Church Membership.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Once again, welcome to the village. My name is Steve. I’m one of the pastors here

[0:05] Over the past four weeks we have talked about [0:10] the missional environments that we kind of need to [0:15] intentionally walk into as a church as God’s people to grow and be disciples, but also [0:24] To make disciples because we have seen that you can’t be a disciple unless you are intentionally [0:31] striving to make disciples and [0:35] We’ve talked about

[0:36] Worship we’ve talked about [0:38] discipleship we’ve talked about [0:41] Community and we’ve talked about living a life of servanthood and this week we’re going to talk about [0:49] Something you either love or hate there really isn’t much in difference in [0:54] People when it comes to talking about church membership, but it’s our goal today to really reveal kind of through God’s Word [1:02] What does biblical church membership looks look like is it biblical is it something that we should?

[1:10] enter into together as a church and [1:13] chiefly [1:14] How can it further the gospel because probably if you’re like me you’ve seen it done many ways [1:21] You’ve seen it to where you just kind of come forward everybody kind of claps [1:26] Nobody ever says no [1:28] In that that awesome really church vote that is so meaningless

[1:33] I’ve never been in a church when everybody somebody in the crowd was like nope [1:38] Don’t want them joining [1:40] Maybe you have I haven’t or [1:43] And then when you do that it kind of doesn’t mean anything [1:46] I’ve been in churches of 50 that had memberships of 500 my question is where the other 450 members [1:53] something kind of the membership isn’t working or

[1:58] It’s kind of the other polar extreme [2:00] Where they want to know everything about you the church is going to run a background check they want bank statements [2:07] They want to know where your house is how big it is what your car payment looks like [2:11] So that we can make sure you’re giving at least 10% out of that and I’ve seen it done both ways I [2:19] Don’t like either one of them, and I don’t think the scripture kind of [2:23] Advocates either of those positions

[2:25] But what I want to do is is because if this is your first time here understand [2:28] It’s quite clear that we’re a new church [2:30] We are a church plant and then when you’re a church plant you kind of as you grow you kind of start [2:37] Instituting things that didn’t exist when you first existed because when we first existed we had eight people and [2:44] They just assumed they were members [2:46] Because we were just eight people we knew each other we were involved in each other’s lives

[2:51] But as we have grown out I can be honest with you at this point [2:55] As one of the pastors is lead teaching pastor [2:58] It’s impossible for me to know all of you in a very close intimate way [3:04] So what we’re trying to do is put some practices in place where we can have [3:08] environments as a church to where we’re really fulfilling our [3:12] Responsibility as the leaders of the church to make sure everybody’s being discipled

[3:18] So I’ll tell you church membership chiefly is about knowing as well as being known

[3:27] There is no discipleship outside of lives connected in relationships [3:34] So church membership is not [3:37] about joining an organization [3:41] Church membership in the New Testament and throughout scripture really is first and foremost about a relationship [3:50] It’s about the relationship that takes place between God’s people as they strive to grow [3:57] Into Jesus Christ as Ephesians 4 kind of tells us is our purpose in verse 15

[4:02] But open your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 1

[4:07] Typically I have four points today I have seven if you go here normally that frightened you

[4:16] Because you’re afraid of how long this will take but I promise these are briefer points than usual I [4:23] Want to give you in the book of Ephesians because we are devout biblicists here at the village I [4:29] Want to give you? [4:30] God’s vision for the church that he has started through Jesus in verse 22 we read and [4:39] He put all things [4:41] Under his feet that his that’s Jesus and

[4:46] gave him as [4:48] head over all things [4:50] to [4:51] the church [4:54] Which is his body [4:56] The fullness of him who fills all in all so we see right there

[5:04] that in the church [5:07] God is doing something special in Jesus that his purposes for all time [5:13] Have been fully made known to everyone that it was his purpose always to redeem all people [5:21] everywhere through trusting his son as their Savior [5:25] But in that he does not leave us as [5:29] Individuals or just people in this nuclear family mindset that we have in this culture just living for the gospel

[5:35] He has something larger than us in mind [5:39] Specifically he has his church in mind in the book of Matthew we see [5:44] Peter is asked the disciples really are asked who Jesus is and Peter responds [5:50] You’re the Messiah in the Hebrew that word had so many connotations to it what Peter was really saying is you are God and [6:01] Jesus looks at him and says yes and upon this rock now what he means by that is constantly misunderstood [6:08] What he means by that is not Peter?

