Membership Matters - Loving the Church

It is wonderful that you are considering joining a church. It is our hope that through this study and the ones that follow, you will develop a Biblical understanding of what being a church member is all about.

What is a Church?

Sometimes you hear people make statements like “I believe in God, but I reject organized religion”, or “I’m a Christian but I worship God in my own way at home”. What these people have really done is attempt to separate Christ from his church. Their profession of a belief in God may soothe their conscience but it certainly does not impress God (James 2:19-20). God’s plan for his children is that each and every one of them join a local church.It would be helpful at this point to define just what a church is. A simple definition of “a church” could be a local gathering of baptized believers joined together to carry out Christ’s will on earth.Notice that, according to this definition, nothing is said of a building. It is unfortunate that we have come to refer to the building in which believers meet as “the church”. In reality, it is the believers themselves which make up the church (see Matt 18:17, Acts 14:27, 15:3, 5:11; Rom 16:5).A church is both a visible and local gathering of believers. The very first believers met in the Temple (Acts 2:46). They then began to meet in homes (Phm 1:2; Col 4:15; 1 Cor 16:19; Rom 16:5). It is not hard to imagine that after these churches outgrew the homes that they then sought out larger buildings to meet in.When it comes to defining a church, buildings are inconsequential. It is the assembly of believers within the buildings who actually make up “the church”.

The First Church

In Acts 2 we find Peter’s great evangelistic sermon which he delivered on the Day of Pentecost. He was filled with the Spirit of God (Acts 2:4) and preached the gospel to thousands of Jews.

Acts 2:41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. Who was it that was baptized?Q. What does this verse indicate happened “that day”?[/su_box]

Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. After these people received the word of God by faith, were baptized and added to the number of disciples, what four things did they do continually?[/su_box]Immediately after these people received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour and were baptized, they joined themselves to other believers and faithfully continued in learning, in fellowship, and in prayer. These were not isolated believers who sought to “worship God in their own way”, nor were they people who used a rejection of “organized religion” as an excuse to not join with other believers. Their affection for Christ immediately translated into a love for Christ’s church (fellow believers). This has been the pattern of true Christianity ever since. A love for Jesus Christ always results in a love for Christ’s church 1 John 3:14.[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What is an evidence that we are saved (or have “passed out of death into life”)?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Considering the verse above, what could we conclude about someone who claims to be a believer in Jesus Christ but has no desire to join together with other believers in a local church?[/su_box]Initially there was only one gathering of believers in Jerusalem. But, on the Day of Pentecost thousands of foreign Jews travelled to Jerusalem for the festival (Acts 2). There they heard the Apostle Peter preach that Christ was the resurrected Messiah. Thousands of Jews became disciples that day and would eventually return to their hometowns where they would gather together with fellow believers - thus establishing local assemblies. No matter where these believers met, they brought the church with them, because they were the church.Churches began to pop up in numerous cities. This was not due to doctrinal or denominational differences but simply due to geography. Wherever there were a gathering of believers who were not near an established church, a church could be formed (see Acts 13:1, 14:23, 15:41, 16:4-5, 18:22, 20:17; Rom 16:1; 1 Cor 7:17). These believers would ordain elders (Titus 1:5; Acts 14:23) and would then seek to carry out Christ’s commands in their community and among their own gathering (Matt 18:18-20; John 15:12; 13:35).

Loving the Church

It is not possible to love Jesus Christ and not love the church. In fact, if you find yourself feeling this way it is an indication that either you are not truly a Christian or that you have deep spiritual issues that need to be confessed to God (if you are a new Christian it may just be a matter of learning!).A life committed to Jesus Christ will also be a life devoted to a local gathering of fellow believers. God has designed it this way. He, by his Holy Spirit, develops a spiritual unity and love among believers in Jesus Christ. This love is a sure sign that we are truly his disciples.

John 13:35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What is one obvious way to tell if someone is truly a disciple of Jesus Christ?[/su_box][su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Considering the verse above, what kind of relationship does Jesus Christ want you to have with other believers? How has your view of Christians changed since you were saved?[/su_box]The Holy Spirit works in every believer to produce a supernatural affection for the church. He does this through the word of God. In His word, He has laid out some clear reasons why we should love the church. As we mature as Christians these will each become more and more meaningful to us. Consider the following reasons why a love for Christ should naturally lead us to love the church.

