The Practice of Membership

The PRACTICE OF MEMBERSHIP
BAPTISM & LORD’S TABLE

Introduction

In a previous message we have seen that:

Baptism is a Public Affirmation

Baptism binds one to many

Baptism is an act/practice by the Church

I.             Why does God instruct us to be baptized?

Kwanini Mungu hutuelekeza tubatizwe?

A. Baptism is the first act of obedience in service to the Lord.

B. Jesus set the example Himself - Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22

C. In Matthew 3:13-15, it is clear that Jesus was baptized in obedience to God's plan. In verse 15, He said, "... "Permit [it to be so] now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness."

D. Some Bible characters who submitted to baptism after salvation.

1. The Ethiopian Eunuch. Acts 8:36-39

2. The apostle Paul. Acts 9:18

3. The Philippians jailer and house. Acts 16:25-33

II.  Who should be baptized?
            Nani Anapaswa Kubatizwa?

A. A believer in Jesus Christ - Acts 8:26-39.
In verse 36, the eunuch asked, "What hinders me from being baptized?" Phillip then answered with the condition of baptism in verse 37, "...if you believe with all your heart, you may." Then the eunuch's response sealed the matter, "...I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

B. Also in Romans 10:9-10.
1. Heartfelt belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. Confession that He is Lord and Savior.

The Lord’s Table: Making Many One

Meza Ya Bwana: Kuwafanya Wengi Wamoja

When Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church there were factions within the church.  Paul wrote to them

1 Corinthians 1:10-13

Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Paul writing to the Ephesians admonishes us to consider the importance of unity

Ephesians 4:1-6

Verse 5:4-6 “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”

In 1 Corinthians Paul admonishes the Corinthian believers and us too, though we are many members to be one.

1 Corinthians 12:12

For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.

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In or out: What is Membership?

IN OR OUT:  WHAT IS MEMBERSHIP?

Ndani au Nje:Ushirika ni nini?

There is a youth chorus we used to sing years ago: “Tell me whose side your standing on?” It is still a sober question to ask yourself. The answer was "Standing on the Lord's side!"

In our earlier discipleship lessons, called the Masomo ya Msingi gives a story of different disciplined forces to draw a picture of the importance of baptism.  If one is trained in the Police Service he/she must wear their police uniform and not of another force, even if he loved the Army uniform!

Baptism: A Public Affirmation

Ubatizo:Hakikisho Hadharani

Church membership is a public pronouncement of someone’s public profession of faith in Christ. Jesus has appointed baptism as the means by which his followers publicly profess their faith in him. A church may not confirm someone in their number who has not professed their faith in Christ.

Baptism is how a believer publicly identifies with Jesus and with his people

Acts 2:38–41 “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, be saved from this perverse generation.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

It’s how you clearly indicate that you are united to Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection.  

Rom. 6:1–4 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

It’s how you are identified before the church and the world as one who belongs to the Triune God.

Matt. 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”.

Baptism is where your faith and my faith goes public. It’s how you show your colors to the world that you are Jesus’s disciple.

Gor Mahia fans wear Green T-Shirts and Read hats.  You see that and even someone telling you you know.

Baptism is like a Football team T-Shirt that shows you’re now playing for Jesus’s team.  A church publicly identifies itself only with those who have publicly identified with Jesus in baptism.

We do not see evidence in the Bible of infant baptism.  Those who were “baptized” as infants need to be baptized - for the first time - as believers.

Baptism: Binds One to Many

Ubatizo: Kuunganisha mmoja na wengi.

Baptism is a church’s act of affirming a believer and making a presentation of that believer’s union with Christ.  Baptism is not part of salvation! It isn’t a separate requirement for church membership in addition to a profession of faith; it is a public testimony of faith.

Baptism is how a Christian publicly owns Christ and the church as his or her own, and how Christ and the church publicly own a Christian as their own. A believer at baptism commits him or herself to Christ and his people.

Jesus has not given the church authority to affirm the professions of those who haven’t publicly professed faith in him.

