"And they, continuing daily with one accord in the Temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." Acts 2:46-47

     The local church is probably the greatest expression of God's goodness and mercy there is on Earth. Here, the redeemed by the blood of the Lamb have an opportunity to show their appreciation for such a divine apprehending. Not only that, though that would be enough, the local church is where the gifts of the Holy Spirit, who indwells every believer, are used and benefited from most effectively.

     The local church is like a family -- ready to come along beside each other when times are tough and comfort and support mean much. I have heard many church members say when going through tragic circumstances and enduring losses, "How does anyone get through life without a church family?"

     Yet as precious as this place God provides His people is, the local church is under attack and the enemy is relentlessly determined to sap her of all spiritual influence and energy. The church's enemy is the same enemy who seeks to destroy the integrity of the family. This is not surprising since both the local church and the family are Divine institutions designed and maintained by the Lord for His glory and His elect's good! This common enemy is the devil.

     We may not like the devil nor want anything to do with him, but we have to give the devil his due. He works twenty-four seven to scatter and shatter relationships intended for unity and dependent on one another. The truth is, the closer we can get to God, the further we will be from the devil. Both the local church and the family aid us in doing just that. And that's why the devil hates them both. It's also the reason we should be more committed to both the local church and the family.

     It is real encouraging to me to see the commitment expressed by the members and friends here at the Statesboro Primitive Baptist Church. Here, a group of people saved by Grace gathers each Sunday to express the  love for the Lord and each other. The young families are committed to bringing their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord even though their schedules are full and life gets hectic. The aged also come and gather in Jesus' name to worship the God Of The Universe. It is truly encouraging to see and know Christians who have been faithful to the church assembly for sixty or seventy years and still are in spite of body aches and ailments.

     We are blessed, as I believe most real churches are, with worshippers of all ages, diverse vocational persuasions and various levels of formal education. The beauty of all this is a testimony to our all sufficient Heavenly Father and the common bond all believers have in loving the Lord and one another. The prophet Zechariah gives us a glimpse of the Divine diversity of church life as God establishes Jerusalem as a city of truth.

"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age. And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof." Zechariah 8:4-5

     The church is the greatest institution on Earth, and to be a part of as a member, should be considered a very precious privilege. Jesus Christ died for the church so that we could live in the church. Church is mentioned a lot in the bible and is often referenced as the "church universal," meaning all Christians everywhere are a part of it. Every child of God, every elect person of Grace, is baptized with the Holy Spirit and is therefore deemed a member in good standing with God's universal church, which is the body of Christ. But "church" in the Bible almost always means "local church." The local church is the fellowship of the followers of Jesus Christ in a particular area. These people meet together, worship together and pray together as the born again family of God. They knew who was a member and who was not. When people were converted and became followers of Jesus Christ,  they formally identified themselves with a local church, they joined it!

     Joining a church, especially a Primitive Baptist Church, is pretty rare these days. One has to be concerned about this fact given the evidence of the response to the gospel found in The New Testament. When people were touched in their heart by the Holy Spirit, they repented, were baptized and became members of the church. Several thousand did this at the Pentecost revival in Acts, Chapter two.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37

     Even though we have absolutely nothing to do with our eternal salvation which is entirely by God's Grace, we have a lot to do with appreciating it. Joining a local church means a lot and matters a lot regarding our growth in faith and our glow in witness as lights of the world; but, it expresses most our gratitude for the Lord saving poor and unworthy sinners like us.

     During a recent conversation with Brother Wayne Brannen, our church clerk, it was brought to my attention that we have added no new members at SPBC this year. Brother Wayne was preparing the church letter for the upcoming association meeting which always includes church statistics citing gains and losses in membership. This is the first year in my twenty-one year ministry as pastor here that we have not had membership additions. Obviously, this fact is no compliment to my ministry and indeed may be a consequence of it. It has caused me to search my heart about it all and I hope it will do the same for you. For sure, God must give the increase, but we must sow and water.

     The local church is truly an expression of God's glory and wonderful Grace and love. Being a member of this special organization is also an expression of how we feel about it and one another. 

Church Membership Expresses Our Love

     Love is a verb, an action verb! Christians are to love the Lord with everything they have, including the love God put in their heart to love Him back. How we treat others is important to God; and, to sow seeds of kindness and water one another with words of encouragement provides a scenario for God to bless with a bountiful harvest.

     Joining a church also indicates one's love for the truth. The young shepherd boy David did something that didn't make sense to the world or those around him when he fought the giant, Goliath. What fueled his fight was a "cause!" "Is there not a cause?" was his fight song. The church is to be joined because of a very important reason -- truth!

Church Membership Expresses Our Leaving

     Church membership is sort of like a marriage in that it's a commitment to fidelity.  God is the author of marriage and of  the church. Commitment is contained in both, and true commitment always involves giving up something. Church membership is most worthwhile because it means you're willing to give up something you can't keep in order to gain something you can't lose! God's recipe for marriage involves leaving.

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife; and they shall be one flesh." Genesis 2:24

     Joining a church is a clear picture of one's desire and willingness to leave worldly things, sins, bad habits, and evil influences which all too often include friends and even family. Church membership helps us keep our priorities in the right place and see the world from the right perspective.

Church Membership Expresses Our Leaning

     The comradely offered by the local church body is solid as cement and is much needed during our trials and troubles. We all need someone to lean on and there are no better shoulders to cry on than another Christian's.

     Church membership accrues acclamation and approbation of the promises of God. When the church sings "Standing on the Promises," it is more powerful sung together than in the shower. It is wonderful to lean on God's everlasting arms, and good posture for that is sitting in the pews at church.

     Really, the church is like a body. Each part has a place and the entire body is affected when just one part is not right. One part depends on the other parts, so to speak, and that makes church membership most important.

Church Membership Expresses Our Learning

     I have heard numbers professional singers testify of their getting their foundational interest in music and song by being brought up in church. Church is the place we learn about God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Church is also the place we learn about life and ourselves as well.

     A disciple is a learner. And church membership expresses one's willingness to be teachable. Mary sat at Jesus' feet to hear His word; and, Jesus complemented her by saying, in effect, it was the most important part of her life. The Apostle Paul, immediately after his conversion on Damascus Road asked the question every tru convert asks, "Lord, what would thou have me to do?" We'll all most likely find the answer to that question as members of the local church.

     Jesus is the Master Teacher and we should be excited to have the honor of being taught by the perfect one who created and sustains the honor of being taught by the perfect one who created and sustains the honor of being taught by the perfect one who created and sustains all things. Not only did Jesus die for the church and went to church Himself, even was baptized with water, he also advocated church membership.

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29

Church Membership Expresses Our Leading

     Never take for granted your influence on others. People are watching what we do, especially our children! Church membership is a step in the right direction and a step we won't regret when it comes our time to die. Joining a local church is not a prerequisite to go to Heaven, but it is a witness of light in a dark sinful world.

     The opportunity afforded believers to witness for Christ publicly honors God and makes incredible an otherwise dull and boring life. Following Jesus by church membership helps us make the proper changes as we grow ingrate and keeps us committed to the right principles and morals. The local church provides a platform for accountability, which we all must have and is especially expressed in an attitude of servant leadership.

     The local church provides the main functions for the Christian. To be a stone in His Temple means to belong to a worshipping community. To be a part of a body means to belong to a living, functioning, serving, witnessing community. To be a sheep in the flock means belonging to a community dependent on the The Shepherd for food, protection, and direction. To be a member of a family is to belong to a community bound by a common Fatherhood. All of these make the local church worth joining and may well be the best decision we ever make during our lives on Earth.

Brother Randy