THE IMPORTANCE OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP OVERVIEW – THE CHURCH AND THE WORLD
PREVIEW – A QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED
I. VERSES 17-27 – THE BACKGROUND
A. VERSES 17-18 PAUL’S FOCUS B. VERSES 19-21 – PAUL’S EXAMPLE C. VERSES 22-27- PAUL’S PREDICAMENT
II. VERSE 28-32 - THE COUNSEL TO THE ELDERS
A. VERSE 28 - BE FAITHFUL TO YOUR CALLING B. VERSES 29-30 - BE KNOWLEDGEABLE OF THE DANGERS C. VERSES 31- BE DILIGENT IN YOUR MINISTRY D. VERSE 32 – BE AWARE OF GOD’S PROMISES
III. IMPLICATIONS OF THIS PASSAGE TO CHRISTIANS IN OUR DAY
A. ALL CHRISTIANS EFFECTUALLY CALLED TO RESPOND IN OBEDIENCE TO THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST ARE PART OF THE WORLDWIDE/INVISIBLE CHURCH. B. THE SPIRITUAL DANGERS AND PITFALLS WHICH CHRISTIANS INDIVIDUALLY FACE IN THE WORLD WHEN THEY ARE ALONE ARE MANY AND POTENTIALLY DEVASTATING. C. THE CHURCH CAN ONLY BE SEEN IN ITS VISIBLE FORM THROUGH THE ESTABLISHMENT AND MINISTRY OF LOCAL CONGREGATIONS. D. THE LOCAL CHURCH IS DESIGNED TO BE A PLACE OF PROTECTION, GROWTH, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND MINISTRY, TO INCLUDE EVANGELISM. E. THE BIBLICAL AND HISTORICAL EXAMPLE OF THE FIRST CENTURY BELIEVERS AND WORK OF GOD IS REVEALED AS THAT OF JOINING TOGETHER IN COMMITMENT AND KOINONIA TYPE FELLOWSHIP IN LOCAL CHURCHES. F. THE LOCAL CHURCH IS GOD’S CHOSEN INSTRUMENT FOR WORSHIP AND MINISTRY ACCORDING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT EPISTLES. G. THERE IS GREAT BENEFIT AND BLESSING IN BEING PART OF A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH, AND GREAT DANGER IN REFUSING TO DO SO.