Chapter 5: Is Joining Actually Neccesary? [Pt. 2]

Matthew 16:18 CSB

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.

INTRO—

[[First, take that notes handout you have…take your pen, and where it says “Sermon Notes…” take your pen and cross out the number 3 and write in the number 6. Now that’s better!😁

Second, have you ever had a conversation (or even ‘discussion’) and after that conversation you go, “Oh, I forgot to mention…,” or “Oh, I wish I had though to say…,” or “Thinking about it now, I wish I could clarify…”? Well, that was me after my last time teaching on the subject matter in RC Chapter 5…the chapter that reminds us that membership in a local church is…]]

A SERIOUS UNDERTAKING

A wonderful privilege…& a significant responsibility…

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

**SOOOOO—for the purpose of clarity, I need to re-emphasize two important aspects from Chapter 5 “Is Joining Actually Necessary?”, from Rediscover Church.**

AUTHORITY — Right & Responsibility

“Right & Responsibility”

Quote box from p. 73 — “The authority of the keys = the right to declare on Jesus’ behalf the what and the who of the gospel: What is a right confession? Who is a true confessor?”

[If Christians don’t/can’t/shouldn’t, then who can/should??]

Matthew 16 (13-20) & Matthew 18 (15-20)

A right/responsibility to say what is biblical (biblically, theologically true).

Matthew 16:15–16 ““But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.””

2 Timothy 2:2 “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

Romans 16:17 “Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them,”

[example: Jesus didn’t really die on the cross, he only ‘appeared to die;’ Jesus died on the cross for my sin, so I am free to do whatever I think is right as a Christian (sexual immorality [homosexuality, predatory behavior]; racism [superiority, inferiority]).]

A right to say who is being a faithful Christ follower (actually following and helping others to follow Jesus).

Matthew 18:15 ““If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.”

Matthew 18:17 “If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.”

Romans 16:18 “because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words.”

[example: Westboro Baptist Church]

ORDINANCES — Identify & Define

“Ordinances…passports…ordained observances for a group.”

[Our authors compared the ordinances to passports (consistent with their ‘embassy’ description for a church… as such, the ordinances serve as identifying ‘papers’ of our commitment/connection as heavenly kingdom citizens)]

…an action or observance which communicates affinity, connection with a certain group of people (/team).

The ordinances IDENTIFY & DEFINE…US!

The two observances Jesus ordained…

BAPTISM

Matthew 28:19 “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

Acts 2:41 “So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.”

Acts 16:15 “After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.”

[[Acts 16:11–15 “From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, the next day to Neapolis, and from there to Philippi, a Roman colony and a leading city of the district of Macedonia. We stayed in that city for several days. On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there. A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying. After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.” ]]

LORD’S SUPPER

Matthew 26:26–29 “As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. For this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. But I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.””

Acts 2:42 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.”

1 Corinthians 11:26 “For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

CONCL—

Ephesians 4:3 “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:4–6 “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.”

INVITATION:

Salvation

Baptism

Church Membership

Matthew 28:19 CSB

Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,