[6:11] But rather that confession [6:13] That he is the Messiah that he is the one that God promised to send to redeem people from their sins [6:21] And he says upon this rock I [6:24] will build my [6:27] Church and then throughout the New Testament as God does throughout all of Scripture the [6:32] Revelation of that becomes clearer and clearer as to what he is doing and in the book of Ephesians

[6:39] He gives this awesome [6:41] Six chapter description in the first half what the church is [6:47] Spiritually in God what is he doing through that and then the second half of the book is how that [6:53] functions in our lives [6:55] But he begins by giving us a vision of who we are in Jesus [7:00] And then he tells us that in the church when we are together as his people joined

[7:07] That we are his body he goes further than that [7:11] We’re the fullness of [7:14] Jesus who fills all in all is Jesus complete without us. He could be he’s God he needs nothing [7:22] But God has designed life and redemption in such a way that Jesus himself [7:30] Finds and seeks fullness [7:34] By redeeming his people and then using them for his mission

[7:40] But what does that look like first question we have to deal with today is really the question that I’ve [7:46] Dealt with in seminary most people probably don’t deal with it because they don’t care but his church membership biblical [7:53] Because I’ve been at churches that don’t have it don’t want it don’t care to talk about it [7:58] And I’ve been in churches that they really like it and you can’t do anything there until you’re a member [8:04] But how do we deal with that question because I’ll be honest the scriptures never [8:09] Give us a piece by piece point by point plan for church membership

[8:15] It may have been easier that way, but that’s not what God designed it to be at [8:20] So I can’t give you a verse where it says and you should come forward [8:26] And be voted on as to whether you’re worthy of membership now that may be in the Book of Mormon [8:32] I don’t know but we don’t use that book here because it’s not scripture [8:37] But rather we look in here and what I want to do today is I want to see a picture of [8:44] What the New Testament lays out for church membership?

[8:48] And if it lays out anything that would make us seem to think we need to identify with one local body [8:56] Because there’s plenty of us who would say I love the church [9:02] Alright, and there’s a capital letter on that see because you’re talking about the universal church because to not love that would clearly be unbiblical [9:10] But then out of the same mouth you probably say [9:14] I don’t think God’s called me to be a part of the local [9:18] Church, but I love the universal church. I love what God is doing in his

[9:25] invisible church [9:27] Here’s my question [9:29] can you [9:30] Love and build the universal church the invisible church how we’re all connected through Jesus [9:39] without [9:40] expressing that in a tangible local church way I

[9:47] Don’t think you can [9:49] It’s like me loving my wife, but not wanting to live with her. I [9:53] Don’t think she’d go for it, and I don’t think it would really better our relationship

[9:59] You cannot [10:01] build and love the universal church [10:05] Unless you are building and loving the local church [10:09] It just doesn’t work [10:13] But in the New Testament how did they do that I want to start in Acts chapter 5 this morning [10:19] And then I’m going to give you seven

[10:22] biblical keys to church membership [10:26] In Acts chapter 5 we have a picture of the early church [10:29] They are going and furthering the gospel and here’s what it says [10:34] And I just want to start here and then unpack the rest now many signs and wonders [10:38] Were regularly done among the people by the hands of the Apostles [10:42] So God is at this point in this period this transitional period of the book of acts

[10:47] He’s doing miracles through the Apostles to reveal that he is doing something through the followers of Jesus [10:55] And they were all together in Solomon’s portico now Solomon’s portico portico is kind of what we see as a porch [11:02] But it was the social epicenter of Jewish life. It was right outside of the temple [11:08] There was a marketplace there people would gather before they go into the temple for worship [11:13] They would gather cleanse themselves [11:15] And you had to be a Jew to really come into Solomon’s portico so you could go into the church and at this point

[11:21] There’s only Jews in the church, so they’re gathering publicly [11:24] Together in Solomon’s portico and you look at the red look at what it says about the Jews in that day none of the rest [11:31] dared join them [11:33] But the people helped them in high esteem because things were being done [11:36] I want you to focus in on that term join now [11:39] I’m not gonna do an allegorical thing where I’ll say look people were joining the church

[11:44] No, what I’m going to say is is it was clear in the first century in just the early days of the church [11:51] The church is only a couple of months old probably at this point maybe weeks [11:56] But there was a clear indicator as to who was with the church in Jerusalem [12:03] And who was not [12:06] they specifically vocally [12:10] Identified themselves as to who was in and who was not

[12:16] All right [12:17] So with that vein I want us to realize that to be a disciple of Jesus there must be

[12:27] Identification as to who is in and who is out [12:32] You must live life in such a way that it is clear that you are part of the Church of Jesus Christ and [12:40] It is very hard to do that if you’re not actually in a Church of Jesus Christ

[12:48] Now does God call us into that first point I want to get to and then we’re gonna get to the passage [12:53] Its church membership is about discipleship [12:57] All right, they’re identifying of themselves in that first century church was chiefly about revealing themselves as disciples [13:04] Now, what does it mean to be a disciple Matthew 28 19? I’m gonna move fast today [13:08] So if you’re copying all these verses down understand that I have two pages worth so it’s gonna be hard [13:12] But they’ll be up on the screen you can listen to the podcast later in Matthew 28 19

[13:16] Jesus just died on the cross just rose from the dead about to ascend in the heaven [13:20] He says go therefore and make what? [13:23] disciples of all nations then what does he say [13:26] Baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit [13:29] So he says go and make disciples and the first indicator of what it is to be a disciple is to [13:36] Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit baptism holds a key

[13:41] significance as to the Church of Jesus [13:43] But I’ll tell you the reason I see that significance is because of the name that they said that Jesus said rather to be [13:50] baptized in the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit [13:54] When we are redeemed to be a disciple means to identify [14:00] With the community of God. What do I mean by that as a follower of Jesus? [14:05] We believe that God is a Trinity that God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit the three in one

