“What Is a Healthy Church Member?” - Cameron Jungles - (Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/October 20, 2013)

“What Is a Healthy Church Member?” (Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/October 20, 2013)

 

Last Week

A healthy church member is one who has been genuinely converted through the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, evidenced by a biblical response to the gospel and a changed life.

 

Main Idea

A healthy church member is a growing, learning disciple of Jesus Christ who is seeking to make other disciples.

 

1.  Every Christian is a Disciple.

 

Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. (Lk. 9:23–24, NIV)

 

Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

(Lk. 9:62, NIV)

 

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matt. 7:21–23, NIV)

 

2.  Every disciple is a growing, learning follower of Jesus Christ.

 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28–30, NIV)

 

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Col. 1:9–12, NIV)

 

So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col. 2:6–7, NIV)

 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. (2 Pet. 3:18, NIV)

 

He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Col. 1:28, NIV)

 

3.  Disciples of Jesus Christ seek to make other disciples.

 

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." (Matt. 4:19, NIV)

 

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt. 28:18–20, NIV)

 

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:11–13, NIV)

 

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. (Col. 3:16, NIV)

 

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (Acts 18:26, NIV)

 

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:2, NIV)

 

Main Idea

A healthy church member is a growing, learning disciple of Jesus Christ who is seeking to make other disciples.