Sf657 - BECAUSE OF WHAT IT PROVIDES - MEMBERSHIP HAS MEANING ( Ecclesiastes 4 9-12)
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Introduction
We are a nation of loners
People are crying out for someone to care someone to understand them.
We feel isolated and alone
Technology has added to our isolation
Support Groups are the going thing
We have Support Groups for everything.
God formed the first Support Group two thousand of years ago
He called it the church!
1A. Membership Provides Stability in an Ever Changing World (9-10)
Because He Never Changes
(Hebrews 13:8) "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
Because His Word Never Changes
(Matthew 5:18) "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished."
Because His Promises Never Fail
(Psalms 89:28) "I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail."
Because His Purposes Never Change
(Luke 19:10) "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.""
Because His People Never Perish
(John 10:28) "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand."
2A. Membership Provides Support in an Impersonal World (11)
Everyone Needs a Personal Relationship with God
(Psalms 14:1) "…. The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." …."
Everyone Needs Someone Who will Encourage and Support Them.
(1 Thessalonians 5:11) "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."
(Hebrews 3:13) "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
(Hebrews 10:25) "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Everyone Needs Someone Who Will Restore Them When They have Fallen
(Galatians 6:1-2) "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. {2} Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
3A. Membership Provides Safety in a Dangerous World (12)
There is a greater danger than physical danger
(Matthew 16:26) "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Safety from the Danger from Without
(1 Peter 5:8-9) "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. {9} Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."
Safety from the Danger from Within
(Jeremiah 17:9) "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?"
(James 5:16) "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
This is the purpose of accountability
This is why we count people - Because people Count!
This is why we take roll - Because we want to help you stay close to the Lord!
You are important to God, therefore you are important to Us!
The Third Strand is Jesus!
Application
Everyone needs a firm foundation for life…
(Matthew 7:24) ""Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock."
Everyone needs support and encouragement in tough times
Everyone needs help in resisting the pull of sin and Satan.
Everyone needs a Friend…
“When you’re down and out, when you’re on the street,
When evening falls so hard, I will comfort you.
I’ll take your part.
“Oh! When darkness comes and pain is all around,
Like a bridge over troubled waters, I will lay me down.”
Paul Simon
Everyone needs a Church Home!