The Church is Loved by Christ

Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What example of perfect love should husbands follow in loving their wives?Q. How did Christ express his love for the church? (see also Acts 20:28)[/su_box]

Ephesians 5:28-30 In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, 30 because we are members of his body.

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How else does Christ express his love for the church?[/su_box]The Church is valuable and precious. Not because we as individuals are inherently valuable but because Christ has purchased us with his precious blood upon the cross. Before He saved us, we were sinful, unworthy sinners who were fit for Hell and unable to save ourselves, yet the shedding of his precious blood has now rendered us incredibly valuable. According to our passage above, Jesus Christ continues to show his love for the church by nourishing and cherishing it.Every sinner, saved by the gracious offering of God’s perfect Son, should recognize the tremendous price that has been paid for his salvation. A price paid, not for his own soul only, but also for the souls of every other believer. This should cause us to see others in the church as incredibly valuable to Christ and consequently, precious to us. Just like Christ, we should cherish all believers and love the church.The Body and Bride of ChristThe Lord illustrates the depth of his love for the church by referring to it as both his body (Col 1:18; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 4:12) and his bride (Eph 5:24-27; 2 Cor 11:2; Rev 19:7-9). As his body, the church is inseparable from Christ. He loves and cares for it just as one would love and care for his own body. As his bride, the church is the object of his undivided affection. He nourishes and cherishes the church while working to purify her in preparation of the wedding day (Eph 5:27).These analogies for the church make it abundantly clear that Jesus Christ loves the church and that we should love it too.

The Church is Being Built by Christ

We should also love the church because Jesus Christ is building the church.

Matthew 16:18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What did Jesus tell Peter he would do? What would the results be?[/su_box]Contrary to the expectations of many Jews during Jesus’ day, Christ did not come to bring about social change, or political revolution. He came to accomplish one thing - the building of his church on earth. He began this work by calling sinners to repent and follow him. He died for their sins on the cross and then sent his Holy Spirit to dwell inside of them. The Spirit now works to make believers more and more like Christ. This is how He is building his church.If we love Christ, we will not only love what Christ loves but we will love what Christ does. The church is the centre and circumference of Christ’s entire work on earth. It is through the church that he reaches the lost world by the preaching of the gospel. It is within the church that he continues his work of making saved men and women more and more like himself.A lack of love for the church will undoubtedly show itself in a lack of attendance and participation in the church. When we fail to contribute to the church in these ways we undermine the very work that Christ seeks to do on earth. How can we confess a love for Christ, yet sabotage the very work that he gave his life to accomplish? We can’t. A genuine love for Christ should always carry over to a love for what he is doing on earth through the church.[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]What are some ways that one can undermine the work that Christ is doing to build the church?How do you contribute to the work that Christ is doing on earth through your church? Does your participation properly reflect your love for Christ?[/su_box]

The Church is Christ Made Visible

We have seen above that we should love the church because Christ shed his precious blood to purchase it (thereby placing immeasurable value upon it). We have also seen that we should love the church because it is the centrepiece of Christ’s work on earth. In addition to these two things, we should love the church because the church is Christ-made-visible.Unlike the world in Christ’s day, we cannot touch or see Him (1 John 1:1; 1 Pet 1:8). But this does not mean that we can’t experience Christ on earth. How so? God has designed the church so that it would be the visible display of the invisible Christ.

Colossians 1:27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. What is the “mystery” that Paul speaks of here?[/su_box]

Romans 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. In addition to “the Spirit of God”, how is the Holy Spirit referred to here?[/su_box]When Christ ascended to Heaven following his resurrection he sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within all believers. The Holy Spirit is called “Christ in you” and “the Spirit of Christ” because it is the Spirit that produces the character of Christ within us. It is through the spiritual growth of the members of a local church that Christ displays his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22). As believers grow in the faith, they becomes more like Jesus Christ, thus making Christ visible to the world.There is another way that we make Christ visible on earth. When we pray the model prayer we ask “your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven”. In the present age, this prayer is answered in one place – the church. It is through the Spirit of God that we exercise Christ’s authority on earth (Matt 16:19, 18:18) and carry out his will (Matt 6:10). For this reason, the obedient church, operating in the power of the spirit, producing the character qualities of Christ, exercising his authority and performing his will, will be the closest thing to Christ physically appearing and working on earth that this world will ever see.We should love the church because it is through the church (and only through the church) that the invisible Christ is made visible to the world.

