Team Sneller's Sermon

Deric and I got to do the sermon together today, and it was really fun!  We called it a "conversational sermon," because we sat on stools and talked to each other (we got this idea from Gordon and Gail MacDonald, who did a conversational sermon at one of Denver Seminary's chapel services).

Our topic was the relationship between discipleship and the local church, more specifically: church membership.  We talked about our personal journey and struggles with church membership, how the American culture affects church membership, and the strongest biblical reasons for church membership (listed below).  We ended with challenging people to think and pray about church membership.  People seemed to really enjoy the format and conversation, and we keep hearing how the sermon has congregants talking about the topic.  

Three Biblical reasons for Church Membership (by Deric and Rebecca Sneller

1.  When you become a Christian, you're called into a family of faith, not individualistic faith.  Throughout the NT there is a reorientation of relationships. 

            a.    In Matthew 12:46-50, we see Jesus change the framework of family and said whoever          does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother. 

         b.     Romans 8:16-7 say that the Holy Spirit testifies our being children of God.  It says if we are heirs of God we are co-heirs with Christ.

         c.     James 2:15 calls us to live out our faith by caring for the needs of our brothers and sisters

2.     All throughout Paul’s writings, but sepecifically in 1 Corinthians 12 Paul specifics of about belief being for the Body; one Body with many parts.

          a.     1 Cor. 12:13 says, “When you were baptized, you were baptized by one Spirit into one body.”

          b.     The metaphor of the Body indicates close relationship in which no part can function effectively alone.

          c.     Essentially we try to decaptitate the Body when we profess our commitment to Christ, but not the Church.  “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’ (1 Cor. 12:21).

3.     Discipleship was designed to occur in the context of committed community.

          a.     1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”

                1.     Committed followers of Christ are committed to fellowship with one another that brings life transformation that is impossible for the individual.

                2.     As disciples, are you committed to partnering together for purification?  

             b.     1 Peter 2:4-5 “As you come to Him, the living Stone-rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

                 1.     By yourself you are just a brick not a building.  It is God’s purpose to build you together.

                  2.     Are you allowing God to place you close to other living bricks?

                c.     1 Peter 4:10 “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.”

                   1.     If we are not committed to a Church, then we cut ourselves off from the grace that comes from the exercise of other people’s spiritual gifts.  Many Christians are weak  and stumbling because they lack the blessings that come from being committed to a local body of believers.

                   2.     Are you content with personal grace or are you also seeking the strength that comes from corporate grace?

                 d.     Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage on another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

                   1.     We have a responsibility to stimulate and encourage other Christians, which we can only do if we do not forsake “our meeting together”.

                   2.     Are you a committed member of a local church that commits to spurring and encouraging one another?