Download... September 25, 2011. Sunday Morning Service. Bro. Dave Goble.
Many that may come, may wonder what it takes to be a member of God's Church. Christ when He ascended back to His heavenly home, left us with His guide, God's holy word, that would give us the instructions that would make any and all willing to become a member of His body,..His Church. If you are properly serious about anything, you're careful about your very own soul.
Who can be in God's Church? You may not care. You need though, to care, ...about the things of God. Often there are many Churches that are closing, because of apathy. Apathy because of a decline in true concern for their own, and others, ..soul conditions. In that “vein” we need to be care about the Church that Jesus built, and about who is in it. Jesus is still building His Church, ...with other bricks (souls) added to “the walls” through His blood. We need also to know, ..who can be saved, and added as a member to Christ's Church? Outside the Church, there is no Salvation.
In this thought, we also need to hold it, circumspectly. Outside the church there is no salvation. We're not here to preach denominational doctrine. Yet we need to know who is the Church and who creates the membership in it, and what results when a person becomes a member in it. We need to want to only be a part of something holy. So it is important to “see” the Church, because the Church is the body of Christ that again outside there is no Salvation. It is important that we understand the nature of the body, the purpose of the body, and the nature of the Head, and the nature of the Head.
This is something that is unique about the body of Christ and Christianity. For Christianity claims dominion over all the philosophies, religions, ideas, doctrines etc. of men. It is universal and with great power., and the ultimate authority. For again there is No Salvation outside of Christ body, His Church. For it is through the body of Christ that He is present amongst in this present world. It is where we receive our instructions to understand and “see” God, as He would have us to. Christ the head, is the only one who can truthfully determine who is a member of His body. With human reasoning confusion may come, but God's word if held in honesty, will help us.
That's why it is important that we follow the “landmarks” or “way marks” that will keep us in line with God's word and will. The members in the Church are important, for together they make up the whole. There are requirements to be a member of God's church, His body. "Are there requirements to be a member of God's Church?" There most certainly is! Not made from human reasoning. Membership is important or vital, and not to be thought of on the level with the requirements of temporal “groups,” such as a store, health plan, club, etc. For to obtain membership with Christ's Church will need to mean everything to us.
Romans 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. We have to know Christ to be a member of His body. We can't know Him “once”, and then after separating our self still be attached. The members are attached together. Once one is detached,..that one is no longer a part of Christ body.
We can't “assume” (presumptuous sin) that we can leave, and still return to be a member of His body. Psalm 19:13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. We are all members one of another and He is the head. In most cases in a temporal sense, if we had one of our fleshly body members (leg, foot hand, etc.) that did not obey our head, it would be because of a mentally ill issue. But there is no illness in the body of Christ.
We need to know,..Am I a member of Christ body? We are only members of His body through Salvation, ..from sin.
John 10:14-15 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 as the Father knoweth me, even so I know the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. For this body, Christ died. We know this is the body of Christ, when His spirit is enabling all to be spiritually connected. The shepherd knows His sheep, and they know His voice. We know His voice, for it keeps us from spiritual danger when we obey it. Can you hear the shepherd's voice? Did you hear the shepherd's voice this past week? We can't be cut off, and still maintain membership. There is no dead flesh in His body. The angel at the tomb of Christ, asked those that were looking for Jesus there, ..why seek ye the living among the dead? We have to be living, ..not dead, to be a member of Christ's body. You can move from the foundation and not build upon it, and then, with the next spiritual “earthquake,” ...you will ultimately fall. When you want your own way, ..you change the nature of the foundation of your spiritual life. We are part of a “flock.”
There's a reason when we are known as Christ's sheep. Sheep are docile, willing to follow the flock and more specifically ..The Shepherd as the Head of His Church. The “sheepdogs” (pastors..leaders, etc.,) of the flock, help the sheep to stay within the boundaries of Christ's leadership. The Good Shepherd is Christ. The shepherd fights for His flock. David fought both a lion and a bear to protect his flock. Likewise Christ is jealous over each member. He laid down His life for us. Are you of His sheep?
Titus 2:14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. A person doesn't lose their life, “half way.” Christ died to purify souls to be The Church.
Bro Goble told of a man in Afghanistan that had earned a medal for saving approximately 30 people, and had also taken the dead bodies of his comrades out of enemy territory while passing through much danger, five different times, ..consecutively. He premeditated and willingly sacrificed his life to heroically be successful in ..many.. being brought out alive. Jesus' success was even much more so than that. Christ knew with a certainty His sacrifice would buy a salvation out of sin and purify to Himself a peculiar people. As Christians we are unique. It is Christianity that claims authority over all other religions in being made a peculiar people, and being bought and possessed by Christ. We are His possession, purchased for Himself by the willing shedding of His blood on Calvary. We show that we care when we are committed to living holy, ..zealous of good works.
