Deepening Your Connection to the Body of Christ: Why Church Membership Matters January 25, 2009

Introduction The Concept of Church Membership and Accountability in the New Testament

Introduction Acts 2:41 41So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Introduction Acts 5:14 14 And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number

Introduction Acts 18:27 27And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace

Introduction Col. 4:10 10Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas's cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions; if he comes to you, welcome him);

Introduction Gal. 2:9 9and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

The Reasons Church Membership Matters

1. Discipleship: CGBC is Committed to Providing a Pattern of Instruction for Your Growth

Acts 2:41 41So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

2 Relationship CGBC is Committed to Creating a Place of Relationships for Your Growth

Heb. 10: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, 25not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

3. Direction: CGBC is Committed to Providing a Process of Accountability for Your Growth

1 Thess. 5:12 12But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction,

Acts 20:28 28"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

Matt. 18: "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16"But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. 17"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 a tax collector.

4. Credibility: CGBC is Committed to Providing a Proof of Validity for Your Growth

John 13:35 35"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

5. Impact: CGBC is Committed to Providing a Pathway of Ministry for Your Growth

Eph. 4: And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.