YOUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE CHURCH

TEXT: Hebrews 10:23-27

Nahum 1:7

Church Government

Ephesians 4:11

1. Attend Church Regularly

1 Corinthians 11:30

Matthew 6:33

Galatians 6:7

Hebrews 10:24-25

Hebrews 10:26-27

Hebrews 13:7

Hebrews 13:17

2. Help Preserve the Gospel

Jude 3

Galatians 1:6-7

2 Timothy 2:15

3. Help Affirm Church Citizenship

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

2 Corinthians 2:6-8

Acts 2:47

Romans 12:10-13

4. Love the Brethren

1 John 3:10-15

1 John 3:16-24

5. Disciple Other Church Members

Matthew 28:20

Ephesians 4:15-16

Ephesians 4:25

Ephesians 4:29

Matthew 7:13-14

Romans 14:12

2 Corinthians 5:10

John 4:35

6. Share the Gospel with Outsiders

1 Corinthians 6:20

1 Peter 4:11

Acts 2:47

Ephesians 5:23

1 Cor. 15:22, 45-49

Revelation 1-6

2 Cor. 5:18-20

Matthew 28:19

7. Follow Your Leaders

2 Timothy 3:10-11

2 Timothy 1:13

Proverbs 2-9

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23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:23-27).

GOOD MORNING. We thank God…

Please repeat after me: “The Lord is good – a strong hold in the day of trouble – and he knoweth them – that trust in him” (Nahum 1:7).

We are thankful for this congregation… Honor Mothers…

VISITORS: you are our welcomed and honored guest…

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We are thankful and excited that each of you are here or listening to this lesson online. We are striving to do a better job in our sermons by talking TO you more than talking AT you. So please bear with us as we continue to adjust our preaching style to be more effective in helping you believe and obey the Word of God. This morning, we hope you have ears to hear the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Loved ones, our sermon for today is entitled:

YOUR OBLIGATIONS TO THE CHURCH

When you hear the words “church government,” what comes to mind? The average church member will probably think of elders, preachers, deacons and teachers.

Church government is all that, but it involves so much more. In fact, it ties into the everyday life of the church. And everyone has a role to play in church government.

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Do you know that Jesus has given you and every other member of the church a job? Our elders (Bro. Curtis and Bro. Patrick) have a special office. The Holy Spirit has given them the command to train you to do your job, which the Bible calls “the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:11). When needed, the elders will call in an evangelist (someone like me) to assist them in feeding the flock and helping you get involved in the work. So remember, you too have a special job in the government of the church.

Since the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has given every single member in His body a job, what responsibilities or obligations come with this job? The number seven is a great Bible number. It is a number for completeness (week, churches of Asia, God rested).

This morning we desire to speak to you about seven of your obligations to the church. We will spend most of our allotted time on the first point, for without it you will not adequately fulfill the next six responsibilities.

1. Every able-bodied child of God is obligated to attend church regularly.

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In becoming a Christian, you repented and were baptized into Christ. You then became an ordinary member of the universal church of Christ, and you now have your abode here in the Portland, Oregon area. That means you are responsible to attend church services regularly with a faithful local congregation.

Your physical presence is required to meet this fundamental obligation. Often, we express this as “going to church.” This is an inexact phrase because we do not really “go” to church - we “are” the church. However, we use these words to describe certain obligations we have to the body of Christ. We say, “going to church” to describe coming to worship for singing, praying, giving, preaching and taking the communion. We use those words to describe our meetings for Bible study and sometimes just getting together at the building with other Christians.

How many times have you said or heard said: “I won’t go to hell for missing church – for not going to church!” Usually the person is referring to Sunday evening worship or Wednesday evening Bible class.

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Well, have you considered that neither will you mature spiritually by “missing church,” and that you will be lost if you do not mature?

Neglecting our worship responsibilities means we are NOT discerning the Lord’s body. For that reason, “many are weak and sickly among us, and many sleep” (1 Corinthians 11:30). Brethren, the Lord commands us to put God first in our life (Matthew 6:33). When you purposely miss the assemblies when you are able to come, you are putting God second, third or whenever you feel like it in your life.

Dear loved ones, that attitude and action can keep you out of Heaven. Later in this lesson you will see that you won’t go to heaven if you don’t love the brethren, and your love for your brethren is fundamental to your reasons for meeting when the saints assemble.

You also need to consider the fact that God can tell the difference between a reason and an excuse. Too often we convince ourselves we are unable to assemble with the church because we feel sick, tired or worn out. But is this a valid reason or simply an excuse for our absence?

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We know it is an excuse when we take the time to meet other obligations, or even to entertain or enjoy leisure activities the same day. Brethren, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked” (Galatians 6:7).

Assembling with the saints is not just a matter of meeting a simple requirement; it reflects the condition of our heart towards God and toward one another. Assembly is a measurable sign of spiritual health and likelihood of eternal salvation. People who go to HEAVEN are people who WANT to “go to church.”

