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Connected To Other Christians
 
INTRODUCTION
 
1. In summarizing some of the significant things of being a Christian

 we have seen that it involves both blessings and responsibilities...
 a. "A person reborn" provides the blessing of living in newness of
 life
 b. "Belonging to the Lord" requires we live up to the calling of
 being God's special child
 c. "Living by faith" demands that we continue to trust in God and
 His Word
 d. "Consecrated to God" presumes that we pursue holiness in the fear
 of the Lord
 e. "Guarded by the power of God" calls for us to stand strong in the
 power of His might
 f. "Saved to serve" implies that we work together with other
 Christians
 
2. It is this last thought that we expand upon as we conclude this
 series...
 a. Christianity involves activity
 b. Some of that activity involves "working together" with other
 Christians
 c. Each Christian needs to understand the importance of our
 collective work
 
3. Sadly
many Christians live as though they believed in "solo
 Christianity"...
 a. That being a Christian involves minimal involvement with the
 local congregation
 1) They act like "independent" Christians - aloof
isolated

 solitary
 2) The congregation's work becomes "what they are doing down
 there..." (instead of what "we" are doing)
 b. Why is this case?
 1) Some may not understand the congregational facet of life in
 Christ
 2) Some may intend to be mavericks and refuse to be a real part
 of a congregation
 
4. The consequences of "solo Christianity" are dangerous...
 a. Such as inactivity
unhappiness
spiritual stagnation
etc.
 b. Recent studies suggest that people without active involvement in
 a church are more likely to have weakened immune systems

 therefore more likely to get sick
 c. The bottom line is that Christians rarely survive spiritually
 apart from their proper relationship with other Christians
 d. Like a glowing ember removed from the fire of which it is a 
 part...it soon cools and dies (while the other embers remain hot)
 
[Of course
it is not God's intention that this happen. That is why
one significance of being a Christian is that we are "Connected To 
Other Christians". Consider...]
 
I. THE "TOGETHER" ASPECT OF LIFE IN CHRIST
 
 A. ILLUSTRATIONS OF TOGETHERNESS...
 1. One illustration is that of "fellowship" - cf. Ac 2:42; 1 Co
 1:9; 1 Jn 1:3
7
 a. Christians are "fellows"
  1) "Fellow citizens" - Ep 2:11-22
 2) "Fellow heirs" - Ep 3:6
 3) "Fellow workers" - Ph 4:3
 4) "Fellow servants" - Co 1:7
 5) "Fellow soldiers" - Ph 2:25
 b. We work together as we extend "the right hand of 
 fellowship" - cf. Ga 2:9
 -- The idea is that we share together in the work and rewards
 of Christian life
 2. Another illustration is that of "brotherhood" - 1 Pe 2:17
 a. In Christ
we enjoy a family relationship - cf. Mk 3:31-35
 b. We are the "house" or "family" of God - Ep 2:19; 1 Ti 3:15
 -- The Christian needs to have a "family" consciousness about
 other Christians
 3. One more illustration is that of "membership" - 1 Co 12:27
 a. The church is Christ's "body" - Ep 1:22-23
 b. Christians are "members of one another - Ro 12:5; Ep 4:25
 c. As members of the body
there are "corporate" (Latin 
 "corpus" means "body") responsibilities
 d. Body members are functionally interdependent - 1 Co 12:
 12-27
 1) Not all members have the same function - Ro 12:3-8
 2) If the body (and its members) is to grow
each member
 must contribute - Ep 4:16
 -- There are not "vestigial" organs or "decorative" parts; 
 i.e.
no useless or unimportant members
 
 B. THE CONCEPT OF LOCAL CHURCH "MEMBERSHIP"...
 1. The "local" church is different from the "universal" church
  a. "The church" of Christ universally is the sum of all
 Christians - cf. Mt 16:18
 b. "A church" of Christ locally is a specific group of 
 Christians who function together as a congregation - cf. 
 Ac 14:23; 1 Co 1:2; Ro 16:16
 2. One is "added" by the Lord Himself to the "universal" church
 upon obedience to the gospel - cf. Ac 2:41
47
 3. One then should "join" himself to a "local" church - cf. Ac 9:
 26-28
 a. The mere provision of local churches in God's Word 
 implies...
 1) A divine purpose for the local church
 2) A corresponding responsibility of Christians to avail
 themselves of it
 b. The idea of becoming a Christian and never a part of a
 local congregation is foreign to the Scriptures!
 4. Christian are obligated to participate in the life of a
 faithful congregation
whenever possible
 a. The command to withdraw from certain ones implies that
 participation in the fellowship with other Christians is
 not optional - cf. 1 Co 5:1-13; 2 Th 3:6
 b. Much of what a Christian is to do is "for the common good"
 - cf. 1 Co 12:7 (NASV)
 
[The main idea is that as Christians we have responsibilities to other
Christians
in Christ we are truly "Connected To Other Christians".
Therefore consider some...]
 
II. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES TO OTHER CHRISTIANS
 
 A. ATTITUDES TO MAINTAIN...
 1. Concern for one another - 1 Co 12:25-26
 2. Humility
lowliness of mind - Ph 2:3
 3. A peaceable spirit - Ro 14:17-19
 4. Appreciation for others and their work - e.g.
1 Th 1:2-3
 5. Willingness to cooperate
work together - 1 Co 12:21
 a. "It marks a big step in a man's development when he comes
 to realize that other men can be called on to help him do a
 better job than he can do alone" (Andrew Carnegie)
 b. "Coming together is a beginning
keeping together is 
 progress
working together is success" (ibid.)
 6. Friendliness
warmth - cf. Phile 1:7
 7. Gentleness
meekness - Ga 6:1
 8. Forbearance
longsuffering
patience - Co 3:12-13
 9. Forgiveness - Co 3:13
 10. Love - Jn 13:34-35
 
 B. THINGS TO DO...
 1. Identify as a member of a faithful congregation (place 
 membership) - cf. Ac 9:26
 a. Drifters
"floating members"
"members at large"
etc.
are
 missing an important aspect of Christianity
 b. The same goes for passive "spectators"
those "just along
 for the ride"
"permanent visitors"
etc.
 c. One places membership with the intent of being an actual

 functioning member - not a mere appendage to the body
 d. It involves making real commitments to the group
 2. Pray for other Christians
especially those of one's own
 congregation - Ph 1:9-11
 3. Submit to the congregation's elders - 1 Th 5:12
13; He 13:7
17
 4. Attend and participate in the assemblies of the congregation 
 - He 10:24-25
 a. The Christian enjoys and benefits from private and family
 worship
but must not neglect God's provision for 
 collective
congregational worship and Bible study
 b. Every aspect of our assemblies are vital to the Christian
 1) The Lord's Supper - Ac 2:42; 20:7; 1 Co 11:17-34
 2) Praying - Ac 2:42; 4:23-31; 12:12
 3) Singing - Ep 5:19; Co 3:16
  4) Preaching and teaching - Ac 20:7
 5) Giving as we have been prospered - 1 Co 16:1-2; 2 Co 8
9
 c. Our assemblies provide an opportunity for three different
 involvements:
 1) Help in providing for the assembly (e.g.
cleaning the
 building
preparing the communion trays
leading in the
 service
etc.)
 2) Actual attendance at the assembly - attending every 
 service is critical to the overall growth and health of
 the congregation (let alone self!)
 3) Participation in the assembly
to the extent of one's
 ability
 a) Worship is not a "spectator" activity
 b) The crucial question is not "How did the preacher
 do?"
but "How did I do?"
 c) If one can do no more than listen
then listen in a
 manner that shows reverence and respect to God's 
 Word! - cf. Ac 17:11 ("they received the word with
 all readiness...")
 d. Assembling together is not merely a routine to perform
but
 a God-given provision for our spiritual good
 1) Quibbles and questions about whether we have to

 complaints
neglects
etc.
reveal an attitude of taking
 lightly the opportunity for Christians to be together
 2) God wants to give us something in our assemblies - our
 involvement or non-involvement reveals much of whether
 we desire to accept what God has for us!
 -- To minimize this aspect of Christianity jeopardizes not
 only one's own soul
but the souls of others! - He 10:24-25
 5. Contribute financially to the work of the congregation - 1 Co
 16:1-2
2 Co 9:6-7
 6. Engage personally and directly in the work of the congregation
 a. Evangelism - e.g.
Ac 8:4
 b. Edification - Ro 14:19
 c. Benevolence - Ac 2:44-45; 4:34-35
 7. Help maintain unity in the congregation - Jn 17:20-23; 1 Co 
 1:10; Ro 15:5-7; Ep 4:1-3
 8. Participate in the discipline of the congregation
both 
 instructive as well as corrective - 1 Co 5:1-13; Ga 6:1-2; 
 2 Th 3:6-15
 9. Extend courtesy and hospitality - Ro 12:13; 1 Pe 4:9
 10. Find an individual role and fill it - Co 4:17; 2 Ti 4:5
 
CONCLUSION
 
1. Much of the joy in Christ comes from our relationships with other
 Christians...
 a. John had great joy when he heard others walking in the truth 
 - 3 Jn 3-4
 b. Paul had joy when he remembered his fellowship with others 
 - Ph 1:3-5
 -- Can we not see the importance of being "Connected To Other
 Christians"?
 
2. This connection is not only crucial to having joy
but to remaining
 faithful to the Lord...
 a. Experiencing all of the blessings the Lord provides for His 
 servants
 b. Encouraged by others to be diligent in fulfilling our 
 responsibilities as Christians
 
As we conclude this study of "The Significance Of Being A Christian"

we have certainly not exhausted what it means to be a Christian. But I
pray that in some way I have both encouraged and exhorted you to 
greater faithfulness and fruitfulness in the service of our Lord!

－－《Executable Outlines》"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN"