SF659 - MEMBERSHIP HAS MEANING - BECAUSE OF WHAT IS PROMISED (Hebrews 8 7-13)
SF659
mEMBERSHIP HAS MEANING
bECAUSE OF WHAT IS PROMISED
Hebrews 8:7-13
Introduction
We are a Society Afraid to Commit
May be because we have been burned
May be because we associate commitment with loosing our choices and/or freedom.
The Christian faith is built and grounded on commitments.
In the scriptures they are called Covenants!
The scriptures are filled with Covenants
Noah (Genesis 9:9-17)
Abraham (Genesis 15:8)
Moses
(Exodus 24:8) "Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, "This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.""
David (2 Chronicles 21:7)
Jesus
(Matthew 26:28) "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
(Acts 3:25) "And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.'"
Our relationships are based on Covenants…
Marriage –Church – Four Basic Commitments…
1A. I will protect the unity of my church…
By Acting in love toward other Members
So let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of our fellowship together” (Romans 14:19, PHILLIPS).
“Have a sincere love for other believers, love one another earnestly with all your heart” (1 Peter 1:22, TEV).
By Refusing to Gossip
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs” (Ephesians 4:29).
By following my Leaders as they follow the Lord
“Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be no advantage to you” (Hebrews 13:17).
(1 Corinthians 11:1) "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ."
2A. I will share the responsibility of my church…
By Praying for its Growth
“To the church---...We always thank God for you and pray for you constantly” (1 Thessalonians 1:1-2, LB).
By Inviting the Unchurched to Attend
“The Master said to the servant, >Go out to the roads and country lanes, and urge the people there to come so my house will be full” (Luke 14:23, NCV).
By Warmly Welcoming those who Visit
“So, warmly welcome each other into the church, just as Christ has warmly welcomed you; then God will be glorified” (Romans 15:7, LB).
3A. I will serve the ministry of my church
By Discovering my Gifts and Talents
“Serve one another with the particular gifts God has given each of you” (1 Peter 4:10, PHILLIPS).
By being Equipped to Serve by my Pastors
“[God] gave...some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
By Developing a Servant’s Heart
“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who...[took on] the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:3-4, 7).
4A. I will support the testimony of my church
By attending Faithfully
“Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another” (Hebrews 10:25).
By living a Godly Life
“Whatever happens, make sure that your everyday life is worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27, PHILLIPS).
By being a Christian Example in my Home and Community
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates” (Deuteronomy 6:4‑9, NIV)
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NIV)
By giving Regularly
“Each of you, on the first day of each week, should set aside a specific sum of money in proportion to what you have earned and use it for the offering” (1 Corinthians 16:2, LB).
“A tenth of [all your] produce...is the Lord’s, and is holy” (Leviticus 27:30, NCV).
Application
The difference between “Attenders” and “Members” is Commitment!
Four Reason to Commit to Membership…
A Biblical Reason: Christ is committed to the Church
(Ephesians 5:25) "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her"
A Cultural Reason: It is an antidote to our Society
Ø It flies in the face of our consumer mentality and church hopping.
A Practical Reason: It defines who can be counted on
Ø Every team has a roster, Every army an enlistment. Membership identifies our family
A Personal Reason: It produces Spiritual Growth
The Commitment: The Membership Covenant
Having received Christ as my Lord and Savior and been baptized, and being in agreement with West Haven’s statements, strategy, and structure, I now feel led by the Holy Spirit to unite with the West Haven Baptist church family. In doing so, I commit myself to God and to the other members to fulfill the above lifestyle commitments…
Signed