If you went to Nakumatt and refuse to your PIN for your Idebit card, then the Supermarket is not authorized to charge your card and give you your groceries. Even if you have the money in your bank account! You’ve got to key in your PIN!

Also, when at an airport, if you refuse to identify yourself as a passenger by producing a boarding pass, the gate attendant will not allow you in the plane. Even if you paid for a ticket!

Let me say this as a disclaimer though, that baptism isn’t sufficient criteria by which the church is to recognize Christians, BUT IT IS A NECESSARY ONE. It’s not enough for someone to claim to be a Christian or for everyone in the church to think someone is a Christian; JESUS HAS BOUND THE CHURCH’S JUDGMENT TO BAPTISM.

Baptism: A Church’s Act

Ubatizo: Tendo La Kanisa

Baptism is something Jesus requires the church to do, not just individual Christians: an individual gets baptized, but the church baptizes.

Matthew 28:19,20; 16:18,19; 18:15-20

-       The key to the kingdom are exercised in the Church’s act of affirming some or rejecting some.

-       The Church is authorized, in a special sense to speak and act in Jesus’ name.

-       The Church affirms someone as a believer in Jesus by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

Baptism: A Church’s Practice
Ubatizo: Mazoea Ya Kanisa

Baptism isn’t just a doctrine; it’s a practice. Along with the Lord’s Supper, baptism actually gives shape and structure, form and order, to the local church. You can’t make “Christians” into “church” without baptism and the Lord’s Supper. As we have said in an earlier point Baptism binds one to many while the Lord’s Supper makes many one. It is for the unity of the Church. Baptism on the other hand accomplishes something essential for the existence of the local church.

In Closing

Church membership is a self-conscious commitment between a Christian (you and I) and a Church in which a church affirms and cares for the Christian, and the Christian submits to and cares for the Church.

An Inside and an Outside
Kuna Ndani na Nje

The Church has an inside and an outside.  The Church knows who is in and who is out.
Being in means being subject to the church oversight and authority.

1 Corinthians 5:10-12; Matthew 18:15-17

Metaphors for The Church
Mifano katika kanisa

The Church is portrayed as having believers who are knit together, stuck together, intertwined with each other.

1 Timothy 3:15 - members of the house of God

Ephesians 2:21,22 – stones in God’s dwelling place

1 Corinthians 12:12-26 – members of the body of Christ

Ephesians 4:15-16

 “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

We should live together as believers, having a commitment to a body of believers…

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Prayer is Necessry for Effective Participation

Ephesians 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.

Paul urges Christians to make prayers and petitions for all the saints. Believers in Jesus Christ are saints!

Joseph Dicks in his article about ways to become an effective role prayer in church quotes John Bunyan, "You can do more than pray after you have prayed, but you cannot do more than pray until you have prayed".

Our words, our thoughts and works will all be in vain if we don't first seek the Lord for wisdom.

Do critical spirits, or excessive complaints build up a church/school? Not at all! Let us reprogram ourselves to pray instead of criticize.
Our object of our critique will change. Excessive grumbling and objection only leads to quarrels and factions.

Why We Need Membership

WHY WE NEED MEMBERSHIP
The Idol of Privacy

INTRODUCTION

We have embarked into serving small groups here at the MKBC with a desire that members of this church will meet to study the Word, pray together, share with each other and do the work of Ministry.  We will do this within the context of this local Church.

How do we live as members of a church? We have a series of Bible Studies on the Living as a Church. Why is it necessary to learn this? Why is it important to be a member of a local Church?

Pictures In Ephesians
Picha katika Waefeso

To try and answer these questions the Bible advocates I would refer us to the pictures drawn for us in the Book of Ephesians.

Chapter 1 gives a beautiful description of our salvation.
Ephesians 1:7,8 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence”

Chapter 2 tells us of how we’re saved.
Let us read Ephesians 2:4,5 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)”

This is our belief — and then at the end of chapter 2 there is an application.  There was a Dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles! With Salvation in Jesus Christ that is gone

Ephesians 2:14-15 “For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace”

Let us also read Ephesians 3:6 “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel”

Why did God do this?
Kwanini Mungu alifanya hivi?

