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Encouraging Church Loyalty
We are a lot of odd people. That is a good thing.
More important than being in a Church physically is being in a church spiritually.
The church is one body, many members working together as a unit.
Jesus placed supreme value on the church. He purchased it with his own blood. If we are part of the church we have also been purchased with this blood.
We can depend on the Lord. Can he depend on us?
What is Church Loyalty
By loyalty we mean, “a devoted attachment to something or someone.”
There is a universal church, but there is also a local church. We should be a part of both of these.
Loyalty can be shown by actions as well as by definition.
Philippians 2:19-25
Wherever the Lord may call you to serve, your loyalty may be tested.
Why Should we Have Church Loyalty
We need the church and we should be loyal to the church for mutual stimulation to love and worship.
Hebrews 10:24
Galatians 6:6
We need the truth to be taught.
Acts 2:40-46
Hebrews 13:17-19
If we are in earnest spiritually we should be glad that we have people who care about us enough to ask us how we are doing.
It is good to feel part of something, to have a sense of belonging.
Mathew 16:18
The church needs each member. Loyalty is very important in the human body as well as the body of Christ.
How do we Show Church Loyalty
Loyalty to our churches is shown many different ways. Attendance is one way…
Attendance is more than just warming a pew.
Being committed is another way that we can show loyalty to the church. Do what you are asked to do. It is like a bank, the more we put into it the more interest will be accrued.
Service is another way that we show loyalty to our church. We can get tired of teaching Sunday School or Bible School. If all we are worried about is being tied down we should consider that Jesus was “nailed down” because of his loyalty and commitment.
Being ready to confront and be confronted is another way that we can show loyalty to our local body. There needs to be a loyalty to the church’s expectations for members. If we are willing to lay down our lives for others we should be willing to at times lay down our opinions for those of others.
Faithfulness and cooperation show our loyalty to the local body. Help with church cleaning. Sing in community outreach. Cooperate with your leaders. Don’t be eager to hang out the dirty wash for other people. Support the decisions of the church.
It is encouraging to see church loyalty. Let us encourage each other to greater loyalty to Christ and His church.
This sermon – Encouraging Church Loyalty – was originally preached 2014.03.15 by Howard Bean.
This sermon is also part of a series preached at the Bethel Mennonite 2014 Youth Rally. Here is a list of all sermons in this series.
- Ten Lessons from my Youth
- Encouraging Church Loyalty
- Choosing a Life Long Companion
- Failing Successfully
- A Servant Heart
