The Wisdom of Church Membership | Pastor Daniel Batarseh

well, it seems as though we have often stepped in and out of our

Series in the book of Of second Timothy, in the past couple of

months, which is not ideal. When you were trying to

establish a flow of thought, in the book of the Bible.

But I can assure you that we are in a unique season as a church,

that necessitates us to be able to communicate with the people.

Why it is that? We're doing what we're doing and

because we are in the infant stages of a Ministry.

We believe that is necessary to be able to explain from the

scriptures. Why we are growing in a certain

direction. Why are we implementing certain

things? Why are we choosing to go in a

certain way? And that is certainly true.

As you heard in the announcements for the milestone.

For this ministry, you've been hearing about and people have

been asking about this concept. Of membership and perhaps that

is a common concept to you and perhaps it is a totally foreign

one and what we desire to do as a leadership as help clarify

that that this organization, that this thing that puts

structure to the church is, in fact, supported with the word of

God. It is not something that adds to

the word of God. It is something that is derived

with the principles and the wisdom and even the practices of

the early church. And so today you might be in a

place where you are wondering as you just heard that we are now

opening and receiving applications for people to join

this church and to call it home. If this process is necessary, Is

it effective? What are the benefits?

Will they tamper with the organic feel that this church

has? And perhaps you're even tempted

to think is this even biblical? And prayerfully after you hear

what God's word has to say, about the subject, you will have

a greater confidence that this ministry.

This church is applying membership because we desire to

be as biblical as possible. So today we're going to explore

the wisdom of church membership and we are going to see how this

will only contribute to the health and the effectiveness of

the collective Saints, who would say this is where I desire to

serve, and this is the ministry that I want to be identified

with. But before we touch on those

reasons, I think it is necessary for us to understand the

framework of the church to understand the function of the

church. And that is throughout the New

Testament. And you can even find principles

in the old, but we want to look to the head of the church

himself and what he said about his church, And so before we

explore that, let us pray and ask God for a Humble Hearts open

minds and the grace to learn as he speaks to us through his

word. Go, we ask that in this moment

that we would be tuned in to your voice.

And that Lord, this would be free from confusion, it would be

clear and not only will it be information, but it would even

draw our hearts closer to Christ.

It would Inspire fresh, love towards the head of the church

himself. Lord May the delivery of this

message be done in Integrity dignity and sound speech.

Lord May our hearts be open to not just understand these truths

but to be willing to obey them whether we want to call this

church home or another place home, Lord, help us realize that

this is a step forward into greater obedience to your word.

We give you praise and glory. In Jesus name, we pray.

Amen. Turn with me to Matthew chapter

Matthew 16 · chapter mention

16 please. The Lord Jesus Christ mentions.

The church only twice in the gospel accounts.

Only twice. And in those two instances,

there are both found in the same book and each reference is Rich

with understanding of the identity and the operation of

this institution called The Church.

And in the first place of this mention from the lips of the

Savior, the Lord response to Peter's accurate, confession of

the nature, and the person of Jesus Christ.

When he declares after crisis, who do you say that I am?

What are people saying? Yes, but who do you think?

Who do you believe that I am and Peter as often as he does speaks

up. And he says, you are the Christ,

the son of the Living, God, And the response of Christ is first

that he affirms that this is something that God had revealed.

And then he goes on to say this, in verse 18, and I tell you you

are Peter and on this rock, I will build my church.

And the Gates of Hell shall not Prevail against it.

I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever

you bind on Earth, shall be bound in heaven and whatever you

loose on Earth. Shall be loosed in heaven.

And I'm sure you are aware of the great debate around this

text and the debate is about who or what this rock really is.

Jesus says he would build his church on and the Catholic

church for centuries. Have argued that this rock

symbolizes the person of Peter, And that God has given him a

certain Authority, and he was the first pope and Bishop, and

those who descend from him, are his successors and there are

great, great concerns with that interpretation, especially with

the authority that the pope claims to have over the church.

There's only one head and that's Christ.

But when we consider this text and compare it to other, texts

about the church, we see what Jesus meant here.

