Church Membership

1 Corinthians 5:1–8 (ESV) p.1134

Recap:

1. What is the Church?

   1. Definition (BF&M 2000, Article 6):
      1. Local Church: A congregation of baptized believers, observing Christ’s ordinances, and working together in gospel mission.
      2. Universal Church: The Body of Christ, including all redeemed believers across time and space.

2. The Problem in Corinth

   1. Sin in the Church (1 Cor. 5:1–8):
      1. Open, unrepentant immorality tolerated within the church.
      2. Paul’s rebuke: The church failed to confront sin.
      3. The danger of unchecked sin: “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.” B.Paul’s Instructions:
      4. Remove the unrepentant sinner for their ultimate restoration.
      5. Protect the church’s purity and gospel witness.
   2. Key Insight: No gospel = No church.
      1. True love confronts sin for the sake of repentance and restoration.

3. The Necessity of Church Membership

1. Discipline Implies Membership:
   1. Membership signals responsibility and commitment in a local church.
   2. Biblical examples of lists and accountability (e.g., 1 Tim. 5:9; Rev. 20:12).
   3. Membership clarifies who is accountable to whom in the body of Christ.
2. Regenerate Membership:
   1. The church is to guard the door of membership carefully.
   2. Welcoming nominal Christians risks the church’s mission and integrity.

4. The Metaphor of the Body (1 Cor. 12:12–31) A.Every member is essential and interconnected.

   2. Unity in diversity reflects God’s design.
   3. Membership calls us to use our gifts to serve, build up, and care for one another.

5. Covenant Membership

   1. Definition: A commitment to live out the “one another” commands of Scripture within a local body of believers.
      1. Love, serve, bear burdens, forgive, encourage, teach, admonish, and pray for one another.
   2. Practical Applications:
      1. Take responsibility for lovingly disciplining fellow members.
      2. Submit to the leadership and care of elders.
      3. Embrace your role in the body of Christ.

6. Gospel Connection A.Union with Christ: 1. Salvation is expressed visibly through connection to a local church.

   2. Surrendering Self-Sovereignty:
      1. Christ has all authority; submitting to a local church is a biblical act of surrender.
      2. Ongoing repentance and mutual accountability are marks of true faith.
   3. Key Challenges:
      1. Are you opening your life to others for sanctification?
      2. Are you loving others enough to engage in hard conversations?

7. Congregational Applications

1. Are you an active and accountable member of a local church?
   1. Practicing and receiving biblical discipline?
   2. Publicly affirming your willingness to be shepherded?
   3. Viewing yourself as integral to the church’s growth and mission? B.Call to Action:
   4. Don’t distance yourself from this grace-filled provision of God’s church.

Closing Exhortation A. Key Reflection Questions: 1. Is your commitment to the church shaped by biblical love? 2. Are you modeling Christlike love by confronting sin, seeking truth, and sacrificing comfort for others?

Benediction Hebrews 10:23–25

1. Hold fast to your hope.
2. Stir up one another to love and good works.
3. Do not neglect meeting together, but encourage one another.