Church Membership

J Hudson Taylor The Man who believed God Sunday Evening: 6 PM

Church Membership The Strategy of the Church Ephesians 4

Church Membership The Church is distinct from the World Distinct in Nature Distinct in Composition Distinct in Purpose

Church Membership The Church is distinct from the World Distinct in Nature Distinct in Composition Distinct in Purpose Distinct by its Strategy

Church Membership The Strategy of the Church God’s Vision for the Church: Maturity Ephesians 4:12b-13 so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ

Church Membership The Strategy of the Church God’s Vision for the Church: Maturity Ephesians 4:12b-13 so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ What does maturity look like? How does maturity happen?

Church Membership What does Maturity look like? (4:13) “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” Unity

Church Membership What does Maturity look like? (4:13) “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” Unity  In the FAITH (1 Peter 2:2)

Church Membership What does Maturity look like? (4:13) “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” Unity  In the FAITH (1 Peter 2:2)  In the KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD (Eph 3:18-19)

Church Membership What does Maturity look like? (4:13) “so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” Unity  In the FAITH (1 Peter 2:2)  In the KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD (Eph 3:18-19) = Unity in TRUTH and LOVE

Church Membership Why maturing is important A church is either maturing, or it is being deceived! (4:14) UNITING IN TRUTH AND LOVE DECEIVED, DELUDED, DEPARTING OR

Church Membership 2 Prescriptions for Church Maturity 1. Employ God’s Gifts 2. Plug into God’s Power

Church Membership 1. Employ God’s Gifts (4:7-15) (7) But to each one of us grace has been given… has gifted the church with many gifts that need to be used 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 Romans 12:6-8

Church Membership 1. Employ God’s Gifts (4:7-15) (11-12a) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service

Church Membership 1. Employ God’s Gifts (4:7-15) (11-12a) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service Every true member is God’s gift to the local Church … (12) so that the body of Christ may be built up [=matured]”

Church Membership 1. Employ God’s Gifts (4:7-15) (11-12a) It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service “Employ God’s Gifts” = Employ Ourselves to serve others

Church Membership 1. Employ God’s Gifts (4:7-15) A church is not matured by more numbers, exciting programming, age, gripping preaching, strong leadership…etc But by an ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

Church Membership 1. Employ God’s Gifts (4:7-15) How maturity happens: Elders: Teaching Truth & Sharing Christ’s Love Members: Speaking Truth & Sharing Christ’s Love Church: Christ-like! Unity of Faith, Knowledge of Christ God’s Gifts. Each doing their part

Church Membership 2. Plug into God’s Power (15-16) Ephesians 4:15-16 Instead speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Church Membership 2. Plug into God’s Power (15-16) Ephesians 3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work in us. Also: Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 1:19

Church Membership 2. Plug into God’s Power (15-16) Motivational hype alone will not work, “I cannot do it!”

Church Membership 2. Plug into God’s Power (15-16) Motivational hype alone will not work, “I cannot do it!” God will achieve it, through you. Ephesians 4:16 (NKJV) the effective working by which each part does its share

Church Membership 2. Plug into God’s Power (15-16) Motivational hype alone will not work, “I cannot do it!” God will achieve it, through you. Colossians 1:29 “to this end I labour, struggling with all his energy which so powerfully works in me”

Church Membership 2. Plug into God’s Power (15-16) Elders: Teaching Truth & Sharing Christ’s Love Members: Speaking Truth & Sharing Christ’s Love Church: Christ-like! Unity of Faith, Knowledge of Christ God’s Gifts. Each doing their part

Church Membership God’s Strategy for Church Maturity 1. Employ God’s Gifts 2. Plug into God’s Power