Just Because You Are a Member of a church of Christ.... ...Does Not Mean You Must Be a Member of the Church of Christ I. Introduction A. There are many in the denominational world who have heard somehow or think for various reasons that we believe that "we are the only ones going to Heaven" 1. Such individuals do not appreciate this idea, since it violates their concept that many denominations will be saved 2. The idea expressed behind this statement, however, is denominational to the core: the idea that association with a particular church must result in salvation B. Are we the "only ones going to Heaven?" 1. We must recognize that we are not the ultimate Judge (James 4:12) 2. We can see from the Scriptures, however, the standards upon which we shall be judged and can gain an idea what will lead to salvation and what will lead to condemnation (Galatians 5:19-26) 3. We can see that many denominational practices are not authorized nor are obedient to God, and this may lead to a negative judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) 4. We use the Scriptures as our only authority and attempt to act within its authority and by its authority (Colossians 3:17) C. Have we, however, implicitly accepted this denominational concept-- that if you are a member of a church of Christ you are automatically a member of the Church of Christ and will without a doubt be saved? D. Have we become complacent and feel, as many do, that their membership in a local congregation somehow guarantees them a spot in Heaven? That as long as we are considered "faithful members" by the local church that we must be considered faithful by God? E. Let us now explore what the Scriptures can teach us regarding these things II. Being a Member of Both a church of Christ and the Church of Christ A. Let us first examine how it can be true that we can be both members of a local congregation, a church of Christ, and also of the universal body of the saved of God, the Church of Christ B. When we have decided to obey God, and believe in Him, confess His Son, repent of our sins, and are immersed in water for the remission of our sins, we are counted as part of His Church and we attach ourselves to a local collective of Christians serving Him (Acts 2:38, Romans 6:3-7, Galatians 3:27) C. At that point we are considered to be a member of both the local congregation that is a church of Christ and also the universal body, the Church of Christ D. We are to maintain both memberships, and this is done by first being active and working locally with the collective of the saved for edification, encouragement, and instruction, while we also work on those without in evangelism (Hebrews 10:25, Acts 2:41-47, Matthew 28:18-20) E. We also must be obedient to God in all matters, not just in the assembly of the saints, but in all the world (Romans 1:5, Romans 6:16-18, Hebrews 5:9) F. It must be stated, however, that in all things we are to be obedient to God and cherish our bond of fellowship with Him (1 John 1:1-4), and also cherish the bond of fellowship with those who are also working in the truth and who also are in that bond of fellowship with God 1. We should never let our obedience to a local congregation supercede our obedience to God in His truth if the two ever conflict 2. We are to always obey God over men (Acts 4:19-20) G. It also must be stated that one cannot believe that they can be part of the universal Church of Christ without being a part of a local assembly 1. God, in His infinite wisdom, established not only the universal collective of the saved, the Church of Christ, but also local congregations to constantly encourage, edify, and admonish all members to be obedient 2. One cannot be obedient to Christ and thus a part of the universal Church of Christ unless they are a part of and active in a local congregation and its encouragement and edification (Hebrews 10:25) 3. It must also be said that if you are not diligently seeking to associate with your brethren at every available opportunity, your devotion to Christ and to the encouragement and edification of His saints is certainly able to be questioned 4. Why would you not desire the edification and encouragement of your brethren? H. This, then, is how we can be both a part of a local and also the universal body of Christians I. Let us now see how it may be possible to think oneself a member of the universal Church of Christ but yet not III. Being a Member of a church of Christ but not the Church of Christ A. It must first be said that if you're not a member of the Church of Christ, the universal body of the saved, you've missed out on everything and your life is in vain 1. Matthew 16:24-27 2. We could very well ask, "if you attend every service and in all ways appear religious, but forfeit your soul in unrighteous behavior, how are you profited?" 