As we conclude this 3-part series on the church, membership, and now focusing on claiming ownership of being a church member, my hopes are that we have found a biblical understanding of how Rise Up Church should operate as a and an in-depth evaluation as the member. Church is not a ! God has placed us in churches to serve and not be served, to care for others, to pray for leaders, to learn, to teach, to give, and in some cases to die for the sake of the Gospel. I mentioned last week that church membership means we are all parts of the whole where we reviewed how Paul explains the church being a body with many members and love should be established as the central attitude and action of all members. Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4, include: Prophecy: Speaking forth the word of God with boldness and clarity. Warning: If you claim the title of a prophet today, then let them be held to the standard of a prophet: 100 % accuracy in every word!! Deuteronomy 18:20-22 20 But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in my name that I have not commanded him to speak, or[a] who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.’ 21 And if you say in your heart, ‘How may we know the word that the Lord has not spoken?’— 22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him. Teaching: Explaining and applying the truths of Scripture effectively. Exhortation: Encouraging and urging others toward godliness and obedience. **Service: **Meeting practical needs within the church community. Those who have the mind to help or assist others in doing the work of the Lord. This individual may have these qualities: A tender heart to really care A quick eye to see the need A quick foot to get to the needy A loving face to cheer them and bless them A firm foot so you will not fall yourself A strong hand to grip the needy with A bent back to reach the man Giving: Sharing material resources generously and cheerfully. Leadership: Guiding and directing others in a way that honors God. Mercy: Showing compassion and empathy, especially to those in distress. Wisdom: Offering practical insight and understanding from a biblical perspective. Knowledge: Having a deep understanding of spiritual truths and principles. Faith: Trusting God in challenging circumstances and inspiring others to trust Him. Healing: Praying for and seeing physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Miracles: Displaying supernatural signs that authenticate the gospel. Those used of God to do miracles, remember the pattern in the Bible which it is the Holy Spirits initiative and not the initiative of the individual. Discernment: Recognizing and understanding spiritual truths and deceptions. Tongues: Speaking in languages unknown to the speaker, for the edification of the church. Interpretation of Tongues: Explaining the meaning of messages spoken in tongues. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit for the common good of the church, enabling believers to serve one another effectively and glorify God. Each member of the Body of Christ is encouraged to discover, develop, and deploy their gifts in unity and love. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28: “Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it. And God has placed these in the church” Paul goes on to talk about what positions have been appointed and what gifts are found in the church. We should EARNESTLY DESIRE THE BEST GIFTS!!! Though the Holy Spirit gives the gifts, it is good and proper for us to desire them, and to ask for them, all in submission to the plan of God and not your own plan! I AM A CHURCH MEMBER! I will be a functioning member: Give abundantly and serve without hesitation. No strings attached and unified We will be the source of unity; meaning at times we will sacrifice our own preferences to keep unity in the church. Col. 3:14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. Cut out Gossip and Other Negative Talk! The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by Hell **James 3:6 ** Do not be the source of Gossip and rebuke those doing it (You do not have to be harsh in your rebuke) Forgive because unforgiving hearts cannot create unity. Do not be too prideful to grant forgiveness. I will not allow church to be about my preferences and desires! Philippians 2:5-11 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. PRAY for Your Church Leaders, Their families, The leader's physical health and mental health. A functioning church member will lead his/her family to be healthy church members. (On average, the church only gets about 2-3 hours per week with your family! You as parents and leaders of the home get a significant amount of time more with your family) God has established a ministry within your own home. Live obediently to the Word of God Pray Together as Family and pray for the church family Worship together as a family and worship as a church family Fall deeply in love with the Bride of Christ And Treasure the church membership as a GIFT and the ability to serve THANK GOD YOU ARE NOT PERSCUTED COMING TO CHURCH or sharing your faith and the GOSPEL. WE have it easy CHURCH!!!! God’s Plan: God wants to have a relationship with us, as he is our Creator, and he desires for us to experience life, the way he intended it to be. God’s love - 1 John 4:9 ‘This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.’ New life - John 10:10b ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ Man’s Problem: We have all sinned and so a meaningful relationship with God is impossible. All have sinned – Romans 3:23 ‘For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ We are separated from God – Isaiah 59:2 ‘But your iniquities have separated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.’ God’s Remedy: The Cross God sent Jesus – Romans 5:8 ‘But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ Jesus is the way – John 14:6 ‘Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Man’s Response: Repent & Receive Christ Repent – Acts 3:19 ‘Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.’ Receive – Revelation 3:20 ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.’ “Dear Father, I know that I have been separated from you. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed his blood for my sins, and I now ask you to forgive me. I am willing to turn away from my sin and follow your way. Jesus I invite you to come into my life and be my personal Saviour. I want to follow and obey you as the Lord of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”