Central Thought: Members of a local church should dwell together in love, peace and unity.
Hymn: Blest be the tie that binds
Text: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31, 2 Corinthians 3:1-6,
Introduction:
The Bible describes the Church as the ground and pillar of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Efforts must therefore be made by every believer to keep it so. As Christians, in any assembly, we are expected to live our lives as living epistles that serve as examples to other believers. In fact all believers in a local church should take to heart the teachings of the LORD JESUS and apply them in our relationship with each other.
Christian leaders should bear in mind the LORD’s discourse with Peter after His resurrection (John 21:15-17). We must love the LORD above everything else and be ready to do service for Him.
The divisions, rancor, schism, quarrels etc. we find in (and between) local church assemblies today is not of God. Believers must resist the devil’s attempts to divide us.
In this final part of the teachings on “ A Living Epistle”, we will consider how a Christian should relate in his local assembly and how together with other members of the local church, we can radiate the light of the LORD JESUS Christ in the society
Lesson Objectives:
- To know how a Christian should respond to some situations in his local church/fellowship group.
- To understand that the believer is expected to be of exemplary conduct in his local church/assembly/fellowship.
- To know the implications of not showing exemplary conduct in your local church.
- To know that there are benefits associated with living an exemplary life in your local church.
Question 1.) How should a Christian demonstrate exemplary life in his local church is situations where:
- Members do not show interest in programs/activities.
This kind of situation is usually a worry to Christian leaders. The factors that are responsible for this situation should be examined. Complaints such as the programs are too many are often heard, though experience shows that those who make such complaints do not show up in the church activities/programs even when such programs are reduced. Such believers are also known to devote a lot of their energies to some other things. At times the situation is a reflection of the general apathy of the society towards godliness. The believer should be careful so that he is not caught in such a web.
The exemplary conduct to be shown by a believer in such a local church is to keep playing his/her part and keep praying about the situation. The Christian leader should prayerfully make an assessment of the situation and where he needs to make amendment, such should sincerely be made. He must keep praying for the congregation.
- Members that have a “holier than thou” attitude:
This attitude is not healthy for any congregation. Self-righteousness does not commend anyone to God. At its best mans righteousness is compared to filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). The believers attitude in such a situation is to pray and ask God to heal the situation. The leaders should admonish the congregation from the word of God on the dangers associated with such an attitude. We must remind ourselves of the following scriptures
- “Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” 1 Corinthians 10:12
- “For I say through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” Romans 12:3
- “…Than no one of you be puffed up against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what has thou that thou didst not receive? Now if thou didst receive it, why doest thou glory as if thou has not received it? 1 Corinthians 4:6-7.
- Welfare and care are lacking.
The exemplary lifestyle should be to demonstrate love in such a situation. The individual believer should take it upon himself to be an example in showing love. He should visit the sick and care for the needy (Matthew 25:31-40). The example of Dorcas in her local church in Joppa should be remembered (Acts 9:36-41). We should not wait for another before demonstrating love, care and concern for others.
A local church should also cultivate the habit of showing love, care and concern for her ministers. The believer in a local church must obey God’s word which says “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labour in the Word and doctrine, for the scripture saith Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadth the corn. And the labourer is worthy of his reward” (1 Timothy 5:17-18).
- There is no growth in the church
There are times in a local church may stagnate in growth spiritually, numerically and materially. This situation calls for serious prayers by all believers in the church. It is not a time to gossip or murmur. Rather the believer who wants to be of exemplary behavior should stand in the gap and intercede for the church. The leaders of the assembly should seek God’s mind on what the problem is and ask for His wisdom in addressing them. Where there is known sin by an individual or collectively, it should be repented of. Revival meetings may be organized and gifted ministers should be invited; The Church should also embark on “aggressive evangelism”.
- Members are class/tribe conscious.
Tribal, racial or class consciousness has a way of destroying any system in which they are allowed to thrive. The early church realized this and quickly dealt with it (Acts 6:1-7).
A believer in a local church must have the mind of God on this issue as revealed in Galatians 3:26-28. … “For yea re all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus”.
- There are factions among leaders
This situation is similar to the one just described above. This leads to unhealthy competition, quarrels, and schisms in the body of Christ. The example of our brother Paul should be followed. He had to rebuke the Corinthian for trying to divide themselves by aligning with one leader in preference to the other (1 Corinthians 3:3-9). Christ is the one who died for us all and we are all co-laborers in His vineyard. Therefore no room for factions.
