Text:    1 Corinthians 12:12-31

Sermon in a prayer:  Church membership should be organic and not organizational.  

Two types of membership at Northwest Chapel—

#1 Community Membership—a commitment to make Northwest Chapel your church home and to share together with us in spiritual community.  This membership must be renewed every six months.

#2 Covenant Membership—a commitment to the journey of Christian discipleship in covenant with the members and leaders of Northwest Chapel.  This membership must be reaffirmed every year.

Four observations about the concept of "membership" in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 and beyond—

I.       The Body of Christ on earth is made up of individual "members" who are connected   together in an "organic" spiritual unity—verses 12-14.

II.      This organic spiritual unity overcomes our distinctions and differences and brings us into a state of interdependence—verses 15-24.

III.     This organic spiritual unity lays the foundation for. . .

         A.  Caring for one another—verses 25-26. 

         B.  Serving in Christ's name—verses 27-31.

IV.    The Body of Christ on earth assembles together in individual congregations to carry out His will.

         A.  1 Corinthians 5:4.

         B.  1 Corinthians 11:18, 20.

         C.  1 Corinthians 14:23.