The Church is the Source of Spiritual Unity

Have you ever noticed how your interactions with acquaintances is very different from your interactions with close friends? With an acquaintance you may talk about the weather, about sports and other topics of general interest, but nothing of any real consequence. While your close friends are those with whom you have the most in common. You can talk about meaningless things in life and you can talk about the deep things of life. You can share your thoughts, opinions, and your dreams. It is your close friends with whom you often share a common worldview and “take on life”.Now take it one step further and think about your spouse or close family members. Here there exists an even more intimate relationship. You know each other’s strengths, habits, faults and failures. With family, you let your guard down. You shed pretenses that you may hold with others. With your family you not only share life experiences but you even share a common genetic makeup!There is a good reason that scripture refers to the church as the household of God (Gal 6:10; Eph 2:19). Above all other relationships in life, it is with fellow believers within the church that we have the most in common (2 Cor 6:14-18). Above that of acquaintances and even above that of physical family members. Within the church, you have the most important aspects of life in common (Eph 2:11-22). We share a love for Christ (John 14:15, 23). We share a calling. We share a Father (Eph 4:4-7). We share a common acceptance of the word of God as authority (2 Tim 3:16). We share a worldview. We share an intimacy that allows for confessing and forgiving faults (James 5:16). More than this, we share a common spiritual nature which is making each of us into the very same image of Christ (1 Cor 12:13; 2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:29).One of the glorious aspects of how Jesus Christ is building his church is the fact that he is producing this special unity among men and women of diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, and social statuses. The unity that Christ produces in these otherwise diverse peoples is a stunning testament to the supernatural quality of the church and the power of the gospel.[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Does the unity above describe your experience in the church? If not, why not? What can you to do to help your relationship with others in the church grow toward this type of unity?[/su_box]Finally, we should love the church because the church is the repository of divine truth.

The Church is the Repository of Divine Truth

1 Timothy 3:14-15 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

[su_box title="Question..." style="soft" box_color="#2AA3CE"]Q. How is the church (the household of God) described here?[/su_box]The Lord has chosen to make the church stewards of the holy scriptures. As his stewards, we teach his word faithfully and accurately and seek to live it out practically. We proclaim it to the world, protect it from false teachers, defend it against detractors, preserve it through faithful teaching, and practice it through obedient lives. So then, a love for God and God’s word should naturally lead to a love for the church – the repository of his divine truth.Why should we love the church? We should love it because Christ placed an immeasurable value upon it by purchasing it with his sacrificial blood. We should love the church because it is the one place where Christ is actively at work in this world. We should love the church because it is through the obedient church that Christ’s character and his power are made known to this world. Finally, we should love the church because it is the steward of the truth of Christ’s word.[su_box title="Think and Apply" style="soft" box_color="#E67600"]Do you fall short in your love for the church? Which of the reasons for loving the church stated above have you failed to value? How could you increase in your love for the church?[/su_box]If you are a follower of Christ, you should be a member of a local church body – this is God’s design. Through membership you are covenanting with the church to fulfill God’s will together. With your fellow believers, you are committing to love, value and contribute to the church for the glory of God and towards the fulfillment of His purposes on earth.[su_box title="Review!" style="soft" box_color="#FF4D2C"]1. What is “the church”? What are some false ideas about what the church is?2. If someone is a genuine follower of Christ, how should they feel about fellow believers?3. How should the fact that Christ gave his life for the church affect the value we place upon the church?4. How would you answer someone who justifies their lack of commitment to a church by claiming that they worship God “in their own way” or are opposed to “organized religion”?5. In what ways does the church make Christ visible to the world?6. If we say we love the church and believe the statements above, how will it affect the way we interact with the church in areas of attendance, devotion, affection and giving?[/su_box]