A. The American Express Credit Card Company had an ad campaign slogan for 10 years, from 1987 to 1996 called “Membership has its privileges.”
1. That was certainly true for American Express credit card holders.
2. What I want us to realize is that membership in the family of God, the Church, has its privileges as well.
3. The privileges of church membership are far greater than the privileges of any credit card!
4. The blessings of God for us through Jesus are too numerous and wonderful to list.
5. Peter expressed some of those blessings and privileges in the beginning of his first letter, when he wrote: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:3-5)
6. But what we also must realize is that along with the privileges of membership, there are also many important responsibilities – that’s what I want to talk about today.
B. The word translated “Church” in our Bibles comes from the Greek word “Ekklesia” which literally means “to call out from” and describes an assembly of people.
1. The Greek work “Ekklesia appears in the NT 114 times (74 times it is translated “church;” 35 times “churches;” 3 times “assembly;” and 2 times “congregation.”
2. When the word “church” appears it is used in two primary ways in the New Testament.
a. Sometimes it is used for the universal church – meaning all those who are saved around the world and for all time (Matthew 16:18; Colossians 1:18).
b. Other times it is used for the local church – meaning all those who are saved that meet in a certain place (Romans 16:5; Acts 8:1; 1 Thess. 1:1).
3. Today, as I discuss “church membership,” I will be using the term in the later sense – the local church sense.
4. So I am talking about congregational membership - being a member of a local church.
C. Many people wonder about church membership or congregational membership.
1. They wonder: “Is it necessary? Or “Is it biblical?”
2. These are important questions that deserve a biblical answer.
3. When we study our Bibles, we notice a number of things about church membership.
D. First of all, we notice that it is the Lord who adds a person to the church when they profess their faith, repent, and are baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38, 41, 47).
1. Typically, a person becomes a Christian in the context of a Christian community, and it is assumed that they automatically become a member or a part of that congregation.
2. But which congregation is a person a member of, if they become a Christian outside the context of a local church, or if they move from one community to the next?
3. In Acts 8, when Philip helped the desert traveling, Ethiopian eunuch, become a Christian, to which congregation did he belong when he returned to Ethiopia?
a. We don’t know, because Scripture doesn’t tell us.
b. If there was no congregation where he lived, did he begin one?
c. And if there was a congregation where he lived, how did he make known his desire to become a part of them?
4. These are good questions, but the Bible doesn’t specifically answer those questions for us.
5. So, the first thing we notice is that the Lord adds a person to the church upon their conversion.
E. Second, we notice that even though the rules and guidelines for church membership are never explicitly addressed in the New Testament, the concept of church membership is implied by a number of the principles that have to do with the church.
1. Consider the biblical images that are used to describe the church.
2. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-37, the church is referred to as a body.
3. In Ephesians 2:19-22, the church is referred to as a country with citizenship, a family/household, and as a building.
4. But perhaps the most helpful of the biblical images is the image of a flock under the care of shepherds (Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2).
5. All of these images for the church: a body, a country, a family, a building, and a flock, suggest a group of individual, distinctive parts that come together to form something whole.
a. All the images suggest the notion of belonging, commitment, and responsibility to the other members or parts of the body, country, family, building and flock.
F. Another thing we notice when we study our Bibles is all the “one another commands” of the New Testament.
1. We are called to love one another, be devoted to one another, honor one another, instruct one another, carry each other’s burdens, and admonish one another, just to mention a few.
2. Consider the fact that those commands can only be carried out in the context of commitment to a specific Christian community.
3. In church membership, we intentionally commit ourselves to a specific group of believers in order to live out these commands in concrete ways.
G. Another thing we learn when we study our Bibles is that church membership facilitates the kind of accountability implied in the New Testament.
1. The members of a congregation place leaders in place over them, and they agree to live under the authority of their leaders, and hold them accountable for their godly leadership (Titus 1:5; Acts 6:1-6; Heb. 13:17).
2. How can the church practice meaningful church discipline without the concept of membership? (Matt. 18:15-17; 1 Cor. 5:1-2)
3. Can someone be officially “put out” of the fellowship/membership, if we don’t know who is officially in the fellowship/membership? Obviously not.
H. So, is church membership necessary and biblical? Absolutely.
1. Some kind of formal and intentional commitment to a local church is assumed and is necessitated even though it is not specifically delineated in Scripture.
2. Therefore, church membership is necessary for putting biblical Christianity into practice.
I. Who, then, is eligible for membership in our congregation?
1. Someone becomes a member of our congregation when they obey the gospel (as we discussed last week) and therefore, experience the new birth in Christ, becoming a member of the body of Christ (both universal and local).