[14:13] Three persons one God this triune being that is identified by perfect [14:20] Relationship perfect unity perfect community inside of himself. That’s why he needs nothing [14:27] He has everything within himself. He experiences relationship in his own being but in [14:33] Redemption you’re being called out of a life of isolation [14:37] That sin puts us in and you’re being called into the community of God [14:44] It is significant that you are baptized in the name of the entire Trinity because first

[14:50] you’re being called back into relationship with God and [14:55] then through [14:56] That relationship with God secondly, you’re being called into relationship with the church [15:04] Baptism is the entryway into [15:07] Identifying yourself with the church from death to life in God with God for God through the church [15:15] He hears why it means through the church go to Galatians chapter 3 verses 26 through 29

[15:21] Says for in Christ Jesus, you are all sons of God through faith [15:25] For as many of you as were baptized into Christ [15:30] Have put on Christ [15:32] So we have entered into we’ve given our lives over Galatians 2 20 that reality there that I’ve been crucified with Christ [15:40] Yet I live yet not I but Christ who lives in me and the life [15:44] I now live I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me and then one chapter later

[15:49] He says that we’ve put on Christ and we’ve signified that through believers baptism [15:55] And then he says in verse 28. This is the reality that that causes in our lives [16:00] Tangibly have evidence of it. There is neither Jew nor Greek. There is neither slave nor free [16:05] There is no male and female for you are all one in Christ Jesus [16:10] And if you are Christ then you are Abraham’s offspring heirs according to the promise [16:14] This is not just some spiritual reality where you continue to sit by yourself and say well

[16:20] We’re all one in Jesus. No, it’s an experience that you have. How do you put forward? [16:26] That you know that there is neither Jew nor Greek there’s no Jew nor Gentile there’s no slave or free [16:32] There’s no second class and first class. We’re all the same in Jesus [16:36] You cannot do that unless you join together with other believers and live the community [16:42] That is God through a life of discipleship together [16:45] You can’t do it and

[16:48] Then as we we first read in Ephesians chapter 122. We see that Paul is [16:53] Speaking of the church [16:56] That the expression of the inclusion that we all experience through Jesus is by living as the church by joining [17:04] Together for the purpose of discipleship to be built up and to express the fullness of Jesus [17:12] That that is what it looks like to be a disciple [17:16] You cannot disciple yourself

[17:19] Other people need to be involved you can read tons of great books [17:24] There are countless books out there that you can read about discipleship [17:29] What type of discipleship and you can sit and read them you can sit and read the scriptures [17:34] You can listen to thousands of podcasts on iTunes [17:38] You can listen to our podcast on iTunes and you can do all of this from the comfort of your own home [17:43] There’s even Christian television shows that probably aren’t what you should be watching, but you can watch them

[17:48] They’ll ask you for your money. Please don’t give it

[17:52] But you can do that but that’s not God’s vision for his church

[17:59] God [18:01] Meant for discipleship to take place through relationships [18:04] Where we see each other as one in Jesus and we express it by growing to the church [18:10] Don’t you think it’s interesting that the New Testament is never just [18:14] given for the purpose of one man

[18:21] You [18:21] Letter to the Galatian church to the Ephesian church [18:25] You say what about Timothy and Titus? [18:28] pastors [18:28] Being directed as to how to build [18:32] churches

[18:33] James written to the church of Jerusalem and beyond Peter written to the dispersed church beyond [18:41] Jude [18:42] Distributed among all churches that’s just identifying who wrote it for the purpose of how to live life and express faith [18:49] through apologetic defense the Gospels each one of the four Gospels written to a specific [18:57] grouped [18:57] Audience for the purpose of belief in Jesus Christ

[19:01] The way that the scriptures were written was for groups to disciple each other together

[19:10] Maybe you wouldn’t struggle to know what it meant if you would get in community and learn how to study it [19:16] I believe that’s how God designed it to be done [19:19] secondly today [19:23] Church membership is about [19:26] commitment [19:27] Oh

[19:28] It’s a big word. We hate commit [19:32] Church membership is about commitment folks [19:35] Look in if you if you look back in Ephesians chapter 1 [19:38] 22 and 23 we see that God is doing something special in the lives of the people in the church [19:44] But then if you turn over to 1st Corinthians

[19:48] Chapter 12 [19:51] I’m just gonna read three verses from 1st Corinthians chapter 12 and then kind of explain how they all fit together [19:57] I want to go verse 12 verse 14 verse 27. Here’s what they say [20:01] For just as the body is one and he’s talking about the church the body of Christ that we talked about in Ephesians [20:07] chapter 1 verse 22 [20:09] Just as the body is one and has many members and all the members of the body though many are one body

[20:18] So it is with Christ then verse 14 [20:21] For the body does not consist of one member but of many [20:26] verse 27 now you are [20:30] the body of Christ and [20:32] individually members of it [20:34] So there’s this great call to being a part of the body of Christ coming together