- There is widespread rumors, murmuring and complaining against leader’s action or inaction.
The example of the early church should be followed. What should have been the first crisis in the early church was promptly resolved by providing a solution to the problem that caused the grumbling and murmuring of some members of the church (Acts 6:1-6). The believer should learn to speak his mind. Rather than grumble, murmur or spread false rumors, it may be better to go straight to the leader or leaders concerned and point out their errors to them in the spirit of love, humility and submission. This ought to be the exemplary behavior of a believer in such situations. If the believer lacks courage to approach the leaders then let him prayerfully commit the situation to God and trust God for the solution. Murmuring, grumbling, complaining and rumour mongering are destructive weapons used by the enemy to against the church.
- There is a clear case of embezzlement of church/group funds.
The injunction in Ephesians 5:11 is appropriate. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them” the church should not cover evil. However in dealing with the brethren involved, the spirit of love should prevail bearing in mind that the whole essence of Christian discipline is to ensure the continuity in faith by the erring individual.
- Ordained ministers/members are not living right
What has been said above is also appropriate here. The church should not cover evil. The erring minister/member should be told where he had deviated from God’s standards. If the minister/member accepts his error and repents, the church should join him/her in praying for forgiveness and the church should be ready to forgive such an individual. The scripture says “brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).
- People have no regard for constituted authority.
A believer in a local church should be submissive to the leadership of the church. Some believers do not respect constituted authority in their church. Such believers assume that they would have led the church (group) better if they were given the opportunity. Some also claim that they know how to preach, pray etc. better than the leader. A believer should desist from that kind of disposition. The biblical principle is to obey constituted authority in your church, for as long as they are in the way of the LORD.
- Members are difficult to convince on some issues
Leaders of local churches may propose programs which the members may not easily be convinced about. Some leaders on such moments begin to call their members all sorts of names, this should not be.
It is important for church leaders to pray about any proposed program/idea being brought to the church. It is also important to prayerfully present the issue to the church at a time when the congregation will be receptive. However, where some members prove difficult to convince, just keep praying for them. The Lord Himself chose appropriate times to explain issues to His disciples (Matthew 13:3-9, 15-23, John 16:12-14).
Question 2.) What are the implications of not showing exemplary conduct in a local church?
The absence of exemplary behavior in a local church either on the part of the leaders or members can have serious implication/consequences on the local church. The local assembly will be full of quarrels, suspicions, misunderstandings, schisms etc. and under such conditions, the church cannot grow spiritually, numerically and materially. Prayers are not likely going to be answered because they are not being offered in the spirit of love and unity: False teachings/doctrines may also begin to thrive in such an assembly. Such a church will not experience God’s blessings at its fullest.
Question 3.) What are some of the benefits of exemplary Christian conduct in a local church?
Numerous benefits accrue to a local church where members live by the principles of God’s word. The love of God will be felt in such an assembly. The hearts of the members will be knit together in love. The Scriptural admonition of “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others” (Philippians 2:4) will be true of such a church.
Unity and peace will also be noticed among the members of such a church. They will pray in one accord and serve the LORD in singleness of heart. Prayers will be answered and God will always prove Himself mighty (strong) on their behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9).
The witness of such a church will be effective and God’s power will be at work in the congregation, confirming His word by salvation of soul, and by signs and wonders.
The local church will be protected from false teaching and doctrines. Finally such a church will experience increase spiritually, numerically and materially.
Daily Living Application
The sanctity of God’s word should be preserved (maintained) in a local church. All believers (ministers and members) in a local church must strive to live by the principles of God’s word. We should avoid those things that will bring divisions, dissensions, quarrels, schisms, grumbling, murmuring etc. We must emphasize those things that will foster love, unity, answers to prayers and the demonstration of God’s mighty power on our behalf. We should put into use the various gifts that God has given to us. A local church that lives by the principles of God’s word will be blessed spiritually, numerically and materially.
Memory Verse:
1 Corinthians 1:10
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement”
Daily Devotional Guide
Monday: Believers should have the same mind
Philippians 2:1-2
Tuesday: the example of the early church
Acts 2:44-47, 4:32-36
Wednesday: Keep the unity of the spirit
Ephesians 4:1-6
Thursday: The gifts of the Spirit
Romans 12:4-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Friday: The Fruits of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-23
Saturday: Let the mind of Christ be in you
Philippians 2:5-11