Sf658 - BECAUSE OF WHAT IT PROMISES - MEMBERSHIP HAS MEANING ( Amos 3 3)
Amos 3:3
Introduction
(1 Corinthians 14:33, 40) "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints,"….But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way."
God wants Church to be united not divided
The Church should be organized to build unity not to bring division
What do these words have in common?
Committee, board, ballot, vote, business meeting, elections, officers, majority rule, parliamentary procedure…
None of them are in the Bible
A True NT Church Promises Unity and Effectiveness not Division and Ineffectiveness
A Four-Fold Description of the Church….
1A. The church is a Fellowship
(Acts 2:42) "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
The top priority in a fellowship is Harmony and Unity.
(Ephesians 4:3) "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
(Romans 14:19) "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."
Any Attitude that causes Disunity is Sin
(Colossians 3:15) "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
(1 Corinthians 1:10) "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
(2 Timothy 2:14) "Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen."
(Psalms 133:1) " How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!"
A Good Structure Promotes Unity and Downplays Differences
(1 Corinthians 11:17-18) "In … I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. {18} … I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, …"
Voting tends to divide!
2A. The Church is a Family
(1 Peter 3:8 LB) "You should be like one big happy family, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds."
(Galatians 6:10) "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers."
We are to Operate on the Basis of Relationships not Rules
(1 Timothy 5:1-2) "Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, {2} older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity."
Do you Vote on Everything in Your Family?
We need to recognize that there are different levels of maturity in the family.
(1 Timothy 3:4-5) "(A Pastor) must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. {5} (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)"
3A. The Church is a Body
(1 Corinthians 12:27) "Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."
(Colossians 1:18) "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."
We are a Body not a Business - An Organism not an Organization
We are to Function on the Basis of Spiritual Gifts not Elected Offices
(Romans 12:4-6) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, {5} so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. {6} We have different gifts, according to the grace given us."
In an Organization “maintenance” becomes the Focus
In an Organism “ministry” is the focus
The NT Teaches a Simple Structure so We can Maximize Ministry and Minimize Maintenance.
(Ephesians 4:11-12) "It was he who gave some to be … pastors and teachers, {12} to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up"
The People are the Ministers
The Pastors are the Equippers and Administers
This is a structure for Growth not Control!
4A. The Church is a Flock
(John 10:14) ""I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--"
Therefore it is Cared for and Led by Shepherds
(John 21:16) "Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
Shepherds are to Lead and Feed - The Feeders are to be the Leaders!
Three Terms used to refer to the same Role
Poimen = Pastor, shepherd - Ministry
Presbuteros = Elder - Spiritual Maturity
Episcopos = Overseer, bishop - Management
(1 Peter 5:1-2) "To the elders among you, I appeal … Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers…"
(Acts 20:17-18, 28) "… Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church. When they arrived, he said to them: "…Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood."
Action Points
1. How can I promote unity and harmony through fellowship?
2. What do I do to bring my Church Family together?
3. Am I serving where I am gifted?
4. Do I serve as a minister so my Pastor can serve as an equipper and administer?
5. Does my Shepherd feed me? If so am I following his leadership?