Because scripture interprets scripture and in Ephesians 2.

We read that the church, the foundation of this institution

is built upon the apostles and the prophets while Christ

himself is the Chief Cornerstone.

Now, what does that mean? It doesn't mean that the

apostles including Peter are The Rock when Jesus speaks to Peter

In This Moment, he addresses him as a representative of the

Apostles. And what he tells this man is

that he and all who are the appointed vessels in that

Apostolic Ministry were the ones who are going to lay the Bedrock

of the church through their Spirit inspired preaching and

teaching. It's not Peter.

Who is The Rock? It's the confession of Peter.

That is the rock. It is not the Apostle Peter nor

the other apostles who are the foundation.

But the truth that they delivered is the very thing that

the church we built upon. If the church is built upon any

person, is the person of Jesus Christ and who he is in his

nature and his character, and his work, not a system of

papacy. And this is important to

understand for many reasons, and let me give you one, If the

church is built upon a set of truths, concerning the person of

Jesus Christ, then those who make up the church or the ones

who adhere to these truths. In other words for somebody to

be a part of the church means that they are someone who

repents believes and confesses the truth of Christ as it is

laid out in the scriptures and that person becomes a living

Stone and that person now becomes a part of the spiritual

structure, known as The Church of Jesus Christ, that is the

foundational application of what.

It means to be joined to the church.

It is upon a Shin it is upon faith.

It is upon belief. Peter's confession.

Let me reiterate, is the rock that the church will be built on

and those who hear this confession and believing the

confess. It themselves are numbered among

those who make up The Universal Church of Jesus Christ.

That's glorious, it's wonderful. But let me say this please, this

is not theoretical. This is tangible, being a part

of the church is not some invisible status that you get

because of your faith. It is not God seeing you

differently because of your faith.

It is practical it touches life and in fact, radically Alters

your daily activity, and that is proven not in the first mention

of the church, from the lips of Christ.

But in his second, Last time, which is just two chapters from

this place. So turn to Matthew 18.

Verse 15. Jesus says, if your brother sins

against you go and tell him his fault between you and him alone,

if he listens to you, you have gained your brother.

But if he does not, listen, take one or two others along with you

that every charge may be established by the evidence of

two or three Witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them,

tell it to the church and if he refuses to listen, even to the

church, let him be to you as a gentile and tax collector.

Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on Earth, shall be

bound in heaven and whatever you loose on Earth.

Shall be loosed in heaven. This is another very familiar

passage of scripture, but we have to connect it to our

previous text. In order to come to a

much-needed. Conclusion about the church when

you read, what Christ says here, you realize what he esteems and

emphasizes for his people. In Matthew 16, Jesus confirms

that the church will be built upon a confession, a realization

of who he is and accurate, understanding of who he is, but

in Matthew 18, Jesus instructs, those who make up the church,

what they are supposed to do when one of its members behaves

or believe something contrary to that confession.

Christ cares about the purity of his church.

Christ is steams, the witness. Of his church Christ expects us

to be involved with each other's lives.

She, when you read this text, it assumes that being a part of the

church is not a status. That's in a hidden in your

heart, being a part of the church assumes accountability.

It assumes responsibility. It assumes Authority.

You can't read this. And not see how being a part of

the church touches people. Links people's arms, together.

Calls you to be involved because when you read something like

Matthew 18, the question is, well, how can something like

this be implemented? If the church is, made up by

different tribes and tongues and there are churches all across

the globe. And there are the people of God,

who make up the church who are distinct and their tribe and who

live in different cities and communities.

How can we do Matthew? 18?

And the answer is very simple. If Matthew 16 Speaks about The

Universal Church, the Matthew 18 speaks about the local one.

Matthew 16 speaks about the mystical body of Jesus Christ.

How we are now joined as members and he is the head and we are

his body, but Matthew 18 is the manifestation of it.

On the local level. Can I tell you something?

