Heart for Heart for WorshipWorshipMembershipMembership

1John 4:20-211John 4:20-21

If someone says "I love God", but If someone says "I love God", but hates his brother, he is a liar; for the hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from Him, commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should that the one who loves God should love his brother also.love his brother also.

The True Church of Jesus The True Church of Jesus ChristChrist

By definition, the church is the By definition, the church is the gathered people of God.gathered people of God.

Those who are not a part of that Those who are not a part of that people are welcome as visitors.people are welcome as visitors.

  But membership in a local church But membership in a local church only belongs rightly to those who only belongs rightly to those who already belong to God by faith in His already belong to God by faith in His Son Jesus Christ. Son Jesus Christ.

Why Membership?Why Membership?

By identifying ourselves with a particular By identifying ourselves with a particular church, we let the other members of that church, we let the other members of that local church know that we intend to be local church know that we intend to be committedcommitted in attendance, giving, prayer, in attendance, giving, prayer, and service.and service.

The growth of the body comes from The growth of the body comes from

ChristChrist.  But Christ causes that growth .  But Christ causes that growth through the instrumental working of each through the instrumental working of each individual part. individual part. 

In CovenantIn Covenant

We increase others' expectations of us in these We increase others' expectations of us in these areas, and we make it known that we are the areas, and we make it known that we are the responsibility of this local church.  We assure the responsibility of this local church.  We assure the church of our commitment to Christ in serving church of our commitment to Christ in serving with them, and we call for their commitment to with them, and we call for their commitment to serve us in love and to encourage us in our serve us in love and to encourage us in our discipleship.discipleship.

Church membership is not a set of rights that I Church membership is not a set of rights that I purchase with my tithe. It is a set of purchase with my tithe. It is a set of responsibilities that I commit myself to carrying responsibilities that I commit myself to carrying out, both for and with other members in gospel out, both for and with other members in gospel fellowship, work, and joy. fellowship, work, and joy.

By joining ourselves with God's By joining ourselves with God's people in local church membership, people in local church membership, we show that we want to we show that we want to covenantcovenant with them to help and be helped, with them to help and be helped, encourage and be encouraged, encourage and be encouraged, rebuke and be rebuked.  In other rebuke and be rebuked.  In other words, we show that we want to love words, we show that we want to love God's people, and be loved by them.God's people, and be loved by them.

Non MembersNon Members

Unregenerate members therefore do Unregenerate members therefore do not contribute to the growth of the not contribute to the growth of the body because they have no proper body because they have no proper function in it.function in it.

Unregenerate members do not share Unregenerate members do not share the same spiritual DNA as the same spiritual DNA as Christians.  Infusing the Church with Christians.  Infusing the Church with their blood will lead to complication, their blood will lead to complication, infection, and potential fatality.infection, and potential fatality.

Eph 4:15-16Eph 4:15-16

By By speaking truth in love, we are to speaking truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. building up of itself in love.

BaptismBaptism  

This is the first way we are This is the first way we are commanded to express our death commanded to express our death and resurrection with Jesus Christ.and resurrection with Jesus Christ.

Go therefore and make disciples of Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you… observe all that I commanded you… (Matt 28:19-20)(Matt 28:19-20)..

PrayerPrayer

James 5:13-16James 5:13-16    Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is

anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.is powerful and effective.

Statement of FaithStatement of Faith

    The most important thing we unite The most important thing we unite around is the message we proclaim - around is the message we proclaim - the gospel. For this reason, it is the gospel. For this reason, it is healthy to require people to sign the healthy to require people to sign the church's statement of faith.  This church's statement of faith.  This way, everyone knows what the way, everyone knows what the church is united around, and division church is united around, and division is less likely to occur. is less likely to occur. 

Serving God by Serving His Serving God by Serving His People!People!

Loving God’s people.Loving God’s people.

Meeting the need of God’s people.Meeting the need of God’s people.

________________

Follow the example of Jesus Christ!Follow the example of Jesus Christ!

