Sf655 - BECAUSE OF THE PREREQUISITES - MEMBERSHIP HAS MEANING (Revelation 22 17)

SF655

MEMBERSHIP HAS MEANING
Because of the Prerequisites

Revelation 22:17

introduction

The Problem…

Easier to join most Baptist Churches than it is to join most civic clubs.

Many have their names on church rolls who never attend or support their church in any way.

Why?

Þ     Because many never understand what church membership is all about

Þ     Because many churches do not communicate clearly what is expected of members

The purpose of this series is to help you understand what being a member of WHBC means.

The Person

It all begins with you

The Provision (Ephesians 2:1-5, 8-10)

Our Need (1-3)

God’s Provision (4-5)

(Romans 5:6.9)  "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. {9} Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!"

Our Response (8-10)

The Prerequisites…

1A.      You Must Transfer Your Trust From yourself to God Alone

What is Saving Faith?

More than just Believing Facts about Jesus

(James 2:19)  "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder."

(Matthew 8:28-29)  "When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. {29} "What do you want with us, Son of God?" they shouted. "Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?""

More than just Trusting Jesus for Temporary Needs

It is Trusting in Jesus Christ alone for Eternal Life.

(Acts 16:31)  "They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household.""

Row Boat Illustration

2A.      You Must Invite Jesus Into Your Life as Your Resurrected Savior

You Must Believe in the Resurrection

(1 Corinthians 15:17)  "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."

(Romans 6:9)  "For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him."

You Must Invite the Resurrected Christ into Your Life

(Revelation 3:20)  "Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."

3a.      You Must Receive Christ as The Lord of Your Life

(Romans 10:9-10)  "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

You Must place Christ in Control of Your Life

The Car Illustration

4a.      You Must Repent of Your Sin

Repentance is Required

(Acts 3:19)  "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,"

Repentance is to be Proven

(Acts 26:20)  "First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds."

U-turn Illustration

5a.      You Must Publicly Confess Christ And Follow Him In Believers Baptism

Everyone Who Came to Jesus in the Bible Came Publicly

The Woman who had bled for Twelve Years (Luke 8:43-48)

Baptism Follows Christ’s Example

(Mark 1:9)  "At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan."

Baptism Obeys Christ’s Command

(Matthew 28:19-20)  "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.""

Baptism Demonstrates Your Faith

(Acts 18:8)  … and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized."

(1 John 2:3)  "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands."

Baptism Illustrates Christ’s Burial and Resurrection

(Colossians 2:12)  "having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead."

Baptism Illustrates Your New Live as a Christian

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

Application

You can Join the Family

You simply have to …

Transfer your Trust

Invite Jesus into you Life

Receive Him as you Lord

Repent of Your Sin

Publically Confess Him and Follow Him in Believer’s Baptism