Scripture could not be clearer about this fundamental responsibility. As was read in our text, the Bible says, “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, AS THE MANNER OF SOME IS; but exhorting (encouraging) one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25). This word from God is so plain that even a child can understand it.

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Why must we NOT forsake the assembling of ourselves together? Because when you are not here, you cannot provoke me “unto love and good works,” and I cannot likewise provoke you. We can’t encouragement each other if we are not present when the church meets (walk away and talk about this morning’s Bible class, evening worship tonight and Wednesday Bible class).

What should cause every honest believer to shake in their boots is the next part of this passage: “26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries” (Hebrews 10:26-27). Here we see the Holy Spirit threatening final judgment if you willfully forsake the assemblies. The stakes are high indeed.

Fundamentally, we are told here that our salvation is depending on our participation in the assembly of Christians, and our motivation is by love for God and our brethren.

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When you became a child of God, you took on an obligation to the church and accepted an obligation from the church. You owe the church personal growth and ability development.

The church owes you spiritual development and doctrinal truth. Both the individual member and the church collectively should admonish, encourage and be patient with all.

There is an easy way to determine if you are meeting these obligations. When you are ignorant of church matters, you are spiritually sick because of our unfulfilled obligations. In other words, when you don’t know who in the body is sick, when you don’t know what’s being taught in Bible classes, when you don’t know who is traveling, etc., are all signs that you are not meeting the obligations you have to the church.

Your non-participation in church work and our united evangelism efforts show that you are spiritually sick because your obligations are unfulfilled.

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When you are NOT attending because your worldly habits outweigh spiritual habits, you are in trouble. What are we talking about? When your travel, work, entertainment, hobbies and rest are more important than meeting with the saints, you are neglecting your responsibilities to the church.

Even the words you use reflect your spiritual condition and failed congregational obligations. When you speak about the church with terms such as “they” or “them” instead of “we” or “us,” you should admit that you are NOT conducting yourself as an active part of the body of Christ.

Some of you don’t want to hear this kind of preaching. AMEN? You are mighty quiet…no Amen’s - that’s alright. Our goal is for you to publicly repent of your unscriptural attitudes toward your obligations to the church. Then together you can work with us to build up the Lord’s kingdom before He returns to take His faithful children home.

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Attendance at all the services designated by our elders makes everything possible. Whenever the elders desire the church to meet collectively or individually, we should be there if at all possible. By God’s grace, our meetings together should always be warm, encouraging and engaging family gatherings. Part of that depends on the leaders in those meetings and how they plan it. Part of that depends on you. Your main obligation is to obey the elders and attend. You cannot learn to do your job if you don’t show up to the office.

The Bible says, “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation” (Hebrews 13:7).

Again, Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls…that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” (Hebrews 13:17). Brethren, if you do not attend our assemblies, you cannot fulfill the next six responsibilities as listed on your outline. Meeting together when the church meets is your first obligation to the church.

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2. You have a responsibility to help preserve the Gospel.Every ordinary member of the church is responsible for defending, protecting and preserving the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jude, the brother of Jesus, exhorts you to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3).

Think about Paul’s “amazement” at the Christians meeting with the churches in Galatia.

He said, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: which is not another.” Those who were troubling them were simply giving them a perverted gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:6-7). Paul upbraids not the pastors, but the members, and tells them to reject even apostles or angels who teach a false gospel.

What this means, Christian, is that you are responsible to study the gospel and know it (2 Timothy 2:15). You are responsible for what the church teaches and for every single member’s discipleship.

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You are responsible to act if pastor Curtis or pastor Patrick or evangelist Samuel begin to teach a false gospel. Do you know the gospel well enough to correct error when it is being taught?

Can you summarize the gospel message in 60 seconds or less? Can you explain the relationship between faith and works? Can a Christian live a pleasing life before the Lord in unrepentant sin? Why or why not? Why is it important for a Christian to affirm the doctrine of the Trinity? What role do good deeds, fellowship, and hospitality play in promoting the gospel ministry of this congregation? Why should a church never let its identity and ministry be subverted by a political party?

These are the kinds of questions that you are responsible to answer in order to help contend for and guard the gospel. You don’t have to find answers to these questions independently. Along with your own personal study, the preacher and the elders and teachers will equip you to answer such questions, if you are present when we meet.

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Your second obligation then is to defend the gospel. That means you must know it and what it requires from you as a follower of Jesus.

3. You have a responsibility to help affirm church citizenship.You, as an ordinary member of a church, are responsible for protecting the gospel and the ministry in this congregation by affirming and disaffirming the citizens.

We are here talking about church discipline.

In a matter of discipline Paul doesn’t address the Corinthian elders, but the Corinthian church itself. They were glorying in the fact that a known fornicator was walking among them spreading his evil leaven.

