The work of the local church is threefold—evangelism, edification, and benevolence.  Paul referred to these three works in Ephesians four.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)
¹¹  And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, ¹²  to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

The Greek word translated “equip” means to completely furnish or perfect (Strong’s Greek, Hebrew Dictionary).  This refers to the work of edification.  The Greek word for “ministry” means to minister, do service, or give relief (Vine’s Expository Dictionary).  This refers to the work of benevolence.  Finally, the Greek word for “building up” means to build (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament).  This refers to the work of evangelism.  Paul used this word metaphorically when referring to the church being “built together” (Ephesians 2:22), and it is the same word used by Jesus when He said, “I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18).

Was Paul trying to outline the threefold work of the church in a specific way in this passage?  No, the Greek construction of ver. 12 does not allow for that conclusion.  Nevertheless, these three works are in the passage, and the reason we know it is the specific work of the local church is that they are the only works we find local churches doing in the New Testament.  What we do not find is the church ever engaging in what we call the social gospel—fun, frolic, recreation, entertainment, and secular business.

When churches engage in the various works encompassed by the social gospel, they are doing so without the authority of scripture.  This makes the work sinful (Colossians 3:17; 2 John 1:9).  Jesus did not die on the cross to build a social club.

The extent to which denominational churches take part in the social gospel is amazing to me.  It goes far beyond having meals together in a so-called fellowship hall.  It involves everything from offering aerobics classes to having tattoo parlors in the church building.  Whatever might be attractive to people, churches are doing.  Now some churches are trying to attract people by offering them beer.  On their sign in front of their church building, Christ Community Church in downtown Lansing, MI, was advertising, “Bible & Beer Tuesdays.” 

Amid all these unscriptural practices, we must be set to defend the work that Christ gave His church to do.  It might seem boring to many.  The religious world has been trained today to think of fun and frolic as spiritual edification.  The cross has been replaced by carnality.  The gospel is cheapened by trying to allure people by recreation and entertainment instead of the pure gospel of Christ.  Last I checked, the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, not games and gimmicks.

Let us never grow weary in defending the work that Jesus gave His church to do.  It is a part of being like Paul—set for the defense of the gospel.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things