What this means is, here's the summary that if we are

identified with the church based on our confession, We make our

identity with the church known by willing to commit ourselves

to a group of believers who believe the same thing that you

do. In other words, you cannot claim

to be part of the Church of Jesus Christ, simply because you

believe what he did for you and who he is without at the same

time being able to point to people and say these are the

ones that I am committed to serve and these are the ones

that I am accountable to. And that's why we see this

perfect marriage between Matthew 16 and Matthew 18, you have The

Universal Church of one and you have the expression, the

manifestation the Quality. The real life on life in Matthew

18. And you have a lot of people who

believe they are part of the church, but they're not

committed to a local one, and they are not understanding what

Jesus design and desire for them is, you see what church

membership does is an assist the individual believer to be able

to fulfill his duties as prescribed by the head of the

church himself. If you want a simple definition

of what church membership is though I cannot point to a verse

that defines it, there are many things that you and I even

believe and practice that are not necessarily explicit in the

scriptures, for example Trinity. And you may not find membership,

but what you will find is organization structure

commitment, spelled out an example and instruction.

And so, here's a simple definition.

It is a formal expression of one's devotion and commitment to

the Church of Jesus Christ. And be comforted to know that

this is not an arrangement that conflicts with God's word.

And it can be if you go beyond the bounds of scripture and your

implementation of it nor is it nor is it something that carries

the authority to deal with somebody's eligibility for

heaven? That's ridiculous.

It's simply a way for each of us to say including the leadership.

These are the ones whom I serve. And these are the ones that I

submit to. I hope every single person in

here knows the difference between attending a church and

joining a church. A preacher gave a beautiful

illustration of this and I would like to share it with you

because of Minnesota to me. there's a difference between you

eating at a restaurant you eating at home, And every person

in this room either sees the church as a restaurant or they

see it as a home. And let me explain to you what

that means, you have people and perhaps even some today.

That they come. They want to.

They want to receive spiritual nourishment.

So they receive that service. They're willing to to give some

kind of contribution to show their appreciation but they're

not. There's no responsibility.

They're here to receive and in to leave, they don't know

anybody and just like at our favorite restaurant, you might

sit at the your favorite spot from time to time even though

it's your favorite eating joint, you might want to try something

new because this is so predictable.

So let me go to another place and eat there and then I'll come

back here. You don't know anybody.

Maybe some that also like to eat at this restaurant.

But you pick yourself up and you go and you move on and you'll

come again. But you're just there to receive

and you have you have no intention of giving At the same

time, there are others who see the church as a home.

They also eat you eat at home. I hope, but once they eat and as

they eat, they realize that they have a responsibility in that

house. They will contribute.

They will assist. They will restock.

They will clean, Etc. It's not a place that you visit.

It's a place where you identify with and I think this

illustration even as reflected in our language of how we speak

about the church. Let me put it this way, how

many? And I've said it myself too.

And I know what people mean when they say this, but it says

something about our Biblical understanding of what the church

is, I am going to church. Will I see you at church?

The church is not a place that you go to the church is not an

event that you attend. The church is you We are the

church and what the church does is like on this day on the

Lord's, they the church assembles together.

The church gathers together Maranatha Bible Church is not in

Norwich Illinois necessarily, that's where Maranatha Bible

Church meets and worships and serves and praise And so, the

former, the former concept I will go to church.

This is where I go to church. Has that restaurant mentality?

That's where I go to receive a service.

That's where I go to get my spiritual help and Aid.

But the latter, when you identify yourself with the

church speaks of family, one speaks of activity, the other

speaks of identity. One says, I'm a visitor.

The other one says, I'm a sibling.

I'm a son. I'm a daughter.

I'm a father, I'm a mother. I'm a role here.

Is it church or restaurant to you?

Or is the church a home? Do you see this place as a place

where you receive something? And once you get it you bolt it

to your car, as quickly as possible.

Never touching people. Never understanding what your

role is here. I'm not saying if you leave

early today, you don't consider this your home.

I'm speaking about an attitude that says, let me just get come

here to get what I need. And I'll come here consistently,

maybe but I'll also explore and go here and there.

It's not a restaurant. It's not a restaurant.

