TEXT:  Ehesians 4: 11-15; Romans 13: 1-8

God does require his people to willingly place themselves under the leadership and authority and accountability of Biblical leaders and that with an attitude of great love and gratitude and honor for them.

In a day when commitment is a rare commodity, it should come as no surprise that church membership is such a low priority to so many believers. Sadly, it is not uncommon for Christians to move from church to church, never submitting themselves to the care of leaders and never committing themselves to a group of fellow believers.

To neglect—or to refuse—to join a church as a formal member reflects a misunderstanding of the believer’s responsibility to the body of Christ.

In fact, when a believer moved to another city, his church often wrote a letter of commendation to his new church (Acts 18:27; Rom. 16:1; Col. 4:10; cf. 2 Cor. 3:1-2).

 When individuals repented and believed in Christ, they were baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:41, 47; 5:14; 16:5).

TO LIVE CONSECRATED LIVES (1 Cor 6: 9-11; 1 Thess. 4: 3-7; 5; 22; 2 Tim 2: 19; Rom 12: 1-2; 14: 16) Lamps do not talk, but they shine. Let your actions shine out your religion. To live a godly life in words and actions and not persist in obvious acts of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:22-23; 2 Peter 3:11-14; Matthew 18:15-18).

SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST’S SALVATION with those who are still lost, both in my community and throughout the world.(Mark 16:15-16; Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1: 8; 8: 4;  Pr 11: 30)

Not only by what we say, but by what we are

TO HONOR, RESPECT AND SUPPORT THE PASTOR AND CHURCH LEADERS:

Respect and hold them in high esteem 1 Thess. 5:12-13

Hebrews 13:17 According to this scripture Obedience and submission to spiritual rulers is necessary because they are accountable for the spiritual welfare of members; they "are watchful for your souls, as they that must give account." Submission to them is necessary because this is their God-given responsibility, a responsibility for which they will be called into question. This should keep all elders on their knees, but it should give their people a greater sense of responsibility as well. Submission is also commanded so that the elders may fulfill their duties "with joy and not with grief, for that is unprofitable for you." Unsubmissive people produce grieving rulers who, then, cannot minister to their people so effectively.

It is also significant that in I Thessalonians 5:13 Christians are commanded to especially "love" their leaders. One evidence of this love is found in fulfilling the requirement of I Timothy 5:19, which commands, "Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses." In other words, while the slander is inevitable, it is to be rejected unless established. Elders-pastors are to enjoy your protection and be given the benefit of doubt; love will think the best of them until it is able to do so no longer.

1 Cor 16; 16 Among other things, they are responsible to shepherd God’s people (Acts 20: 28; 1 Pet. 5:2), to labor diligently among them (1 Thess. 5:12), to have charge over them (1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Tim. 5:17), and to keep watch over their souls (Heb. 13:17). Scripture teaches that the elders will give an account to God for the individuals allotted to their charge (Heb. 13:17; 1 Pet. 5:3). Be sure leaders make mistakes, sometimes big ones!

Accord them double honor and support the pastor well (1 Tim 5: 17-18

Support the pastor with physical things 1 Cor 9: 7, 9-14; Ti 3: 13; Deut 12: 19; 14: 27; 18: 1-5

TO ATTEND CHURCH SERVICES AND MEETING REGULARLY (Hebrews 10:25; John 8:47; Psalm 122:1; 1 Cor 1: 10).

TO SUPPORT THE CHURCH FAITHFULLY IN TITHES AND OFFERRINGS

 It is my responsibility to cheerfully contribute a generous portion of my knowledge, energy, time, ability and possessions to the Lord’s work as carried on by my congregation (2 Corinthians 9:6 -11; 8: 7; Mal 3: 10; Lev 27: 30; Deut 32: 6).

TO PRAY FOR THE PASTOR AND THE LEADERS (Rom 15: 30; Heb 13: 18; Col 4; 3; 2 Thess. 3: 1; 5: 25; 2 Cor 1:11; Eph 6: 18).

TO VISIT ONE ANOTHER; LOVE ONE ANOTHER; HELP ONE ANOTHER

1 Thess. 5: 14; Heb 12: 14; Jas 1: 27; Matt 25: 35-40

The New Testament teaches that the church is the body of Christ, and that God has called

every member to a life devoted to the growth of the body ( Heb. 10:24-25) and exercising their spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:4-7; 1 Pet. 4:10-11). Mutual edification can only take place in the context of the corporate body of Christ. Exhortations to this kind of ministry presuppose that believers have committed themselves to other believers in a specific local assembly. Church membership is simply the formal way to make that commitment. EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO GIVE (1 Tim 4: 14):                                               You have a specific role to play in the body of Christ.  It is our responsibility to use our God-given spiritual gifts in service to others and to his glory (1 Peter 4:10-11; Romans 12:6-8).

It is my responsibility to use God’s Word in daily devotions, personal Bible reading, and active participation in group Bible studies (Colossians 3:16; Luke 11:28; 1 Peter 2:2)

It is my responsibility to bring up my children with training and instruction in the Lord (Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6).

It is my responsibility to have my children baptized and to encourage all others who have not been baptized to appropriately receive this sacrament (1 Peter 3:21).

It is my responsibility to take Holy Communion frequently (1 Cor. 11:23-28).

CONCLUSION: Living out a commitment to a local church involves many responsibilities: exemplifying a godly lifestyle in the community, exercising one’s spiritual gifts in diligent service, contributing financially to the work of the ministry, giving and receiving admonishment with meekness and in love, and faithfully participating in corporate worship. Much is expected, but much is at stake. For only when every believer is faithful to this kind of commitment is the church able to live up to her calling as Christ’s representative here on earth