Membership has its privileges!
✎ I carry a couple of cards in my wallet that give me certain privileges not available to the “general public.” First is my “Sam’s Club” card. It identifies me as a member at the warehouse superstore and enables me to purchase things for the church or at home for less than what I would pay elsewhere.
✎ Second is my family membership card to the Cleveland Zoo which really saves us money! By purchasing a family membership, we spend less than if we were to buy a one day admission for the seven of us, but our membership gives us more than just a one day admission. We can return to the zoo as often as we like for one year. We also receive a 10% discount on purchases made at the zoo. The benefits don’t stop there. We can also receive free admission to other participating zoos all across the country. In addition we receive special invitations to “members only” events.
Membership is optional; it is a choice. Non-members of the zoo can still see all the animals; souvenirs are still available to be purchased. You can buy many of the same things available at Sam’s Club at other stores.
Membership has it’s privileges; it provides benefits not available to the “general public.” Granted anyone could choose to become a member at Sam’s Club or the zoo and get the same privileges, but not everyone does. In the long run non-members may be willing to pay a little more for the same thing.
Many of the same things can be said about church membership. The church is hardly a zoo (although sometimes you may wonder. . .), and the church is not a store (although some folks may choose a local church like a grocery store. . .).
Membership has its privileges; church membership is optional, but highly recommended. Why? Let’s discover some of the benefits available to members only.
+ Ephesians 2:19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and MEMBERS OF GOD’S HOUSEHOLD. (NIV)
1. Genuine membership is a SPIRITUAL REALITY, not a church membership role.
A. God accepts us as members of His family.
God is telling us that we don’t have to be outcasts any longer; we’re no longer strangers. We can be “fellow citizens” and “members of God’s household.” As the Message Bible puts it “the kingdom of faith is now your home country. . . you belong here!”
Your inclusion as members of God’s household did not happen because you choose to join a local church. You can be a member of this or any other local church, but still not be accepted by God. When your life is over your entrance into heaven will not be based upon your membership standing at the local church; heaven won’t call the church office to verify if you were still a member in good standing.
God keeps his own records as to the names of those who are members of His Church. The Bible says, “the dead, great and small, [stood] before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books . . . If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:12,15 NIV).
The Bible make it plain. Take time this afternoon to read Ephesians 2:11-22 and you will discover that your birthright isn’t good enough for God. It doesn’t matter if your were born a Jew; it matters even less if your parents are Christians. It doesn’t matter what you may try to do to earn a membership in God’s family; regardless of how hard you may try to obey God’s law and live a perfect life, it won’t be good enough.
All that matters is that you are IN CHRIST. The Bible says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace . . . through him we . . . have access to the Father by one Spirit” (Ephesians 2:13, 14, 18 NIV).
When you acknowledge by faith that Jesus’ death on the cross was for your sin, when you ask Him to forgive you of your sin and to be the Lord of your life, then–and only then–are you made a member of God’s household, a member of Christ’s body, His Church.
Membership in the Church of Jesus Christ is a spiritual reality at the moment of salvation. You are either in, or you’re out. You’ve either got it, or not.
+ Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as MEMBERS OF ONE BODY you were called to peace. (NIV)
We are members of one body, members of God’s household through faith in Christ–nothing more, and nothing less. Faith in Christ establishes and maintains our genuine membership in His Church.
B. The Bible recognizes both a “universal” and “local” membership.
(I think we all know this by now, but it needs repeated.) The Church is not a building; Church is also not a worship service or event for us to connect with God. The Church is made up of individuals who have put their faith in Jesus for their salvation; You and I make up the Church.
This is what is sometimes called the “universal” or “invisible” Church; it is the Church of Jesus Christ. Only in heaven will the “universal” Church be able to all gather together at the same time and place.
Until then we who are all a part of the “universal” or “invisible” Church meets in local assemblies or churches. The Bible recognizes the believers membership in both the “universal” and a “local” church.
