Sermon Notes

The Dearest Place on Earth
Week 3: What Does It Mean to Be a Part of the Church?
 
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
 
The church is not a place. The church is a people.
 
Local – A specific group of Jesus followers placed together for worship, community, and mission. 
 
What does it mean to be a part of the church?
 
The church is called the body of Christ.
 
“And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:22-23
 

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
 

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” 1 Corinthians 12:12
 
1. Every Member of the Body Has a Purpose
 
“For the body does not consist of one member but of many… If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:14, 19-20
 
“But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.” 1 Corinthians 12:18
 
“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:26
 
2. The Body Functions Best When the Members Work Together
 
“…that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25
 
“One another”
 
“…be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:50
“Live in harmony with one another.” Romans 12:16
“…care for one another.” 1 Corinthians 12:25
“Bear one another’s burdens...” Galatians 6:2
“Be kind to one another…” Ephesians 4:32
“Do not grumble against one another...” James 5:9
“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another...” 1 Peter 5:5
 
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace…” 1 Peter 4:10
 
“‘Each’ [in 1 Peter 4:10] implies that every person in the fellowship of believers had received a ‘spiritual gift’ for use in the life of the church.” Wayne Grudem
 
Every part of the body is valuable to the body.
 
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’” 1 Corinthians 12:21 
 
What is our church family missing out on because we’re missing God’s gift through you?
 
3. The Body Needs a Structure to Thrive
 
Church is not an event you attend, it’s a family to which you belong.
 
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God...” Ephesians 2:19
 
A local community of baptized Jesus followers under biblical leadership, uniting together in doctrine, using their spiritual gifts to serve one another, and being sent to make disciples.
 
Covenant Membership
 
1. Is church membership biblical?
 ·  The “One-anothers”
·   1 Peter 5:1-5
·   Acts 20:28-30 
·   Matthew 18:15-20
·   1 Corinthians 5:1-2
·   Hebrews 13:17
 
2. Why does church membership matter?
 
We live in a day when consumerism reigns and commitment wanes.
 
What does Covenant Membership mean? 
·  I identify with this church as a baptized Jesus follower.
·  I am united with this church in belief and mission.
·  I am submitted to the leaders of this church who are accountable for me.
·  I have a responsibility in this church to serve, love, and care for my brothers and sisters in Christ as we grow together in Christ-likeness.

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