[20:41] United under him and being a part of his body but in between those verses [20:46] Here’s what he talks about when you come together as one you function as the body does you use your [20:54] differences in order to further [20:57] Discipleship into each other’s lives as well as the lives of those outside of the church [21:02] Some of you will be gifted speakers [21:04] Some of you will be gifted listeners some of you will be gifted with your hands

[21:08] Some of you will be gifted by going and connecting and networking in the community [21:13] Some of you will be able to play music some of you will be able to usher really well [21:17] Some of you will be great at starting conversation

[21:21] But everyone in that body has been gifted for the purpose of growing that body [21:27] Now my question is if you never identify yourself with a specific [21:33] church

[21:36] How will that work out

[21:40] Because it specifically says in first Corinthians 12 that the mouths we need to join with the ears need to join with the eyes [21:46] Need to join with the nose need to join with the hands and you join with the feet and everything in between everybody plays their part [21:53] You by yourself [21:55] cannot fulfill that vision I

[21:59] By myself cannot fulfill that vision [22:02] Can’t do it

[22:06] You’ve been called to commit to a body for this to happen [22:12] Because here’s the key it’s not gonna happen overnight [22:16] It’s gonna take time because there’s plenty of you in here who have no idea what your gifts are [22:22] Maybe you’re believing a lie the Saints put in your life. You don’t have any [22:26] That’s not true [22:29] Maybe you just need to grow as a disciple to find and learn and develop that giftedness

[22:35] And here’s the key it could take weeks could take months could take years, but if you never [22:40] commit to a local church

[22:44] You’ll never see it [22:47] Here’s key

[22:50] We’ve been called to do this in order to grow God’s church [22:54] Now if you never commit to one how are you part of that growth and when I say commit I [23:03] mean do something I

[23:07] Mean first show up [23:09] That’s helpful. Trust me when you’re speaking. It’s really helpful for somebody to be listening [23:16] All right, so part one of fulfilling your purpose of God is sometimes just showing up

[23:22] But secondly [23:23] It’s about being involved in the lives of the people in the church and we have talked about environments [23:28] We have for that community groups. What’s holding you back [23:31] How are you a part of the body if you’re not in relationship with people in the body [23:38] Because you see to me community group is where it happens [23:42] That’s where people actually know each other here. You get the message you get the word

[23:46] But there you get the application you learn how to live it

[23:51] I’m in one and I don’t lead one

[23:54] All right, they won’t let me yet just kidding now because I need discipleship [24:01] And I get help from people in this church for that

[24:07] Commit to the local church. I’m not even telling you commit to this one [24:12] Commit to one do I think this one’s good? Yeah, of course

[24:18] Duh [24:19] There needs to be a level of commitment [24:22] By you to the Church of Jesus Christ and it needs to be tangibly worked out in a local church for the glory of God

[24:31] Church membership is about responsibility look in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 11 through 13 [24:37] And he gave the Apostles the prophets the evangelists the shepherds and the teachers to equip the Saints for the work of ministry [24:43] For building up the body of Christ until we all attain to the unity of faith of the faith and of the knowledge of the [24:49] Son of God to mature manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ

[24:55] God gives and he’s speaking specifically about the church here. God gives offices [24:59] He gives giftings so that in verse 12 people can be equipped for the work of the ministry in verse 12 [25:07] He’s not talking about pastors

[25:10] In verse 11 he’s saying pastors exist to equip you [25:16] Because you do the work of the ministry out there and in here [25:22] There’s a responsibility that we’ve all been given number one. It’s to be equipped. That’s a responsibility [25:29] secondly to equip [25:33] See that commitment will work its way out in the life of responsibility [25:36] The one thing many of you have been spending years avoiding or being redeemed brings you right into it

[25:44] Is that you play a vital role to the growth of the Church of Jesus now how this works out if we back up [25:51] Just a little bit in Ephesians chapter 2 [25:53] This is what he says so then you are no longer strangers and aliens [25:57] But you are fellow citizens and the Saints and members of the household of God [26:00] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone in whom the whole [26:06] infrastructure being joined together grows into the Holy Temple in the Lord if

[26:12] You’re being equipped if you take that responsibility you will grow and so will the lives of the church members around you

[26:23] Then in Galatians chapter 6 verse 10 so then as we have opportunity [26:27] Let us do good to everyone and especially to those who are of the household of faith [26:34] God is doing something special in the identity of the church to where we are to focus [26:42] Specifically on doing good towards those who identify themselves in the church, but here’s the key. How do you know who that is?

[26:54] Unless you identify yourself see the key for me is that church membership is just a great way to identify yourself

[27:04] Church membership then [27:07] The commitment and the responsibility lead to unity [27:12] It’s about unity now

[27:17] Baptism and the Lord’s Supper [27:20] Baptism shows our entry point into the church and then the Lord’s Supper which we partake of every week shows our [27:28] continuity in the church our [27:31] Identification as members of the Church of Jesus Christ [27:36] Then in Romans chapter 12 the scripture says something very interesting [27:41] Just for as in one body we have many members and the members do not all have the same function

[27:45] So we though many are one body in Christ and individually members one of another there’s a unity [27:52] That must take place in gospel living between the people of the church and church membership is a key [28:01] Function of how we will seek to have that type of unity because here’s the question [28:07] What are church members supposed to believe?

