MEMBERSHIP --- IT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
Introduction:
1. The church is a glorious and grand entity because it has as its
Author, God; as its head and savior, Christ Jesus, and as its
mission, the salvation of souls.
2. Membership in that body means rich enjoyments and provisions of
God's grace for His children.
3. Membership therein involves responsibilities.
4. Every relationship in life that is worth while involves
responsibilities. Cf. Family, Nation, etc.
5. Membership in the Family of God bestows upon each one the
highest and holiest privileges and blessings and, therefore,
involves the greatest responsibility and most serious
obligations.
I. LOCAL CHURCH MEMBERSHIP:
1. Since the congregation is the only unit of organization known
in the New Testament for carrying forward the work of the
church, it follows that for a Christian to be in full
fellowship with Christ, he must be associated with, be a part
of, and amenable to a local church, organization.
2. No "membership at large" in the church of the Lord.
3. Paul always associated himself with a congregation of God's
people. Acts 9:26-30; 13:1-3; 14:25-28.
4. Some seem to liken the church to:
(a) A restaurant -- come when feel hungry, or a problem.
(b) A cafeteria -- choose what you like, reject what you do
not like.
(c) A doctor -- come only when ill or sick.
II. SUBJECTION TO ELDERS AS A MEMBERS OF A CONGREGATION:
1. Elders are to exercise the oversight. 1 Pet. 5:1-5.
2. Heb. 13:17 -- "Obey them that have the rule over you...they
watch for your soul." 1 Tim. 5:17-19.
III. JOINT PARTICIPATION OR FELLOWSHIP IN THE WORK OF THE LOCAL
CHURCH:
1. Titus 3:1,2 -- "Ready unto every good work"
(a) Are we ready unto good works??? Is it a good work to
save souls, invite them to worship with us?? To study
with us??
2. Eph. 4:16 -- "Every joint supplieth" Joint -- assistance
(a) joint -- joined together, supporting each one
(b) How many joints does the church have that have aches,
pains, arthritis, etc.??? Not supplying as they should.
3. Luke 6:44 -- "Every tree known by its own fruit."
(a) What kind of a tree are we?? Am I?? Are we fruitful??
Producing??
4. 2 Cor. 8:7, 11-15 -- "Let each man do"
(a) Each man is to DO -- COMMAND, NOT A SUGGESTION.
(b) Am I doing as God demands that I do??? Are you???
5. Gal. 6:4,5 -- "Prove your own work"
(a) "Prove" -- examine self, form a proper estimate of what
I am doing. What is your estimate of what you are doing?
Are we satisfied with our activities with respect to the
Gospel???
(b) If I were put on trial for being a Christian, would
there be enough evidence to convict me? What would the
verdict be???
IV. PRESERVATION OF UNITY, PEACE AND HARMONY OF THE BODY:
1. 1 Cor. 1:10 -- "No division among you"
2. 1 Cor. 12:24,25 -- "No schism -- same care one for another."
3. Rom. 6:17-18 -- "Avoid them that cause division among you."
1 Tim. 6:3,4; Titus 1:10-11; 2 John 9-11.
4. Eph. 4:1-3 -- "Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace"
(a) Making some definite effort, working at it.
(b) not enough just to not cause troubles; but, must
endeavor to keep unity, peace, etc.
V. PRESERVING AND MAINTAINING THE PURITY OF THE CHURCH:
1. Christ died to establish its purity. Eph. 5:25-27.
2. We must live to maintain its purity. 2 Tim. 2:19-22; 1 Tim.
6:11; 1 Tim. 4:12; 5:22; Phil. 1:27.
(a) Again, this falls upon each one of us to keep our lives
as clean as possible, for only when each member is clean
does the church remain clean.
VI. FRUIT TO BE BORNE: CHURCH HAS A MISSION TO FILL: SOULS TO BE
SAVED:
1. United with Christ that we night bring forth fruit unto God.
Rom. 7:4.
2. Branches that do not bring forth fruit will be cut off. John
15:2.
3. So shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8.
Conclusion:
1. Thus, the church is a grand and glorious institution and we are
blessed to be a member of this body.
2. But simply being a member is not enough, for we must be a
working member, daily being spent in the service of our King.
3. We have a grave and serious responsibility.
4. Are you a member of the body of Christ, that for which He died?
5. If so, are you accepting your responsibility as you should?
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