It's a place where you belong. It's a place that you identify

with it's a people that you serve and membership

establishes, the biblical understanding of the church

membership says, this is my family that I am committed to in

this life. As long as God calls me here,

And to be in a family, whether it's here or elsewhere, I can

guarantee you will do this. It will provide a meaningfulness

to your Christian Journey. That a visitor will never know.

And so, what church membership does is it draws the line.

Are you a visitor here or is this place church?

Are these people the church to you?

And I want to speak. Now from this point to

understand the wisdom of it. And the first point, I would

like to make is that membership. Not only makes that clear but

let's get to the details membership.

Makes church discipline possible, we just heard in a

Matthew 18, Jesus sets, a high standard for his church.

I find it amazing that every time I come to this text, I

realized that Jesus only speaks about the church twice and out

of all the things that he could have taught about the church,

out of all the things that you could have mentioned all the

things that he could emphasize. As what he speaks about is how

we ought to confront one another.

When we find ourselves in sin, The shows you what he values

that shows you what he really wants us to realize that shows

you his heart for the Holiness of his people.

That shows me that Jesus believes in Repentance, not just

for the loss, but for the saved, It's barely mentioned today.

It's like a it's a word that scares people and it's a very

practice that Jesus expects from his people. when you read this,

you realize that Jesus On a foundational level of church,

has to understand that there is mutual accountability.

How can you do that with a drive-through service?

How can you do that? When even churches are

structured in which we don't want to get involved with you,

just come attend, be entertained, received some

truths and I will see, you will see you at another time.

There are people that are satisfied with that from the

leadership standpoint and from the attendees standpoint and yet

Christ says, you have brothers and sisters that you do life

with. And the point that I want to

bring up is that in church discipline that deals with a

series of actions that have to take place when there's somebody

who's in sin, but refuses to repent of that sin, the final

step of that discipline is that, that person who professes to be

a Christian, but contradicts that confession has to be in

some way. Removed from a fellowship

removed from those who are in that place because Christ

clearly teaches you can't hold onto your sin and hold onto the

blessings of my people. Understand how serious that is.

Because what is church membership have to do with this?

Well, if there is such thing, as putting someone out asking

somebody, listen, you are affecting the purity of this

church, the testimony of the church.

The health of this church? You are not proving that.

You are someone who really believes in the lordship of

Jesus Christ. How can that putting out be

possible if there's no understanding of being in?

How can you say you can't be, you can't be in when there's no

clear idea of what it means to be in.

Jesus uses that language. There is an out and there is an

end Paul uses that language and my, am I to judge Outsiders.

He says, in First Corinthians 5, I am called.

And you are called to judge those who are inside.

Well, how do you determine who's inside and who's outside?

Where's the barrier? Where's the boundary?

And this is where church membership helps and makes that

distinction. It provides that kind of arena

in our understanding. And that's what Jesus meant

here. When he said, if a person

refuses to repent, then let him be to you as a gentile and a tax

collector. What is a gentile in the eyes of

the Jewish people? Somebody who is outside of the

Covenant, somebody does not share in what Israel had at the

time. Somebody who is outside and what

is a tax collector to the Jew. If you were a Jew and you're

attached, like your traitor. And what Jesus is saying here,

if somebody refuses to repent, they are traitor to the truth.

And treat them accordingly and there's a fracture there.

There is a surrender of Fellowship because Jesus wants

his people once those within his church, to feel the price of

sin. You cannot hold onto your sin,

and hold on. To The blessings that come from

the family of God, and there are blessings to be a part of the

family of God. But I also want you to see it

this way. Listen to this that without

membership, not only is discipline and distinction,

diluted but restoration is not as Redemptive Christ in his

wisdom, gives these instructions so that people can realize.

If I go in this direction, I will not know the warmth.

I will not know the encouragement, I will not know

the nourishment that comes from the church.

And what this says is if you want to live like Satan is your

master, then go into Satan's domain.

But it also does something else. It also gives a sense of reward,

after being restored, when somebody does repent.

There is a shared Mercy, there's a shared forgiveness.