[28:12] How are church members supposed to live

[28:18] What are church members supposed to think about how we do the services about how we form our community groups [28:23] What are we supposed to do? Is there a book to read? Is there a relationship to have is there a life to give? [28:28] Well, I believe there are four key points of unity that church membership will help us to strive towards [28:35] Furthering this mission of making disciples the first key point in unity is theological unity

[28:42] That’s a five dollar word for what you believe about God

[28:47] We must have unity in what we believe [28:50] if we don’t everybody’s gonna be going in a different direction and [28:55] None of us are ever gonna be able to come together except for to argue [28:59] Theological unity just pretty much lets you know what you can and can’t argue about [29:03] Because we’re gonna argue. I mean that we’re family, right? I [29:07] Mean I’m 31 years old. I still argue with my sister

[29:11] It’s just the way it goes [29:13] But here’s the key. There are a few things and here’s how I’m gonna example this [29:17] There are closed handed issues and there are open-handed issues. I should close one of these hands

[29:26] In [29:27] Church membership at the village there are some things that we will not compromise and waiver on and [29:32] If you just don’t believe this you should go somewhere that does [29:35] But there are also open-handed issues [29:37] These are issues that we allow people to differ on you can be a member here and not think exactly the way the leadership believes [29:44] But you need to submit to what the leadership believes and not run around calling the leadership heretics, you know that typically helps

[29:52] But we allow we differ on certain things [29:55] You can be a member [29:57] You can be a leader but as leadership you probably shouldn’t teach other than what we think because you know, there’s that unity thing [30:04] But here’s a couple of things. I’m just gonna give a few example of closed-handed issues because you know, you’re probably curious

[30:11] The deity of Jesus in other words [30:14] The eternality of Jesus that he’s always existed. He has no beginning. He has no end [30:19] co-headship in the Trinity [30:20] That God the Father did not create God the Son [30:24] God the Father is not above God the Son [30:28] They are co-equal in

[30:31] Eternality and in deity which just means godness [30:36] The virgin birth of [30:39] Jesus [30:40] Those are all the deity of Jesus [30:43] Penal substitutionary atonement the fact that Jesus Christ died for the sins of humanity that he literally took our sins and gave us [30:50] His righteousness second Corinthians 521 he who knew no sin became sent on our behalf so that we might become the righteousness of God

[30:57] That’s three of those five dollar words penal substitutionary atonement [31:02] But that’s what it means [31:04] We do not compromise on that

[31:09] The resurrection of Jesus his physical bodily resurrection

[31:14] Salvation by grace alone. There is no merit that can earn you salvation [31:18] It is through by grace through faith that you are saved nothing else so that you can’t boast of your works [31:25] And I can’t boast of my works

[31:29] The inerrancy of God’s Word

[31:33] We’re just not gonna argue about that with you I’ll explain it to you, but this is God’s Word

[31:41] This is our authority there’s no Pope [31:44] That has authority over this there’s no pastor. There’s no priest. There’s this [31:48] God has revealed himself through his [31:52] And the second coming of Jesus now the issues around it [31:56] You can differ [31:58] But if you don’t believe in the imminent return of Jesus, then you have some issues on urgency of the gospel

[32:04] We believe that here at the village now there are there’s so many [32:08] Open-handed issues that I can’t really get into them without just taking too long [32:13] But outside of that there’s a few more that might fit inside of that that I’m overlooking right now [32:18] But outside of that there are many open-handed issues [32:22] Miraculous gifts, you know the specifics on the return of Jesus [32:26] You know what community groups should look like what relationships should look like what church government should look like

[32:31] There’s a host of things that we’re allowed we were like cool [32:34] You can differ on that but if you’re gonna seek to backbite us on that, that’s where we’re gonna have problems

[32:43] You do not necessarily have to hold to our specific beliefs on those open-handed issues [32:47] But you need to maintain a certain amount of submission to the teachings that we will teach and if you lead a community group [32:54] You will be trusted not to teach other than what we teach from the pulpit

[33:01] Because there’s gonna come Sunday mornings where I teach something that you might not be like [33:05] I don’t know about that open-handed issue. That’s kind of closed-handed with me. That’s cool [33:09] But understand that if you’re gonna teach and be a member at the village you need to submit so that we can be united [33:16] You think well you should be more compromising on that trust me it will be a disaster

[33:24] Now we must also have relational unity [33:27] Here’s the key. You’re not gonna be friends with everyone here. I’m not friends with everyone here. All right, and it’s okay [33:34] But we need to be united relational. We need to love one another for the gospel [33:38] We need to seek each other’s benefit. We need to obey Ephesians 432 be econ one, two [33:43] I’m going into King James. Sorry, right be econ one to another [33:47] I went to a wanna tender-hearted forgiving one another just as God in Christ

[33:52] Jesus has forgiven you we need to obey that if you are seeking to [33:57] Gossip and tear everybody down behind their back then you are not seeking unity [34:02] And that’s a problem and we’ll have to deal with that and it’ll be uncomfortable. So don’t make me

[34:10] We need to have relation we need to have philosophical unity [34:13] What I mean by that [34:15] There are certain formats that we do things in there certain methods that we preach in there certain styles that we have on Sunday [34:22] Morning if you’re gonna be a member at the village [34:24] You may not like every jot and tittle of the way that we do things, but you need to have our backs

[34:31] If you hate everything that we do as a church, why are you here?

[34:37] Think about that. I [34:44] I

[34:48] Will probably never have one here that bothers you sorry [34:55] But our Phyllis our philosophy of ministry is important because we believe as leadership that we are setting the stage [35:03] To reach people far from God and that leads me to missional unity [35:10] We [35:11] exist to make [35:13] Disciples how many as many as possible in our lifetime?

[35:19] We must be united in that mission as a member you will be expected to play a vital role [35:27] And being discipled as well as making disciples

[35:33] now [35:33] church membership [35:36] Now hold on back up acts chapter 20 verse 29 through 30. This is what happens when a church is not united [35:43] Alright in Acts chapter 20 starting in verse 29. I [35:50] Know that after my departure [35:52] Fierce wolves will come in among you not sparing the flock and from among your own

[35:59] selves from [36:00] inside the church [36:03] Will arise men speaking twisted things to draw away the disciples after them

[36:10] If we don’t have set beliefs [36:12] If we don’t have a set mission if we don’t have relational unity if we don’t have philosophical unity

[36:20] That will be used as a doorway for Satan to come in and cause disunity

[36:26] But if we have stated purposes we have stated beliefs we’re at least putting up protection

[36:34] How do we do that well church memberships about leadership

[36:41] is [36:42] The job of the leaders to protect the flock [36:45] God takes some sheep stands them upright put staffs in their hands [36:51] Says pastor the church [36:55] It’s my office and responsibility as lead teaching pastor [36:59] It’s Nate’s office. It’s his responsibility as executive pastor. It’s James’s responsibility

[37:06] It’s his job and leadership it’s calling of God on his life to protect the flock

[37:14] Wolves come in when we’re united

[37:18] We’ll have to shoot them

[37:23] And [37:23] It’s for your protection [37:25] We will not allow false teaching in the church. I we just won’t

[37:33] Husband [37:35] Now I’m gonna skip ahead to accountability real quick [37:37] But it’s gonna come back to leadership, but this accountability section is gonna fit in leadership. Just go with me

[37:44] Husbands I can deal with you because I’m one [37:47] If you become a member of the village [37:50] And you fall into temptation and you cheat on your wife and you leave your wife

[37:57] And your wife’s a member here [38:00] And you want to bring your girlfriend here [38:03] I guess who will escort you out if I have to leave the stage to do it

[38:11] I’m gonna have to hold you accountable for your actions [38:15] Because I’m protecting the flock from your sin [38:18] And you say how dare you? [38:21] We’ll get there [38:22] But as leadership, I want to start just cutting through a few verses in [38:28] Hebrews chapter 13 verse 17. Here’s what we read

[38:31] Obey your leaders and submit to them for they are keeping watch over your souls as [38:38] Those who will give who will have to give an account let them do this with joy and not with groaning [38:45] Don’t make it miserable

[38:49] Don’t don’t make me I’m a happy guy for that would be of no advantage to you. So here’s my question [38:57] It’s biblical to obey your leaders [38:59] But Matt Chandler does a great job on asking this question, which ones

[39:06] How do you know who to follow I [39:09] Mean there’s a Baptist Church down in I forget what state they’re in because I’m making this up [39:14] I’m not making it up. They exist, but this wasn’t in my notes [39:18] Westboro Baptist Church [39:20] The guys that hold those despicable signs spewing God’s hate contrary to everything scripture says about his love [39:28] They’ve got a pastor should you obey him

[39:34] What about a church that believes completely contrary to everything you believe should you submit to their leadership

[39:44] What about a false teacher, but he says he’s a pastor should you submit to his leadership

[39:51] See you must at some point come to texts like this and say how does that work out? [39:57] How do I identify who I submit to because the question isn’t should you it’s pretty clear there [40:05] The question is who [40:08] Church membership helps us with that [40:10] Because there’s lots of people that come in here and never come back. Do I have authority over those people? [40:17] Should they submit to us as the leadership team I think so

[40:24] But we need some parameters to govern ourselves by to figure out who’s in and who’s out a [40:32] Handshaken a smile really doesn’t mean that much to anybody

[40:36] Now in first Peter chapter 5 here’s what he says about this [40:40] So I exhort the elders among you as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ as well as a partaker in [40:46] The glory that is going to be revealed shepherd the flock of God that is among you exercising oversight not under compulsion [40:52] But willingly as God would have you not for shameful gain, but eagerly [40:57] Not for shameful game when you see me rolling up in a Bentley things went really bad [41:03] All right now you’re like well. What do you drive 2001 GMC Sonoma rolling on factory 14’s folks? It’s a sweet ride