2. Someone who has already obeyed the gospel in the past can be added to our church family by declaring that they want to serve the Lord with our church family under the leadership and guidance of our congregation’s shepherds.
a. This happens periodically when people who are already Christians move into our area from another part of the country and place their membership with our congregation.
b. This also happens periodically when people who are already Christians, but have been working and worshiping with another congregation want to move their membership to ours (like when someone transfers their membership from the Oswego or Southside).
J. But whenever someone becomes a new member of our congregation, either when they become a Christian or when they transfer their membership, we spend some time with them helping them understand what it means to be a member of the body of Christ – in other words, what God’s expects from followers of Jesus.
1. Just like I said at the beginning of this sermon: Membership has its privileges and its responsibilities.
2. Last year the banners that hung at the front of the auditorium revealed 12 shared goals for disciples of Jesus.
3. Those 12 shared goals outlined the kinds of things we believe every member of our congregation should value and be striving to practice.
4. The 12 shared goals are: believe wholeheartedly, worship regularly, fellowship devotedly, serve willingly, pray fervently, give generously, study diligently, live purely, love unconditionally, speak wisely, evangelize gracefully, and walk humbly.
5. We spent the year focusing on one goal per month.
6. We believe that if we are growing in those 12 things, then we will be living a life that is pleasing to God and will have a congregation of strong and mature followers of Jesus.
K. What I would like to share with you at this time, is a membership covenant that your elders and ministers have been working on.
1. We believe this will be a helpful tool to keep us unified in our understanding of what membership should look like.
2. It is something that we will be using with people who want to become members of our congregation to help new members understand our shared goals and commitments.
L. Look with me at Our Membership Covenant (We use the word covenant to convey agreement, understanding and commitment).
Membership Covenant
1. I believe the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, the only infallible rule for faith and life (Psalm 19:7-11; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
a. As I said in the two sermons in this Blueprint Series about the Bible, a commitment to the Bible as the Word of God and the only authority for faith and life is the place we must begin any conversation about Christianity and God’s Will.
b. Psalm 19:7-10 talks about how perfect and right and valuable are God’s commands and then concludes in verse 11: Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
2. I believe in the one living and true God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as revealed in the Scriptures (Gen. 1:1, 26; Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19;1 Peter 1:2; Ephesians 4:4-6).
a. A belief in God as Creator and as Father, Son and Holy Spirit is another foundational understanding and commitment.
b. Ephesians 4:4-6 says: There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
3. I have become a Christian by professing my faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as my Lord and Savior; by repenting of my sin; confessing my helplessness as a sinner before God; by being immersed in the waters of baptism for the forgiveness of sins; and by dedicating myself to His service (Luke 9:23-24; John 3:3, 5; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; Romans 10:9-10; Acts 3:19; Acts 2:38; 22:16).
a. Last week’s sermon was all about this process of obeying the Gospel and receiving the salvation that comes through faith in Jesus.
b. Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God…Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, 5)
c. Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24)
d. We move from spiritual death to spiritual life when we are born again as we obey the gospel and dedicate our lives to God.
4. I promise to endeavor to forsake all sin, and to conform my life to God’s commands and Jesus’ teaching and example (Ephesians 4:1; 22-32; 5:1-5; Colossians 3:1-14; John 8:31-32; 14:21, 23).
a. Sin is not a popular concept in our enlightened and progressive culture, but it is the main problem facing all people.
b. All people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory and need God’s grace and help to overcome the hold that sin has on our lives.
c. As Christians, we must take seriously the commitment to put off the old self and put on the new self, putting behind us the attitudes and deeds of darkness, and putting on the mind of Christ and the character of Christ.
d. Ephesians 5:1-5 says: Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
5. I promise to submit in the Lord to the teaching and leadership of this church as being based upon the Scriptures (Hebrews 13:7, 17; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-14; Ephesians 4:11-13; Acts 20:28-32).
a. As independently minded people (especially Americans), Christians must understand we are all under authority and must be in submission to the authority of God.
b. Our submission to God includes our submission to the government under which we live, and the spiritual leaders of the congregation of which we are a member.
c. Hebrews 13:17 says: 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.
