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Benevolence: Desire to promote the happiness of others: good will, kindly feeling. Act of kindness: something good that is done: generous gift.

I. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY

A. Edify one another (Ephesians 4:11-16, 5:18-21)

B. Gospel to be taught

1. Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) – All Need the Gospel!

2. The example of Timothy (1 Timothy 4:15-16)

C. Provide for it’s own – Acts 6:1-7, 1 Timothy 5:3-18 – The priority is still to edify and teach; not to be burdened taking care of those who could be taken care of by family.

D. Provide for needy saints in other places (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35, 11:27-30, Romans 15:25-27, 2 Cor. 9:5-15, Phil. 4:14-19)

E. Encourage Christians to fulfill their individual and congregational responsibilities (Heb. 10:24-25)

II. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITY

A. Provide for the stranger, the fatherless, the widow (Dt. 24:17, 21, Gal. 6:1-10)

B. Provide for the poor, fatherless, helpless, widow, blind, lame, victim (Job 29:11-17, Malachi 3:5, Gal. 2:10)

C. Provide for the needy (Acts 4:32-37, 6:1-7, Eph. 4:28)

D. Provide food, drink, clothes, shelter (Matt. 25:31-46)

E. Visit orphans, widows, prisoners (Matt. 25:36, James 1:27)

F. Provide for our neighbor (Matt. 5:43, Lk. 6:27-36, 10:36-37, Romans 13:9, Eph. 4:28)

G. Preach and Teach (Acts 5:42, 8:4, 35, 20:20, 28:30-31, James 5:19-20)

H. Give the gospel (2 Tim. 4:2, 1 Peter 3:15-17)

I. Love our enemy (Matthew 5:44)

J. The example of Peter (Acts 3:1-11, Mark 1:29-31)

K. Provide for our own family (1 Tim. 5:8, 2 Thes. 3:10)

L. Give with the love of God (1 John 3:17-18)

III. HOW SHOULD WE GIVE?

A. First we must gives ourselves to the Lord (2 Corinthians 8:5-14)

B. We must share because almost all of us are rich (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

C. When we give it should not only be money

1. individual ability (Acts 11:29-30)

2. love (1 Corinthians 13:3, 13)

3. using opportunity (Galatians 6:10, Acts 3:1-10)

4. give of ourselves (money could be a part but should not be all)

5. time (Jesus – Luke 5:29-32, 7:29-30).

D. Many blessings come from giving to others (Is. 58:10, Acts 20:33-35, Heb. 13:16).

Definition: sharing together

I. Fellowship is based upon a common:

A. Purpose (e.g., eternal life) (Psalm 133:1-3)

B. Belief (Acts 2:42-47)

C. Conviction (one mind) (1 Peter 3:8)

D. Work (Neh. 4:6, 15)

E. Suffering and persecution (Daniel 3:16-18)

F. Need [2 Cor. 8:1-7 (esp. verse 4)]

G. Faith (Titus 1:4)

II. Who do we have fellowship with?

A. The Father and The Son (1 John 1:3)

B. Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:9)

C. Holy Spirit (Phil. 2:1-2)

D. Apostles doctrine (Acts 2:42)

E. One another (1 John 1:7)

III. Christian Fellowship involves being a close knit family of God (Eph. 2:19, 4:15-16)

A. Jesus gives the example (Matthew 12:46-50)

B. Jesus promises the reward of family (Mark 10:29-31)

C. John calls Christians “children” (2 John 4, 3 John 4)

D. Described as babes that need to grow (John 3:3-5, Hebrews 5:12-14)

E. Paul refers to Christians as “brethren” many times (e.g., Ro. 12:1, 15:30, 16:14-17)

F. Peter refers to “the brotherhood” (1 Peter 2:17)

IV. Things shared in New Testament fellowship

A. Material goods (2 Cor. 8:3-4, Acts 2:44-45, 4:32-37)

B. Meals (Acts 2:46, Acts 6:1-6, Luke 8:1-3)

C. Gospel ministry (Gal. 2:9, Phil. 1:5)

D. Suffering (Phil. 3:10, 2 Cor. 1:5, 4:11-12, 1 Peter 3:13-17, 4:12-16)

E. Death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:3-5)

F. Doing good (Gal. 6:10)

G. Christian love (John 14:14-15, Romans 12:9-16)

V. We are not to have fellowship with:

A. Unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14)

B. Devils (1 Cor. 10:20)

C. Unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 5:11)

D. Evil company (1 Cor. 15:33)

VI. We cannot have fellowship with God when:

A. We are friends of the world (James 4:4)

B. We do not put Him first (Matt. 6:24, Rev. 3:15-16)

C. We walk in darkness (1 John 1:5-6)

definition: confidence in the testimony of another.

I. Definition from scripture: Hebrews 11:1-3, John 20:29

A. Faith is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

B. Faith is produced by hearing the gospel (Romans 10:17)

C. Faith comes from the Heart (Romans 10:9-10)

II. Examples of Faith

A. Gideon (Judges 7:7, 8:10, Hebrews 11:32)

B. Abraham (Heb. 11:17-19, Romans 4, Hebrews 11:8-10)

C. Noah (Gen. 6-9, 2 Peter 2:5, Hebrews 11:7)

III. Kinds of Faith

A. Saving or working (Romans 10:9-10, James 2:18, 22)

B. Temporary (Luke 8:13)

C. Intellectual (James 2:19)

D. Dead (James 2:17, 20)

IV. Importance of Faith in a Christian’s Life

A. Live by (Romans 1:17)

B. Walk by (2 Corinthians 5:7, Romans 4:12)

C. Pray by (Matt. 21:21-22, James 1:5-6)

D. Resist evil by (Ephesians 6:16)

E. Overcome the world by (1 John 5:4-5)

F. Justified by (Romans 5:1-2)

G. Causes rejoicing (2 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Peter 1:6-7)

I. Build oneself up in the Lord (Colossians 2:5-7, Jude 20-21)

H. Die in (Hebrews 11:13)

V. Growth of Faith in a Christian’s Life

A. Requires humility (James 4:7-10, 1 Peter 5:6-7)

B. Continue in the faith (Acts 14:22)

C. Causes rejoicing (2 Thessalonians 1:3)

D. Pass it on (Psalm 145:4-7, 2 Timothy 1:5)

E. Hold fast to it (1 Corinthians 3:12-17, 1 Timothy 1:19, 2 Timothy 1:13, Rev. 3:17-18)

F. Abound in it (2 Cor. 8:7)

G. Rejoice in trial (1 Peter 1:6-9)

H. Add to it (2 Peter 1:5-8)

I. Feed on the word (1 Peter 2:2)

J. Build oneself up in the Lord (Colossians 2:5-7, Jude 20-21)