THE PRACTICE OF THE CHURC - Church Membership Handout
THE PRACTICE OF THE CHURCH
Message Seven: A Biblical Understanding of Church Membership
Selected Scriptures
The Church defined: “The marks by which the true church is known is these: If the pure doctrine of the gospel is preached therein; if she maintains the pure administration of the sacraments as instituted by Christ; if church discipline is exercised in punishing sin; in short, if all things are managed according to the pure Word of God, all things contrary thereto rejected, and Jesus Christ acknowledged as the only Head of the Church.”
Why should I as a Christian join a church?
1. The Church is the place where your salvation is ________________.
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (John 14:21, NASB95)
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
(John 15:10, NASB95)
“You are My friends if you do what I command you.
(John 15:14, NASB95)
“If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.
(John 13:17, NASB95)
Membership is a reflection of salvation – Mark Dever
2. To ________________ the Church
“Do you have a vital relationship with Christ that changes your life and the lives of those around you?”
Why has God given you a spiritual gift?
“So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:12, NASB95)
3. To __________________ God
“Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.”
(1 Peter 2:12, NASB95)
WHAT DOES BEING A MEMBER OF A CHURCH MEAN?
1. Attend the _____________________ regularly
2. Attend ________________________ regularly
3. Practice the _________________ _________________ consistently
4. _________________ regularly
Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;
(Proverbs 3:9, NASB95)
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. (Malachi 3:10, NASB95)
“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”
(Luke 6:38, NASB95)
Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I directed the churches of Galatia, so do you also. On the first day of every week each one of you is to put aside and save, as he may prosper, so that no collections be made when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2, NASB95)
Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
(2 Corinthians 9:7, NASB95)
How do churches treat membership in such a way that it becomes meaningless?
1. By emphasizing ____________________ over ____________________.
2. By having little or few ___________________________ for its members.
3. By __________________________________________ church discipline
Have you made a commitment to the local church?
To become a member of Open Door…
1. Complete first eight lessons in Discipleship 101
2. Attend a potential new member class/interview with the church leadership
3. Be approved by the church body
4. Sign the Open Door membership covenant