This morning I will strive to answer two questions that I’ve received. Is Church membership biblical is one question and the second question is; should Christians give finically to a church? So two separate questions that I believe have a lot to do with each other. Here are a few other questions that we will tackle: 1. If someone says they are a Christian but lives a homosexual lifestyle, will they go to heaven when they die? 2. If we have any unconfessed sin and suddenly die (as a Christian), do they go to heaven? I want to strive to answer both questions tonight including sin in general and not only the sin of homosexuality. I did receive two very theological questions: 1. Can you use an English accent when reading from the King James Version Bible? I think it’s more authentic. 2. Can we start having ice cream break during offering time? The answer to both of those questions is yes, whoever is asking this can read however they wish and do whatever they wish during their family house church time.

The Bible doesn’t simply command us to join a church—it does something far better. It shows the relationship between the church and its members with a series of object lessons that challenge mankind’s sinful nature of comfortable individualism, consumerism, and commitment phobia. The first object lesson concerning church membership can be found in 1 Cor. 12.

 

A Church Member is a Part of a Body (1 Corinthians 12:12-20) Each member is extremely important to the mission of the church, the Great Commission!

 

Notably, in this passage Paul is referring to being a “member” of a local church, not just the universal church. Paul is, after all, speaking to a local church of Corinth. We are connected to life when we are connected to the church! If one part of the body hurts, we all hurt. If one part of the body rejoices, we all rejoice!

 

We are a body working toward glorifying God and sharing the good news of Christ!

 

 

Both Paul and Peter call the church God’s “household”. The Greek translation means“family.”

 

Regularly attending a local church but not joining is like frequently visiting a neighbor’s house; you may enjoy the occasional fellowship but you’re not a part of the family.

 

What can family do that others are not usually able to do? A family member is truthful! We encourage and hold one another accountable. Hebrews 10:24-25 suggest this type of family encouragement and accountability. “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.”  

 

Why is church membership important to a pastor? It allows the pastor to see who his sheep are! A good shepherd is responsible to care for the sheep God has given him! His priority is the faith family first, and then other people. 

 

We are a family working together to raise one another toward spiritual maturity!

 

 

Finally, Paul calls the church the “temple of God” (1 Cor. 3:16–17). Peter calls Christians “living stones” that build up a “spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:4–5). As the fulfillment of both the garden and the temple in the Old Testament, Jesus now pours his Spirit on the church. The local church is composed of individuals built into a single temple. As we work for the “common good” of the congregation, we manifest the Spirit that resides in us.

 

To answer your question, church membership is biblical! If you are a Christian, than God’s design is for you to identify with a local body, family, or Temple! The church is His bride!

 

How does one become a member of this church? (Bylaws) Different churches have their requirements for membership. Our process is Biblically based. 1. Profession of faith in Jesus Christ and baptism by immersion. 2. A letter from another church showing that you are in good standing. 3. A statement of prior conversion and of baptism by immersion. The congregation votes because it is a serious matter. You are making a serious commitment and the church is making a serious commitment to have you as a family member.

 

As a member you may vote and have a say in all of the churches activities. We are Congregationalist, which means each member has a voice. 

 

What are the responsibilities of a church member? (Bylaws)

 

Each member is expected to maintain a growing relationship with Jesus Christ, to maintain a right relationship with other members, and to support the church’s activities and ministries with their prayers, time, talents, and finances.

 

When you are doing these things, you are taking part in the Great Commission.

 

This brings us to the second question someone has asked. I wanted to wait and cover this here. “Should Christians give finically to a church?” I want to give you a biblical answer. The Old Testament has a lot to say about tithing, in fact the word tithe means 10^th. A tithe is 10% of your whole income. Malachi 3:8-12 says: “Will man rob God? Yet you are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions. 9 You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing me, the whole nation of you. 10 Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. 11 I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the Lord of hosts. 12 Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the Lord of hosts.” The old joke among farmers was that if you had crop failure you weren’t paying the preacher.

 

Paul challenges the church of Corinth to give to the church of Jerusalem. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” Paul is saying that God will bless you if you trust Him with your giving.

 

Lastly, Paul wrote to the Philippians thanking them for helping him on his missionary journey. Philippians 4:15 “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.” Paul is thanking them for their love offering. Ministry does cost! If you enjoy AC in church on a hot day, give! I’m not being legalistic, I’m just being realistic.

 

The answer to both of these questions is yes! I believe both of these questions point to the gospel! How so pastor? You cannot have commitment-phobia and be a follower of Christ! Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”  We see in Acts 2 the ignition of the local church and how it’s God’s plan A and there is no plan B. We have to stop asking what the church can do for us and start applying our God given talents for what we can do for the church.

 

Your giving of tithes, talents, and time; all work to further the gospel? It’s a tangible application of your faith in God! You say that you trust God with eternal life, but you don’t trust Him with your finances? This is what I call practical atheism! How can this be? Give Him everything, not just lip service!