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Baptism is an expression of your commitment
to Christ. It can also mark your entry into the full
fellowship of the local expression of the Body of Christ.
We become related to Christ singly, but don't live in Christ
solitarily. I believe that becoming a church member
is a commitment that each person baptised should consider
seriously. The New Testament knows nothing of unattached
Christians. God does not simply want to redeem individuals
but create a new community for Himself - a community of the
redeemed living in a covenant relationship.
There are always some who refuse to commit themselves to a
local church for a variety of reasons, usually it is
because of a false understanding of church membership or
that they simply prefer to stand on the fringe and do not
wish the commitment membership involves.
Church membership is not so much an option but a binding
obligation and part of God's package of salvation that He
wants you to enjoy. Yes - Church membership is to be
enjoyed!
1.
It brings us
to the place of true commitment to the Church. Church
membership is about the recognition that you belong to the
Family of God.
Acts 2:41-43 - We discover how the first
believers were baptised and integrated into the Body of
Christ. "And the Lord added to their number daily"
reflects a commitment to one another.
2.
A spiritual home
is necessary where we can grow and be nurtured in the
faith. The Church comprises the spiritual family united
together under the leadership of the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are numerous pictures in the New Testament that reveal
the strong bond we are to enjoy together.
·
Members of the Body
·
Branches of the Vine
·
Sheep of the Flock
·
Soldiers in the Army
·
Bricks in the Building
3.
It gives you an anchor.
We live in a very mobile society where people frequently
find it difficult to put their roots down. Our faith is
kept alive and strengthened through the commitment we have
to one another.
Hebrews 10:25 "Let us not give up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let
us encourage one another."
4.
Jesus spoke of the Church - Matthew 16:16-18. Jesus gathered around Him a
group of twelve disciples. Committed in loyalty and
devotion.
5.
The New Testament pattern
is recorded for us in Acts - Luke's account of the life and
growth in the early church. Different words describe the
followers of Jesus:-
·
Witnesses - Acts 3:15
·
Believers - Acts 5:14
·
People of the Way - Acts 9:2
·
Christians - Acts 11:26
Virtually all the New Testament
letters are written to the gathering of Believers as a
corporate committed body in a certain area like Ephesus,
Colossae, Phillippi.
6.
Church Membership
brings us
into the main flow of Church life in terms of the work and
witness of the fellowship in the present and in future
planning. An integral part of church life is corporate
guidance, as we seek to hear from God concerning His plans
and purposes. There are church meetings where members meet
to make decisions. The church meeting is really the church
in action. There is responsibility and accountability of
minister, elders, deacons and other appointed leaders to the
church.
7.
You need the church family
- The strength of our fellowship in Christ. The New
Testament is filled with verses concerning what we are
called to do for one another. Accept one another; bear one
another’s burdens; encourage one another; honour one another
and serve one another. There are many more.
· The
reality of our worship arises from the depth of our
relationships. A glorious event is the celebration of the
Lord's Supper where we are to experience and
express our oneness in Christ.
· Your
life, testimony, love, gifting is all to be shared.
· It's
the place of healing and wholeness. This is why we
frequently take the opportunity to pray specifically for
people.
8.
Privilege also demands responsibility.
Two particular features - LOVE AND
LOYALTY.
LOVE
-
The Agape love of 1 Corinthians 13.
A Avoid harmful
criticism.
G Go and visit
a Member in need.
A Accept one
another.
P Pray for one another.
E Encourage one another.
LOYALTY
·
Attend
regularly the opportunities to meet for worship on a Sunday
and the Home Fellowship Groups.
·
Support
the minister and leadership of the church
·
Work
together through discovering and developing your natural
gifts and seeking God for Spiritual gifts.
·
Give of your time
to work for the church. Find at least one area where you can
serve God within the fellowship.
·
Give financially
with tithes and offerings. 1 Cor. 16.1-2; 2 Cor. 9:6-8.
·
Pray regularly
for the life of the church.
·
Be concerned
for the wider community and how we can witness effectively
in this locality.
1 Corinthians 12:13 "For we are all
baptised by one Spirit into one body."
You don't become a church member to be just
one more name on the church roll. You become a church member
to share even more fully in the life of the family of God.
There is booklet available on
Church membership titled ‘Commitment’ that
develops this subject.
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