There is a shared excitement when a brother or sister who has

been deceived for a while Who has been callous for a while

comes back and we joined the attitude of the father who

rejoices when a sinner repents and we know celebration how can

you know that without an understanding of being in?

And without the consequence of being out.

Membership. Lays that format, it lays that

framework for the church. But secondly membership

establishes a clear relationship between leaders and laymen.

So join with me in Hebrews 13. The New Testament presents a

blueprint of how the church should govern itself.

They are responsible for and those two realities are

perfectly merged in. This one.

Verse in Hebrews, 13:17 obey your leaders and submit to them

for their keeping, watch over your souls as those who will

have to give an account, let them do this with joy and not

with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Now this is interesting. You see the charge here for

Christians to be able to obey and submit to their leaders

because God has gifted the church.

God has called certain men to be Elders.

Who would govern the church in love and in humility and they

are expected to feed the flock. Pray for the flock Council.

The flock be by their side, provide wisdom through the

scriptures. And this Authority, that is

exercised. Will be determined by God at the

end of it all to see if they were faithful and exercising

that role. But it's in this command that

you and I see what membership provides a way for the people of

God to identify who their leaders are.

This is not saying you know you should have in mind people that

you appreciate who preach and teach the word of God.

This is not encouraging you to have a list of your favorite

conference speakers or theologians it's much more

profound than that. Leaders are not the ones that

you watch on YouTube. Leaders are not the ones that

write books that you love and is and just are encouraged by

leaders. Are the ones that you say.

Here are those here are the set of men that I joyfully obey and

Trust. I'm sure you're wondering as

you're sitting there today that that word submit is kind of

intimidating. What does it mean to submit?

Well, I can come for you with this truth.

That leaders don't have the Liberty to demand things that

are contrary to God's word. The only Authority that leaders

have is what is in the word of God and to communicate that to

people. But what it does mean, when it

says submit to leadership is that leaders organized the

Ministries, within a local church, the elders have that

Authority, they have that call, they have that responsibility,

through the wisdom of God's word.

And what the author is saying here, is that the members should

willingly, and joyfully submit to support, and to work with

them by yielding to their instruction.

And that's why he goes on to say, let them do this with joy

and not with groaning. Don't make their job more

difficult than it needs to be. There's an attitude that says as

long as God has placed these out.

There's I discerned that there God-fearing men and I trust that

God is leading them and I will pray for God to give them wisdom

and guidance so that they can they can guide me and my family

and my brothers and my sisters. And this is why membership is

not popular because it demands things like this and we want our

independence. Who are you to tell me what to

do? I'm just reading the text. but

at the same time, look at the second part of the verse For,

they are keeping, watch over your souls as those who have to

give an account. Tread lightly, when you

entertain being a leader in God's house.

Because there is a severe responsibility with it.

And God will look at these men who are Elders, who are called

by him, and he was say, what did you do with your position with

your Authority? but this implies that there are

souls, that leaders are particularly responsible, for

our pastors, responsible for The Universal Church, our elders,

supposed to give their same energy and focus and service to

anybody and everybody who is to be a Christian who claims to be

a No-No, our elders, even within a local church in this

technology age supposed to give that same special attention to

even those who watch online consistently and Older support?

No, they're not. because first Peter 52 tells us when the

Apostle Peter instructs, the elders, Shepherd, the flock of

God among you, Not just anybody who's a Christian.

But those who are in close proximity those.

Who say, I recognize your leadership, I recognize that God

has called you, and I'm willing to join with you.

Those are whom the shepherds are in charge of.

But here's the question. How is a leader supposed to

know? And so let's ask these questions

together congregation church who are your leaders?

Who are your late-night, your favorite pastors and

theologians? Who are your leaders?

Who are the ones that you say, these are the men that will

receive my spiritual nourishment from.

Not not exclusively, but these are the men that I trust to wash

the word. Over me to couch me to preach to

me, to pray for me to support me.

These are mostly trust my family to be under.

These are the men that I will pray for support.

