August 18, 2024 - Members of Christ's Body: The Importance of Church Membership

Main Idea: The New Testament expects a Christian to belong to a local Church where they are accountable to a specific body of Christians and are under the spiritual watchcare of shepherds who know them. 1. The Universal Church Expresses itself Locally. 2. The Church is Identified and Unified around the message of Christ the Lord. - Ephesians 4 3. Christians Collectively Identify themselves as Churches. 4. Christians POssess a Special Power and Corporate Identity when Formally Assembled. - Discipline and Pass judgement on sin: Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5 - Appoint Elders and follow their leadership: 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1 - Discipline and remove wayward Elders: 1 Timothy 5 - Settle legal disputes among members: 1 Corinthians 6:1-3 - Revelation 2: 14-16 5. Churches are to Watchover, Shape, and Guide the lives of its People. - Acts 2:38, 8:12, 16:33, 18:8. 22:16 - Romans 6:3 6. God gives Specific Shepherds for Specific Sheep. - Hebrews 13:7, 17 - 1 PEter 5: 1-2 Now what? - We must practice Meaningful Church Membership because the Church Governs itself.