[41:13] Oh, yeah

[41:16] Not [41:16] Domineering over those in your charge [41:18] But being examples to the flock and when the chief Shepherd appears you will receive the unfading crown of glory [41:24] Likewise you who are younger be subject to the elders [41:27] Clothe yourselves all of you with humility toward one another for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble

[41:34] Now who am I supposed to exercise oversight for as a pastor? [41:38] How can I identify them because I don’t think it means everybody in the universal church [41:43] Because that would be impossible [41:46] There must be a tangible local body now

[41:51] In Titus chapter 1 for time won’t go through that but God Titus gives Paul gives Titus a [41:57] Set of standards by which he’s about he’s to use to appoint elders [42:02] And the vision there is that the elders are to pop up from within the church [42:06] They’re not just supposed to be hired from outside of the church [42:09] And God’s vision for Titus is to do that through discipling people but here’s the key if there’s no life-on-life discipleship [42:16] How are we to know?

[42:19] Who meets those standards in Titus chapter 1 verse 5 through 9 if you want to look that up later go ahead

[42:26] There must be an identification as to who’s in and who’s out for that to happen now [42:32] church membership [42:33] It’s about accountability

[42:37] The example I just gave earlier you’re like well who are you to say he can’t bring his girlfriend [42:42] Look at 1st Corinthians chapter 5 verses 9 through 12. Here’s how Paul handles certain [42:48] Issues like that. I wrote to you in my letter [42:51] Not to associate with sexually immoral people now tons of people take that out of context and say those immoral [42:59] Pagans out there. Let’s avoid them [43:02] Read the next line folks not at all

[43:05] Meaning the sexually immoral of this world or the greedy and swindlers are at dollars since then you would need to go out of [43:12] the world [43:14] In other words folks you can’t avoid [43:18] immoral people [43:20] Because that’s how you are [43:22] So they’re out there. They’re gonna be in line at Starbucks. They’re gonna be at shownies

[43:26] You know, they’re gonna be out there now. I don’t even think anybody goes to show news anymore. Just me [43:30] Just me

[43:34] I [43:34] Think sandwich is so good [43:37] But now I am writing to you not to associate [43:41] Check this with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed or is an idolater [43:49] Revile or drunkard or swindler not even to eat with such a one for what have I to do with judging? [43:57] Outsiders is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

[44:03] Hmm

[44:06] In other words [44:07] There’s standards church members need to live by and it’s the job of leaders to be involved in lives [44:14] We have to set leadership up in such a way with community group leaders to where we’re involved in each other’s lives to keep [44:20] Each other accountable for the hope of the gospel going further [44:25] Now, how does that work? [44:26] Jesus himself in Matthew chapter 18 verse 15 said if your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault between you and him alone

[44:32] In other words, if somebody takes you off don’t immediately run to leadership [44:38] Take him out to coffee and talk about it. All right

[44:43] If he listens to you you have gained your brother, but if he does not listen to you

[44:51] Take one or two others along with you that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses [44:56] If he refuses to listen to them tell it to the church [44:59] But if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and tax collector [45:05] What Jesus means there is is put them out of the church

[45:10] Now this isn’t a disagreement over who should buy lunch [45:15] All right, those of you that are like really extreme [45:19] All right, this is a great [45:22] Sin that’s causing this unity in the church that we’re dealing with here. If somebody doesn’t pick up your tab at lunch [45:27] I’ll come and pay it. I don’t know, you know, but you know, don’t be micromanagement on this type of thing [45:34] but understand there is a

[45:37] Way that things need to work within the church where sin is concerned and we must deal with it. But the question is who’s sin? [45:44] What if someone’s not a believer yet they’re in the church [45:48] Well membership helps us with that because you can’t be a member unless you profess to be a believer [45:55] Now [45:56] When we covenant together we are inviting each other into a life of accountability [46:00] Jesus is expressing that here and in first Corinthians 5

[46:05] Paul says that the leadership expressly needs to deal with it. But look at what the hope of [46:12] Dealing with this sin is look in 2nd Corinthians chapter 2 verses 5 through 7 [46:16] Now if anyone has caused pain he has caused it not [46:19] To me but in some measure not to put it too severely to all of you for such a one this punishment by the [46:26] Majority is enough. So you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him or he may be overwhelmed by excessive [46:34] sorrow and then compare that with Galatians chapter 6 verses 1 and 2

[46:39] Brothers if anyone is caught in any transgression you who are spiritual should restore him [46:46] In a spirit of gentleness keep watch over yourself [46:49] Lest you too be tempted bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ [46:54] In other words our job is not to get legalistic and start lording over everyone like we’re everyone’s boss and say hey [47:03] Saw you an apple boost Friday night an appetizer sampler. That’s pretty big. I think it’s like 1500 calories. That’s gluttony [47:10] Sorry, you can’t come Sunday

[47:16] I think we may be missing something if that’s what we boil this down to [47:21] But here’s the key in [47:24] Love we must know and be known by one another [47:29] So that we can disciple one another so that when issues of sin come up [47:34] We have relationship and we are respected and cared for and we’re caring for [47:39] So that people will understand when we come to them that while they may rebel and not