These are the men that I will not be stubborn with and

self-will. These are the men that I say,

let's pray and this is not encouraging, Yes.

Men, it's not encouraging just people to keep their mouths shut

and whatever you say you it goes.

No, not necessarily, but there's a partnership there.

And my question is to you, who are those men in your life?

and at the same time, this verse is pointed to leaders who are

the souls That you oversee. who are the ones that the elders

have MBC have to dedicate their energy to the prayers toward

their service, their spiritual gifts.

You see when God instructs this, there's a wisdom and there is

manifold wisdom. And here's one of them that this

helps Channel pastors to be more effective.

And to reserve what God has deposited in them for a

particular localized. People is so in this verse,

there is a demand from both sides.

I have to be able to identify the elders in my life and the

elders are supposed to identify who the Sheep is. and it's not

everybody, it's not even everybody who comes into a

building to hear a sermon, it's not It's a mutual agreement so

you see membership helps with that.

It is cyst that it makes that more possible with a form of

Covenant that says, as a member, I discern that you are called by

God to be an elder and I willingly choose to support your

leadership at with a submissive attitude for the glory of God

while also committing my gifts and resources to these fellow

brothers and sisters of mine as my primary Arena of service.

And then the elders looked back. And they say, as God's ordained

leaders, we with humility and in the fear of the Lord, we promise

to lovingly serve and guide you to intercede for you to

encourage you to correct you And to labor in the study of God's

word to feed you, for your good, and for God's glory through your

life is in this beautiful. Isn't this so much more profound

and meaningful than just going somewhere to hear a sermon.

And when you're bored of that preacher, you go to another

place. And because the worship is

better here and it's not as strong there.

I'm going to, that's not the way it was designed to be.

And pastors. When I called to preach to

audiences and large crowds and boast about how many numbers

they have, they are going to be held accountable for specific

Souls, that the Holy Spirit has ordained them to overlook and

watch. And so of membership says

anything. It says that the people are

serious about obeying God, in the leaders are serious because

they know they will stand before.

God, I knew of a pastor. Many years ago.

Who is the lead pastor and he would travel most of the year to

preach at conferences and to travel the world.

While neglecting his church doesn't matter how sound his

teaching may have been this matter how well sought after he

is that his unfaithfulness That is unfaithfulness to the role of

a Shepherd as an Under Shepherd, in the Church of Jesus Christ.

And so there is an understand. As you heard earlier, there is a

discernment that's provided through this.

Who in this place is actually serious about being a follower

of Jesus Christ who we want to know.

We want to know who just enjoys hearing messages and maybe some

snacks downstairs and who says I actually want to serve God and

serve his people. And I don't want to, I want to

want one area of my life where I'm I'm not sure if I'm actually

following it, we want to know and that's why things like

baptism is important. Do you actually want to obey

Christ? Are you willing to do anything

to love him and to to follow him?

Tell us what the gospel is. We want to know how did Jesus

Christ save you? Because in part, Membership.

Actually is a public affirmation of someone's authentic, faith.

How can you say that? I didn't say membership gets you

into heaven. Or kicks you out.

I said membership is a way for a church Community.

Say, we know that this person believes the gospel, they

understand, the gospel, and they have been transformed by the

gospel. And we affirm that and there

were church discipline does at the final stages.

We have evidence to believe that.

This person's confession may not be true.

Because they are not repenting, they're not humbling themselves,

they're not surround. So, now, as Jesus said, tell it

to the church who who's the church?

The just people that come in? No, no.

Tell it to those who have joined this localized body and plead

for them to plead for that person, that brother that sister

to repent and to come to Christ. You can't do that.

If you have a surface level structure that just has

attendance, how do we reach out? How do we call the church

together? How do we say we need now a

collective effort to reach that lost sheep.

Membership helps with that. But lastly, we see another

important component of membership.

You've heard that membership makes church discipline

discipline possible. You heard that membership

establishes? A relationship between the

leaders and the Layman. And lastly, among many other

things, membership sets the table for Mutual edification.

