I recently began a new sermon series called Commit at my church on what biblically committed church membership looks like. This post is based off of the fifth sermon in that series, which unfortunately was not recorded due to technical difficulty.
Sermon Text: Acts 2:42; Col 1:18; 1 Tim 3:15; Rom 12:1-2
Our attitude toward God’s Word has eternal consequences. I want to begin this morning by reading two passages. One is from 2 Tim 4 and the other is from Acts 17.
2 Tim 4:3-4
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.
Acts 17:10-11
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.
I would submit to you that these two passages illustrate the difference between true and false churches. True churches love the Word of God. False churches turn away from sound teaching.
Brothers and sisters, like those in the early church, we have a choice. We can turn away from sound teaching and find false teachers who will coddle us, or we can be careful students of the Scriptures who know and love the Word of God. If we as a church choose to not endure sound teaching, then we will cease to be a church. If we as a church will submit ourselves to God’s Word, then we can be used of God to further His kingdom.
If a church chooses not to endure sound teaching, then it ceases to be a church.
Today, we continue our sermon series on biblical church membership. We started our sermon series in Acts 2 and I want to again look at a couple of verses from there. If you would, turn to Acts 2.
If you’re reading this, I want you to know that the bulk of my preaching is expositional in nature. That is, my preaching aims to make the main point(s) of the message based the main point(s) of the passage. It is also my normal practice to preach through books of the Bible. I say all of that to give you all time to get to Acts 2 and explain that I’m not being hypocritical since I’ll be advocating expositional preaching today even while preaching and blogging in a more topical way. Let’s again look at Acts 2:41.
Acts 2:41
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
This verse summarizes the response to Peter’s preaching on the Day of Pentecost, which occurred a few days after Jesus had ascended back to heaven. Those present heard the gospel. Many responded by receiving Peter’s message, repenting of their sins (Acts 2:38), and trusting (believing) in Jesus. After trusting in Jesus, they were baptized and added to the church. So, what happened next? Look at verse 42.
Acts 2:42
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers
We’re not going to read the rest of Acts 2, but Acts 2:42-47 show how the early Christians committed themselves to one another. This is the paradigm we see in the rest of the New Testament – conversion, baptism, committed church membership.
Last week, we looked at the importance of regularly gathering with other believers to worship God and encourage one another. Today, we are going to look at the importance of submitting to God’s Word.
Look at the first phrase of Acts 2:42 again. It says that the early Christians “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching.” The apostles were those who had been set apart by Jesus for ministry. Jesus had given the apostles His authority in Matthew 16:18-19 and Matthew 28:18-20. Ephesians 2:20 says that the church was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.
So, when the text says that these early Christians devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, it means that they were devoting themselves to the authoritative teachings of the apostles, the authoritative teachings of Christ, and the authoritative teachings of the Old Testament.
Today, there are no apostles. Instead of modern-day apostles, we have the completed canon of Scripture written down. We have the teachings of Christ, the apostles, and the Old Testament. They are found in our Bible, which is one book that is composed of 66 books – 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT.
Just as these early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, we should devote ourselves to God’s Word. Said another way, we are to submit to God’s Word.
BIG IDEA: We must submit to God’s Word both as a church body and as individuals.
We must submit to God’s Word both as a church body and as individuals.
Why is this so important? In 1 Timothy 3:15, Paul calls the church a pillar and buttress of the truth. One application of this text is that the church is called to proclaim the truth and to protect the truth. As I preach today, I stand here as one who believes that the Bible is God’s Word – that all Scripture is God-breathed and authoritative for life and ministry (2 Tim 3:16-17).
To be a faithful church, we as a church must submit to God’s Word. To be faithful church members, we must personally submit to God’s Word.
As a church, we must corporately submit to God’s Word (Col 1:18)
What does it mean to submit to God’s Word as a church? To submit to someone means that you are yielding to their authority. A church that submits to God’s Word is a church that is therefore ruled by God’s Word.
Col 1:15-18
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Colossians 1:18 says that Christ is the head of the church. Therefore, as a church, we are not ruled by a pope. We are not ruled by pastors. We are not ruled by deacons. We are not ruled by church members. Ultimately, we are to be ruled by Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church and Jesus rules the church through His Word.
The only authority we have as a church is from Jesus himself. He is the one who purchased the church with His own blood (Acts 20:28). He is the head of the church (Col 1:18). The apostles had been called and equipped by Jesus and that is why the early church devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42).
The apostles had been sent out with the authority of Jesus to make disciples (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). The early Christians took the apostles seriously because they took Jesus seriously. They knew that Jesus was indeed God in the flesh. On multiple occasions, Jesus prophesied His own death and resurrection. Only God can do that!
If Christ rules the church and He rules it by His Word, then how can we as a church be submitted to His Word?
(1) We submit to God’s Word over tradition
This was the point of the Protestant Reformation. Not only did the reformers seek to recover the gospel – that salvation came not by good works but by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. They also sought to regulate the church according to God’s Word – not the pope, the Roman Catholic Church, or any other tradition.
We must do the same. Every church has traditions. The point is that if our practices and traditions contradict God’s Word, we must submit to God’s Word.
(2) We submit to God’s Word in our teaching and preaching
We teach and preach Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 2:2). In my preaching ministry, I seek to mostly preach expositional sermons, where the main point of the biblical text is the main point of the sermon. Topical sermons and series are okay from time to time, but context is still important.
In every teaching ministry of the church, we need to be faithful to God’s Word. Sunday school and Wednesday night teachers should be prepared to teach.
This also includes our music ministry. We teach by the lyrics of the songs we sing as well as our approach. We sing to honor God and encourage others, not to entertain and attract lost people.
