We Become

“I refuse to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.” - Grouch Marx

You belong!

Membership means that you are making a statement that Christ is your Savior, Branchline is your church, and these are your people.

it means that your voice matters in the direction of the church. Typically, this means...

approving the annual budget (and other important financial matters like purchasing property, etc,)

selecting leaders

and voting for the next senior pastor

Being a member means embracing our beliefs, values, and structures.

Last week we spent time talking about our beliefs. If you haven’t yet seen it, I encourage you to check it out online.

Next week we’ll spend time on the issue of how we structure ourselves to fulfill our mission and vision.

And this week, we’ll spend tome talking about our 6 core values.

LIFE AS A CHRIST-FOLLOWER

Our values show who we long to become. We’re not there yet. But that’s ok. We’re frankly not interested in being a church for people who’ve already achieved spiritual perfection.

We are interested in becoming a people who move towards maturity, even though we aren’t there yet.

We are more interested in direction than perfection.

The Bible clearly outlines what the life of a Christ-follower looks like. Based on the Word of God, we value the following activities of growing Christ-Followers. In fact, they will help you become more like Christ as you practice them.

Here’s a look at the first century church in Jerusalem.

Acts 2:42–47 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

1. Christ-Followers SPEND TIME with God

God wants to connect with you daily, in a personal way. We connect with God by spending time with Him through prayer, music, reflection, and Bible reading. 

John 15:5 NIV

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Remain = abide, spend time with, be at home with.

Acts 2:42 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

2 Timothy 3:16 NIV

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

HOW: bible reading plan, small group, prayer team, worship

2. Christ-Followers are GENEROUS

Giving first, saving second, and living on the rest gives God your best and shows He has first priority.

Acts 2:44–45 NIV

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

Let’s take a look at the historical setting for this chapter.

Jerusalem at Pentecost. After the resurrection of Jesus. People from all over the known world. (they spoke various languages). No hotels, people put up friends in their own homes. People hung around because Jesus said, wait and I’ll send the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 11:25 NIV

25 A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 3:9–10 NIV

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.

I can tell you stories of how God has blessed Moe and me financially, just when we were on the brink of economic disaster. Sometimes it comes with an unexpected check. At other times it comes through careful planning. This last year we were held afloat by preplanning (downsizing into a townhome), and the economic stimulus packages. With me working less than 3/4 time, and Moe being unemployed, let me tell you… It has been tight. But God has provided at the right moments. Sometimes through an unexpected check. Sometimes through a loan against our retirement. And then through the stimulus checks. God is faithful. When we are faithful, he is more than faithful.

HOW: Giving regularly online or in person. Look for ways to give outside our community.

3. Christ-Followers stay in AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY

We all have hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Trusting God and others with the real you by joining a small group and serving helps you learn and move forward.

Acts 2:46 NIV

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

Difference between the Temple courts and the Temple.

Hebrews 10:24–25 NIV

24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

You are not here for you. You are here for others. You are here to help them thrive in their spiritual life!

HOW: Small groups, Impact for students, serving team.

4. Christ-Followers SAY YES to Jesus and invite others to do the same.

God desires all people to know Him. We want to continue to multiply by actively sharing our faith.

Acts 2:47 NIV

47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

An indicator of a healthy church is how many people are coming to Christ. Every week we receive attendance numbers. I look to see how many people are watching online. I wish that it was true that attendance was a sign of health. It’s easier to track. However, the NT indicates that wherever the Gospel went, the number of believers went up.

Matthew 28:19–20 NIV

19 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.”

HOW: Receive Christ now if you haven’t yet made that commitment, get to know your neighbors, love your community in the name of Jesus.

5. Christ-Followers invest in the NEXT GENERATION

Investing time and money in the next generation reaches all generations.

Acts 2:47 NIV

47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Psalm 145:4 NIV

4 One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.

When we invest in future generations, we invest in the kingdom and Branchline. One of my great sadnesses is the see that the churches I grew up in are often devoid of the next generation. There is a crisis in North America. As churches grow older, they are not reaching even their own children and grandchildren.

This is why we want to invest time, energy, and money into the next generations. They are the future of the church. If we miss them, we miss our own future.

HOW: We have a huge need here for the return of Children’s ministry. The board has been talking about this, but the plans are not fully set. We would love to start some aspect of children’s ministry by June 1, with a full ministry to return by the fall. But we need your help. Would you be willing to serve? Please let us know. You can watch the service online later in the day. But the kids don’t have that same opportunity or understanding. For them, it is here and now. Would you be willing to sacrifice in order to invest in the next generation?

6. Christ-Followers SERVE

Contributing your time and talents in your home, church, neighborhood, and around the world shows God’s love to others and brings Him joy.

Acts 2:42–43 NIV

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” - Galatians 5:13-14

HOW: Dive into service. (closet conductor), kids min, ushers, trades

I’m looking at doing a series on Spiritual Gifts this summer. We serve best when we serve in areas of giftedness.

I believe that enjoyment and effectiveness go hand in hand. When we serve in line with our spiritual gifts we are more effective and we enjoy it more.

Would you want to serve in an area where you are effective but didn’t enjoy it?

would you want to serve in an area you enjoy, but weren’t good at it?

Exactly! That’s where spiritual gifts come into play.

Looking Ahead: We Belong

Structures:

simply put, our structures need to reflect the dynamics of the church. (Acts 2, 4, and 6).

Membership process:

Do you know Jesus as your savior and Lord?

Have you been baptised by immersion since coming to faith?

Do you agree with our statement of faith and desire to live out our shared values?