It sets the table for Mutual edification as much as people

should know who their leaders are and leaders should be able

to describe this thing which who their service is dedicated to

membership. Also solidifies our mutual

service to fellow brothers and sisters. when you read the New

Testament and you see these commands toward one another,

Pray for one another build up. One, another encourage one

another. That indicates a specific

focused effort. The holy spirit is not speaking

in generalities here. if you have been deposited with certain

gifts and abilities, then the Lord expects you to Target them

towards someone or or group of people, in fact and to say that

our gifts can be loose and they can be free roaming and they can

be undefined. It's contrary to the Bible.

So you're in Hebrews. Now let's go to another

familiar, passage and 10:24. 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, okay? You are hearing very familiar

passage of scripture. And here's another one.

And this set of verses is often quoted to show The Importance of

Being in a physical church and to not neglect attendance.

But it is Much more significant and serious than that.

The instruction here does not speak about going to a sacred

building that has pews that has a large cross behind the

preacher know. It is speaking about a heartfelt

partnership and involvement to a specific group of Christians.

Listen, he says, do not neglect to meet together, neglect to

meet together, implying. What there's consistency.

There's consistency and just like you have a choice about who

you will obey and submit to as leadership.

You also have a choice. Of who you will walk this

journey with. The same way, we are each called

to have localized in particular leaders.

You also are supposed to have a localized in particular group of

people that you congregate with. On a regular basis.

So, this, this doesn't encourage you to just show up somewhere.

No. It actually encourages you to

call a place home. This is where I go and and God

has called me to be here. Consistently and if I fail to do

so consistently, if I fail to be present with my gifts with my

resources, with my time, with my energy, with my wisdom, with my

prayers, then I'm not being faithful as a member of Church

Christ Church. And this membership cons of

invites people to decide. These are the ones that I will

serve. These are the ones that I will

determine to encourage with my presence, my gifts, my service,

my words, my singing, my hospitality, and my consecrated

life. And there's so much more that

can be said. But let me just ask you again.

Where is that? Whether it's here or another

faithful Bible preaching. Bible-believing place, where is

that? To you, who are those?

That you're committed to. And so membership draws out your

gifts and it helps you be able to be more concentrated and then

being concentrated more effective.

As you do, what God's called you to do in that place with those

people. I'm sure there are many.

Many thoughts running through people's minds.

And one common thought, and one common temptation.

Would people have a hesitation about this idea of being joined

to a churches? I have just been hurt way too

much. I've been disappointed one too

many times. Man structure you with something

may, I give you some some wisdom from God's word as you consider

as you pray for Lee. See God to know where it is that

he and who it is, that he has called you to be walking.

This journey with, do not expect the congregation filled with

seraphim and cherubim. Because you will never find a

church on this side of Glory. That will be perfect.

But if you are going to do anything, I would I would say

this study the leadership. Study the leadership.

What do I mean by that? You're not going to have a

church. That's going to be tailor-made

for you. Remember, we're not a

restaurant. We're home.

But you do have a responsibility because you are making a choice

of who you will be serving with and who you will be trusting.

So study the leadership, how do they handle God's word?

How do they preach it? How do they teach it?

How do they apply it? And in from that place, look at

the people who sit under God's word, being declared from that

leadership and ask yourself do this people tremble at God's

word. Do they tremble?

At God's word? Is there a reference?

Is there a seriousness? Talk to them after the service.

Get to know them a little bit, ask people's testimonies and

figure out what kind of people make up this church.

You have every right to do that. But don't expect Flawless

Saints. Who have somehow tapped into

glorification before the resurrection. because I want to

tell you this, if you're willing if you're willing to love God by

being part of his church, you know what God will do because

God desires to place you somewhere to mature you Timothy

material, you and your gentleness, in your mercy, and

your forgiveness and your peacemaking.

In your listening rather than speaking.

He wants to stretch your soul. He wants to actually exercise

what you sow, love and sing about and profess and that's

unconditional love. And the primary place where God

will do that in your life, is in the local church.

As she invites you and I use that word invite.

