HOW TO BE A MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST

THOSE WHO DESIRE TO BECOME MEMBERS IN THE BODY OF CHRIST ARE ENCOURAGED TO:

1) Believe in and accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

A) ACCEPT JESUS AS SAVIOR…

1) RESPOND TO HIS INVITATION

- THE HOLY SPIRIT IS DRAWING US.. WE HAVE AN EMPTY PLACE IN OUR SOUL

(John 6:44 NIV) ""No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day."

2) GIVE YOUR LIFE TO JESUS - Initiate relationship with Jesus.

(John 3:16-18 NIV) ""For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. {17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. {18} WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM IS NOT CONDEMNED, but WHOEVER DOES NOT BELIEVE STANDS CONDEMNED ALREADY because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

(Rom 10:9 10 NIV) "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe {TRUST} in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

B. FOLLOW JESUS AS LORD…

1. SUBMIT TO HIM – this means that you tune your heart and life to his plan..

(Luke 6:46 NIV) ""Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

(John 14:15-17 NIV) ""If you love me, you will obey what I command. {16} And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- {17} the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you."

Jesus Christ as Lord: Agree to accept His truth…Agree to become HIS DISCIPLE!!

2. DEVELOP A RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

“ABIDE” IN HIM..

(John 15:4-5 NIV) "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. {5} "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

IN CHRIST… A NEW CREATION!

(2 Cor 5:17-18 NIV) "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! {18} All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:"

3. BECOME A FOLLOWER… MAKE YOUR LIFE PURSUIT AFTER THE LOVER OF YOUR SOUL

(Luke 9:23 24 NIV) "Then he said to them all: "IF ANYONE WOULD COME AFTER ME, HE MUST DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW ME. {24} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it."

This means that we must not only accept the blessings of God but we also must accept the suffering and difficulties that following God will cause.

This means that we must follow Jesus swimming against the current of the world, the flesh and the Devil.

2) Be baptized in water according to the EXAMPLE & TEACHING OF JESUS “for the remission of sins.”

WHAT DOES REMISSION MEAN??

American Heritage Dictionary:

remit b. To pardon; forgive: remitted their sins. 3. To restore to a former condition or position.

To respond to God’s offer of forgiveness for sins.. To respond in obedience to the call of God to be baptized so that he can forgive sins and restore relationship.

BAPTISM IS THE PUBLIC SIGN OF SALVATION - A COMMUNITY EVENT

(Mark 16:15 16 NIV) "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. {16} Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

(Mat 28:19 NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"

JUST LIKE...

1) A MARRIAGE CEREMONY

2) A “SWEARING IN” (of a president or a leader)

GOD & HUMANS NEED A “PUBLIC EVENT” TO SEAL OR CONFIRM A INWARD REALITY.

3) Enter into the process of Spiritual Regeneration (Transformation)

By walking in communion and obedience by the Holy Spirit!!

SPIRITUAL REGENERATION- TRANSFORMATION HAPPENS BY RENEWAL OF THE MIND

(Rom 12:2 NIV) "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

THE QUALITY OF OUR TRANSFORMATION IS DEMONSTRATED BY OUR LIFE....

(James 2:17 22 NIV) "In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. {18} But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. {19} You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder. {20} You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless ? {21} Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? {22} You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did."

4) WALK in the authority and instruction of the Scriptures (the Bible.)

THE SCRIPTURE IS A FOUNDATION FOR THE CHURCH!

(2 Tim 3:16 17 NIV) "All Scripture is God breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, {17} so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

(Rom 6:17 18 NLT) "Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you have obeyed with all your heart the new teaching God has given you. {18} Now you are free from sin, your old master, and you have become slaves to your new master, righteousness."

COMPROMISE ON THE TRUTH & VALUE OF SCRIPTURE MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO ENCOURAGE, EXHORT AND CORRECT EACH OTHER AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS!!

5) Understand, embrace and engage in relationship with the BODY OF CHRIST.

(1 Cor 12:18-31 NIV) "But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. {19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? {20} As it is, there are many parts, but one body. {21} The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" {22} On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, {23} and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, {24} while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, {25} so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. {26} If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. {27} Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. {28} And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. {29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? {30} Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? {31} But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way."

AS A BODY OF BELIEVERS WE HAVE A VISION…

- THE BIBLE… OUR VISION IS TO “EXPERIENCE CHURCH LIKE WE READ ABOUT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT!”

- WE HAVE A SPECIFIC STRATEGY… A VISION THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US FOR THIS PLACE AND TIME..

WITHOUT A VISION THE PEOPLE ARE UNRESTRAINED (without purpose)

(Prov 29:18 NASB) "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law (THE OLD COVENANT VISION)."

