Jon Gary Williams
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The Church - Lesson 11
The Church in 25 Lessons
Jon Gary Williams
Lesson 11 - What Membership in the Church Involves
In Heaven's plan for man, Christ intended for the redeemed to be a part of his church. This is where "all spiritual blessings" are found. (Eph.1:3) Membership in the Lord's church is, therefore, essential. What does the Bible teach about what is involved in being a member of the church?
I. Being a member of the church means:
A. That one is a member of the body over which Christ is head. (I Cor. 12:12,13.20,
27; Eph. 1:21-23)
B. That one is a worker in the Lord's vineyard. (Matt. 20:1ff)
C. That one is a living stone in the spiritual temple of God. (I Pet. 2:5) (cf. I Cor.
3:16)
D. That one is married to Christ. (Rom.7:4; Eph. 5:23-27)
E. That one is a citizen in Christ's kingdom. (Col. 1:12,13)
F. That one is a child in God's house. (I Tim. 3:15; Gal. 3:26,27)
II. Membership in the Lord's church incorporates many rich provisions
A. Fatherly watch-care and protection. (I Pet. 5:6,7; Phil. 4:7-7; I Cor. 10:12,13
)
B. Fatherly provision for needful things. (Matt. 6:33; II Cor. 9:6-11) (cf. Ps. 84:11)
C. Fatherly correction and chastisement. (Heb. 12:5-10
)
D. The right to appeal to God as a Father. (Matt. 6:9; I Pet. 3:12)
E. Hope of an inheritance. (I Pet. 1:3-5; Gal. 3:29; Rom. 8:14-17)
F. Companionship with the saints. (Phil. 2:1-4; Rom. 12:10)
III. Membership in the Lord's church means a life of sanctification
A. I Cor. 6:11 "...but ye were _________, but ye were __________, but ye were
_____________ ..."
B. I Cor.1:2 "...to them that are ____________ in Christ Jesus, __________ to be
__________"
C. I Pet.1:15,16 "...be ye _________ in all manner of ________________...be ye
__________, for I am __________"
D. II Tim.2:19(b) "...Let everyone that ___________ the name of ________ depart
from ____________"