1. What Do We Require? Fellowship in the Lord’s church

2. Organizations Have Requirements for Membership Inclusive Organizations – Booster Clubs –(Dues) Exclusive Organizations – August National –Men Only –In past, no minorities What About the Lord’s Church?

3. The Lord’s church (Inclusive? Or Exclusive?) Question revolves around Salvation Acts 2:47

4. Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

5. The Lord’s church (Inclusive? Or Exclusive?) Question revolves around Salvation Acts 2:47 Is the Church Inclusive? John 3:16

6. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

7. The Lord’s church (Inclusive? Or Exclusive?) Question revolves around Salvation Acts 2:47 Is the Church Inclusive? John 3:16 Is the Church Exclusive? Matthew 7:13-14

8. Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

9. Who Determines Fellowship? (membership) Ultimately, God... –Obedience to the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16)

10. Mark 16:15-16 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”

11. Who Determines Fellowship? (membership) Ultimately, God... –Obedience to the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16) –Faithfulness to his Will (Matthew 7:21-23)

12. Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” 23 And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

13. Who Determines Fellowship? (membership) Ultimately, God... –Obedience to the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16) –Faithfulness to his Will (Matthew 7:21-23) In the Local church – Men –But, not right to exclude those God receives (cf. 3 John 9-11)

14. 3 John 9-11 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church. 11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.

15. Who Determines Fellowship? (membership) Ultimately, God... –Obedience to the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16) –Faithfulness to his Will (Matthew 7:21-23) In the Local church – Men –But, not right to exclude those God receives (cf. 3 John 9-11) –And, not right to include those God excludes (cf. 2 John 9-11)

16. 2 John 9-11 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

17. Who Determines Fellowship? (membership) Ultimately, God... –Obedience to the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16) –Faithfulness to his Will (Matthew 7:21-23) In the Local church – Men –But, not right to exclude those God receives (cf. 3 John 9-11) –And, not right to include those God excludes (cf. 2 John 9-11) Sin Separates Man from God

18. Isaiah 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

19. Conclusion Here at West Side, it should be our desire to include in our fellowship anyone who is acceptable to God...... And to bring to repentance and salvation anyone who is separated from God due to sin (whatever its nature, doctrinal or moral).