God has created only two institutions upon this earth -- 1) The family and 2) The church. The Lord’s church, each and every church, is so important that Christ died for it. Some do not recognize this importance and, therefore, take the Lord's churches for granted. They don't realize that their relationship to the church will affect their fellowship with God. Thus, they find little purpose and little joy in their church membership. The purpose of this series is to help us understand the value and the purpose God intended for our church membership.

Life's most important question is, “Are you saved?”  One should be able to answer "yes" or "no." Ask if someone is an American, and they will give a straight answer. Ask if they are married, and you will get a direct reply. But, ask if someone is saved and note the reply -- “I hope so.”  “I’m trying to be.” (Some act offended that you asked.) What does it mean to be saved? It means to become a child of God. What is a child of God? A child of God is one born from above, by the power of God -- John 3:3. A child of God can say, as Paul in Galatians 2:20, “It is Christ that lives in me.” To be a child of God means to link one’s life with Jesus by faith. Here are some tests to apply. Ask yourself (and answer honesty): 1) “Have I realized that I am a sinner?” 2) “Have I seen Jesus as my only hope?” 3) “Have I turned to God (repentance)?" 4) “Have I come to Christ by faith for forgiveness and salvation?” 5) “Have I begun to walk in newness of life?” 6) “If I were to die right now, where would I spend eternity? This series of messages is addressed to children of God and will only be of value to those who know they are saved.

  I.  ARE YOU A CHURCH MEMBER?

 II.  IS YOUR CHURCH MEMBERSHIP ALL YOU EXPECTED?

III. IS YOUR MEMBERSHIP ALL IT OUGHT TO BE?