Let’s Read Ephesians 3:10 “to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places”

Through the church God wants to make known His Wisdom! Yes! Through the local church, God’s plan is to glorify himself.

Think back to what Jesus says in John 13:34:

“A new command I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

Love between Christians isn’t just “extra credit.”  It’s essential.

The Church is messy.  It hurts.  It’s not easy.  But that’s the whole point.  “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?”

That’s why a chama group doesn’t do this.  That’s why a professionals group isn’t a church.  What about singles group? What about a couples group? What about a Christian Union in school?

Attending church but not investing in relationships misses the point.

Some say they are living a holy life but in isolation.  They do not see the need of loving real people.  They say that isolation speaks a lot about the power within themselves.  They don’t need the church!

Why Church Membership?
Mbona Ushirika Wa Kanisa?

Church membership is about commitment! I am thinking of two types of commitments.  Let’s think about these to help us decipher which is better?

Comfort-based Commitment
Kujitoa Kwa Ajili Ya Starehe

People are committed to their jobs, to their chamas, to their favorite vacation destinations, to their countries.  And people are committed to churches.  But exactly why people commit to their churches can vary quite a bit.

-       Social Welfare

-       Church wedding

-       Church burial

-       For the benefits

Calling-Based Commitment
Kujitoa Kwasababu ya Mwito

Calling-Based Commitment is distinctive because it has a depth and richness to it that comfort-based commitment does not photocopy.

Calling-Based Commitment is unique because it has a depth and richness to it, that comfort-based commitment cannot not photocopy.

Let us hear what 1John 4:19-20

“We love Him because He first loved us.
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”

Love commitment – Kujitoa Kwa Upendo

Love between believers is a sign of saving faith!

In comfort-based commitment the priority is our being comfortable – it demands that we love ourselves and prioritize our own preferences.

Obeying commitment – Kujitoa Kwa Utiifu

Why do you and I keep coming to Church? What motivates us to keep us obeying Hebrews 10:24,25

“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching”

Comfort-Based Commitment might point to social, personal, and professional reasons. Calling-based commitment has obedience to God and a delight in his church as one of its primary motivators.

Calling based commitment commits first and asks questions about mutual benefits later.

We are different, we come from different tribe, social classes BUT Christ has called us! Calling based commitment seeks unity in Christ and thrives with diversity in background.

Relational Commitment – Kujitoa Kwa Uhusiano

Membership in a local church clarifies who we are called to love, who we are to protect, who we are to initiate relationship with among other things. We publicly choose to be committed to each other. It requires commitment upfront.  You decide to promise to love a group of Christians in deep and sacrificial ways even before you actually know them that well.

WHAT about PRIVACY?
Why Is Our Commitment To Each Other Significant?
Kwanini Kujitoa kwetu kwa kila mmoja ni Muhimu?

Ephesians 3:17,18,19
“that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Brethren, there is a width and length and depth and height to our commitment! We need to comprehend it with all fellow believers!

Let us consider these three basic pieces to our commitment.

(1)   Our commitment is sacrificial – Romans 12:13-16 “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.”

(2)   Our commitment is to gather together – Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

(3)   Our commitment is to encourage one another – Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works”

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Morning Light: Steve Green

Steve Brown sung this years ago in my youthful years in the ministry! Indeed Jesus is the the Bright and Morning Start that lights our lives! Indeed God has been our dwelling place these years! His faithfulness is new every morning!

Here is the link to the Morning light Album

Still true! You and I need to listen close, listen deep way beyond the silence!
May your will be done Jesus on earth as it is in heaven!

