Sardis Baptist Online

Whether we like it or not, the moment we become a Christian, confessing that Christ is our Savior, we at the same time become a member of the Christian church. It makes no difference whether our names are on the church register, whether we have chosen a denomination, shared responsibilities at a church, or spend most of our time absent from worship services. We are members of Gods church because of our faith in Christ. Membership in the church is a basic fact for those who profess their love for our Savior. It isn’t an option only for those Christians that are outgoing, or people persons. Its part of the fabric of redemption.

There are many self-professed Christians who never join a local church, who refuse to respond to the call of worship each Sunday. There are some who say “ I love God but I hate the church. But, you see, God never makes private, secret salvation deals with His people. God’s relationship with us is personal, and intimate, but never private. We are a true family in Christ Jesus. When we are saved, we are among brothers and sisters in faith. No Christian is an only child.

Having said that, understand that just because we are a family of faith, it does not mean that we are one big happy family. The people we encounter as family in faith are not always nice people. They don’t stop being sinners the moment they believe in Christ. They don’t suddenly change into brilliant conversationalists, amazing inspirations, or great companions. Some are dull, cranky, and quite frankly a drag. But just the same, God tells us they are our brothers and sisters in faith. If God is our father, then this is our family.

So the question is not “Am I going to be a part of the community?” but “How am I going to live in this community?” As God’s children, we do different things. Some run away from it and pretend that the family doesn’t exist. Some go out on their own and then occasionally show up for parties, or bring gifts to let everyone know they still care. Some would never leave but cause others to dream it for them, for they are all the time criticizing the food, the housekeeping and complaining about the others in the family. And some, determined to find out what God has in mind by placing them in this community called a church, learn how to function in it harmoniously and with joy, and develop the maturity that enables them to share and exchange Gods grace with those who might otherwise be viewed as nuisances.

As we come to declare our love for Christ, we must face the lovely as well as the unlovely fellow sinners who God loves and commands us to love. This is not to be treated like something we are supposed to put up with, one of the inconvenient necessities of faith in the way that paying taxes is an inconvenient consequence of living in a secure nation. It is not just necessary; it is desirable that our faith have a social dimension, a human relationship

A few weeks ago, I was reading a book, and the author, a pastor, shared this interesting story. He stated that, one of the afflictions of being a pastor has been to listen, with a straight face, to all the reasons people give for not going to church. “My mother made me go when I was little.” “There are too many hypocrites in the church.” “ it’s the only day I have to sleep in.” He said there was a time when he responded to such statements with simple arguments that exposed them as flimsy excuses. Then he noticed that it didn’t make any difference. If he showed the inadequacy of one excuse, three more would pop up in its place. So he doesn’t respond anymore. He listens (with a straight face) and goes home to pray that person will one day find the one sufficient reason for going to church, which is God.

If we stay home by ourselves and read the Bible, we are going to miss a lot, for our reading will be unconsciously conditioned by our culture, limited by our ignorance, and distorted by our unnoticed prejudices. In worship we are part of “ the large congregation” where all the writers of Scripture address us, where song writers use music to express truths that touch us, not only in our heads but in our hearts, where the preacher who has just lived through six days of doubt, hurt, faith and blessing with the worshipers, speaks the truth of Scripture in the language of the congregation’s present experience. We want to hear what God says and what he says to us. Worship is the place where our attention is centered on these personal and decisive words of God.

We live in an age where we are reluctant to do anything if we can’t demonstrate its practical usefulness. Its inevitable that we ask the question about worship. Is it worth it? Can we justify the time, energy, and expense involved in gathering Christians together in worship? What is your response? Please pray about the answer, both for you and for our “family in faith”.

This month we will be reminding you of the importance of giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions.

The North American Mission Board has more than 5,000 missionaries throughout the United States and Canada attempting to help plant and mobilize churches to reach the growing population of non-Christians in North America.

If Jesus were to return today, nearly 260,000,000 people just on our continent would enter into eternity without Christ, without hope, and without pardon from God’s wrath.

Money doesn’t guarantee souls, but it guarantees people will be sent to share the gospel with them. Pray about giving sacrificially to the AAEO that others may know Him!

Beloved,

Are you excited as I am about the spring-time weather? The trees are putting out leaves, the flowers are blossoming, my nose is running. It’s wonderful!

It’s also a wonderful time for our church. There is a wonderful spirit of unity building, as well as a stirring of hearts to serve the Lord. God is bearing fruit in answer to our prayers and He is changing lives. We are blessed beyond our understanding, and God is not done, yet!

As we continue to do the work of the ministry, it is my prayer that God would truly add laborers. There are so many needs in our community, both spiritual and physical. There are far more needs than the current group of hard-working laborers can handle. That is why we need you, and your prayers!
Prayerfully consider your current commitment level to God’s church.

• Are you faithful in your personal spiritual life? Are you growing God’s Word and in prayer?
• Are you faithful in your fellowship with other believers?
• Are you faithful in attendance to Sunday School and worship services?
• Are you faithful in giving sacrificially to support the ministries in our church?
• Are you faithful in serving in teaching and support roles?

You see, there is more to being a Christian than just being saved. It involves being an active part of God’s people and being part of the labor force!

No Christian should feel that just because they are saved, and on the roll that their relationship with God is okay and therefore they don’t need church, and don’t need to serve the church. That is simply an un-Christian way of thinking. It may also be evidence that your salvation is not as secure as you may think.

If the Spirit of God lives in you then He has also gifted you to serve the Body of Christ through your local church. If you are able, and you are not serving the Body of Christ through your local church, there are only two possibilities, both of which are bad. 1) You are either grieving the Spirit of God who desires you to serve the church; or, 2) You do not have the Spirit of God and therefore you do not have Christ.

Jesus spoke of salvation involving a cross, self-denial, sacrifice. When you look at your life, do you see those things evidenced in your life? If not, this article is for you. I know it’s for me.
Join God’s work at Sardis Baptist Church. There is plenty to do, and there is always room for more laborers in the harvest fields of our Lord!