If a stove is hot, common sense will cause me to be careful about allowing any “member” of my body to not be burned on it, zealous in protecting “each one.” We wouldn't say “I don't care if my little finger gets burned off.” Jesus likewise cares about each member, not willing for any to perish. II Peter 3: 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. None of us are an exception to this scripture.
A member of Christ's Church has been redeemed from ALL iniquity. The Lord specifies all. One cannot be redeemed from some, ..and not all. You can't be “redeemed” from some of the flu, some of small pox, some prostitution, some of alcohol, “some of” ..other addictive habits. To be redeemed is to be free from ALL iniquity. We have this confidence “if our hearts condemn us not.” I John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God. If impatient with yourself...you must have confidence in God to give you victory ...while laboring to overcome. Don't lose patience with yourself if you serve Him with your whole heart. He is faithful!
Ephesians 4:4-6 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. An object lesson for the children's BST, used a piece of white chalk, dipping it in red food coloring. It was only able to “color” the outside. We must not only allow the outside to be “colored/covered” with Christ's blood, when the core needs to be soaked in Christ to allow the precious word of God, ..to purify the spiritual heart and soul to be truly saved from ALL sin. You would then no longer want to partake of the worldly sins (habits, worldly parties, lusts, etc.) If you have any faith, it is a gift from God. Even if only a small portion, still it is a gift. You need to accept it, and give God thanks! It is vital to all you can cultivate in it's growth for the body. More than just being a “member” of a visible church body.
Matthew 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
A true definition of being a member of Christ's body, His Church. This “heavenly body” are ..all..that are doing All the will of God in sincerity, ...of vital importance to being a member of the Church of God.
Galatians 1:4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To be delivered from the evil of this present world. How I think, ...what I do, ..I must be zealous to live in God's will to be a part of His body. Some say “it's hard in the midst of evil.” But God doesn't make it too hard (lie of the enemy). What is hard is trying to live holy, if you 'want' the sins. You must desire and determine to live holy. Then God gives the power to enable you to please Him. The temptations are products of passions of the mind. The enemy knows what your weakness is. If you are leaning on the flesh, (your own strength), ..you will then succumb to the enemy. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Leaning on your own understanding is essentially depending on your own will, in lieu of surrendering to God's wisdom.
I Thessalonians 4:3,4 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. It is the will of God that we are born again of the water and the Spirit. Nicodemus..a ruler of the law...knew what the 'law' required. So obviously being a member of God's church was to be 'more' than that. To be a participant in the body of Christ is more than just “outward” works (i. e. visitation, rest home services, etc.). Are you truly participating? Are you washed and purified out of all sin, which is a true participation? A spiritual birth is required!
Can a child be a member of God's church?
Matthew 18:1-3, 10 1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? 2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, 3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Need to be as a little child with humility towards one another. Verse 10 Again, ..must not be condescending toward others, nor despising the lowliness of others. James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. A definition of sin, that a child before coming to the age of accountability, would be innocent of and not needing yet to be born again. A child as innocent, already “sees” the kingdom of God. To become accountable is to “see” the reality of sin, and in need of a “new birth.” All of those must be cleansed from All sin to be a member of God's body, or Church. The innocent are already part of God's body.
Do I need to sign anything? Jesus didn't tell Nicodemus that. He as a ruler of the law, needed to be taught the need to be “born again.”
Christianity claims dominion over all the religions of the world. Buddhism, Hinduism, etc., does not claim dominion over Christianity. For that reason, ..all..everyone,... needs to care what Christians do and say. Jesus is a not A door or A prophet. He is THE door and THE prophet. He is fulfillment of the plan of God, ..so we need to care about Christ, to be a member. The Church is composed of members in particular, with Jesus as the Head. For there is no Salvation outside His Church or Body, (which is not an earthly one, but spiritual).
We do not receive our Salvation from a building, ...a group of nice people claiming to be Christians,..gospel music, ..the clothes that we wear, ..places we go,...but Only by the blood of Christ. If we allow any substitute for the blood of Christ, we allow error to enter in. So we accept only Christ as the body, and all the saved from sin, as the members. Christ's body consists of everything being done in unity, without Any sin. Ephesians 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. That body then reveals the head, as Christ. It would be strange to have one part of the body allowed to be “dirtied”, while maintaining the rest of the whole in purification. NO part can be soiled. It is important what we say, how we act, where we go, and what we partake of.
Are you a member of the Body of Christ?
