Being the Body - the Church

On Men’s Sunday, Pastor Hinegardner spoke on what was commonly called “The Church Covenant.”

We then saw the movie “Courageous” in which they spoke about another covenant – one for men to be the men God wants them to be.

Also, back in January, I found another church covenant that Dr. Thom S. Rainer, President and CEO of Lifeway Christian Resources wrote. That covenant ties in with being a church member, which we spoke about last week - being a member of a local church.

So, what are some things we can do as individual church members to help the church?

Don’t Gossip; Set aside our own preferences; Pray for the Pastor and each other; Be the body of Christ; and Be involved in the church with your family.

1.       First, Don’t Gossip

Romans 1:28-32, And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting… they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

Gossip is idle talk, it’s usually negative, and it’s usually about someone who’s not present

Slanderers, or backbiters, hurt people by spreading half-truths or by taking things out of context.

The Bible says that the main cause of gossiping, slandering and minding other folk’s business is idleness

Proverbs 26:20 reminds us, Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.

2.       Second, Set aside our own preferences

Let’s look to the example of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22: For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Paul also reminds us in Romans 14:19-21, Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

What did Paul write? let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another

3.       Third, Pray for the Pastor and each other

James 5:16 says, Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Ephesians 6:18 tells us that we should be praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 says, Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run swiftly and be glorified, just as it is with you, and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men; for not all have faith.

What about us?

Do we pray for each other?

Do you pick up the prayer list and pray for those on it?

Do we pray for the pastor and the deacons?

Be encouraged that we are praying for you.

4.       Fourth, Be the body of Christ

1 Corinthians 12:14-27

For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body," is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

Each member of the church has a function

Are we using the spiritual gifts God has given us?

Are we serving God in the church?

Are we helping?

5.       Finally, God wants us to be involved in the church with our family

Deuteronomy 6:7 says, You shall teach them [God’s commandments] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

We need to come to church as a family – worship as a family – and support the church as a family.

Sometimes people ask why teens leave the church after they graduate High School

By going as a whole family – children and youth see the importance of church

What changes do we need to make in our family’s church attendance?

6.       Church membership

Ideally, once you are saved you should join a local church. You should also get active in that church by attending it regularly, giving to it regularly (time, talents, and tithe), and serving where you can.

Conclusion

In what areas do you need to stop spreading gossip and disunity?

What personal preferences do you need to set aside so that God’s work can be done?

Do you need to pray more for the pastor, deacons, and church family?

How can you better serve God in the part of the Body of Christ that God has called you to be?

How can you be more actively involved in the church?

When I preached the sermon on the above points, I interspersed Dr. Thom Rainer’s church covenant. Since I believe it is such a blessing, I would encourage you to click on the link below for it.

I am a Church Member

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Do we have to join a Church?

I stirred up some discussion recently by asking How important is church membership? And why?

Here were some of the responses:

“Church membership unites a person with a body of believers. It gives the individual the support and encouragement they need to pursue their Christian lives. It also provides a place of belonging, worship, and service to the Lord. The Bible says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.”

“Membership is a person's commitment to a particular church. I would agree with Rachel that nowhere in Scripture does it say we need documentation that we belong to a church. However, I do believe it's something that each person in a church needs to think about and pursue. Most churches require membership for important reasons. They require membership for those desiring to teach, the privilege to vote on church policies and decisions, and for other leadership roles. Some churches even require members to hold to particular standards in regards to their membership. This helps when it comes to the spiritual growth of the individual as well as discipline issues. I see membership as a positive thing. It's like the individual is saying, "I commit myself to this church and their standards, beliefs and direction." And the church is saying, "We commit to you that we will serve you through our standards, beliefs and direction." Unfortunately, membership is looked more like a social status by the individual and a means to access numbers by the church.”

 “It's a commitment. There's nothing that says you can't be committed to a church without actually being a member; we've had folks in our church serve faithfully for years without becoming official members of the church. But when you're not a member, it's that much easier to walk away if things get tough. It's kind of like a marriage. When you're just dating, or even engaged, you still have that 'out' if you want to take it. Once you're married, you've joined a family. You've made a commitment to that person that you will stick with them. Christians should make the same commitment to their church family. It's easy to step away from people when the going gets rough, but it's a lot harder to back out on your brother or sister. And the relationship is reciprocal. In a church family, your brothers and sisters back you up just like you should back them up. And you demonstrate that commitment to faithfulness by publicly throwing in your lot with the body of Christ.”

 “If you're a Christian, and you're in a church every week, but you won't commit, there's something wrong with that picture. If you only consume and never serve, that's parasitic behavior and not healthy at all.
I know that's harsh language and I make no apology for it. I believe Paul would agree based on Hebrews 5:12...
‘For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.’”

Pretty strong words, indeed!

While the Bible does not command church membership, it does appear that after salvation the early Christians “joined” a local church where they were faithful and active.

Over the weekend, my friend shared this following blog with me that gives a good explanation on why Church membership is important. Please check it out:

http://www.drewboswell.com/why-is-it-important-to-be-a-member-of-a-local-church

Penn Jillette (of Penn and Teller) and Witnessing

Penn Jillette, one half of the magic team of Penn and Teller, is an accomplished magician, a very intelligent man, and an atheist.

In 2008, he was approached after a show by a Christian who had genuinely tried to share Christianity with Penn. This Christian man showed genuine concern for Penn’s soul and even gave him a pocket New Testament.

Sometime later, Penn made a video clip about this experience (which is posted at the bottom) and his views on proselytizing (witnessing). What he says should be convicting to any and all Christians!

“I’ve always said that I don’t respect people that don’t proselytize…I don’t respect that at all. If you believe that there’s a heaven and hell and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever…and you think that it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward…how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate somebody to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? If I believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was bearing down on you and you didn’t believe it, there comes a certain point when I tackle you…and this is more important than that.”

Please do not misunderstand him. He has not converted and he still does not believe in God.

Yet, he believes that if YOU believe in God, Heaven, Hell, eternal life, and that there is a way to have eternal life (through Jesus Christ), then you MUST witness. What a profound truth coming from someone who doesn’t believe in God!

So, how about it, fellow Christians?! Are we going to let “socially awkward” moments prevent us from witnessing? We shouldn’t! Let’s obey the command of Matthew 28:19-20. Let’s go and make disciples!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa9JE_ZVL88&feature=related