6. I recognize my responsibility to love and care for my brothers and sisters in Christ, and I promise to work with others in the church and to support and encourage them in their service to the Lord (Philippians 2:1-16; Romans 12:1-16; 1 Corinthians 12:1 – 13:13).
a. To be a member of the body of Christ means that we understand our responsibility to love and care for other members of our church family.
b. There are so many powerful passages in Scripture that communicate these ideas.
c. Philippians 2:1-5 says: So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…
d. Romans 12:9-13 says: Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
7. In case I should need correction in doctrine or life, I promise to respect the authority and discipline of the church and its leadership (Proverbs 10:17, 12:1; Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15; Titus 3:9-11).
a. God’s will for each of us is to be open to correction and accountability.
b. This is often a challenging thing for us to develop and accept, but we need it.
c. Proverbs 10:17 says: Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
d. Jesus gave us this instruction: 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. 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. 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 [meaning and outsider]. (Matthew 18:15-17)
e. None of us are perfect, and we need to be open to correction and accountability.
f. In the end, it is the responsibility of church leaders to maintain proper doctrine and conduct among the members of the body.
g. In the world there is the mindset of “do your own thing” and “have it your way,” but in the church, we must have the mindset of “do God’s thing, God’s way.”
h. Now please understand that there is endless forgiveness and help for those who stray if they admit their wrongdoing and seek to overcome it, but when anyone has the attitude that I’m going to do whatever I want to do, and no one, even God can tell me otherwise, that person cannot remain a member of the body of Christ.
8. To the end that I may grow in the Christian life, I promise to diligently read the Bible, engage in private prayer, keep the Lord’s Day, regularly attend the worship services, Bible classes and fellowship opportunities, and to give to the Lord’s work as He shall prosper me (2 Peter 1:5-11; 1 Peter 2:2-3; 2 Timothy 2:15; Psalm 1:1-3; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 16:2; 2 Corinthians 9:6-8).
a. These things are basics of the Christian life – Bible reading, prayer, worship, Bible study, fellowship, and financial giving.
b. Without those things, a person will not grow stronger in their faith and life.
c. We see that the early church was devoted to these kinds of things and we know how well they grew.
d. Acts 2:42-47 reads: And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
9. I purpose to be spiritually minded by walking in the Spirit, and by seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness in all the relationships and aspects of life (Rom. 8:5; Gal. 5:16, 25; Matthew 6:33).
a. The main goal of the Christian life is not to simply follow rules and do good deeds, it is to become more like God.
b. We can’t be more like God without seeking to put God first, becoming spiritually minded and living in tune with the Spirit of God.
c. Jesus told us to: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
d. Paul encouraged us to: walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh, and to live by the Spirit, and keep in step with the Spirit. (Gal. 5:16, 25)
10. I purpose to faithfully perform my whole duty as a true servant of Jesus Christ, and as an ambassador and witness for Christ in seeking to win others to Him (Matthew 5:13-16; 20:26-28; 1 Peter 4:10-11; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; 2 Corinthians 5:20).
a. God has given each of us gifts and abilities that must be used in service to God.
b. To not do our part is like a part of our physical body refusing to do its part.
c. God has also given us the responsibility to represent Him in the world and to spread the gospel to others, each in our own way, according to our personality and gifts.
d. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
e. 2 Corinthians 5:20 says: Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
f. Jesus has commanded us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Mt. 5).
11. I make this profession of faith and purpose in the presence of God, in humble reliance upon His grace, as I desire to give my account with joy at the Last Great Day (Ephesians 2:8-10; Romans 14:10-12; Hebrews 4:13).
a. We know that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works (Eph. 2:8-10).
b. We also know that each of us must give an account of himself to God (Rom. 14:12).
c. And so we must humbly rely on God and with God’s help take seriously our call to live out the profession of our faith with great effort and devotion, knowing that we must give an account on Judgment Day.
M. So, as I said at the beginning of this sermon, being a member of the body of Christ has amazing privileges, but also has some serious responsibilities.
1. In this sermon, we have focused on our mutual commitment to those responsibilities.
2. I hope that all of us will take these responsibilities to heart and do our best to fulfill them.
N. Let me end with the Peanuts cartoon where Lucy demands that Linus change the channel on the TV and then threatens him with her fist if he doesn’t.
1. Linus asked, “What makes you think you can walk in here and take over?”
2. Lucy replied, “These five fingers. Individually they’re nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”
3. Linus asked, “Which channel do you want?”
4. Turning away, he looked at his fingers and said, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”
5. Just imagine what we can accomplish together as a church working together as a single unit.
6. We need each member of the body committed to reaching…Upward, Inward, and Outward.
7. Membership matters! May we be blessed by the privileges of membership and be faithful in the responsibilities of membership.