Paul commanded them to “deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Cor. 5:1-13).

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They obeyed Paul’s command so well that he had to write them another letter saying, “Sufficient to such a man is this punishment, which was inflicted of many. So…ye ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him…and confirm your love toward him” (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Likewise, it is your responsibility (NOT just the elders), to receive and discipline your church family members. Jesus has given this responsible to you by adding you to His body (Acts 2:47). For you to neglect this work only cultivates complacency and eventually liberalism.

The job here involves working to know and be known by your fellow family members, NOT just on Sundays, but throughout the week. You cannot affirm people you don’t know, not with integrity anyhow. With the leadership, we do this work collectively. Look for ways to start including more of your fellow members into the regular rhythm of your life.

Paul offers a useful checklist for doing this. He says,

“10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 not slothful in

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business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

12 rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Romans 12:10-13). How are you doing on this list?

4. You have the responsibility to love the brethren.Each member is obligated to display brotherly love for our family members in Christ. To prove this point, we will remind you of a few verses in 1 John chapter 3.

The Christian who does not love his brother is not of God, he abides in death, he is called a murderer, “and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:10-15).

How then do we display our love?

We display our love by laying down our lives for the brethren; by fulfilling the needs of our brethren if we

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have the means to do so; and by keeping God’s commandments (1 John 3:16-24).

5. You are obligated to disciple other church members.A basic aspect of the Christian faith involves building up other believers. It is a part of fulfilling the Great Commission and making disciples. We are to teach each other to observe all things whatsoever the Lord has commanded (Matthew 28:20).

As we speak the truth to each other in love, it helps us to “Grow up into him in all things, which is the head…from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth…maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16). The church builds itself up in love as each part does its work. And part of that work includes the ministry of words.

Paul says, “speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another” (Eph. 4:25). Speak truth to them and help them to grow. Our words should be “that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers”

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(Eph. 4:29). Also, make yourself available to be spoken to. Are you willing to listen?

In your discipling efforts, you are responsible to help ensure member William adequately understands the gospel. You are responsible for Sister Nora’s discipleship to Christ, and that she’s being cared for and nurtured toward Christlikeness.

You are responsible to ensure member X is excluded from the fellowship of the church if his or her life and profession no longer agree with the teachings of Christ.

When new members are added to our number, they should be told that they have become jointly responsible for keeping this congregation on the narrow road to life by faithfully proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:13-14). That means, as a Christian you have become jointly responsible both for what this church teaches, as well as doing what you can to help the members live a faithful God-fearing life.

Each one of us will one day stand before God and give an account for how we used our life in His body, the church

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(Romans 14:12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Will you sit back and stay anonymous, doing little more than passively showing up for 2 hours on Sunday mornings and leaving the building as quickly as you can make your way through the brethren to the door? Or will you jump in with the hard and rewarding work of studying the gospel, building relationships and making disciples?

We need more hands for the harvest because the fields are white (John 4:35). How about you; have you undertaken this work? It’s our prayer and hope that you will make yourself available and join us in this work of discipling one another.

6. You are responsible to share the Gospel with outsiders. Reaching out to those still lost in sin is another obligation each member has in the body of Christ.

Every child of God should recognize that the unique mission of the church is to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 6:20). Peter explained: If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the

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ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11).

According to Acts 2:47 when we are saved, we are added to God’s church. Therefore, we need to understand that the church is necessary in our salvation. Our duty is to Christ, the Head of the church; and therefore we have a duty to the church. We express this in terms of our efforts to convert the lost to Christ because He is the Saviour of the church (Ephesians 5:23).

Through union with Jesus, the second Adam (1 Corinthians 15:22, 45-49), the Holy Spirit has “made us kings and priests unto God and his Father” (Revelation 1:6). Your whole life should now reflect the gospel in word and deed.

Paul said God, “hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation…and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18-20). Every Christian has been reconciled or brought back to God. We now have received this ministry and message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are obligated to plead and

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pray for sinners to be reconciled to God. This, too, is a part of your job.

The command to, “Go and make disciples or teach all nations” belongs to you and every other member of the body (Matthew 28:19).

7. You have the responsibility to follow your leaders.It’s the job of the evangelist, elders and teachers to equip you, the saints, for the work of ministry. That includes the responsibilities we have already given. Now you must avail yourself of the instruction and counsel given by your leaders.

As a church member, you are obligated to follow the leaders as they follow Jesus. You should follow their “doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, love, and endurance, along with their persecutions and sufferings” (2 Timothy 3:10-11).

You are obligated to, “Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard from them, “in faith and love

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which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13).

Brethren, we beg you to be like the wise sons and daughters of Proverbs chapters 2-9 who takes the path of wisdom, prosperity and life by fearing the Lord and heeding his instructions.

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