Why I am Writing This
I have been a member of a local church all my life, and it has kept me close to Jesus and His people.
God filled me with the Holy Spirit there and blessed me with brothers and sisters who encouraged me to walk with Jesus on that narrow road that leads to eternal life.
He gave me a godly wife, or rather, He prepared each of us for one another. He made us one flesh and gave us two beautiful children, all through and in our local church.
My church has sustained and comforted me in every stage of life, and carried me through every trial.
It has helped me worship and glorify God and know I belong to Jesus in life and death. You can find a local church here: https://ag.org/Resources/Directories/Find-a-Church
1. Joining a Church Marks a Break from the Past
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We must turn away from the things of the world before we can enter our new relationship with Jesus. He put it like this: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. – Jesus in Luke 9:23
Why must this be? Jesus* (4 BC-30 AD) came into this world to save us from our sins, but He is not of this world nor are those He has chosen. We cannot walk with Jesus and stay the same.
*following a name means that person has a short bio in SPIRITUAL LIVES
We cannot hold on to sin or anything in our lives contrary to or incompatible with being a Christian.
Years ago, a famous pornographer announced that he had become a Christian but was continuing to publish his pornographic material. His “Christianity” was soon gone as he kept his public sin.
Others have come to Jesus and tried to bring their old religion along. You cannot be a Christian and a Buddhist, Jew, or Muslim. Some churches include a formal statement to this effect in their baptismal promises or covenants.
Will you persevere in RESISTING EVIL, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Question: Do you RENOUNCE SATAN and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you renounce the evil powers of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you renounce all sinful desires that draw you from the love of God?
Answer: I renounce them.
Question: Do you turn to Jesus Christ and accept him as your Savior?
Answer: I do.
Question: Do you put your whole trust in his grace and love?
Answer: I do.
Joining a Church in this way is emphasized by public baptism in water, which symbolizes our putting off the old and being joined to the new:
Before we can be baptized, we must affirm our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and promise to live for Him faithfully.
When you consider joining a church, check out its statement of faith, which should include at a minimum the APOSTLE’S CREED and recognition of the Bible as the Word of God and the final authority of our faith.
2. Joining a Church Begins our Present Walk with Jesus on the Narrow Way
Now our old life is dead so we can walk in this “newness of life.” How does this happen? We are "born again" when Jesus comes into our hearts, and His Spirit so fills us that we want only to live for Him.
The things of the world grow strangely dim, and we lose interest in things that once occupied our lives. We are horrified by sin and seek His righteousness. This goes on constantly as we worship Him alone, read our Bibles, and seek Him in prayer.
But there comes a time when we need others to worship with us, encourage and bless us, and give us opportunities to serve them and others.
But what does joining a church look like day to day? What are we to do? Paul* (5-67) reminds us that we are a part of Jesus’ body and that He has given each of us a role:
How does this look in action? There is a place to meet with one another and with Jesus, who promised to be there when two or three of us come together in His name.
Some roles are specifically defined, like a pastor, teacher, and elder, but every one of us has a role. We need to seek out ways to join and support our church. Look for opportunities for Bible study, prayer meetings, youth ministry, or choir/worship team membership.
Above all, we need to pray for the church, participate in worship, and sing joyfully with all our hearts. These lift our fellowship and also prepare us for something more. And what is that something more?
3. Joining A Church prepares us for the Eternal
Our work in joining a church is “edifying,” like in a building, an “edifice.” We are building the church we join to be a “lighthouse” and “a city on a hill,” a holy place where Jesus lives. Why? Because as we walk with Him, Jesus is with us and is working too on our church:
Jesus is looking ahead. He is preparing a place for us and for His church in heaven! This is the ultimate goal of joining a church. That we will be fit to desire with David* (1085-1015 BC) to “live in the House of the Lord forever.”
It is too glorious for words. Our “joining a church” has given us our path to being the “Bride of Christ” and to eternal bliss when we attend the marriage supper of the Lamb. Jesus is coming for His Bride, and He will take her home with Him forevermore! Praise God! Thus our joining church results in a place with Jesus when He comes again to take us to heaven, “and so we shall ever be with the Lord.”
Jesus is calling us today to actively join one another in serving Him. Where are you in “joining a church”? As you can see, it is a beautiful process full of grace and glory, And with a way so glorious we can only ask in wonder, “What will the end be?”
As I close, I restate that this applies only to those who belong to Jesus. But suppose you are NOT a believer. What then? You need to come to Jesus and believe; it is as simple as that. Here is a short article on HOW TO ANSWER JESUS’ WONDERFUL INVITATION to “Come unto Me and rest.”
Action steps in Joining a Church
Locate a church where Jesus is central and His Word and ordinances are observed.
Get baptized in water. Do this again as an adult if you were baptized or christened as an infant.
Go to every service and offer to help.
Support the church and its missionaries financially.
Join the Bible study and prayer meeting.
Volunteer to be a helper in service ministries.
Teach a Sunday school class.
Bring others to church and pick up those who cannot get there.
Please get to know your pastor and honor him.
Remember, you are preparing for something eternal!
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