WHAT IS THE LOCAL ASSEMBLY?

READ: Jn. 20:19--Acts 9:28--Jn.10:9
INTRO==The Normal Function of an
 Assembly==coming in and going out

AN Assembly is:
     A--- POSITION WE TAKE
     B--- A FUNCTION WE PERFORM

(A)  A POSITION  WE TAKE
1600 Denominations--all different

    THREE GATHERINGS IN N.T.

1--GATHERING OUT==Acts 15:14 (all)
   Past & Continuing
2--GATHERING UP=2Thes 2:1 -Rev 4:1       FUTURE
3--GATHERING UNTO== Matt 18:20         PRESENT

APPLY:  This is the "COMING IN"

THREE GATHERING CENTERS--Matt 12:

•  1--Not A Place V.6--A PERSON
•  2--Not a Preacher V.41--A PERSON
•  3--Not a Rule--V.42--A PERSON

(B) A FUNCTION WE PERFORM

                THREE-FOLD MINISTRY

 1--TO GOD--Godward 1 Pet 2:5 Heb 13:13,14--Lord's Supper--
    Offer to God is worship
 2--FROM GOD--manward--
   Teaching--Ministry through His  servants
   Provoking--Exhorting--Heb.10:24    Praying--James 5:16
 3--TO THE WORLD--Going out--Acts     1:8--Mk 16:15--Lk 5:1-10
   Coming together for worship and    edification--Going out to witness