Sermon Tone Analysis

Ephesians 2:19-22

Introduction

Is belonging important?

What does it mean to be a church member?

Why do so many church members not support their church?

What should you know before becoming a member of a church?

Five questions we want answered before we join a church…

Do I fit here?

- Acceptance

Does anybody want to know me? - Friendship

Am I needed?

- Value

What is the advantage of joining? - Benefit

What is required of members? - Expectations

Five Benefits to membership…

\\ 1A.

Belonging Identifies Us as Believers  (19)

1B.

Believing (faith) precedes belonging

(Acts 8:12 NIV)  "But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women."

(Acts 18:8 NIV)  "Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized."

2B.

Baptism pictures what we believe

(Romans 6:4 NIV)  "We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

3B.

Belonging affirms what we believe!

(Amos 3:3 NIV)  "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?"

(Romans 12:5 NIV)  so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

\\ 2A.

Belonging Provides Us with a Spiritual Family

1B.

Everyone Needs Someone Who will Encourage and Support Them.

(1 Thessalonians 5:11)  "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…"

(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."

2B.

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.

Belonging Gives Us a Place to Discover and use Our Gifts

1B.

There are many different kinds of gifts

A gift is a supernatural ability of serve God.

(1 Corinthians 12:4 NIV)  "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

"

2B.

The purpose of each gift is to help the church

(1 Corinthians 12:7 NIV)  "Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good."

3B.

Every Christian has at least one gift

(1 Corinthians 12:11 NIV)  "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines."

4B.

Every gift is to be used.

4A.

Belonging Places Us under the Spiritual Care of Godly Leaders

1B.

Leaders are to protect the flock.

(Hebrews 13:17 NIV)  "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 of no advantage to you."

(Acts 20:28-29 NIV)  "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.

{29} I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock."

2B.

Leaders are to provide for the flock

(John 21:15-17 NIV)  "When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

{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."

{17} The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?"

He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."

3B.

Leaders are never told to shear the flock

\\ 5A.

Belonging Provides Us with the Accountability We Need to Grow

(Ephesians 5:21 NIV)  "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ."

1B.

Accountability is important because of the dangers we face

We face external dangers…

(1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)  "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."

We face internal dangers

(Jeremiah 17:9 NIV)  "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.

Who can understand it?"

(James 5:16 NIV)  "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."

2B.

Accountability is important because of the value we possess

(1 Peter 1:18-19 NIV)  "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, {19} but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

(Ephesians 2:10 NIV)  "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

We count people - because people count!

\\ Application

Belonging is important indeed essential if we hope to fulfill our God-given purpose.

Worship helps you focus on God, prepares you for the week ahead.

Fellowship helps you face life’s problems.

Discipleship helps you grow in your faith and live your faith.