Why Should I Be a Member of a Church?

I. Because of What the Church Is

1 Timothy 3:15 NASB95

15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

A. It is God’s Family

1.“household of God” - it is where His family is. That is why Paul calls fellow saints, “brethren”

B. It is God’s Family

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Three: Follow the Leaders (1 Timothy 3)

Like a family, a church needs discipline in love. Children who are not disciplined become rebels and tyrants. The spiritual leaders of the assembly should exercise discipline (1 Cor. 4:18–5:13; 2 Cor. 2:6–11). Sometimes the children need rebuke; other times the discipline must be more severe.

2. It is where God dwells. Like the temple in the OT. No where else could make that claim.

2. It is where God dwells. Like the temple in the OT. No where else could make that claim.

3. To not be a part of it is to say to God, “I don’t like your family.” “I don’t want to live where with you.”

B. It Belongs to God

ἐκκλησία - “called out” by God from the world. It is Christ’s assembly. There are many gatherings. Just look at the newspaper. politics, art, town planning, etc. But only one kind belongs to God

C. It is the Pillar of the Truth

The pillars of an ancient Greek building held up the roof so that it would keep out the rain or the hot sun for the benefit of the people. each local church holds up the truth to keep out Satan, and sin for the benefit of Christians. Each church member holds up the truth for the benefit of other believers.

D. It is the Support of the Truth

Support = foundation

1 Corinthians 3:10 NASB95

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it.

1 Corinthians 3:10–11 NASB95

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

E. It is The Official Organization of God

Ephesians 1:9–10 NASB95

9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

The church is the mystery. This group of Jews, gentiles, free, slaves, all in one body working toward the same goal of making disciples of the world for Jesus. The kingdom of Israel was the administration of God’s people before Jesus came. It organized the wars against God’s enemies, the worship of God, the regulations of civil society. Now the church is that administration. The church organizes spiritual war against God’s enemies, the worship of Jesus, regulates relationships among His people.

No other organization can claim this. All the para-church organizations (New Tribes, Campus Crusade for Christ, even Samaritan's Purse) fall short of what the church can do. they often try to usurp the authority to regulate God’s people and fail miserably. Often the church sells itself short and thinks, “we cannot do it without some of these other para-church groups.” What are we saying? Did God, establish a deficient organization that is incapable of administering the Great Commission? No way! If God wants it done, than His church can do it!

II Because of the Command of God

Ephesians 1:9–10 NASB95

9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him

A. Direct Command

Hebrews 10:25 NASB95

25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

B. Assumed Command

Acts 2:40–43 NASB95

40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 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.

Acts 14:23 NASB95

23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Revelation 1:4 NASB95

4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,

Revelation 4:1 NASB95

1 After these things I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven, and the first voice which I had heard, like the sound of a trumpet speaking with me, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after these things.”

Revelation 1:12–13 NASB95

12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands; 13 and in the middle of the lampstands I saw one like a son of man, clothed in a robe reaching to the feet, and girded across His chest with a golden sash.

Revelation 1:20 NASB95

20 “As for the mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: the seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.