Local Churches Rom. 16:16 Antioch (Acts 13:1) Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2) Cenchrea (Rom. 16:1) Philippi (Phil. 1:1) Ephesus (Rev. 2:1) Smyrna (Rev. 2:8) Pergamos (Rev. 2:12) Thyatira (Rev. 2:18) Sardis (Rev. 3:1) Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7) Laodicea (Rev. 3:14) Thessalonica (1 Th 1:1) Crete (Titus 1:5) Iconium (Acts 14:23) Derbe (Acts 14:23) Lystra (Acts 14:23) Local Churches Rom. 16:16

New Testament Christians Joined Themselves With Local Churches Acts 2:42-47 Acts 9:26-28 Acts 11:25-26 Rom. 16:1

Some Christians Act As If The Local Church Is Not Important No obligations Never be a member Wander from one to another

Three Questions: Is there such a thing as local church membership? What are my responsibilities as a member? Can one worship in an imperfect congregation?

The Local Church & My Responsibility Membership

Membership Membership Is Necessary Without it - No local congregation If one does not need be a member – No one needs to be a member! For elders to have oversight (Acts 20:28) To carry out discipline (1 Cor. 5)

Membership Membership Is Necessary Examples: Paul (Acts 9:26-28) Apollos (Acts 18:27) Phebe (Rom. 16:1-2)

Churches have a right & duty to accept & reject members Membership Membership Is Necessary Examples Accepting & Rejecting Members Churches have a right & duty to accept & reject members

Accepting & Rejecting Not arbitrary (3 John) Must be based upon - walking according to word 1 Cor. 5:1-13 2 Thess. 3:6-14

Acts 9:26-28 26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. “join” “identify” “placing membership” } Would not accept just any one Gathered information from the person & others Accepted & Active

Accepting & Rejecting Not arbitrary (3 John) Must be based upon - walking according to word 1 Cor. 5:1-13 2 Thess. 3:6-14 Not accept just anyone (Acts 9:26-28) Right & responsibility to ask & know (Acts 9:26-28)

The Local Church & My Responsibility Membership Responsibility

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Faithful Attendance Christians assembled together (Acts 4:31; 11:26; 14:27; 20:7-8; 1 Cor. 5:4; 11:17-18; 14:23, 26). We are to assemble (Heb. 10:25). What faithful attendance is NOT: Attending Sunday morning only Attending more than I am absent Attending only when there is no conflict

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Financial Support The church has financial obligations to meet Met by offerings of its members (1 Cor. 16:1-2)

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Financial Support Divine principles regulating such: I am to give (1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:7) Give weekly (1 Cor. 16:2) Give as prospered (1 Cor. 16:2) Give bountifully (2 Cor. 9:6) Give as purposed (2 Cor. 9:7) Give sacrificially (2 Sam. 24:24; Mk. 12:41-44) Give cheerfully (2 Cor. 9:7)

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Good Influence We are saints (1 Cor. 1:2; 1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 5:3). Influence passages: Matthew 5:13-16 Philippians 2:15 2 Corinthians 3:2 1 Timothy 4:12

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Involvement In Its Work The Lord has always had work for His people to do As the vineyard of the Lord, the church is a workplace (Mt. 20:1) Ephesians 4:16 1 Corinthians 15:58 Work harmoniously (Rom. 14; 1 Cor. 12)

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Participation In Its Worship John 4:24 Not a spectator sport Every member is to be a participant (Active / not passive) Each one is to sing (Eph. 5:19)

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Care And Concern 1 Corinthians 12:25 Too many are indifferent & apathetic (Lam. 1:12; Lk. 10:30-32) Be concerned and show your care!

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church Help Restore the Erring All who are spiritual – seek the one taken in fault (Gal. 6:1) Support disciplinary action (1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Thess. 3)

What I Owe the Local Church Responsibility What I Owe the Local Church My Faithful Attendance My Financial Support My Good Influence My Involvement In Its Work My Participation In Its Worship My Care And Concern Help Restore the Erring

The Local Church & My Responsibility Membership Responsibility Choosing

Choosing Can I worship in an Imperfect church? We all do One any of us are in now is imperfect If decides to go – it will be imperfect If decides to stay – it will be imperfect “All churches have problem” – is like “all marriages have problems” Some minor issues – Some on verge of coming apart -

Choosing Can I worship in an Imperfect church? We all do Principles to answer the Q: Question: what about worshiping with churches that: Liberal / institutional practices? Unscriptural elders? Fellowship those continue in sin?

Choosing Can I worship in an Imperfect church? We all do Principles to answer the Q: Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)? Practice – makes me participate? Instrument in assembly? Hum during worship? Support out of treasury? (Org / Error) Fellowship in sin (Eph. 5:11)?

Choosing Can I worship in an Imperfect church? We all do Principles to answer the Q: Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)? Practice – makes me participate? Individual matters? Some go into military, war, police officer? Covering issue Nothing is bound upon me Example: Issues of Rom. 14

Choosing Can I worship in an Imperfect church? We all do Principles to answer the Q: Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)? Practice – makes me participate? Individual matters? Will I be in fellowship with sin? Does the church accept anyone? Does the church accept adulterers? Does the church accept without correction? Does the church practice discipline?

Choosing Can I worship in an Imperfect church? We all do Principles to answer the Q: Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)? Practice – makes me participate? Individual matters? Will I be in fellowship with sin? Qual. of elders: principle or degree of application? “Apt to teach” – can’t teach / or degree? “Husband one wife” – not married / or remarried after wife died? “Faithful children” – none faithful /or part?

Choosing Can I worship in an Imperfect church? We all do Principles to answer the Q: Violate my conscience (Rom. 14:23)? Practice – makes me participate? Individual matters? Will I be in fellowship with sin? Qual. of elders: principle or degree of application? My personal spiritual welfare? Where I am now – what future? Where I might go – what future?

The Local Church & My Responsibility Membership Responsibility Choosing

Conclusion Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it (Eph. 5:25). He shed His blood to purchase it (Acts 20:28). I should feel a sense of obligation to it!