MEMBERSHIP

It is important for you to understand that church membership does not save.  You have been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  Good works cannot save.  Culture cannot save.  Baptism does not save.  Your membership at Manasota Christian Chapel does not save.  Christ has done that and there is no one else able to do it.  You are to live a consistent life in the Church because Christ has saved you.


Christians are continuously tempted.  Temptations will be increased and will be more severe.  You have just enlisted in the Lord’s army and will need the Lord’s armor (Read Ephesians 6: 11-18).  Becoming a member of a church is just one basic activity that will greatly aid in your growth because you are surrounded by a community of believers.  Here are some other activities that should not be neglected:

    • Love the Church.  Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it. (Eph. 5:25).  The fact that Christ loved the church is sufficient reason for us to love it and support it and give ourselves for it.  Christ gave himself for the church daily during his earthly life.  It is clearly the purpose of Christ to teach, to preach, and to heal just as the scriptures suggest – And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in the synagogue and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of diseases among the people (Matt 4:23).

 

    • Worship the Lord.  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (Matt. 6:9).  O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness (Psalms 96:9). O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord our maker (Ps. 95:6).  We are encouraged by the scriptures to worship.

 

    • Study the Word.  II Tim 2:15 says, study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that need not to be ashamed.  It is not enough to read the Word of God.  We must STUDY it.  We must think as we read and be able by the help of the Holy Spirit to interpret and apply the truth of the Word.

 

    • Serve the Lord.  Follow Christ!  Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior is our first step in walking after the Spirit.  Then, we must serve Him all of the days of our lives.  We must follow after Him. Continue to grow in keeping with your understanding of what is required of us.

 

    • Keep His Commandments.  Obedience is taught all through the Bible and is absolutely necessary for success in this Christian life.  Obedience is the test of our love for God, for Jesus said, He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me (John 14:21.)  Obedience is to go God’s way and do God’s will. No amount of planning or proposing or promising will take the place of obedience.

 

    • Tithe.  II Cor. 9:7 – God loves a cheerful giver.  I can not say enough about the power of giving.  Giving is a part of our worship and our obedience.  Being a good steward of money is a test of character but giving is not limited to money. What about our time, our talent, our skills, and our abilities?

 

  • Love one another.  Relationships are important to God.  We model the love of God for others.  The world is waiting for the person who is willing to walk after the Spirit and live according to the will of God.  I encourage you to make a definite decision to be a blessing to the people about you.