8-12-18 Join a church! Who? Me?

The next 3 Sundays I will be tripping over myself - saying the same things in different ways while saying things new in each message as well.

What does the bible say about joining a church?

Should I encourage others to join Ashland Church?

Join a Church! Who? Me? First, I would have to find that ‘perfect’ church!

VIDEO: Top Church

A church with NO members is NO church!

Scripture                                            1 Corinthians 1:1-10

          This text is rich with layers at first unseen like a double lava chocolate cake. Every bite reveals new hidden delights. It is not normally served up as a text about the church or church membership but let’s get our forks out, dig in and see what delicious truths God has for us today from His word.

[Map of Achaia] 

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, (Acts 18:4-18 Paul traveled to Corinth [1] (Pracilla & Aquila were there from Rome) where 4 every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 6 But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of [2] Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 [3] Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized. 11 So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

12 While Gallio [4] (Prominent Roman; brother Seneca, nephew Lucan) was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. 13 "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."

14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law — settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." 16 So he had them ejected from the court. 17 Then they all turned on [5] Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time.)

2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way — in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

The song LAY ME DOWN says: With this heart open wide, From the depths from the heights, I will bring a sacrifice.
With these hands lifted high, Hear my song here my cry, I will bring a sacrifice
Hand on my heart, This much is true, There's no life apart from you
It will be my joy to say, Your will, your way, WE will bring a sacrifice

OPTIONAL - * VIDEO Sacrifice of Praise

As those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours, we bring a sacrifice of praise. We - the church. Those who have committed themselves to church membership.

“In the New Testament,” John Piper observes, “to be excluded from the local church was to be excluded from Christ.”

Can I still be a part of the church without church membership? Yes! But you can also be a guy who flirts with 1000 girls and never commits to one. The result is that you are still alone in the world. Commit to that one you will marry. Likewise, commit to that church where you will be a member because the kingdom of God was never designed for you to live alone in your faith. God created us to live out our faith in community. Hebrews 12:1-2  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Join the church! Who? Me?

A little boy said, “Dad, did Grandpa make you go to Sunday school when you were my age?”

His father said, “He sure did. We went every Sunday.”

The boy said sadly, “Well, I bet it won’t do me any good either.”

STAINED GLASS

A fourteenth-century Italian stained-glass artist was summoned to design and create a huge portrait for the window of a cathedral in Chartres, France, a place well known for its stained-glass work. He laid all of the pieces he was going to use out on the floor of the cathedral. They were beautiful to behold; most of them were large and colorful. Among these awesome pieces of glass was a small, clear piece about as big as your fingernail. As the stained-glass portrait was assembled, that little piece remained on the floor. Only the big colorful pieces of glass were used.

On the day of the window’s completion, the tiny piece of clear glass was still lying on the ground. The entire city gathered to witness the unveiling of the brilliant and beautiful stained-glass portrait. The artist stood in front of the crowd, made his speech, and dramatically pulled down the cloth cover. The crowd gasped at the beauty of the colorful window glowing in the sunlight.

After a few seconds, however, the crowd grew silent. They sensed that something was missing, that the portrait was unfinished. The great artist then walked over to where the little clear piece of glass lay, picked it up, and placed it in the portrait, right in the center of Jesus’ eye. As the sun hit that little piece, it gave off a dazzling sparkle.

The magnificent stained glass window still draws visitors. The first thing they see is that sparkle in Jesus’ eye.

As small as that piece of glass was, it was very important to the portrait. And, no matter how insignificant a Christian may seem, he is important to the body of Christ

I call that stained class the church - each piece of glass is a member of that church - it is not complete until even the smallest, seemingly most insignificant part is put in place - I call that piece Sosthenes. As you consider church membership, recognize that to Christ, you are the apple, or the sparkle, of His eye!

Response Song: Lay me Down