REFLECTION READING: 1 Peter 4:7-11 SUMMARY: Local Church Membership is not a formality, it is a means by which we have publicly committed to a specific group of believers, a vow to be a part of God’s family in a local area, an agreement to accountability, a pledge to be directly involved in God’s work of the Great Commission! We’ll focus on membership & service in and through the church. SERMON TEXT: Ephesians 5:15-21 See John 9:4, John 17:11, Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 4:4-6 1. WE ARE ...not a cultural institution! 2 Corinthians 6:18, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Timothy 5:1-2, Galatians 6:10 2. WE ARE A , not a business venture! 1 Corinthians 12:25-27, Romans 12:4-6 3. WE ARE A , not a club! Acts 2:42, Romans 14:19 4. WE ARE A , cared for and led by shepherds! 1 Peter 5:1-5 CHURCH IS NOT JUST ABOUT GETTING SOMETHING! Church is not just CONTENT TO CONSUME. It isn’t a PRODUCT TO EVALUATE. IT IS A COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH / TO PARTICIPATE IN / TO SERVE ALONGSIDE! EPHESIANS 5 NOTES When we are “about our Father's business” as a church, we commit to mature together. We do that through a covenant that involves personal, relational, and missional commitments to one another for the glory of Jesus Christ! IMPORTANT LINKS: MEMBERSHIP: https://www.gracecovenantcharlotte.com/pages/membership NEXT STEPS: https://www.gracecovenantcharlotte.com/pages/next-steps OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE: https://www.gracecovenantcharlotte.com/next-steps/pages/join-a-team