them. 26 It shall

not be so among you. But whoever would

be great among you must be your

servant,

This is a practice of the world

Matthew 23:2-7

“The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, 3 so practice and observe whatever they tell you—but not what

they do. For they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move

them with their finger. 5 They do all their deeds to be seen They do all their deeds to be seen

by othersby others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts

and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.

They were doing their deeds to be seen of men

Matthew 23:11-12

The greatest among you shall be your

servant. 12 Whoever exalts himself will

be humbled, and whoever humbles

himself will be exalted.

The greatest are the servants and those who exalt themselves will be

humbled.

Fund Raising & Special Collections also set Men’s churches apart.

To many Religion = asking for money… for…

•Extravagant televangelist’s income

•Churches investing in Wall Street

•Churches running secular businesses

•Concerts and entertainment venues

SCRIPTURAL Fund raising is easy to understand and identify

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so

you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each

of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there

will be no collecting when I come.

The collecting DAY was clear

SCRIPTURAL Fund raising is easy to understand and identify

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so

you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each

of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there

will be no collecting when I come.

The GIVERS are clear

SCRIPTURAL Fund raising is easy to understand and identify

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so

you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each

of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there

will be no collecting when I come.

The MEASURE of giving was clear

SCRIPTURAL Fund raising is easy to understand and identify

1 Corinthians 16:1-2

Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so

you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each

of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there

will be no collecting when I come.

The POINT of giving was clear

Women Leaders and Preachers

1 Timothy 3:15

15 if I delay, you may know how one

ought to behave in the household of

God, which is the church of the living

God, a pillar and buttress of the

truth.

Showing how one should behave oneself “in the church”

1 Timothy 2:11-12

Let a woman learn quietly with all

submissiveness. 12 I do not permit

a woman to teach or to exercise

authority over a man; rather, she

is to remain quiet.

The context here demands that it must be “spiritual”

Women Leaders and Preachers

Women Leaders and Preachers?

In the church, the ladies are not to teach or exercise authority over a man,

Period.

• If the name of your church does not glorify God or our Savior

• If your church is connected to some central body or headquarters

• If your church leadership is elevated above the rest of the body

• If your church is taking up money and it’s not the first day of the week

• If a woman is leading men in any church function

You’re in the wrong place…

Are you glorifying God in HIS church? Are you respecting

Christ by respecting HIS body?