3. Unless you desire to be a part of the universal Church of Christ, the redeemed of God, those ransomed from condemnation, get out. Do not waste our time-- and your own. 4. God will not save the unwilling! B. The Lord has established that there will be many who will come to the Judgment believing that they shall be saved yet will not be 1. Matthew 7:21-23 2. Jesus establishes that many will believe in Him and will have "mighty works" to demonstrate their faith in Him, and have even cast out demons, but will not be saved 3. Why? They have done iniquity 4. Is their iniquity false religious practice? Perhaps. It could just as easily, however, have been sin in their lives that was not known to their fellow believers C. There will be some who will know God and yet have not obeyed Him, and God has established their condemnation (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) D. What are some ways, then, that we can be members of a local church of Christ and yet not be considered a part of the Lord's Body? E. Hearing but not Doing 1. Isaiah condemned his generation in Isaiah 6:9-10, as Jesus did His own in Matthew 13:14-15, that the people would see but not perceive, and hear but not understand 2. James speaks of such persons in James 1:23-25 a. looking in the mirror and forgetting what they look like b. a self-deceived person, believing themselves fine but really with great ugliness in their lives 3. Is this person you? Do you hear what is being said in class and in sermons but do not apply them to your life? 4. If you are found lacking in obedience in some issue, and you were exhorted to repent and do what is right, how shall you stand before God? F. Acting Differently With Saints Than Sinners 1. Far be it from one who purports to be a Christian that they would behave piously around saints but then cavort with sinners! 2. Galatians 5:19-21: notice that Paul says that anyone who would do such things, whether good Christians on Sunday or not, will not inherit the Kingdom! 3. Matthew 5:14-15: if you live and act as if worldly, you have lost your flavor. And how can you be a light for Christ if you are actually working in darkness? 4. Romans 12:1-2: we are not to conform to the world in any way 5. If you believe that you can live a dual life, and your brethren won't know, you may deceive your brethren but you won't deceive God, and you run the risk of condemnation G. Being a Sunday-Only Christian 1. This idea is similar to the above 2. Yet there are many who are "good" people who come to a church on Sunday and feel like they've fulfilled their spiritual obligation 3. They have heard the lessons about needing to attend services and accept that fact, at least for Sunday morning, but that is all there is to their Christianity 4. Are such persons anything but hearers and not doers? 5. They may not act differently with saints than sinners, but are they striving to obey Christ in all things? 6. Is their religion of attending services once a week merely to fulfill a requirement in life, kind of like paying taxes or going to work? 7. Are you one of these people? Is there any substance to your religion beyond the doors of this building? 8. Although you may be justified in the sight of men, and may be proud of being a member of a local church of Christ, if you are not obeying God in all things and striving to make His will your own you are not a part of His Church, the collective of the saved, and you have only the reward of appearing pious 9. Do you want to be saved truly? Make Christ a priority on more than just Sunday IV. Conclusion A. I am not preaching this lesson to anyone in particular, and I will not say that anyone in this assembly stands condemned before God B. This lesson is to exhort you to consider yourself, examine yourself as Paul as said to do in 2 Corinthians 13:5 1. you may be a member of the church of Christ in this location... 2. ...but are you a member of Christ's Church, the collective of the saved? 3. Are you obeying Him? 4. Or will you be one of those who cries out, "Lord, Lord!," and He will say to depart from Him since you have worked iniquity? C. It is not our desire this day for any who may be in that position to remain there; if you believe that you are no longer a part of the universal Church of Christ, then we exhort you to repent and turn back again today (1 John 1:9) D. If you have never obeyed Christ to begin with, to be made a part of His church both locally and universally, then at this point you have no hope E. Your sins have separated you from your God, and without repentance and obedience to Him, He has said that you shall be condemned (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, Romans 6:22-23) F. You can, however, come to faith in Christ Jesus today, believe in Him, confess Him here, repent of your sins, and be immersed in water for the remission of those sins G. If we can help you in any way, please let us do so as we stand and sing