Living the new life after water baptism as a member of the church!
A. After water baptism all past sins are washed away. Acts 22:16
1. The baptized person received the gift of the Holy Spirit to live as child of God in the church, house of God. Ac.2:38,Ro.8:16,1Tim.3:15
2. Therefore, this sermon may serve as who is a member of the church!
3. This is why Acts 2:47 says, the Lord added the saved to the church!
4. Paul said churches in his time were churches of Christ! Ro.16:16
B. In the last 2000 years, lots of people like to call Jesus as Lord!
But in the same time do not do what Jesus said!
1. Luke 6:46--> Why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say?
2. Jesus classified those Jews who having believed him but do not do what he said as children of the devil. Jn.8:31-44.
*****3. The basic requirement as a member of the church or living a new
life after water baptism is do what Jesus said!
To the Jews who
teaching, you are really my disciples. John 8:31
Those having believed Jews did not do what Jesus said
In Jn.8:44 Jesus classified them as children of the devil!
4. What Jesus said is all recorded in the New Testament Bible.
From the following scriptures you will come to this conclusion!
John.16:12-14--> 2 Peter 1:3--> 2 Tim.3:16-17.
C. New Testament examples for illustration!
1. Worship service to God is to be in spirit and in truth. Jn.4:24
God is spirit, his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
This means in worship everything has to be what the Bible says!
2. One who participates in worship to God with
instrument music is not a member of the church.
Because he disobeys Hebrews 13:15-->
Through Jesus let us continually offer to God a
sacrifice of praise-- the fruit of lips that
confess his name.
3. One goes to law with his brother before unbelievers is not a member
of the church! 1 Cor.6:1 One goes to law against his brother before
unbelievers is utterly a fault! 1 Cor.6:7
4. One forsakes meeting together is not a member of the church!He.10:25
In attending church meetings wise in this church,
I say, John Chan is #1.
In the last 35 years I have not missed one meeting and that
count Wednesday Chinese Bible study Friday English Bible study and
all other church activities. Number 2 is my wife.
Even though she missed very few times in the last 35 years because of sickness!
Number 3 is Moses Cheng he has been attending
church meetings over 30 years and he attends church meetings the most than others.
D. How others church classified their church member?
1. They have church membership list that listed their name and address.
2. They have member handbook which lay out requirements!
3. Their most important requirement is monthly 10% of incoming giving!
Each year each registered member receives 12
envelopes with church name and address printed.
Each month each member is to mail to the church the 10% giving.
In Europe, member’s 10% giving is collected with tax
and mail to their church!
As for the church of Christ we do not have any of the above.
We count those practice Jesus’ teaching in their daily living!
Remember: One who calls Jesus, Lord, and not do what Jesus said.
Jesus called them children of the devil!Jn.8:44
May the Lord bless you and keep you always.
Preach this on February 6, 2011.