The book of Revelation was written to “the seven churches in the province of Asia.” Each of these local churches are addressed individually. Many of Paul’s letters were written to local churches or regions: Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, Philippi, Galatia, Colossi.
We can see the “universal” and “local” reference to the members of the Church in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.
+ 1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ--their Lord and ours. (NIV)
What’s Paul doing? He is addressing a letter to a specific “local” church–the church of God in Corinth, but he also includes all believers as well. Paul addressed some issues that had a specific application to the Church in Corinth, but the principals have application to all Churches and believers.
Ultimately Christ has only one Church, of which all believers are members. However, the Bible recognizes both kinds of membership; universal or invisible and local.
You and I are not more saved because we are members of a local church; you won’t get an engraved golden plaque in heaven for your years of membership at the local church. Membership at the local church does not guarantee us anything in heaven
So why should you join a local church? Why should you consider being a member of Praise A/G?
2. Membership has its privileges HERE AND NOW.
Membership within a local church is an option; it’s a choice each of us must choose to make. However, membership is highly recommended because of the benefits you and I can receive in the here and now.
I can’t open the Bible and show you an “eleventh commandment” that says, “You must be a member of a local church;” nothing in scripture makes membership a requirement. However, biblical principals do recommend membership.
Just like membership at a retail store or the public zoo gives you certain privileges, membership in the local church has its benefits too. Opting out of church membership could be costly; you need to know the price you may have to pay if you choose not to join the local church.
So what are the benefits of membership that we can receive in the here and now?
1. Church membership provides a public testimony of our salvation.
Remember, from the moment we are saved membership is a SPIRITUAL REALITY; we are “members of God’s household,” and “members of His body” (Eph. 2:19; Col. 3:15). Being joined together with Christ requires no initiation, ritual, or waiting period. You are included IN CHRIST by faith.
At the moment of your salvation God does an internal work within your life. You are no longer “dead in your sins,” but are made “alive in Christ;” you are a “new creation, the old is gone, the new has come” (see Colossians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
The internal work of God finds external expression as you get connected with other believers. When you become a member of a local church you are making a public confession of your faith in Christ.
✎ This may surprise you, but Praise A/G will not accept anyone as a member; the church is not like the Rotary or Kiwanis Club that will accept anyone as a member once they pay their dues. The first requirement for membership within our church is a personal confession of faith in Christ as personal Savior. You may be a nice person, attend church regularly and even give in the offering, but that isn’t enough to become a member. You need to confess your faith in Christ.
2. Church membership encourages participation in the mission of the church.
The stated purpose for every Christian Church is the same; regardless of the label an individual church may ware its mission is the same as all the rest. Jesus established the agenda for His Church.
+ Matthew 28:19-20 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (NIV)
The local church is the only organization whose stated purpose is for the benefit of its non-members. It is our responsibility to tell our world about the love of God made know to us through His Son Jesus.
Reaching the world is an impossibility for any individual. However through membership we join hands with one anther to do what Jesus commanded us to do.
Jesus has given us His Spirit in order to give us the necessary power to fulfil His purpose, but He has also given us each other. We are not intended to try to do it on our own.
✎ On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit filled the believers gathered in the upper room and they all began to speak in other tongues. The Holy Spirit did not just empower an individual, but a group. When Peter stood in the power of the Spirit to tell those gathered in Jerusalem about what had happened, he did not stand alone. Peter stood together with the eleven. When it was all said and done over 3,000 accepted Jesus as Savior; the Great Commission was being fulfilled. How was it done? Through the power of the Holy Spirit and believers who stood together. (See Acts 2.)
When you and I make a commitment to membership in a local church we stand together to fulfil the mission of the church. Jesus never sent out His disciples to minister alone; the disciples ministered in groups of two or more. The ministry of the local church is strengthened and encouraged when we join our hands together.
3. Church membership acknowledges that God has put us together.
You are not here by chance; God brought you here. When you join the local church, you acknowledge that God has brought us together. Christ is building His Church, so YOU BELONG HERE!
