We continue our series on membership in the local church, and the blessings of having that formal connection with another group of believers. Church membership “glorifies” God - that’s our topic today. To glorify someone is to bring honor and fame to them. When the church of Jesus Christ in her local expression is fulfilling her biblical calling and destiny, there are four ways (at least) that she, the church, glorifies God. I’m sure there are many others.
1) Living out the “One Anothers”
The New Testament is full of commands for believers to care for one another. Often these are called the “one anothers.” It starts with loving one another, but goes to bearing with one another and being kind to one another. There are about 10 or more “one anothers.” You can’t do these things alone, at home, with your bible. You can’t do these things by watching YouTube sermons. You can only glorify God in these things by knowing and being in relationships with other believers. You have to know people and be committed to them. Church membership offers a great way to live these out.
2) Living out Christ’s command to love
As our message of a few weeks ago reminded us, the chief command of Christ is that his disciples love one another (John 13:34-35). He knew a diverse international church would face challenges. He says this love for one another would be a distinctive mark of believers.
While church members at times can be unloving to one another, we are living out our highest calling together when we love each other. There is no better place for disciples to live out the command to love than a local church body. You have to know people well enough to know what they need to love them in the selfless manner Christ commands.
3) Being his body here on earth
Paul describes the local church as the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16). We are interconnected and interdependent. We need the gifts of other Christians operating in our lives in order to grow in Christian maturity (vv. 14-16). Fully engaged members of a local church who use their abilities to love and serve other Christians, and bear witness in the world around them, make Jesus Christ more famous - that is to say, they glorify Him!
4) Bringing people in relationship with God the Father, through the Son, by the power of the Holy Spirit
This past Sunday Michael Crosby confessed Christ before the whole congregation. He joined the church and became a part of the family. When the local church lives out her calling by encouraging others to believe, she honors the Trinity! The church brings people into a relationship with our Father, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, by the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit. When members work together to bring people into Christian discipleship, whether here or around the world, we bring great glory to God.
Can you think of other ways being interconnected with believers in a local church brings honor to God?
In Him,
Don