We are called to teach and preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27). We do not water down the truth or apologize for it. If you’ve read the New Testament, you know that Christians were at odd with the culture (see for example Mark 6:14-29). The same holds true today but we must not fear those who can destroy the body – rather, we are to fear the one that can cast our souls into hell (Matt 10:28).
(3) We submit to God’s Word in our polity and governance
God has given us His Word to show us how the church is to be governed. The church is to be ruled by Jesus. The church is to be led by pastors (elders). The church is to be served by deacons. And finally, the church is to be governed by the congregation.
Our pastors and deacons should meet the qualifications of Scripture. We should have biblical standards for church membership and be willing to administer church discipline to those who are in ongoing, unrepentant sin (Matt 18:15-20).
Our constitution and by-laws should reflect God’s Word. Our decision-making processes should seek to be faithful to God’s Word.
(4) We submit to God’s Word in our statement of faith
Our statement of faith should be based on God’s Word. If you don’t know, our statement of faith is the Baptist Faith and Message (2000).
(5) We submit to God’s Word for our mission
Jesus has given His disciples a task – to make disciples by evangelizing, baptizing, and teaching (Matt 28:18-20). We must never deviate from evangelism and discipleship. Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world. While we care about social issues, the way we address social issues is mainly through evangelism and discipleship.
We also help fulfill the Great Commission through our giving. We give to international missions through the IMB. We give to church planting, college ministry, disaster relief, pregnancy centers, jail ministry, theological education and more though the Cooperative Program of the SBC.
Obviously, we could go on and on. A true will church will hold fast to God’s Word. Therefore, as a church body, we must submit to God’s authoritative Word over our traditions, our culture, and our denomination if it comes to that.
Not only should we submit to God’s Word as a church, but we must also do this as individuals.
As individuals, we must personally submit to God’s Word.
Once again, to be submitted to God’s Word means that Scripture is the authority for our lives. We recognize that the Bible is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching us, rebuking us, correcting us, and training us to live in a way that pleases God.
A church will only hold fast to God’s Word if its members are committed to God’s Word. So, how can we as individuals commit ourselves to God’s Word? The answer is actually quite simple. We must know God’s Word and we must obey God’s Word. We could turn to many passages of Scripture, but I’ll limit myself to one.
How can we as individuals commit ourselves to God’s Word? The answer is actually quite simple. We must know God’s Word and obey God’s Word.
Rom 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
In this passage, Paul appeals to the Roman church to live holy lives because of God’s mercy. Paul gives the basis for holy living – God’s mercy. Then he gives us a plan for holy living:
- Do not be conformed to the world. (holy living, obedience)
- Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. (knowing God’s Word)
- By having our minds renewed with God’s truth, we’ll be able to discern God’s will. (holy living, obedience)
Don’t be conformed to the world. Renew your mind. Discern God’s will. In other words, know God’s Word and obey it.
Quickly, I want to give you three ways you can know God’s Word and obey it.
(1) Grow in your knowledge and obedience of God’s Word through personal study
This is easy to say but harder to do. If you want to live a life that is pleasing to God, you must study the Bible for yourself. Get a good study Bible. I prefer the ESV Study Bible, but there are so many good ones out there. If you need help picking one, let me know and I would be glad to help.
Get a Bible reading plan. If you’ve never read the New Testament, start there. Eventually, read the whole Bible. I’ve also found it very fruitful to read books of the Bible repeatedly for a certain amount of time. One great book on how to do this is a book called How to Eat Your Bible.
(2) Grow in your knowledge and obedience of God’s Word through small groups
It’s great to study the Bible in your personal life. It’s also very helpful to study the Bible in small groups. We do this in Sunday school. We do it on Wednesday nights. You can also do this with men’s and women’s groups. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” We need each other’s help to understand God’s Word and we need others alongside us to help us obey it.
(3) Grow in your knowledge and obedience of God’s Word through listening to biblical preaching
I spoke earlier of our church’s responsibility to teach and preach the Word of God. But it’s not just my responsibility to preach the Word. It is your responsibility to receive it. On at least one occasion, Jesus told His audience to be careful how you hear (Luke 8:18).
When you come to church, expect God to speak through His Word. Have you thought about that? If the preacher is preaching the Bible correctly, then God is speaking through His Word. Therefore, listening to preaching is an act of worship. As you listen, expect the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin.
Before you come to church, pray for the preacher. Pray for yourself, that you would have ears to hear God’s Word. Get enough sleep Saturday night and eat enough breakfast so that you can better focus on the message instead of your growling tummy.
The regular preaching of God’s Word does more for your soul that you realize. I’ve heard the preaching of the Word compared to the growth of children. I don’t notice my children growing every day, but I can look back at pictures and see how much they’ve grown. You may not realize that you’re growing in God’s Word each day, but over time I hope you can see how far you’ve come.
When you put all three together – personal study, small group study, and preaching, you have a recipe for spiritual growth. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt 4:4).
Is that you? Are you submitted to God’s Word or are you starving yourself of its lifechanging power?
Conclusion
True churches love God’s Word. False churches turn away from it.
True believers love God’s Word. False believers turn away from it.
We saw in Acts 2:42 that the early believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. Likewise, we should devote ourselves to God’s Word.
The church is to be a pillar and buttress of the truth. We are called to proclaim and protect the truth of God’s Word. If we’re to be faithful to this task, we must devote ourselves to God’s Word both as a church and as individuals.
We must give God’s Word its proper authority over us and submit to it gladly. Let’s be committed Christians and church members by knowing God’s Word, loving God’s Word, and obeying God’s Word, all to the glory of God.