Biblical Indications and Reasons to Join a Church
- The New Testament church practice of keeping a list of widows makes sense in the context of membership
- The instructions for church discipline make sense only in the context of membership
- The meaning of the word “join” in Acts. 5:13 makes sense only in the context of membership
- The meaning of “the whole church” in 1 Corinthians 14:23 makes sense only in the context of membership
- The instructions for pastoral oversight and spiritual leadership make sense only in the context of membership
- The metaphors used to describe local churches (flock, temple, body, household) make sense only in the context of membership
BIBLICAL REASONS FOR JOINING A CHURCH
- You prove that you’re not ashamed to identify with Christ or His people
- You stop being an independent Christian and place yourself under the discipline and protection of other Christians
- You participate in a stronger, more unified effort of God’s people to obey Christ’s command to reach others
- You have a greater opportunity to use your spiritual gift “for the profit of all”
- You openly demonstrate the reality of the body of Christ
- You demonstrate your commitment, not to “spiritual hitchhiking,” but to “the proper working of each individual part” in the visible body of Christ
- You “exhort” new believers to the same “good works” of commitment to the local body of Christ
- You encourage a ministry when you consider it faithful and join it
Update: Also see this post on why to join a small church
Read MoreIs Our Gospel the Same Gospel the Apostles proclaimed?
In preparing to preach on the church at Sardis, a church that faced no apparent opposition, one must conclude they did not proclaim the Gospel. In my daily reading today in Acts 28:22 (ESV Study Bible Reading Plan) I came to this phrase:
“for with regard to this sect [speaking of Christianity] we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
Of course Paul did enjoy some time without hindrance (Acts 28:31) but that doesn’t mean the “speaking against” had stopped. It is evident throughout the book of Acts that preaching the Gospel meant being opposed. And from Christ’s preparation of his disciples there is a continued warning that if they persecuted the Lord, they will persecute them. With all this said, what did the Apostles preach that was opposed? Acts 28:31 says that Paul was “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.” When we make it our aim and mission to bring all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ we are sure to be opposed. By the way that would be the start of a great mission statement (something on my mind as well lately), namely, to bring all things and all peoples under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
What encouragement can we also gain this day if we choose to partake in such a mission? Well, again, in my reading today, these words are a perfect way to end this post:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
That is a word to any person, people, and church who are willing to undertake the mission of spreading the Gospel, the Gospel that the Apostles preached.
Read MoreIs Our Gospel the Same Gospel the Apostles proclaimed?
In preparing to preach on the church at Sardis, a church that faced no apparent opposition, one must conclude they did not proclaim the Gospel. In my daily reading today in Acts 28:22 (ESV Study Bible Reading Plan) I came to this phrase:
“for with regard to this sect [speaking of Christianity] we know that everywhere it is spoken against.”
Of course Paul did enjoy some time without hindrance (Acts 28:31) but that doesn’t mean the “speaking against” had stopped. It is evident throughout the book of Acts that preaching the Gospel meant being opposed. And from Christ’s preparation of his disciples there is a continued warning that if they persecuted the Lord, they will persecute them. With all this said, what did the Apostles preach that was opposed? Acts 28:31 says that Paul was “proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ.” When we make it our aim and mission to bring all things under the Lordship of Jesus Christ we are sure to be opposed. By the way that would be the start of a great mission statement (something on my mind as well lately), namely, to bring all things and all peoples under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
What encouragement can we also gain this day if we choose to partake in such a mission? Well, again, in my reading today, these words are a perfect way to end this post:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah. (2 Chronicles 32:7-8)
That is a word to any person, people, and church who are willing to undertake the mission of spreading the Gospel, the Gospel that the Apostles preached.
Read MoreGreg Harris on the Darkness and the Glory
Dr. Harris shares some details on the writing and publishing of The Darkness and the Glory. It is an encouraging story that gives the glory to the Lord which can be read here.
Read MoreMagnifying the Cross, looking at things toward our joy and God’s glory
I am preparing to preach on being a living church, alive in our witness. But, I am thinking about future subjects or books to consider preaching on. In reading ongoing controversies, though tempted to comment, I am more admonished to steer clear of things that are endless and useless in conversation. In fact, when beginning to consider to write on such subjects I was encouraged all the more to cling to the Cross. There are three things I am considering preaching following the series on the seven churches; all dealing with magnifying the cross in particular contexts. They could be possibly entitled as follows:
- Magnifying the Cross in Gospel spreading.
- Magnifying the Cross in Baptism.
- Magnifying the Cross in Church membership.
When it comes to the first, magnifying the cross in Gospel spreading I am asking the questions to the Lord: What ways can we make much of the price Jesus paid on the cross for our sins? And how can we express in both word and deed the glorious good news of Jesus Christ?
When it comes to magnifying the cross in Baptism, I am taken back to my experience where the pastor said, “Buried with Christ in baptism, raised to walk in the newness of life!” But my experience is not where I end, I further consider, what is the most glorious truth about Baptism? How does it display the glory of God? Really, each item above may better be entitled: Magnifying the meaning of the Cross in…. What I want to discover, uncover, and declare is how the Cross is so gloriously seen every time someone is baptized.
Thirdly, when it comes to magnifying the Cross in church membership, I am thinking about how the church is a group of people called out by God to bring all things and all people under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. One’s submission to a local church for accountability and soul-care is quite important. It is a display of the Cross in the dying of self and living out the will of God on earth; and this can possibly be explained in various ways.
Even so, these subjects related to magnifying the meaning of the Cross therein, are coming to my spiritual desk, whether just for a thought today, or tomorrow, or possibly to preach through further–this I cannot for certain say at the time. But we would be blessed to meditate how we can:
Magnify the Cross of Jesus Christ in all things and bringing everyone and everything under the Lordship of Jesus Cross through that Message! Amen!?
Perhaps just a little urge of application–what subject are you dealing with today, and how can you magnify the meaning of the Cross in that context or situation?
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