"Your Privilege As The Church" Series

Title: “Your Privilege As The Church”

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Introduction:

Members of the body of Christ must realize that along with purposes to fulfill, there are also privileges to enjoy. As Christians we need to examine these, and realize that it’s what God wants each of us to do with our lives while on earth.

God gives you the privilege to become:

I. A MEMBER OF HIS FAMILY

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;” (Ephesians 2:19)

A. Following Christ is not just a matter of believing—it also includes belonging

1. The Christian life is not a solo act

2. We are meant to live in relationship with each other

3. God has given us the opportunity to be born again, so that we can become members of His family (1 Peter 1:3)

B. God has given us the church as a spiritual family for our own benefit

II. A MODEL OF HIS CHARACTER

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1 Peter 2:21)

A. God wants every believer to grow up like Christ in character

1. Becoming like Christ is the biblical definition of “spiritual maturity”

2. Jesus has established a pattern for us to follow

B. There are several specific areas in which Christians are to model the personality of Christ (1 Timothy 4:12)

1. In speech

2. In life

3. In love

4. In faith

5. In purity

C. Notice that maturity is not measured by one’s learning but by one’s lifestyle

1. It is possible to be well versed in the Bible and still be immature

2. Spiritual maturity comes to those who not only just comprehend, but to those who put God’s Word into action (James 1:22)

III. A MINISTER OF HIS GRACE

“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10)

A. God expects us to use the gifts, talents, and opportunities He gives us to benefit others

B. God intends for every believer to have a ministry

1. When you give your life to Christ, you are signing up to minister for the rest of your life

2. It is what God made you for (Ephesians 2:10)

IV. A MESSENGER OF HIS LOVE

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

A. Once a believer has been born again, they become messengers of the Good News to others

1. Paul says “Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others about God’s endless love” (Acts 20:24)

2. This is an important responsibility of every Christian

Illustration:

Too many Christians are no longer fishers of men but keepers of the aquarium.

B. God’s children have a wonderful message to tell others

1. Paul writes, “God was in Christ, restoring the world to himself, no longer counting men’s sins against them but blotting them out” (1 Corinthians 5:19-20)

2. We have a mission on earth and part of it includes telling others about Christ

3. As Jesus’ ambassadors we need to plead with unbelievers to receive the love God offers

V. A MAGNIFIER OF HIS NAME

“O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” (Psalms 34:3)

A. All believers have a personal responsibility to worship God

1. The first commandment says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3)

2. There is an inborn urge in every Christian to worship

B. If God’s people do not worship Him, they will often find something else to worship

1. A job

2. A family

3. A sport

4. Ourselves

C. More than anything else, God is worthy of our worship and devotion

Conclusion:

A church family has responsibilities to complete, but also advantages to delight in. All believers have the privilege to become members, models, ministers, messengers, and magnifiers. And as Christ body we should cherish each of them.