Whom God adds to the church let no one take away:

what produces life-long participation in a local church?

1. IntroductionExplaining the titleThis message arises fromSome observations

2. Bible Translations Acts 2:47NIV - And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

KJV, NKJV the churchGNT, TCEV their groupESV, RSV, NRSV their numberDARBY, YLT the assembly

3. Commentaries Acts 2:47The Message of ActsThe Pulpit CommentaryThe IVP New Testament Commentary

4. Why do Christians fall out from local churches?Not saved in the first placePoverty of Biblical insightBeing takers only, and not giversHarmed by sexually or financially deviant church leadersHarmed by cultish, controlling, and doctrinally extreme church leaders and churches

4. Why do Christians fall out from local churches? (Continued)6.Side-lined over relational issues7.The influence of loved-ones8.My job is too demanding9.Trapped by money and possessions10.Sport assumes god-like significanceNot agreeing with all that the church believes or teaches on matters other than essential core truthsPreferring the new to refreshing the old

5. What is a local church according to the Bible?

Acknowledgement to Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Seattle, Washington, USADefinition:The local church is a community of regenerated believers who confess Jesus Christ as Lord. In obedience to Scripture they organize under qualified leadership, gather regularly for preaching and worship, observe the biblical sacraments (ordinances my addition) of baptism and communion, are unified by the Spirit, are disciplined for holiness, and scatter to fulfill the great commandment and the great commission as missionaries to the world for Gods glory and their joy.

5. What is a local church according to the Bible? (Continued)Lets check out the components of the definition:Regenerated church membershipQualified leadershipGather for preaching and worshipSacraments (ordinances my addition) rightly administeredUnified by the SpiritDisciplined for holinessObey the great commandment to loveObey the great commission to evangelize and make disciples

6. For evaluation:Am I a Christian according to the Bibles description?Which church am I a part of, and is this the one for me?What does it mean to me to be part of my local church?What challenges need to be overcome for me to be a meaningful part of my local church?How can my local church be a benefit to me?How can I serve and bring benefit to my church and its people?How can I own and be part of my churchs mission?How can I show Biblical honor to the leaders of my church and help them in their work?