Are You a “Member” of the Church?
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Church, Commitment, Fidelity, Membership, 1 Corinthians
How do you know? Is such really even important? What exactly constitutes "membership"? By answering the last question, this lesson answers the first two questions also. It takes general "membership" requirements in most any human organization and applies them to membership in the Lord's Church both universally and locally.
Shepherds and Sheep- Parts 1 & 2
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Commitment, Trust, Membership, Ezekiel, John
Several times throughout the New Testament God uses the metaphor of Shepherds and Sheep to describe His people and those who lead, feed, and care for them. But this imagery of God's people as sheep and those who lead them as shepherds is not 'new' in the New Testament. Several Old Testament prophets, speaking by the inspiration of course, used the same metaphor(s). This lesson, in two parts, looks at one such instance from Ezekiel 34. From this great text, it is hoped that we can learn lessons from the past that will benefit both God's Shepherds and Sheep today.
The Benefits of Local Church Membership
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Membership
Have you ever known someone who claimed to be a member of the Lord's church but also said they weren't members of any local congregation? I have. They usually also claim that they are, "Just serving the Lord in my own way." First of all, that is one of the most arrogant and selfish things I have ever heard! Persons acting that way, or saying such things, seem to think they know better than God how He wishes to be worshiped and served. Or worse yet, they seem to think that however they decide to serve Him must be acceptable to Him. If such is the case, why did He bother to prescribe and describe how saints ought to bind themselves together in local fellowships (local churches) in the first place? But He did just that, because it was in our best interest. Here's a little of the how and why...
Membership- Disciples
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Membership
What is a "disciple"? A learner, a follower, or something else/more? While both of these are part of being a disciple of Christ, there is more. Are you a disciple? While all true disciples are members of Christ, not all who claim to be members are true disciples!
“Living Stones” in the Building of God
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Membership
Having already looked at “Church Membership” from the N.T. analogies of being Sheep in the Fold, Married to Christ, and Disciples of Christ, let’s look now to what it means to be a Living Stone in God’s Building.
“Citizen” in the Kingdom
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Membership, Luke, John, Colossians, Hebrews
This latest entry to the series seeks bring to light what it means to be a Citizen in the Kingdom of Christ. The primary text is taken from Colossians 1:13-14 which speaks of Christians being transferred into "the kingdom of His beloved Son." Citizenship in this spiritual kingdom, like in any political one, comes with both privileges as well as requirements and obligations. This lesson highlights access, required allegiances, and possible forfeiture of "citizenship" in Christ's kingdom.
“Worker” in the Lord’s Vineyard
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Membership, Proverbs, Matthew, Acts
This entry to the series of what it means to be a "Member" of the Lord's Church utilizes the Lord's parable of The Workers in the Vineyard from Matthew 20:1-16 to help us better understand our relationship to Him. If we are workers in the Lord's vineyard, and thus members of His Church, we don't get to pick "a field" of our own making or desires. Neither are we free to choose our own "hours of labor" or "pay scale" or "time of harvest"- all of these factors are instead subject to His determination.
“Children” in God’s Family
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Membership, Genesis, Galatians, 1 John
This is the final entry in our series of metaphors and illustrations that help us to understand what it means to be a "Member" of the Lord's Church. 1John 3:1-2 highlights what a tremendous blessing it is to be part of God's family. The lesson specifically examines some of the benefits of the physical family as God instituted it, and then compares these same blessings to those found in His spiritual family. Finally, the sermon compares and contrasts the physical and spiritual family in three areas: Access, Trust, and Support.
Membership Responsibilities
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Choices, Church, Commitment, Obedience, Membership, Matthew, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians, Ephesians
We've spent a lesson or two looking at what "membership" is- both universally and locally, and some of the tremendous benefits of it. And we expended several lessons examining New Testament metaphors to help us get a picture of how it relates us to God/Christ and one another. Now the time had come to look at some of its responsibilities. A couple of them may even surprise you.
Adavantages of Our Faith and Sonship
Posted by Philip Strong | Categories: Faith, Membership, Hebrews
This is a two-lesson outline which is somewhat of a follow-up to our recent lessons on the Meaning of Membership. It is textual study taken from Hebrews 12:1-13, and highlights the benefits of examples of faith from the past, as well as the disicipline of the Lord.
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