[47:45] Repent and while we may have to take drastic measures of church discipline that our goal is always for their repentance and restoration [47:52] To the body of Christ for the hope of furthering the gospel into their lives and the lives of others through their redemption [48:00] There’s always the hope [48:03] And it should cause us great pain people aren’t restored because that’s what love looks like

[48:11] It’s about accountability [48:13] It’s about loving each other and discipling [48:17] Relationships and we have systems right now. We’re we’re doing that through community groups

[48:25] People are being cared for people are being pastored

[48:29] So here’s a couple of things [48:32] For the next 13 weeks [48:35] We’re gonna have a series called doctrine [48:38] All right, hopefully you got a mailer this week if you did that means your neighbor did so invite them to church

[48:45] It’s the next 13 weeks we’re gonna talk about what we believe is a church then at the beginning of January [48:52] We’re gonna have a membership covenant. All right, and it’s gonna be something where we put pen to paper and we sign it [49:01] But it’s not a contract. I’m not gonna take your house [49:04] What it is is it saying I identify with village church [49:09] And you are making a commitment [49:11] You are taking our responsibility. Now. Do you have to be a member to come? No

[49:15] Do you have to be a member to serve? No, I’d be crazy to say that because we need all the people volunteering we can get [49:23] All right [49:24] Do you have to be a member to lead? Yes. Do you have to be a member to be a community group leader? Yes

[49:33] Because we have to identify ourselves as people of the church now [49:37] Does being a member mean you have to be a community group leader and you have to lead no [49:42] But being a member will mean that you’re in a community group [49:46] Because it’s not just us inviting you in it’s you inviting us in

[49:52] See too many times people view church membership as being something that you’re being asked to join [49:57] It’s just as much you asking us to join you

[50:02] And if I have members that aren’t being discipled membership is meaningless [50:06] In community groups are the environment that we’ve chosen as a church for disciples to take place in [50:10] For life on life and our community group leaders take a great responsibility in being involved in the lives of the community group members [50:18] To be a member there needs to be a place where you’re serving in the church whether that means village serve projects whether that means [50:24] Volunteering for set up or tear down on Sunday mornings whether that means working in our student ministries working in [50:32] The village kids on Sunday morning. There’s a place where you’re plugged in and you’re serving

[50:38] Church membership should mean something we’re identifying ourselves and there need to be [50:43] Gauges that we are growing in places where we can say I’m becoming a fully devoted follower of Jesus [50:50] And you’re asking the church to come in and hold you accountable [50:55] Here’s what Mark Dever pastor up in Washington DC has to say about this membership in a local church is not [51:02] Saving does not save you [51:04] But it is a reflection of your salvation in becoming a member

[51:08] We’re grasping hands with each other to know and be known by each other and to help and encourage one another [51:15] when we may need to be reminded of God’s work in our lives or [51:18] To be challenged about major discrepancies between our talk and our walk

[51:26] Ultimately church membership is about the gospel

[51:33] You see [51:35] Inside of church membership [51:38] It’s about identifying yourself with a tangible local body of Christ on this earth and [51:46] Committing to grow the church through your own discipleship in community with other believers as well as pushing the gospel out into the culture in order to grow the local church [51:57] Thereby growing the universal church [52:00] You see church membership

[52:04] Says that we are about the gospel and if we’re about the gospel we must be about the church

[52:11] If you’re just hopping from church to church with no commitment [52:17] If you’re just living for yourself, I have no vision bigger than you [52:23] Are you really? [52:25] growing [52:27] Is the gospel really finding root in your life?

[52:34] See God has called every one of us to grow in the gospel and this [52:39] Is a large environment

[52:44] For you [52:45] To signify that that is your desire and passion

[52:53] Join us [52:55] Father would love you

[52:59] God you have called us into a life that is greater than every one of us because it’s your life

[53:06] Lord in Jesus you have blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places [53:13] God I pray that over the next few months [53:17] That you will give us a [53:20] Unity under your name [53:23] That just screams of the gospel [53:27] I pray that we would have a vision in each and every one of our lives

[53:33] Of growing in your grace

[53:39] Father may we be disciplers

[53:44] But to be that God may be disciples [53:47] May we reproduce ourselves in another spiritual generation. May we commit ourselves to one another may we take the [53:56] Responsibility of growing in you so that we can push your mission out into the culture of [54:03] Midlothian into the culture of Richmond and beyond God [54:06] May you raise up from inside of the village church planters that we can send out to form other churches that will grow [54:15] And may it all be for the gospel and nothing else

[54:21] Right now as we reflect on the Lord’s Supper [54:27] It’s all about the gospel [54:29] It’s all about making disciples if you’re in here and you’re a believer [54:35] Come to the front go to the back [54:38] Proclaim the gospel through his broken body in his shed blood [54:43] If you’re in here today, and you’re not a believer

[54:49] Today’s the day

[54:52] Jesus died for you [54:54] He rose again from the dead to give you a new life proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the son of [55:01] God and he does love you and he wants to change your life if you will trust in him with your life

[55:10] I’ll be up here. There’ll be people in the back come talk to me come pray with me [55:17] And then you can take me [55:20] for the first time [55:22] Proclaim