Commitment To The Local Church

We’re In This Together!

• Instructions to conquer Canaan– Num 33:50-56

• Reuben’s & Gad’s request– Num 32:1-5

• Moses’ reaction– Num 32:6-15

• Agreement and warning– Num 32:16-24

Example of the Israelites

We too, are at war“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”

2 Cor 10:3-5

We too, are at war

“Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Tim 6:12

At baptism, God places you in a special relationship

Member of the universal church Acts 2:41, 47

You must attach yourself

to a local church

Acts 9:26-28

At baptism, God places you in a special relationship

• Work of the church is done in the context of local congregations

• Key to this work is mutual commitment, mutual accountability

Ephesians 5:15-21

At baptism, God places you in a special relationship

“Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it.” 1 Cor 12:27

“So we who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.” Rom 12:5

The value of the local churchMade up of blood-bought people

1 Pet 1:17-19, 1 Cor 6:20, 1 Cor 7:23

Gal 6:101 John 3:16

Loving God with “heart, soul, mind & strength” and loving one another as yourself Mark 12:30-31

Commitment will …… involve sacrifice

“I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God

which cost me nothing.” 2

Sam 24:24

Committing to my local church with …

Eph 5:21

Accountability

Heb 10:23-25

Time

Heb 10:23-25

Talent 2 Cor 9:6-7

Treasure

Committing to my local church with …

AccountabilityTimeTalentTreasure

“but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” Eph 4:15-16

“Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents - which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too from God.” Phil 1:27-28

REMEMBER

our united commitmen

t

a church where no one

STANDS ALONE