Belonging to a Church
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Believers are called to be in a local church
Believers are called to be in a local church
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Membership, not mere attendance
Membership, not mere attendance
1. Who is your pastor?
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
authority and respect
2. Who has your back?
2. Who has your back?
If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
propriety and gossip
3. To whom will you submit?
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
4. To whom are you most connected?
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
5. From what are people excluded?
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
While so-called organized or formal church membership has been abused and distorted in teaching and practice, it is manifestly clear in the texts of the New Testament that belonging to a church is more than mere attendance.
The next 3 questions are aimed at getting to the heart of what it means biblically to belong to a local church:
What is my witness?
What is my witness?
I am in the great lineage of saints before me
I am in the great lineage of saints before me
praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
I am in the New Covenant!
I am in the New Covenant!
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.”
1cor 11:
I seek to treasure that which Christ treasures
I seek to treasure that which Christ treasures
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,
What is expected of me in belonging?
What is expected of me in belonging?
More than attendance, participation & priority
More than attendance, participation & priority
Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Giving of self; money, effort, talents
Giving of self; money, effort, talents
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.
Even talents are given FOR use in the local church
so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
1cor 12:
All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
Prayer and prayer requests
Prayer and prayer requests
After telling the Ephesian church to take up the whole armour of God, he says:
praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Conformity & Holiness
Conformity & Holiness
For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
What am I given in belonging?
What am I given in belonging?
The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit
indwelling comes with conversion, but anointing is for the church.
jn 16:
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
The great outpouring of Pentecost was not on individuals, but on the new church as was on the OT temple
Assurance & Guidance
Assurance & Guidance
The regular means of grace
Spirit Leading
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Knowledge you are in God’s will
Knowledge you are in God’s will
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,
There is a direct and fundamental connection between being saved and belonging to a local church. May God bless us as we participate in His Covenant Community, in His plan, in His ministry as we participate in one of His local churches to the Glory of God.