Let's Celebrate
Celebration Service • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 1:21:54
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· 5 viewsThis week we're celebrating 6 new members to Libby COTN, and we explore the question, "Why Membership?", as we discover the importance of committing to a local church body.
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Notes
Transcript
Handout
Greeting
preparing for today
membership Sunday & communion
~ 20 minutes already, so
decided on a little different format this morning
not really a sermon
as i was pondering several different options, HS drew me to this ...
time of celebration
want us to perhaps repent—change the way we think about this moment
certainly important moment for those who are joining this morning
important for those of us who are already members
also important for those who would call this church home, but have never made that commitment to membership
that’s what we’ll be addressing this morning
play video: Promo Video
Message
Message
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
Why MEMBERSHIP?
play video: Promo Video
Why MEMBERSHIP?
Many people wonder why they should join a church. After all, isn't the important thing that people have a personal relationship with Jesus? Isn't the body of Christ greater than any one denomination? These are important questions, but they speak to only a part of what it means to be Christian. Becoming a member of a church encompasses so much more.
For one thing, Christians were never meant to live out their faith Isolated from each other. In fact, we were warned against this very thing in the book of Hebrews ...
25 We mustn’t neglect meeting together, as some are now doing. Instead, we must encourage one another, and all the more as you can see the great day coming closer.
When we look at the early NT church, we read in the book of Acts—one of my favorite passages in the Bible—just how connected and unified the church was ...
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
They didn’t just meet together—they did life together! What a powerful image that is! Oh, how my heart longs for that—doesn’t yours? That is my heart for us, and this text serves as a fine example for us as we celebrate together this morning.
Christians are called to look after each other in love. That's what being part of the body of Christ is about-living and loving in community. Becoming a church member makes this a reality through commitment. Joining a church expresses a serious willingness and commitment to walk faithfully in the company of other believers with all the benefits and responsibilities that go with such a relationship.
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
One of the benefits of being a church member is accountability. Christians need other believers to help them grow, to support them, and to set them on the right path when they stray. These are acts of love, and being a committed member of a local church means submitting to the input of other members for improvement. Without the commitment membership brings, such input could be easily ignored.
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
Church membership also places a person into a relationship of love and responsibility with others. Though this responsibility may include accountability, it is also expressed through acts of service and compassion and the willingness for self-sacrifice. Church members are family members who practice self-giving and minister to the needs of each other.
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
Being a church member additionally means uniting with a group of other Christians to accomplish bigger things than any Christian could do alone. By giving financially, volunteering personally, and committing wholeheartedly to a shared vision, church members can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, bring lasting change to many lives outside the church. Along with sharing the gospel, a denominational church can be a dramatic means of transformation in society, locally and internationally.
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
Church membership has much to offer those who follow Christ. Becoming a member of a church is one of the first acts new Christians can do to align themselves with other believers.
Trusting Christ personally with salvation becomes more meaningful when people truly commit themselves to following Christ and acting on that commitment.
play video: What it means to be Wesleyan
play video: Missional Church
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
Earlier, I stated this brief word and the ceremony to follow is for all of us this morning. For the new members, this is memorable moment—I like to call these markers on our spiritual journey. This is a catalyst to living out your faith, and you’re not alone! You have the support of your church family. We’re all in this together.
For those who are existing members, I hope this like attending a wedding ceremony.
describe it in context
For those who would call this your church home, but have not yet become a member of this body, I would ask, “Why not?” My hope for you is that this would stir something inside you—that you would be inspired by what you are witness to—and that you, too, might be able to see the value in membership. It is a commitment of which there are both benefits and responsibilities, and we need you as much as you need us.
We all have a role to play—we all have something we bring to this local fellowship. Let’s be active—not passive.
What is HOLY SPIRIT asking of you?
Prayer
Big Idea: Being a committed member of a local church isn’t an optional extra to a personal relationship with Jesus; it is the biblical means by which believers live out their faith together—receiving accountability, sharing love and resources, and partnering in God’s larger mission—so that the body of Christ can grow, serve, and impact the world in ways no one can achieve alone.
invite new members to come forward
little description preceding the remarks in this ceremony
important to remember, so i want to include it this morning
what we’re agreeing to first and foremost, we’re professing the Christian faith
without this step, it doesn’t make sense to join the church
this is the foundation of the church and its mission
we can’t be the church without an active, personal relationship with JESUS
met with each of you, and you have all agreed with this statement
you have professed faith in JESUS, and professed
you are a sinner
but you view sin differently—you have a desire to change
but can’t do it on your own—you (we all) need JESUS help
you have had an encounter with JESUS that has and is transforming your life
Religion can be anything! But true Christianity is God coming to man in a personal relationship.
Mission statement: My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.
—Billy Graham
pick up in manual
Invite church to come forward to welcome new members
transition to communion:
Communion
27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
28 But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29 For he who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly.
30 For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep.
31 But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged.
32 But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.
transition to a time of introspection
Communion Prayer
“Heavenly Father, how deeply grateful I am for this beautiful sacrament of Communion- given to us by JESUS the night before HIS crucifixion. I commit myself now to partake of this sacrament more often - as a powerful way of proclaiming YOUR death, remembering YOU, anticipating YOUR return, recognizing YOUR body, participating in YOUR death and resurrection, sharing with all believers, and separating myself from worldly pursuits. Thank you that as I partake, I am receiving life from YOU and celebrating the eternal life YOU have brought to me.
I come out of darkness now into the light. I repent of my sins and attitudes. I ask for forgiveness in JESUS’ name, I forgive all those who have hurt me, and I declare my trust in YOU and YOUR plans for my life.
I prepare my heart now to meet YOU at every opportunity I will have to partake of this wonderful sacrament of Holy Communion.
Amen.”
invite ushers to come forward to disperse elements
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
The Body of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, broken for us.
25 In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
The Blood of our LORD JESUS CHRIST shed for us. “For without the shedding of blood, there can be no remission of sins.”
Closing prayer & benediction
24 The Lord bless you, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.’
Scripture records the following words in v.27:
27 “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them.”
So, receive and go with the blessings of YAHWEH!
