Church Membership

Are you a member of a local church? Where? How active are you? Did you know that the church is really not a building? It is really made up of Christians all around the world. Jesus built the church (see Matthew 16:18 "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.") and willingly died for the benefit of the church (see Ephesians 5:25 "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.").

God Has a Purpose

We can be a part of God's work through the church. "So in Christ we who are many from one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5).

FACT - As part of the church, we can enjoy God (worship) with other Christians (see Hebrews 10:25; Ephesians 5:19-20).

"10:25Let 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."

"5:19Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."

FACT - As part of the church, we should tell others about what Christ did for us (see Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

"1:8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.""

"5:18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."

FACT - As part of the church, we should grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus and allow Him to change our lives (see 2 Peter 3:18).

"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen."

FACT - As part of the church, we should help each other as Christians (see 1 Corinthians 12:12-26).

"12The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13For we were all baptized by[a] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

FACT - As part of the church, we should fellowship (hang out) with each other (see Hebrews 10:24-25).

"24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let 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."

Our Need

FACT - We need to identify ourselves with the church (see Acts 2:41-42).

FACT - We need strength for daily living, which can come through fellowship with other Christians (see 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."

FACT - We need to help the church by using our personal talents and spiritual gifts (see Romans 12:4-8).

"4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his[a]faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

God's Provision

FACT - God established the church as the body of Christ (see Ephesians 4:4; Colossians 1:18).

"4:4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called - "

"1:18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy."

FACT - God wants our church membership to be in the local church (see Rev 22:17).

"The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life."

FACT - God wants every Christian to participate in church membership (see 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."

FACT - Jesus showed us how important church membership was by His regular attendance at synagogue (see Luke 4:16).

"He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. And he stood up to read."

Our Response

ACT - You can become a member of a local church by telling of your faith in Christ and being baptized (see Acts 2:41-47).

"41Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

ACT - You can share the fellowship of the local church by becoming a member.

ACT - You can join a church by a statement that you have been baptized by a local church of like beliefs and practices.

My Commitment

If you are ready to make the commitment to join a local church, you may want to pray a simple prayer to God thanking Him for the church. Below is an example:

"God, thank You for the church and for allowing me to be a part of it. Help me to be faithful and to support my new family at church."

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