Building Building God’s Kingdom Compass Community Church Principles Of Church Membership

"... You are a member of God's very own family... and you belong in God's household with every other Christian. " Eph. 2:19 (LB Key Truths: 1.The church is a family. 2.God expects you to be an active part of a church family. 3.A Christian without a church family is like an orphan. Church Membership

Purpose of the sermon series: That you will commit yourself to Compass Community Church and to the serve as an active member. What makes Compass Community Church a family? Four things unite us : Our salvation (what God has done for us) Our statement (why we exist as a church) Our strategy (how we fulfill our purpose) Our structure (when & where we fulfill our purpose) Church Membership

Salvation – why am I here? Fulfillment comes from understanding my purpose. God made me to love me! God says, '‘I have loved you with an everlasting love!" Jer.31:3 We were created to enjoy a personal relationship with God and to bless all of the rest of god's creation! This makes us special!

Our Salvation – Why am I here? 1.Why am I here? a.When we know God, and live in harmony with his purpose for our lives, it produces tremendous benefits in our lives. 2.What is the problem? a.Man has a natural desire to be self centered and to ignore God's principles for living. 3.What is the solution? a.Jesus said, "I AM THE WAY, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father, except THROUGH ME!" John 14:6

Our Salvation – What does God want me to do? 1.Confess that God has not been first place in your life and ask Him to forgive your sins. 2.Believe that Jesus died to pay for your sins and that he rose again, and is alive today. 3.Accept God's free gift of salvation. Don't try to earn it. 4.Ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and be the director ("lord") of your life.

Baptism 1.Why should I be baptized? a.Follow the example set by Christ. 2.Because Christ commands it. "Jesus said, 'go then, to all people everywhere and make them my disciples, baptize them in the name of the father, the son, and the holy spirit, and teach them to obey everything i have commanded you. ", Matt. 28: It demonstrates that I really am a Follower/Believer “We know that we have come to know him, if we obey his commands." 1 john 2:3

Baptism 1.What is the meaning? a.It illustrates Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. b.It shows my obedience as Christian. 2.Why be baptized by immersion? a.Because Christ was baptized that way. b.Immersion best symbolizes a ??? and resurrection. 3.Who should be baptized? a.Every person who has put his/her faith in Christ. 4.When should I be baptized? a.As soon as you have received Christ.

The Lord’s Supper (Communion) 1.What is the Lord’s Supper? a.It is a picture of His body b.It is a reminder c.It is a picture of His blood d.It is a proclamation of His coming 2.Who supper take the Lord’s Supper? a.Only those who are already believers. 3.How do I prepare myself for the Lord’s Supper? a.By self-examination, confession of sins, recommitment and restoring relationships.

Our Vision Statement “To bring Christ’s transformation through encountering God, experiencing community, and engaging the culture” 1.Encountering God a.Accept God’s forgiveness and love. Seek His presence through regular confession of sin, study of scripture and prayer. 2.Experience Community a.Accept all members of God’s family and engage in authentic relationships with one another. 3.Engaging the culture a.Serve as ambassadors for Christ. Reach out and serve the lost, hurting and seeking around us.

What We Believe 1.About God a.God is the creator and ruler and exists in 3 persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 2.About Jesus a.He is the son of God and co-equal with the Father. He lived a sinless life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. 3.About the Holy Spirit a.He is co-equal with the God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is present in the world to make people aware of their need for Jesus Christ. 4.About the Bible a.God’s inerrant word to us but was written by people under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Expectations for God’s family 1.Living with the Bible as the ultimate authority a.“All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” 2 Timothy 3:15 2.Autonomy of each church a.Christ is the head of his Body, the church but we believe local churches should be self-governing. 3.Priesthood of every believer a.“You are … the King’s priests… God’s own people to serve God…” Rev 1:6 b.We encourage each believer to serve where God has gifted him/her. 4.Spirit-led living and personal witness 5.Regular sacrificial giving