Articles from October 2015

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10

Areas that need follow through:

1. Repentance

• Initial repentance (unbelief & striving to earn heaven through your own efforts) but what about the other things that need to be taken care of? Things that hinder our conformity to the image of Christ

Repentance in my life following salvation:

• Words that came out of my mouth – gossip, vulgar language, inappropriate jokes
• The places I went
• The things I watched
• The music I listened to
• My possessions
• The way I dressed
• The way I treated others
• Dishonoring my dad
• Who I dated and would marry
• Lack of commitment to church
• Giving to the Lord – Couple dollars to a tithe
• My lack of care for peoples souls

2. Baptism

“An act of obedience whereby the believer publicly identifies through immersion with Jesus death, burial and resurrection.”

A. Identification with Jesus Christ

• A Proclamation – A public testimony that you are a Christian
• A Sign – Sign of your commitment and allegiance to a new master and a new way of life
• A Declaration – Declares your faith

B. Outward showing of what the Lord has done in your life

Announces your new life in Christ

Baptism says, “I am buried with Christ; I no longer live; I have risen from the dead;

I am a new person in Christ”

C. Baptism is an act of obedience to the Lord – Matthew 28:18-20

• Baptism needs to be considered as the next step after salvation
• Baptism is not an optional ritual, to be delayed or postponed

3. Membership in a Local Church

In the NT, from what we can tell, no one went church shopping or hopping!

There seems to have been only one church in each community

Church membership is not:

• A record of a box once checked
• A sentimental feeling
• An expression of affection toward a special place
• An expression of loyalty or disloyalty to parents

It is an expression of a living commitment!

8 Reasons Local Church Membership is Important:

1- Demonstration of your commitment a specific local church family

2- Transitions from attending a particular gathering of believers to belonging to a specific local body

By identifying yourself through membership with a particular local church, you are telling the church’s pastor and other members that you are not only committed to them, but committed in gathering, giving, prayer, service and accountability

3- Establishes an accountability relationship

4- Communicates your confidence that this is a place to direct others

5- Enables your participation at a capacity you can’t otherwise

• Can’t hold a teaching position
• Can’t be considered for any leadership role
• Can’t be a part of decisions made by the church

It hinders your ability to exercise your spiritual gifts for the benefit of the local body – 1 Corinthians 12:7

6- Places you under a specific shepherd care and responsibility

Hebrews 13:17 – Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

7- Means taking responsibility

• An act of saying I am now your responsibility and you are mine!

8- NT Pattern indicates some type of verifiable membership or commitment level

A. The phrase “whole church” indicates a verifiable membership – Acts 15:22

B. Records kept – Acts 2:41

• They knew who belonged to their assemblies and who did not – 1 Corinthians 5:1 “Among you”

C. The responsibility for pastoral oversight and spiritual leadership – 1 Peter 5:1-4

D. Instructions given for church discipline – Matthew 18:15-17

• You cannot formally exclude someone if he is not formally included in the first place (1Cor.5:13)

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 – I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Church is not a come-as-you-please and get-what-you-can attachment like one more store to peek your head into stores at the mall or market. Church is a body in which all parts care for one another – the home in which they live!

Church membership means being incorporated in practical ways into the visible body of Christ!

4. Involved in an Intentional Plan to Grow

• Time with God – in His Word and prayer
• Scripture memory
• Prayer
• Consistent intake of God’s Word through preaching and teaching

5. Taking Steps in Trusting God

• Thanksgiving
• Giving of resources

6. Witnessing

7. Recognizing and Obeying the Promptings of the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:14 – For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.