Church CovenantChurch Covenant

    The second most important thing we unite The second most important thing we unite around is the lifestyle demanded by the around is the lifestyle demanded by the message we claim to believe.  For this message we claim to believe.  For this reason, it is healthy to ask people to commit reason, it is healthy to ask people to commit to the principles and priorities of a church to the principles and priorities of a church covenant.covenant.

Join a church for the sake of non-Christians.Join a church for the sake of non-Christians. Church membership helps make the gospel Church membership helps make the gospel clear to non-Christians by providing a clear to non-Christians by providing a unified witness of what it means to be a unified witness of what it means to be a Christian. Christian.

Join a church for the sake of Join a church for the sake of the church leaders.the church leaders.

If regular attendee’s don't eventually If regular attendee’s don't eventually make themselves known to the pastor make themselves known to the pastor as members of the church, then the as members of the church, then the pastor cannot take responsibility for pastor cannot take responsibility for them as part of his particular flock. them as part of his particular flock. Pastors need to know for which sheep Pastors need to know for which sheep God will hold them accountable so God will hold them accountable so that they can tend to them most that they can tend to them most responsibly and effectively. responsibly and effectively.

Hebrews 13:17Hebrews 13:17

Have confidence in your leaders and Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.benefit to you.

If regular attendee’s don't join If regular attendee’s don't join churches, then pastors cannot be freed churches, then pastors cannot be freed to do what they do.  Pastors can only to do what they do.  Pastors can only devote themselves to the ministry devote themselves to the ministry because they are set free to do so by because they are set free to do so by members. Regular attendee’s benefit members. Regular attendee’s benefit from the commitment of other people from the commitment of other people who have become members and who who have become members and who give and serve and pray regularly. give and serve and pray regularly.

Join a church to expose false Join a church to expose false gospels.gospels.

The best defense is often a good offense.  God wants The best defense is often a good offense.  God wants us to band together in love so that we can model us to band together in love so that we can model Christianity for the world.  This is often how we best Christianity for the world.  This is often how we best debunk messages that masquerade as biblical debunk messages that masquerade as biblical Christianity but are really different messages Christianity but are really different messages altogether.altogether.

Christians are called to differentiate the true gospel Christians are called to differentiate the true gospel from false ones, to defend it against distortion, and to from false ones, to defend it against distortion, and to prevent it from being perverted. We do these things prevent it from being perverted. We do these things best together because we are sharpened by each best together because we are sharpened by each other's insight, encouragement, and correction.other's insight, encouragement, and correction.

Join a church to edify the Join a church to edify the church.church.

Some people refuse to join a local church because Some people refuse to join a local church because they feel they would be slowed down in their spiritual they feel they would be slowed down in their spiritual growth if they joined.  Perhaps.  But maybe God growth if they joined.  Perhaps.  But maybe God wants such people to join a church to help speed wants such people to join a church to help speed other people up.  Membership doesn't stop with M-E.other people up.  Membership doesn't stop with M-E.

Joining a local church counters wrong individualism, Joining a local church counters wrong individualism, helping us live out the corporate nature of helping us live out the corporate nature of Christianity. The NT is full of injunctions to care for Christianity. The NT is full of injunctions to care for each other. This is part of what it means to be a each other. This is part of what it means to be a Christian.  So if we think we are mature, yet lack a Christian.  So if we think we are mature, yet lack a care for Christ's body that evidences itself in carrying care for Christ's body that evidences itself in carrying out the responsibilities of local church membership, out the responsibilities of local church membership, we hurt the church, and we are not yet as mature as we hurt the church, and we are not yet as mature as we presume. we presume.

Join a church for your own Join a church for your own spiritual protection.spiritual protection.

We can't always read our own souls perfectly.  We can We can't always read our own souls perfectly.  We can deceive ourselves, and we therefore need other people to deceive ourselves, and we therefore need other people to help us walk as individual Christians (Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm help us walk as individual Christians (Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 19:12).19:12).

The Bible speaks of people as sheep.  Sheep aren't meant The Bible speaks of people as sheep.  Sheep aren't meant to be wandering around on their own recognizance between to be wandering around on their own recognizance between folds.  Sheep are dumb.  We fall into ravines when we are folds.  Sheep are dumb.  We fall into ravines when we are by ourselves.  We need to be shepherded into folds.by ourselves.  We need to be shepherded into folds.

