How Church Membership And Voting Help Us Take A Step To The Right - Big Picture Christian Life (Part 5)

Do you think government is important? Government says something important • Values • History • Theology • Locality • Identity Luke 14:25-27, 33 25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple… 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. Matthew 18:15-17 15 If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. How does church membership and voting at a business meeting help someone take a step to the right? Definition of a Church What a church is NOT: • Building • Club • Denomination • Entertainment show • Bible study • Camp • Home group Definition of a Church What a church IS: • People who are born again Christians who meet together in order to be a church Definition of a Church What a church IS: • A group of believers who organize together to do what a church does: preach the word, make disciples, baptize converts, celebrate the Lord’s Table. Definition of a Church What a church IS: • Key Elements: • People • Born again • Meeting together • Intention of being a church Church Membership A formal, public commitment which identifies you with a local church. Church Membership A declaration that you are a follower of Jesus who wants to meet with other followers of Jesus in order to do what a church does: preach the word, make disciples, baptize converts, celebrate the Lord’s Table. Church Membership at TBC 5 steps: • Regular attendance for at least 6 months • Attend four membership classes • Application • Interview • Public testimony of faith in Christ to the church Is Church Membership Biblical? Is Church Membership Biblical? Matthew 18:17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Is Church Membership Biblical? 1 Corinthians 5:4-5, 12 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? Is Church Membership Biblical? Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Is Church Membership Biblical? Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. Is Church Membership Biblical? 1 Peter 5:1-2 1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; Blessings of Church Membership to members 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Blessings of Church Membership to members 1 Peter 4:10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Blessings of Church Membership to leaders Blessings of Church Membership to outsiders Blessings of Church Membership - legal Church Government Matters • Values • History • Theology • Locality • Identity Why does the Congregation vote? Why does the Congregation vote? Matthew 18:17 – “tell it to the church” • Not the elders • Not the council of experts • Not the big church with the bigwigs Why does the Congregation vote? Priesthood of all Believers 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Is Congregational Voting Biblical? Is Congregational Voting Biblical? 1 Corinthians 5:4-5 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 2:6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough Blessings of Congregational Voting • Reminder and practical outworking of our values, history, theology, locality, and identity. • Expression of your value in Christ and responsibility to follow Christ. • Voting has a maturing effect as you recognize your role and perform it in a conscientious, Spirit-filled manner. (Garrett) • Voting fosters meaningful unity as we work together. (Dunlop)