The Word Builds The Church

Isaiah 55:10-11

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven,

And do not return there,

But water the earth,

And make it bring forth and bud,

That it may give seed to the sower

And bread to the eater,

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;

It shall not return to Me void,

But it shall accomplish what I please,

And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

I wish to quote Mark Dever and Paul Alexander in their small book The Deliberate Church when they say the following,

"The Word builds the Church. Our power is not in having small groups, or meeting the felt needs of our target audience, or using the right evangelism program, or having funny skits, or providing plenteous parking, or targeting our ministries to postmoderns. Our power is in our unique message—the Gospel (Greek, euangelion)—not in our innovations. As such, our primary method must be to clearly communicate that message as widely as possible. Biblically, that means that we must faithfully preach it (Greek, euangelizø), fearlessly calling for repentance and belief as the only saving responses." 

Mark 1:14-15 

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Eternity, Where Will You Be After Death?

We must all reckon at some point about our Eternity in the afterlife. 

I believe that the souls of those who die in Christ, “go immediately into the presence of God when we die” (Graham, 2006).  2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord (NKJV)”.

 

Sproul (2009) referring to the Apostle Paul puts it like this, “to live in this world is good; the greatest thing that can ever happen is to be participating in the final resurrection. But the intermediate state is even better” Philippians 1:21-24 “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”

There is an indication of immediacy of situations.  To absent from the body is to be present with the LORD! A departure from this life, is to be with Christ! It is a far better situation indeed, Paul is saying!  

Graham (2006) further says that although the Bible doesn’t answer all our questions about life after death, it clearly tells us that we can look forward to heaven’s joys when we die, if we know Christ.  This means that you and I have a hope – a hope of being with Christ in heaven someday.  Jesus tells us not to be troubled because He went to prepare for us a place.  John 14:2,3 “I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (NKJV)

The most important truth I can tell you about heaven, however, is that we will be with God, and nothing evil or harmful will ever touch us again. In heaven, God “will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Why would anyone not want to go there?

Sproul (2009) says that Apostle Paul’s judgment that the passing beyond the veil of death to that intermediate state is far better than this one gives us a clue, along with a host of other passages. 

All this is possible because Jesus Christ took upon Himself the death and judgment we deserve when He died on the cross for us. (Graham, 1996). So through Christ’s resurrection, God showed victory over our condemnation in a place of torment called Hell.  Jesus overcame death when He resurrected from the dead! A sure sight that we shall also live with Him in heaven someday!

The lyrics in that great hymn of our faith says,

Only Trust Him, Only Trust Him
He will save you now!

Save you from what? 

The Bible also says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
The danger lurking is death - for all who do not receive the gift of God through Jesus Christ.  God's gift is eternal life, available when we put our faith in Jesus Christ, God's Son!

The last stanza says

Yes, Jesus is the truth, the way
That leads you into rest
Believe in Him without delay

Yes! The solution for your Eternity is in faith in Jesus Christ!

John 14:6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

References

Sproul, R. C. (2009, July 14). Ligonier Ministries. Retrieved June 29, 2018, from https://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/when-person-dies-where-does-his-or-her-spirit-and/
Graham, B. (2006, June 19). Where does our soul go when we die if we are believers? [text/html]. Retrieved June 29, 2018, from https://billygraham.org/answer/where-does-our-soul-go-when-we-die-if-we-are-believers/

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GYC 2015 - My House Is Full (Marleta and Charissa Fong)

Gathering a Brood Not Hatched

Jeremiah 17:1
“As a partridge that broods but does not hatch, 
So is he who gets riches, but not by right;
It will leave him in the midst of his days, 
And at his end he will be a fool”(NKJV).

As Millicent and I read through this verse recently, it didn't seem to form a literal sense in our minds at first.

Today we have individuals who strike silver and gold that seem to have no history with it! Those who strive to work hard, smart or however we would wish to call it - especially the believers get into a time of fretting because of him who "seems" to prosper in the way BEFORE they do.

An encouragement to you.
Psalms 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

By fretting it will only cause you harm.  The following verse in Psalms 37:8 says that, "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."

The ESV puts this verse this way,
Jeremiah 17:11
Like the partridge that gathers a brood that she did not hatch,
so is he who gets riches but not by justice;
in the midst of his days they will leave him,
and at his end he will be a fool.