10 Reasons To Be A Faithful Committed Church Member

10 REASONS TO BE A FAITHFUL COMMITTED CHURCH MEMBER

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: TREEMENNDOUS Puppy For Sale--$5,000.

1. A little boy asked a salesman how to sell his puppy. He told him to put out advertising and make the price a little high so he could negotiate down to the price he wanted.

2. The salesman passed the boy’s house the next day and saw a large sign saying, “TREEMENNDOUS Puppy For Sale--$5,000. The salesman thought, “He’ll never get an offer with that price!” But returning home that night he was shocked to see the word "SOLD" written across it in big letters.

3. The salesman couldn’t believe it. This kid couldn’t have sold the dog for $5,000. His curiosity got the better of him and he rang the boy’s doorbell. The salesman blurted, "Son, you didn’t really sell that dog for $5,000, did you?"

4. The boy replied, "Yes, sir, I did and I want to thank you for all your help." The salesman said, "How in the world did you do it?"

5. The boy replied, "Oh, it was easy. I just took two $2,500 cats in exchange!"

B. DO WE NEED CHURCH?

1. I've had people tell me that they’re Christians but that they don't need to attend a church. To them, church is optional.

2. This message is about the 10 Reasons Why You Need to be a Faithful Committed Church Member.

C. IMPORTANCE OF THE CHURCH

1. THE CHURCH IS NO SIDESHOW, BUT IT’S GOD’S MAIN PROGRAM FOR THE AGES.

2. Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!” Matt. 16:18.

3. How does Jesus picture His Church?

a. A Church… trying to “hold on” until He Comes?

b. A Church… which is intimidated?

c. A Church… struggling to overcome worldliness?

d. A Church… struggling to stay alive?

4. NO! Rather, a Victorious Conquering Church!

5. The Church is called “Ecclesia” – the “called-out ones;” The “Body” of Christ, of which Jesus is the head; it’s “God’s Building.”

6. 10 REASONS YOU NEED TO BE A FAITHFUL COMMITTED CHURCH MEMBER:

I. JESUS DIED FOR THE CHURCH

1. Paul said, “...shepherd the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood” Acts 20:28. Jesus didn’t die for individuals, He died for the Church!

2. So Jesus didn’t just die for you; He died for the Church (Isa. 49:6). You and I aren’t supposed to be independent of that.

II. TO UNDERSTAND GOD’S WILL

1. “His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms...” Eph. 3:10-11.

2. The Church, as a whole, is more likely to get God’s will right than lone individuals. On Game shows, when the contestants can’t get the answer, the host turns to the audience and 99% of the time the majority get the answer right. It’s the same way in spiritual things; it takes all of us together to get an accurate view of God.

3. Peter said “that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation...” 2 Pet. 1:20-21. The Bible says, “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” 2 Cor. 13:1. Why? Because one isolated witness is not sufficient; it takes the communities’ witness.

III. THE CHURCH = THE BRIDE OF JESUS

1. At the Rapture, Christ is NOT coming for individual believers, but for His Bride, the Church.

2. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave himself up for her….that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but…holy and without blemish.” Eph. 5:25, 27. “For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready” Rev. 19:7.

3. How can we say we love the Groom – Christ – if we don’t love His Bride?

4. Some of you look about as excited as a sister’s kiss or Spam for Sunday lunch!

IV. INVOLVEMENT COMMANDED & MODELLED

1. We’re commanded by the apostles, “not [to] neglect our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but [meet] all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb. 10:25. CJB.

2. It was the New Testament pattern. The Lord Jesus went to church each week; “AS HIS CUSTOM WAS,” Lk. 4:16. The Early Church "devoted themselves to... Fellowship.” "Every day they continued to meet together" Acts 2:42-47. They knew the church was vital to accomplishing God’s will.

3. The American Church is in serious danger of decline due to the misplaced priorities of Christians.

4. God said, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. SIX days shall you labor, and do all your work: but the SEVENTH day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God” Ex. 20:8-10.