MEANINGFUL MEMBERSHIP           	Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  4-22-01 A.M.    			Acts 2:36-47    		
	What do you think of our culture today?  Are we "self-giving" or "self-centered"?  Do we live for 
the moment or live with "eternity's values in view"?  Are we "short range" or "long range".. do we want it NOW
and who cares about the future??  John F. Kennedy said it well.. "Ask not what your country can do for you,
ask rather what you can do for your country."  Let's apply that to the church of Christ..  What does Trinity 
expect?  What does the Lord Jesus expect from those who identify with His church? 
	Let's look at three basic qualities.... OF MEMBERS... 
I.  THAT THEY BE "RE-BORN".. 
  A. The New Birth Is Emphasized Over and Over... Jn.3:6,7,8; 1Pe.1:23; Gal.4:29; 1Jn.2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1,4,18 
    1. What It Means... "having new life.. spirit.. regenerated.. renewed.. restored.. 
    2. What Is "Church"? 
	- It is "Global" 
	- It is "Local" 
	   - It is "family", "body", "temple", "engaged", "bride" 
  B. The New Birth Is Essential To Christ's Church... 
    1. You Recognize your “sin”.. (Problem) 
	- All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.. Ro.3:23 
	- Wages of sin is death.. Ro.6:23a..  (That's Need Enough!!) 
    2. You Realize Your Savior.. (Provision) 
	- God Loves You A Lot!!  Jn.3:16 
	- God's Love Sent His Son to die for me.. for you.  Ro.5:8 
    3. You Receive Your Substitute.. (Propitiation).. Jesus!! 
	- By simple faith in Him... believe in Him..  Jn.3:36; 5:24.. 
	- By simple Action... prayer..  Ro.10:13
 ** WELL.. HAVE YOU BEEN "RE-BORN"? 
II.  THAT THEY BE "RESPONSIBLE".. (Answerable, accountable, able to distinguish between right and 
wrong, to think & act rationally, ready to assume obligations and duties, dependable, reliable, able to pay 
debts and meet business obligations..) 
  A. A Growth Process..  but to Grow.. one must be "healthy" 
    1. Need "food" (good food).. 
	- Jesus is the "bread of Life".. Jn.6:35 
	- Bible is both "milk" and "meat".. 
	   - Milk..  1Cor.3:2; Heb.5:12,13; 1Pe.2:2 
	   - Meat..  1Cor.3:2; Heb.5:12,14 
    2. Need "water".. 
	- Jesus is the "water of Life".. Jn.6:48 
    3. Need "exercise"..  discipline.. discipleship..  1Tim.4:7,8; Heb.5:14; 12:11 
  B. A Maturing Process.. 
    1. Willing to be accountable to others.. taking correction, instruction... help for our daily walk 
    2. Willing & able to distinguish between what is right and what is wrong..  Is.5:20-23; 
	- Or.. it dishonors Christ; it disgraces ones self; it discourages the church; it distances unbelievers
    3. Willing to think and act rationally.. not foolish or silly.. sensible.. you look to God and His Word for your 
	sense of bearing.. like a compass
 ** Responsible... in Time, Talent, and Tithe... 
III.  THAT THEY BE "REPRODUCING".. (bring into existence anew.. bring forth one or more other "individuals") 
  A. The Lord Jesus.. 
    1. The parable of the "seed and soil"..  (some 30, 60, 100 fold) Mt.13:23 
    2. The "vine and the branches"..  Jn.15:1-8 
    3. The "Great Commissions"..  Mt.; Mk.; Lu.; Jn.; Acts 
  B. The Early Christians.. 
    1. "Gossiping" the Gospel..  Acts 8:4.. (scattered by persecution) 
 C. The Apostle Paul.. 
    1. "Follow me as I follow the Lord.." Phil.3:17; 1Cor.4:16; 11:1; 1Thes.1:6; 2Thes.3:7 
    2. "Pass on what you have heard of me..."  2Tim.2:2 

WELCOME TO THE FELLOWSHIP of TRINITY CHRISTIAN UNION CHURCH... 
     WE EXPECT of YOU... AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU... WHO ARE "REBORN".. 
          TO BECOME "RESPONSIBLE".. AND "REPRODUCING" CHRISTIANS!!