WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Mar. 14, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
WHY EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER
By Michael D. O’Neal……Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church……Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Acts 9:19-29
Text: Acts 9:26
Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
Introduction: I believe it is clear in the Bible that there is a body of Christ which is a spiritual organism. Every Christian becomes a part of it when he is baptized by the Spirit into that body (1 Cor. 12:13). He does not join it by conscious choice. He becomes a part of it by the operation of God when he is saved.
I believe it is ALSO clear in the Bible that there are local churches, which are local organizations. Every Christian in the Bible CHOSE, as Paul did in our text, to join himself to that local church.
I have been saved 31 years as of last month. I have been preaching 27 years as of this coming Saturday. I have never seen a Christian amount to anything in the Lord’s work who was not a faithful member of the right kind of LOCAL church.
I repeat: I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CHRISTIAN AMOUNT TO ANYTHING IN THE LORD’S WORK WHO WAS NOT A FAITHFUL MEMBER OF THE RIGHT KIND OF LOCAL CHURCH.
I believe with all my heart that:
EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER.
If you are not saved, this message does not apply to you. I am more interested in getting you on HEAVEN’S roll than on our church roll. Don’t confuse church membership with salvation. I believe MOST church members are LOST and are going to hell. Don’t add to that number. Don’t join our church if you are unsaved. Get saved. THEN, join our church.
EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER
I. FOR IDENTIFICATION
Acts 9:28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
A. It identifies the doctrine you hold
* We do not all believe alike at our church, but people in town know that we are Bible-believing, fundamental, independent Baptists.
* They know we believe the King James Bible is God’s perfect, pure, powerful, preserved word.
* They know we believe in salvation by grace, not of works; in service, in the separated life, in soul-winning, and in the Second Coming of Christ.
B. It identifies the direction of your walk
C. It identifies the duties you have
* A Christian has a duty toward his pastor and fellow workers in his local church.
* That is one reason some Christians do not join a church. They want to escape responsibility and accountability.
A football player is identified by his team.
A soldier is identified by his unit.
An employee is identified by his company.
A Christian is identified by his local church.
EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER
II. FOR INSTRUCTION
Ephesians 4:8-16 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
A. Your pastor gives preaching for your food
* 1 Peter 5:1-2 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;
B. Your pastor gives a path for you to follow
* 1 Peter 5:3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
C. Your pastor gives protection for your faith
* He watches for your soul, like a security guard
* 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.
EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER
III. FOR INFLUENCE
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
A. An influence upon the lost
* When you win someone to Christ, you will want to get him in church. That is going to be an uncomfortable task, if you don’t belong to one. Your witness will lose its strength.
B. An influence upon local believers
* People in your town know if you are a church hopper.
* They know if you are a faithful member of a local church.
C. An influence upon lands far away
* Local churches send forth missionaries
* Local churches support missionaries
EVERY CHRISTIAN SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER
IV. FOR INVOLVEMENT
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
A. In the church’s exaltation of the Savior
B. In the church’s edification of the saints
* Heb. 10:25 – We assemble, among other reasons, to exhort one another.
C. In the church’s evangelistic efforts toward sinners
* You are not likely to be DISCIPLINED in your efforts to win souls, if you are not a member of a local church.