So we need to exercise the humility to view ourselves as So we need to exercise the humility to view ourselves as sheep and submit ourselves to a local body of believers for sheep and submit ourselves to a local body of believers for mutual encouragement, protection, and examination.  It is mutual encouragement, protection, and examination.  It is our wisdom and safety to humbly stay with the flock and our wisdom and safety to humbly stay with the flock and near a good shepherd who grazes guides and guards us.near a good shepherd who grazes guides and guards us.

Jeremiah 17:9Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.above all things and beyond cure.    Who can understand it?    Who can understand it?

Psalm 19:12Psalm 19:12 But who can discern  But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.faults.

Join a church for your own Join a church for your own spiritual assurance.spiritual assurance.

In joining a church, we are asking our church In joining a church, we are asking our church family to hold us accountable to live according to family to hold us accountable to live according to what we confess.  Membership in a local church is what we confess.  Membership in a local church is that congregation's public testimony that your life that congregation's public testimony that your life gives continual evidence of regeneration.gives continual evidence of regeneration.

In joining a church, we areIn joining a church, we are taking hold of one taking hold of one another to know and to be known in mutual another to know and to be known in mutual responsibility and care, so that we can make sure responsibility and care, so that we can make sure we are bearing the fruit of holiness, "without we are bearing the fruit of holiness, "without which no one will see the Lord" (Heb  12:14; cf. which no one will see the Lord" (Heb  12:14; cf. John 14:21; 15:10, 14).John 14:21; 15:10, 14).

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.without holiness no one will see the Lord.

John 14:21 Whoever has my commands John 14:21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”myself to them.”

15:10 If you keep my commands, you will 15:10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.Father’s commands and remain in his love.

15:14 You are my friends if you do what I 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.command.

Join a Church for the sake of Join a Church for the sake of God's name.God's name.

The building up of the church is ultimately GOD'S The building up of the church is ultimately GOD'S work.  work.  The LORD added to their number daily The LORD added to their number daily those who were being saved (Acts 2:42, 47).those who were being saved (Acts 2:42, 47).

Saul, Saul, why do you persecute ME (Acts 9:4).Saul, Saul, why do you persecute ME (Acts 9:4).    Jesus so closely identified himself with His church Jesus so closely identified himself with His church that He said Saul was persecuting that He said Saul was persecuting HimHim when he when he was persecuting the church.was persecuting the church.

If Jesus identified himself closely with the church, If Jesus identified himself closely with the church, we should too.  By our being together in a church, we should too.  By our being together in a church, we are giving testimony and praise to God we are giving testimony and praise to God through our lives as we live and love each other through our lives as we live and love each other together.together.

It would be easy to put on programs and It would be easy to put on programs and attract people, and allow people to enjoy attract people, and allow people to enjoy being in the choir and having homogenous being in the choir and having homogenous friendships in small groups, but never deal friendships in small groups, but never deal with the most important issues.with the most important issues.

We could service people socially, but will We could service people socially, but will they be committed to pray, give, serve, they be committed to pray, give, serve, love, and attend?  These are the marks of a love, and attend?  These are the marks of a faithful Christian, and these are the faithful Christian, and these are the characteristics and actions that give God characteristics and actions that give God glory in the church.glory in the church.

Join a Church for the sake of Join a Church for the sake of God's cause.God's cause.

God wants His glory displayed and His God wants His glory displayed and His gospel spread to all the nationsgospel spread to all the nations..

"It is too small a thing that You should be "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make you a light to the Israel; I will also make you a light to the nations so that My salvation may reach to nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6).the end of the earth" (Isaiah 49:6).

We can take God's glory and gospel to the We can take God's glory and gospel to the nations better if we band together than if nations better if we band together than if we remain alone.we remain alone.

Being part of God's plan to spread His Being part of God's plan to spread His glory and gospel to all nations is a glory and gospel to all nations is a privilege that we will not have in heaven.  privilege that we will not have in heaven.  We seize the privilege of evangelism best We seize the privilege of evangelism best if we work together as one diverse unity.if we work together as one diverse unity.