Lord's Church Costs and Benefits

There is no greater blessing than being a member of the Lord’s church!

For those who know what the church is, what was done to make it possible, the blessings found therein, there is nowhere else they would want to be.

So why do we see so many with commitment issues regarding the church?

Is it because they thought it was all blessing with no costs?

For those that don’t know costs, who only look for the “free” blessings, the thought of commitment is out of the question!

For those who truly understand the blessings, no cost is too high!

Heaven Paid The Highest Cost!

It cost Christ the glories of heaven (Phil 2:5f).

Philippians 2:5f NKJV

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

It cost the precious blood of Christ! (John 3:16; Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25).

John 3:16 NKJV

16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Acts 20:28 NKJV

28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Ephesians 5:25 NKJV

25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,

But Christ looked to the joy on the other side of the suffering! (Heb. 12:2; Eph. 3:11).

Hebrews 12:2 NKJV

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ephesians 3:11 NKJV

11 according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,

We Too Have Costs To Pay For The Church

Matthew 10:34–39 NKJV

34 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

If we don’t understand that our commitment to the church (the body, bride, kingdom) of Christ, then we’ll always put other things ahead of the church.

We must be willing to give up anything and everything for our service to Christ in His church!

Even to the point of giving up family and friends that would hinder us.

Giving up the “vain traditions” of our family, community, culture - to assimilate into the community of Christ.

Heaven Is Worth It All!