SERIES: GENERAL
TITLE : THOUGHTS ON CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
SCRIPTURE: 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12FF
INTRODUCTION:
Most of us, for the most part, do not like to be alone all the time. We like being a part of something. Whether that is a group activity or being where other people are, we like being a part of it.
In some circles, being a “member” of certain clubs are a status symbol. Country clubs, academic clubs, sports clubs, hunting clubs, gun clubs, etc... Certain clubs bring a certain amount of prestige to a person.
Some aspire to be members of certain clubs... doing things to impress the membership to be noticed... being active in the community so that others will notice their activity. Some try very hard at being seen.
Now, I am not saying that membership in clubs is bad. There are great clubs out there that do great things... but do we let the “club” mentality infiltrate the church? Have we let our gatherings on Sunday become just a “social club” gathering?
This morning, we want to look at what church membership is all about... We want to talk about what it means, what it is, and just who is a member of the church. Are we members of a particular “church” or are we members of a greater community of believers that cannot be defined by walls? Are you a member of THIS church or some other church? Or are there even “other” churches to be members of?
I. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
A. What does it mean to be a “member” of a church or church?
1. Define church...
a. Some misuse or mis-interpret the word “church”.
1. Like saying “born-again” Christian.
2. Like saying “going to church”.
3. Like saying “see you at church”.
4. Or is it just a matter of semantics?
a. “I know what I mean when I say church...”
b. “I know what I mean when I say ‘that outfit complements you...”
From Merriam-Webster...
1 : a building for public and especially Christian worship
2 : the clergy or officialdom of a religious body
3 : a body or organization of religious believers: as a : the whole body of Christians b : DENOMINATION c : CONGREGATION
4 : a public divine worship *goes to church every Sunday*
5 : the clerical profession *considered the church as a possible career*
b. See? Even Merriam-Webster can only get it partially right.
1. Take note of definition number 3a.
a. “3 : a body or organization of religious believers: as a : the whole body of Christians “.
2. Define membership...
a. You can be a member of many things...
1. Lion’s Club; Rotary, etc...
b. What makes you a member?
1. Paying dues? Attendance? Volunteer hours given? Interest?
c. Does membership constitute being a part of a building or a group?
1. ILL... Lion’s club park... Moose Lodge... etc.
Again... from Merriam-Webster...
1 : the state or status of being a member
2 : the body of members *an organization with a large membership*
3 : the relation between an element of a set or class and the set or class.
B. Let’s take a moment to talk about “fellowship” and the Greek word for “church”
1. Greek: "ekklesia."... the “called out”. 1Peter 2:9...
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
2. Fellowship... Greek: “koinonia”. Acts 2:42...
They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
3. Now... the question... Can you have these elements in “worldly” social clubs? Of course...
a. People who are members of the club have been called out from the rest of us and at each meeting, they have fellowship.
4. So... what makes the church so different then?
II. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: WHAT IS IT?
A. What is “church membership?” “What makes one a member?” What makes being a member of the church any different than being a member of some social club?
1. Well... let’s answer the last question first... in some cases... NOTHING! Some look at the church and it’s functions not any differently than any other social function.
a. They make sure that put it on their calendar for the week.
b. It’s just a “slot of time” filled with activity during their week.
2. Let answer the second question, second... “What makes one a member?”
a. Does just spending time in the church building?
b. Just coming to the services?
c. Just giving money in the offering?
d. Giving large gifts to the congregation now and again?
e. Volunteering time to maintain the building?
f. If not, any of these... then what?
III. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP: JUST WHO IS A MEMBER?
A. What are the” requirements” to be a “member” of “this” church?
B. Are there Biblical requirements? If so, what are they? If so, do these requirements apply everywhere? “Is membership in any “church” acceptable? “What do we require here at First Christian Church of Newburg to be a “member”? Again... let’s answer the last question first... and in the process answer questions one and two. And we will answer the others, as well, as we discuss this...
1. Requirement # 1 - Being a saved person... What does “being saved” mean? Are there different ways to being “saved”? (OOPS! Another question to be answered).
a. The Biblical Plan of Salvation... The ONLY way. PERIOD.
1. Believe / Faith.
2. Repentance.
3. Confession.
4. Christian Baptism.
a. Some may ask... I was baptized in my “old” church... does that count? (Answer to question # 4)
1. It does if you were baptized in the name of Jesus (Father, Son, HS) for the forgiveness of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38). Some baptize for membership into a particular congregation. Here, you are NOT baptized into the First Christian Church of Newburg... You are baptized into Christ. Some baptize because it is something a Christian must (or should) do to obey Jesus. Question: If one is not a Christian before baptism, how can a Christian be baptized to obey Jesus? Hmmmmmmm.......
5. Faithful Life.
2. Requirement # 2 - Being a living part of the body.
a. 1 Corinthians 12:12ff. This one is not on the wall... please take your Bibles and turn with me to 1 Corinthians 12 and follow along...
3. Requirement # 3 - See Requirements 1 and 2.
4. Do we “require” you to come down front and express your desire to be a “member” of this congregation?
a. No... but if you want to for the purpose of letting us know of your interest, then that is okay.
5. Do you have to have a “letter” to transfer to be a member here?
a. No... I don’t have a member letter file...
6. Does your name have to be in our “membership book” to be a member here?
a. I hope not... mine isn’t even in there...
b. The only book that matters is the “Book of Life”... Revelation 20:12, 15
12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.
15 And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.
CONCLUSION:
1. So.... hmmmm... to be a member do you need one of these? (Show card)...
a. I certainly hope not... this is the only one I have...
2. Church membership is not based on man’s standards, but on God’s Word. Where is your membership?
(All Scripture New American Standard Bible Updated Edition Copyright 1995 by the Lockman Foundation... used by permission.)