But actually commands is the better word as he commands you

and I to come into this place. It's not just so you have a

check in your conscience that this is where I call home, more

than that. This is where God is going to

sanctify. You And this is where blind

spots in your life are going to be exposed for your good.

And this is where you will know a comfort and you will know an

encouragement, you know, a building in a stirring from

other people who are walking the same Journey with you. and if

you're going to avoid being a part of the church because of

hurt because of disappointment, And just say imma I'm just going

to preach or listen to a preacher rather who speaks well

and run out of the door as quick as I can.

You will not know how God can chisel Christ into your

character. You will not know how God can

mold you and melt you. Because his primary means

through that. Yes, is your personal Devotion

to the word of God, but I was even thinking about this other

day. What's the point?

What's the point? If I, if I shut myself in my

room and I memorize Ephesians, about loving one, another

forgiving one, another, if I'm not going to put into practice,

what's the point? If I'm, if I'm just a sermon

junkie and I listened to this preacher and that preacher and

over and over again, and it doesn't translate through my

life. And where's the supposed to

translate? Here.

With other imperfect people who are striving on to Perfection

with other people who want to be conformed to the image of

Christ. And as in this place by God's

design that those things that he wants to.

So radiates from your life, but we possible.

But I have to say this is a very simple message, but I have to

say it because Pete many people are not convinced of this that

can never happen if this is a restaurant to you.

And not at home. It's very easy, it's very easy

to not see the imperfections of people or your own

imperfections. If you just come one hour and a

half, pay for your food and walk out and give a smile to your

waitress and she treats, you really nice.

But join a family move into a house.

Filled with others. And see what will come out of

you and see what will come out of them.

But what membership does is no matter what as long as it is in

line with the word of God, as long as the people have a

humility and a hunger for this and acknowledge their weakness

and their flaws. I will commit myself here.

To grow to encourage others, to grow until God calls me.

I'll swear because this isn't some exclusive thing where

you're never allowed to leave. Once you say, yes.

Well, there's so many things that can be said.

There's so many things that can be expounded upon, but as we

prepared to say now let's see who will join the church if God

hasn't called you here. That's okay.

We're not the only church but of God does.

The leadership is convinced through the word of God that

this will this will inspire a health and a fruitfulness and a

mutual building up. Like we haven't seen before. and

we are excited to know how God will move your heart, whether

it's here or elsewhere, and whether it is here or elsewhere,

just know this don't just attend join.

Don't just use Matthew 16 to say you are part of the Church of

Jesus Christ because of a confession, which is

foundational. But moved to Matthew 18 and say

these are my brothers and sisters that I am accountable to

and that I will hold accountable.

And we trust that the Holy Spirit the same Holy Spirit.

Who fills us to love. Christ is the same one who fills

us to love the bride. Let's pray.

Again Lord, we come before you and we acknowledge that you are

building this place. You are building your people.

And Lord, we are comforted by the truth that you said I will

build my church. And no one can stop you. but we

submit to your headship unless the Lord builds a house, those

who labor labor in vain and then we thank you for this next

building. Block for this ministry.

And Lord, we ask that our hearts would be impressed by the

revelation. Of the difference between

attending and joining. I've just eating.

But also participating and sharing in the responsibilities.

And so God we just ask you to please help us be reminded about

what is asked of us. If we were to be identified with

your church, And Lord, we just pray that you would give every

single person in this place, the wisdom and the clarity to know

whether it is here or elsewhere, Lord as much as we have

emphasized in in your presence today, the importance of the

local church, we also recognize The Universal Church.

That your people are stablished in the four corners of the

Earth. And as long as they love this

word, preach, this word submit to this word and they are our

brothers and they are extended family. and so Lord, with with

these truths being reminded, And being rehearsed.

This this afternoon, help us now, put it into action, help.

The leadership of this church be faithful in their roles of

serving, the people of God. Help the people of God in this

church partner with the leadership so that we can

advance the gospel together and that we can display the

character of Christ as members of one body.

So give us strength and give us Grace.

And these next few weeks we ask in Jesus name.

Amen, we stand in Worship the Lord together.