THE GOSPEL

& CHURCH MEMBERSHI

P

EPHESIANS 4:4-7 & 11-13

EPHESIANS 4:4-7

4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

EPHESIANS 4:11-1311 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers 12 To equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13

until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The Church is It is not

A Growing Complete

Interdependent Alone

Community Individualistic

Of Christ’s Ours

Holy Sin-Tolerant

Indwelt Powerless

And Gifted Unprepared

People Insignificant

The Church is It is not

Called Un-Authorized

To be Worshippers Self-Centered

Disciple Makers Un-Employed

Salt Impotent

And Light Defeated

In the World Confined

With the Ultimate Purpose Aimless

Of Bringing Glory to God Insignificant

CHURCH

BALANCE

WHY WE DATE THE CHURCH?

•We are independent

•We are indifferent

•We are immature

•We are indecisive

•We are ignorant

WHY WE DATE THE CHURCH?

WHY WE NEED TO STOP DATING THE

CHURCH?

•Membership with a Local Church

is

Important.

•Membership with a Local Church

is

Biblically Implied.

•Membership is implied by Church

Gatherings.

Because God’s Word Says..

1.THE CHURCH IS BOTH

UNIVERSAL & LOCAL

•The local church is a visible expression of the universal body of Christ.

•Membership is implied by church discipline.

•Membership is implied by church leadership

•Membership is implied by church accountability.

CHURCH IS BOTH UNIVERSAL & LOCAL

2. THE IMPORTANCE

OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

“A local body of baptized believers...”

Ephesians 4: 5

We are recipients of a new covenantBaptism is a declaration that we belong to Jesus

We are members of a new communityBaptism is a declaration that we belong to each other

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LOCAL CHURCH

“...joined together under biblical leadership...”

Ephesians 4:12a

3. THE CHURCHIS ENTRUSTED

WITH SERVANTS OF THE WORD

“...to grow in the likeness of Christ...”

Ephesians 4: 12b & 13

  We guard one another from deception.

Together, we want to Know the truth of Christ.

  We guard one another from division.

Together, we want to imitate the character of

Christ.

We guard one another from distraction.

Together, we want to display the fullness of Christ.

“...and express the love of Christ to each other and to the world around them.”

Ephesians 4:13

CONCLUSION

Love is the distinguishing mark of the church. 

CONCLUSION

Love is the essence of church membership.

•We join a church for the good of ourselves. •We join a church for the good of other Christians•We join a church for the good of

non-Christians.•We join a church for the glory of God. 

CONCLUSION