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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