Church Membership Matters
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Text - 1 Cor 12.12-13; 27
Text - 1 Cor 12.12-13; 27
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
Series - Church Matters
Part 1 - Church Membership Matters
Main Subject
Main Subject
Some people disdain membership -
their logic - “no membership but fellowship”
but the Bible teaches membership
Some people do not understand what comes with membership
What does it mean to be a member of the church?
Key Points
Key Points
membership is identification
membership means accountability
membership demands responsibilities
membership means privileges
Church and Membership
Church and Membership
Membership into the body of Christ comes from the analogy that the church is the Body of Christ, of which He is the Head.
23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Like the body, the church is composed of many members
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.
How do we become members of the body of Christ?
by the baptism in the Spirit
13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.
Note - the local church and the universal church
the true church of Christ is compsoed of Spirit-baptized members
the local church or congregation -
is part of the universal, true church
in reality , she is composed of both Spirit-baptized and non-Spirit-baptized individuals
is best seen as the ministry of the church in a given locality from which people are called into membership, disciplined for spiritual growth, and trained for ministry.
in the local setting -
everyone who surrenders his/her life to God and baptized into Christ is treated as members of the body of Christ
but the congregation may be composed of true believers, make believers, and non-believers.
being a member of a local congregation does not guarantee salvation -
Spirit baptism guarantees our salvation
Spirit baptism guarantees membership into the body of Christ
but if a person is truly baptized by the Spirit, he/she will participate in membership, grow and be equipped for ministry
Membership and Identification
Membership and Identification
Membership is identification
When you become a member of the church -
You become identified with Christ
You become identified with Christ
22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours.
23 And you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.
You choose to be identified with the people of God
You choose to be identified with the people of God
18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
Note - the church is also the persecuted and despised few on earth
You choose to be identified with the local church family
You choose to be identified with the local church family
the local church is where the church exists and functions
Membership and Accountability
Membership and Accountability
membership demands accountability
Ultimately, our accountability is to Christ
Ultimately, our accountability is to Christ
10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.”
12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
But as members of a local congregation -
We are accountable for our actions
We are accountable for our actions
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.
9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
Membership and Responsibility
Membership and Responsibility
Membership demands responsibility
We are responsible for our fellow brothers and sisters
We are responsible for our fellow brothers and sisters
to love and care for one another
24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,
25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.
26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
17 Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
11 Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
the strong has a responsibility to the weak
1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification.
1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
We are responsible for the upkeep of the ministry
We are responsible for the upkeep of the ministry
12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you,
13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
Membership and Privileges
Membership and Privileges
Membership means privileges.
ultimately, the church, the people in the local church, belongs to Christ, who provides for their needs.
ultimately, the church, the people in the local church, belongs to Christ, who provides for their needs.
15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.
As members of the local church, it is our privilege to be cared for -
As members of the local church, it is our privilege to be cared for -
28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.
Pastoral care includes
prayer support
weddings, funeral, and related occasion
financial assistance
rehabilitation
feeding the poor
visitations
As members of the local church, it is our privilege to be equipped -
As members of the local church, it is our privilege to be equipped -
11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
Spiritual nurture includes
equipping the member for ministry
edification of the member with other members
attained unity of faith and knowledge
attained maturity and no longer children
edified in love
Conclusion
Conclusion
Are you a member of the church of Jesus Christ?
Do you belong to a local congregation?
If not yet -
surrender you life to God by being baptized in the name of Jesus
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
become part of the local church family and submit to the leadership
submit to the leadership of a pastor who will feed you with the word of God
become a supporter of the local ministry