I’m often asked about my calling as a pastor and how I know that God wants me here in Garrettsville. Pastors are not the only one’s called to a local church. Membership gives you the opportunity to say, “This is where I belong.”
+ Romans 12:5 So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member BELONGS to all the others. (NIV)
“Melos” is the word translated “belongs” in the NIV or “members” in the KJV. Literally “melos” means “limb” or “part of the body.” We belong to one another like my arms belong connected to my shoulders, or my feet are properly connected to my ankles.
None of us are here by accident; God has brought us together. In the same way that our bodies are joined together in a certain way, or like the pieces of a puzzle belong together, GOD JOINS US TOGETHER. Membership within the local church recognizes what God is doing to make us one.
4. Church membership maintains unity.
Jesus’ prayer was that His followers might be one; through unity Jesus says that the world will know that we are His disciples (John 17:21). Jesus wants His church to be united.
God is looking for unity among His Church. When God finds His people living in unity, HE COMMANDS A BLESSING. Unity will always bring the blessing of God!
In Deuteronomy 11:25-26 Moses set before God’s people blessing and curses. God’s blessing would follow their obedience, but curses would come from their disobedience.
Unity is not just Jesus prayer for His Church; it is God’s will. Scripture demands unity within the church.
+ Romans 16:17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions. . . Keep away from them. (NIV)
+ 1 Corinthians 1:10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (NIV)
+ Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (NIV)
Obedience to God’s word–living in unity will bring God’s blessing to our church. Membership within the local church says, “I ‘m with you; we’re one.”
Church membership strengthens the unity of the church in three very important ways. It builds [1] unity of doctrine, [2] unity of relationships, and [3] unity of prayer.
Membership assures that everyone at the local church follows the same biblical teaching; we are united in doctrine. Praise A/G is unashamedly a Pentecostal church; we expect our members to have either experienced the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, or to be earnestly seeking the baptism.
Within the Church as a whole there is disagreement over various theological doctrines. I have had some good discussions with area pastors about some of their beliefs; on some issues we respectfully disagree with each other. One day God will show us all who’s right and who’s wrong.
However, if the local church is going to be effective, then it must agree in doctrine.
Church membership also builds unity within the relationships of the church–person to person. When an individual commits to membership within the local church, he/she is identifying with the congregation. New members are saying, “I feel welcome here and I want to welcome others.” Membership should connect us relationally with one another.
5. Church membership validates biblical authority.
Jesus said, “all authority in heaven and earth is given to me;” Jesus is the head or ultimate authority over His Church (Matthew 28:19; Colossians 1:18). However, Jesus has delegated some authority to leaders within the church, and the Bible clearly tells us to submit to their authority.
+ Ephesians 4:11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers (NIV)
+ Hebrews 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (NIV)
You are not truly submitted to Christ’s authority until you submit to the authorities He establishes in your life.
Perhaps is we are honest with each other, this is perhaps the reason many people don’t want to become a member of a local church (or why they don’t want to join any other organization for that matter). Americans, and American Christians resist authority.
Let’s understand something about scriptural leadership. Jesus did not establish a “dictatorship” within the local church; pastors and other leaders are not to rule the church with an iron hand. Jesus model is SERVANT LEADERSHIP; instead of a sword, Jesus lead with a towel. Jesus showed us that those who would be first, must become the servant of all.
When you commit yourself to membership you recognize the God given leaders He has place in your life; leaders who love you like parents should love their children. Membership willingly submits to the God given authority of the pastor and other church leaders.
CONCLUSION: Membership has its privileges, but it’s also optional–a choice. However, when we opt out of the benefits of membership we will often have to pay a greater price.
Sitting here today are at least four different kinds of people:
[1] THE NON-CHRISTIAN
[2] MEMBERS OF PRAISE A/G
[3] REGULAR ATTENDERS
[4] NEW ATTENDERS & GUESTS
