The Meaning of Church Membership

Introduction

Today my family and I are coming forward at the end of service just like we ask everyone else to do to join the church.

I want to highlight that it is not just a joy for me to pastor Hopewell, it is a joy to be a member.

Church membership has taken on some crazy meanings in our day

Some treat it like a gym membership- come when you feel like it

Some treat it like a country club membership-what can I get out of it

Needless to say it is like neither of those things

The church is an organization that exists for the benefit of those that have not yet become members. (Mission)

This morning we look at both the benefits and responsibilities of being a church member.

1. Church is a place where broken people get help. (1-5)

(1a) We must rally around the one that stumbles.

(1b) We cannot be judgmental or harsh, we may be tempted.

(2) If we are to be like Christ we are to look out for others first

(3-5) Legalism sets in when instead of lifting others up we tear them down.

Illustration: I have seen this in action. I have watched people rally around those in need. I have watched people gather at an altar and pray together.

2. Church is a place where we grow in our walk with God. (6-8)

(6) A teaching ministry is to be valued in the church

(7) You are only going to get out of the teaching ministry what you put into it

— This goes for the one that looks for what they want to hear

— This goes for the one that has not intention of acting on what they hear

(8) You do not grow more spiritual by being carnal

— We cannot allow ourselves to be divided on issues that are personal preference.

— As a congregation we are either growing in the Lord or going backwards. Your growth or decline makes a difference.

3. Church is a place where we make a difference in the lives of others. (9-10)

(9) Church is a place of patient service.

—The example of working with children

—The example of reaching out to the lost and indifferent

—If you are tired, keep going. If you have quit something get back at it. Do not let weariness stop you.

(10a) Take advantage of every opportunity. They are a God given chance to show His love to others

-Imagine you planned a great surprise

— Suppose you sent a gift to your child at school for their birthday, but they didn’t get it.

(10b)

— This has a special application to our taking care of one another. This does not downplay reaching out to those outside the church. It means that if we do not love and care for one another no one will take us seriously.

Conclusion

The church sure comes under a lot of attacks today. They say we are phony. They say we are hypocrites. They say we fail to live up to the ideals of our Jesus. To that I say, guilty as charge. Sometimes we are phony. Sometimes we are hypocrites. More often than not we fail to live like Jesus. Does this make me down on the church? Absolutely not. We don’t claim to live perfect, we claim a perfect savior. The flag we fly is not “look at me”, its “look at Jesus”. This church isn’t great because of us, its great in spite of us. Its great because of Jesus. The miracle of the church is that Jesus takes dirty rotten sinners and redeems us. He forgives, saves, changes us, and uses us. He begins using us the moment we are saved, and all the while grows us more and more like Him. If your mantra is “i cant join that church because of the hypocrites my response is “come one, we can always use one more.” ALl kidding aside, you will not find more love than you will find in a church. You will not find more help that you will find in a church. You will not find more purpose than serving God in a local church. Im joining today, wont you join me?