VISION “ REVELATION (something that GOD has revealed for us HERE and NOW)

- Vision is from God.. It is revealed BY GOD FOR A SPECIFIC PLACE AND TIME. IT IS A SPIRITUAL GOAL.. A to leadership and is understood and confirmed by the people.

UNRESTRAINED “ PURPOSELESS

- FRUSTRATION AND DISCOURAGMENT overwhelm a people where there is no common purpose!!

- VISION added to another type of VISION “ DIVISION

Serve and minister to other members in the body of Christ using time, talents, spiritual gifts, resourcesas God directs.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE BODY OF CHRIST HAS FOUR ASPECTS…

1) GOVERNED BY A NEW COVENANT BASED ON LOVE

Because GOD is the focus of the Christian community.. we can love each other

In the world there is no such thing as AGAPE LOVE…

- WHEN WE LOVE OTHERS BECAUSE GOD LOVES US.. IT IS SELFLESS

-BECAUSE THOSE WHO WE SERVE ARE TRULY NOT EXPECTED TO REPAY US…

-BECAUSE OUR EXPECTATION IN GOD.. WE CAN TRULY LIVE A SELFLESS LIFE… WITHOUT GOD.. THERE IS ONLY ONE PERSON (“When push comes to shove”) THAT WE CARE ABOUT..

2) COMMITTED TO “PRESENCE..”

a) GOD TELLS US.. “ I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU..”

b) LIVE IN COMMUNION WITH GOD…

C) HIS PRESENCE IS OUR GREAT REWARD

- ABRAHAM… “I am your great reward..”

- DAVID “One thing to I seek.. To fellowship with you in the sanctuary..”

- MARY “She has chosen the most important thing and it will not be taken from her..
D) WE ARE NON OPTIONALLY CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER…

(1 Cor 12:13-27 NIV) "For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. {14} Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. {15} If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. {16} And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. {17} If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? {18} But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. {19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? {20} As it is, there are many parts, but one body. {21} The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" {22} On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, {23} and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, {24} while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, {25} so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. {26} If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. {27} Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

(Col 3:12-17 NIV) "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. {13} Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. {14} And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. {15} LET THE PEACE OF CHRIST RULE IN YOUR HEARTS, SINCE AS MEMBERS OF ONE BODY YOU WERE CALLED TO PEACE. And be thankful. {16} Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. {17} And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

3) ACCOMPLISHED BY SELF DENIAL..

a) JESUS SAID IF YOU WOULD BE MY DISCIPLE, YOU MUST TAKE UP YOUR CROSS DAILY AND FOLLOW ME…

b) WE LIVE TO PLEASE GOD…

(Mat 22:37-40 NIV) "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' {38} This is the first and greatest commandment. {39} And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' {40} All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.""

BECAUSE OUR FOCUS IS UPON SERVING AND LOVING GOD.. WE ALL BECOME FULFILLED!

4) ABUNDANT LIFE IS THE RESULT!

(John 10:10 NLT) "The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness."

LIVING IN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD

 LOVING HIM FIRST… Creates a life that is full and free.

 LOVING HIM FIRST.. Gives us a way to love others unconditionally..

 LOVING HIM FIRST.. Gives us freedom from the fear of death

(Rom 14:8 NIV) "If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."

(Rom 8:35-39 NIV) "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? {36} As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." {37} No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. {38} FOR I AM CONVINCED THAT NEITHER DEATH NOR LIFE, NEITHER ANGELS NOR DEMONS, NEITHER THE PRESENT NOR THE FUTURE, NOR ANY POWERS, {39} NEITHER HEIGHT NOR DEPTH, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION, WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD."

ARE YOU A TRULY MEMBER OF THE BODY OF CHRIST?

HAVE YOU GIVEN YOUR LIFE TO JESUS.. (not just ACCEPTED JESUS)

- HAVE YOU COME TO THE CROSS.. BUT ARE NOT CARRYING IT..

- WE HAVE A WHOLE GENERATION OF CHRISTIANS WHO ARE STANDING BY THE CROSS.. BUT HAVE NOT TAKEN IT UP..

o THEY REFUSE TO DIE TO SELF.. BUT ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET GOD TO COMPROMISE ON HIS PLAN TO TRANSFORM US…

o TO KILL US AND REPLACE US WITH JESUS

HAVE YOU ATTACHED TO THE BODY OF CHRIST..

- DO YOU HAVE NON-OPTIONAL CONNECTIONS TO OTHER PEOPLE

- ARE YOU ALONE..

- DO YOU MAKE YOURSELF ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE TO OTHERS

- DO YOU CARE FOR OTHERS OUTSIDE YOUR CIRCLE OF FRIENDS

CELL GROUPS AND PRAYER GROUPS ARE FOR THIS PURPOSE..

-WE DON’T JUST SIT AROUND AND DO BIBLE STUDY OR KEEP SUPERFICIAL..