EXPEDIENT G 4851 sumphero soomfero From G 4862

“EXPEDIENT” G 4851 συμφε ρω sumphero soom-fer'-o From G 4862 and G 5342 (including its alternate); to bear together (contribute), that is, (literally) to collect, or (figuratively) to conduce; especially (neuter participle as noun) advantage: - be better for, bring together, be expedient (for), be good, (be) profit (-able for). Thayer’s Greek Definitions

BIBLE DOCTRINE OF EXPEDIENCY… • John 18: 14 “It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. ” • John 11: 50 “Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. ” • John 16: 7 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ”

BIBLE DOCTRINE OF EXPEDIENCY… • 1 Corinthians 6: 12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. ” • 1 Corinthians 10: 23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. ” • 2 Corinthians 8: 10 “And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago. ” • 2 Corinthians 12: 1 “It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. ”

“THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF EXPEDIENCY”

TODAY’S LESSON… • What is expediency? • What are the grounds for judging an act to be expedient? • What are the grounds of judging an act not to be expedient?

FOR A THING TO BE “EXPEDIENT” IT MUST BE LAWFUL. • All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6: 12 NKJV) • All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10: 23 NKJV) • All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (1 Corinthians 10: 23 KJV)

THAT WHICH IS UNAUTHORIZED IS UNLAWFUL, AND THEREFORE SINFUL • Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3: 4) • So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10: 17) • For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5: 7) • But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Romans 14: 23) – Consider presumption in light of 1 Cor. 2: 10 -13; Gen. 4; Heb. 11: 4; 2 Sam. 6: 6 -7)

FOR A THING TO BE “EXPEDIENT” IT CANNOT BE SPECIFIED. • When God specifies, there is no choice but to either obey or disobey. • To go beyond that which is specified or offer a substitute therefore is to add to what God has said instead of aiding obedience to his word. • Mechanical instruments do not aid; they add to God’s command to sing (Ephesians 5: 17; Colossians 3: 16) X Mechanical instruments do not aid; they add to God’s command to sing

FOR A THING TO BE “EXPEDIENT” IT CANNOT BE SPECIFIED. • When God specifies, there is no choice but to either obey or disobey. • To go beyond that which is specified or offer a substitute therefore is to add to what God has said instead of aiding obedience to his word. • God commands to dip (baptize), bury (Romans 6: 4) in baptism. Sprinkling is not an aid in carrying out that command. X Sprinkling is not an aid in carrying out that command. It is a substitute for what God says to do.

FOR A THING TO BE “EXPEDIENT” IT CANNOT BE SPECIFIED. • When God specifies, there is no choice but to either obey or disobey. • A missionary society or any other organization that men build and maintain to do the work of God’s church is not an aid in carrying out God’s commandment. • It is an addition or substitute for the Lord’s way, because it does not come within the scope of the organization under its own elders (Acts 14: 23; Philippians 1: 1). X A missionary society or any other organization that men build is not an aid because it substitutes the Lord’s way.

FOR A THING TO BE “EXPEDIENT”. . . • It must edify (1 Cor. 10: 23 -33; 1 Cor. 14: 26) – If God commands something, then it must be done in spite of consequences (Acts 4: 18 -20; 5: 29). – But if it is not necessary and we demand something that destroys the peace and unity of God’s children, then we sin. • It must not offend the conscience of a brother (1 Cor. 8: 7 -13; 10: 32) – When it comes to matters of personal judgment, if we allow our liberty to become a stumbling block to those who are weak & we wound a weak brother’s conscience, then we sin against Christ.

NO ADDITIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS FOR GOD’S WAY AS AN EXPEDIENT… Christ has commanded to teach: He has not specified the method; has specified the organization (the church) Matthew 28: 18 -20, 1 Timothy 3: 15. Method: ü Privately or publicly ü Within entire assembly or class ü With or without study aids Organization X Relying upon organization other than church to do teaching

NO ADDITIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS FOR GOD’S WAY AS AN EXPEDIENT… Christ commanded “drink this cup” (1 Cor. 11: 25 -28); The cup is the fruit of the vine (Mt 26: 2729) ü We do have a choice as to the number of containers X We have no choice as to the element.

NO ADDITIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS FOR GOD’S WAY AS AN EXPEDIENT… Christ commanded the saints to assemble (Heb. 10: 25); He did not specify as to how the place of assembly must be provided ü One’s house ü Rented building ü Owned building

NO ADDITIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS FOR GOD’S WAY AS AN EXPEDIENT… Christ commands the saints to sing (Eph. 5: 19; Col. 3: 16). There is no N. T. authority for instrumental music. ü With aid of a book ü With aid of lights ü Sitting or standing ü What parts we sing X Mechanical instruments.

NO ADDITIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS FOR GOD’S WAY AS AN EXPEDIENT… Christ commands the church to do the work of ministering (Eph. 4: 12) to those who can be taken care of lawfully (1 Tim. 5: 16). The organization to do this work has been specified… The congregation under its own elders (Acts 14: 23; Phil 1: 1). Method not specified ü Place provided ü Necessities to be furnished

NO ADDITIONS OR SUBSTITUTIONS FOR GOD’S WAY AS AN EXPEDIENT… The jurisdiction of the elders of a congregation is established in Scriptural authority (Acts 20: 28; 1 Pt. 5: 2). ü Oversee the local flock in which they “are among” X Are not to oversee the membership and work of another location.

THE BIBLE DOCTRINE OF EXPEDIENCY… • What is expediency? I – Many times discussed among brethren, usually referring to what constitutes something as being a convenient help, or a practical aid in carrying out a command of the Lord. • There are grounds for judging an act to be expedient, vs. the grounds of judging an act not to be expedient. • You would do well to study carefully upon this topic for yourself.