On Being the Church: Membership
Revelation • Sermon • Submitted
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· 6 viewsAs we study the seven churches of Revelation, it's important to recognize and identify what a local church is and why. What is the Church and Her Mission? We want to seek understanding how “church” is defined/understood throughout the whole of scripture = the gathered people of God, chosen and redeemed by Jesus, for a particular purpose, which is to join in the mission of God. It is not buildings, a club, or a non-profit organization for the greater good. What is the mission of God?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
I recently joined a gun club. Chuck welcomed us, instructed us, and laid down the law. Then, he approved us. I have a membership card to prove it. Joining, learning, acclimating, participating. Norms, values, rules, ways of living, vision. The Church is the greatest organization anyone could be a part of in all the universe. So why is the local church such a rollercoaster ride for many of us? Some of it has to do with the shift of perspectives on life, and the church, identity (of self and corporately).
Quote: “Of all people, the Christian’s faith should liberate and relax people.”
These churches were people who had heard the gospel for the very first time, and just like you and I, responded in faith, and pursued a different way of living. Challenges came their way, life happened, history was happening, and 50 years later, it is a new church, filled with folks just like you and me, and Jesus is speaking to them, caring for them, shepherding them, just like he is doing now.
1. Membership is Biblical
1. Membership is Biblical
“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
The Local Church and the Universal Church. The purpose of a local church and the universal church is to be a witness, a light to a region.
Membership in this day and age is practiced differently than it was in the first century.
The churches roots are in the structures and the pattern of the local jewish synagogues and/or greek/roman fraternal organizations
The Identification of Christians: moving from death to life, open confession, routine discipleship, public baptism, welcomed into the church/family/membership, accountability for lifestyle
A church = people gathered
God’s People Gathered = A Christian Church
2. Membership is Missional
2. Membership is Missional
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.
Our love for God and for one another is to be the Lampstand filled with Light. To be a light, we have to be different
And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.
Christians are held to a standard that non-christians are not!
Healthy churches have both insiders (christians) and outsiders (non-christians) i.e. those considering the claims of Jesus which is the Gospel.
Church gatherings are an event where christians worship God and where non-christians are able to come and observe, listen, engage, experience.
What do they see? What do they hear?
Desiring to be a church that is open and hospitable to non-christians and calling christians to be held accountable to the truths of God’s word, to model living a unique and particular way in following Jesus.
3. Membership is Sanctifying
3. Membership is Sanctifying
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
It grows us in holiness. It is commitment, and we have to work it out.
Dating vs. Marriage, Attending vs. Membership
The membership process should be very relational.
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
Increasing our love for one another is difficult in these days. Proximity to one another matters. How can we love one another, or learn to love one another, or show love to one another, if we can’t be together? or if we rarely see one another? or do things with one another?
Not being with people, being isolated, having much of your attention focused on work and the kids at home, has affected us significantly.
4. Membership is a Process
4. Membership is a Process
Book: The Patient Ferment of the Church
Asking everyone and anyone to join us on Sunday mornings, then joining a smaller community of folks who can get to know you (discipleship), who can vouch for you, where you’ve been, where you experience being on a mission together.
Church Membership = you belong to Jesus AND you belong to a local church, i.e. his body.
It is not just knowing about membership, it is being a member.
Taking Action or Next Steps
Taking Action or Next Steps
What are some books you can read?
What are some ways we can combat against the impact of COVID-19? Prayer for one another, for the church, asking God to move in our midst.