THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A MEMBER OF A LOCAL CHURCH
(preached on 9/11/11)
Have you ever heard the following statements before?
"Why should I go to and be a member of a Local Church?"
or,
“It really doesn’t matter whether I go to church. I have Christian friends, my Bible and Bible commentaries, and many church services on T.V. So why do I need a church?”
or,
"What is so wrong about Church Hopping? It gives me a chance to be a member of several churches!"
or,
"Yes, I'm still a member of that church.....even if I haven't been there for the last 4 months."
In my 16 years of pastoral ministry, I’ve heard these statements as well as various versions of these statements. The fact is, there are still many Christians who still don’t get it.
They think that they already have plenty of access to good Bible teaching, fellowship, and worship services through other means that involve occasional, little, or no human contact, with the conclusion that church membership is not required, or that it's just a nonessential option.
So what’s the big deal about the local church?
In the Bible, the Corinthian Church gives us great examples of why we should be a member of a local church and commit to it - no matter what trials may happen.
Well here are 12 reasons why we should go to and be members of a local Church based on the Corinthians letters.
1. Reminder of the Gospel
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
2. Baptism & the Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (see Romans 6:3-4)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
3. Corporate Worship
1 Corinthians 14
4. Demonstration of the Holy Spirit's Power
1 Corinthians 2:4
5. Teaching and Mentoring
(various teaching throughout 1 & 2 Corinthians)
6. Accountability
1 Corinthians 12:20-21, 26
7. Church Unity and a Sense of Belonging
1 Corinthians 12:12
8. Application of Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:28-31
9. Family Life (marriage & singleness)
1 Corinthians 7
10. Tithing and Generosity
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
2 Corinthians 8:1-6
11. Correction, Discipline & Restoration
1 Corinthians 4:18-21
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
2 Corinthians 2:6-7
12. Shared Suffering and Encouragement
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
D Group Discussion Questions:
1. Please share your testimony of any of the twelve points above of how God blessed you in that area because of your commitment to a local church. (you can choose more than one).
2. What would you say to those who "Church Hop" without any real membership of any church, or to those who "occasionally" attend church?
3. What are some reasons why some people just can't stay in one church for very long? Pick out some reasons from the twelve points above that would cause this, and how is their spiritual growth stunted because of it?
Have you ever heard the following statements before?
"Why should I go to and be a member of a Local Church?"
or,
“It really doesn’t matter whether I go to church. I have Christian friends, my Bible and Bible commentaries, and many church services on T.V. So why do I need a church?”
or,
"What is so wrong about Church Hopping? It gives me a chance to be a member of several churches!"
or,
"Yes, I'm still a member of that church.....even if I haven't been there for the last 4 months."
In my 16 years of pastoral ministry, I’ve heard these statements as well as various versions of these statements. The fact is, there are still many Christians who still don’t get it.
They think that they already have plenty of access to good Bible teaching, fellowship, and worship services through other means that involve occasional, little, or no human contact, with the conclusion that church membership is not required, or that it's just a nonessential option.
So what’s the big deal about the local church?
In the Bible, the Corinthian Church gives us great examples of why we should be a member of a local church and commit to it - no matter what trials may happen.
Well here are 12 reasons why we should go to and be members of a local Church based on the Corinthians letters.
1. Reminder of the Gospel
1 Corinthians 15:1-2
2. Baptism & the Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (see Romans 6:3-4)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
3. Corporate Worship
1 Corinthians 14
4. Demonstration of the Holy Spirit's Power
1 Corinthians 2:4
5. Teaching and Mentoring
(various teaching throughout 1 & 2 Corinthians)
6. Accountability
1 Corinthians 12:20-21, 26
7. Church Unity and a Sense of Belonging
1 Corinthians 12:12
8. Application of Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:28-31
9. Family Life (marriage & singleness)
1 Corinthians 7
10. Tithing and Generosity
1 Corinthians 16:1-3
2 Corinthians 8:1-6
11. Correction, Discipline & Restoration
1 Corinthians 4:18-21
1 Corinthians 5:12-13
2 Corinthians 2:6-7
12. Shared Suffering and Encouragement
2 Corinthians 1:3-7
D Group Discussion Questions:
1. Please share your testimony of any of the twelve points above of how God blessed you in that area because of your commitment to a local church. (you can choose more than one).
2. What would you say to those who "Church Hop" without any real membership of any church, or to those who "occasionally" attend church?
3. What are some reasons why some people just can't stay in one church for very long? Pick out some reasons from the twelve points above that would cause this, and how is their spiritual growth stunted because of it?
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