Outline Ephesians 5:25-33 Intro: Is Church Membership essential? A. Generation ago? “We want the Man, but not the plan.” B. Today? “Yes to the Jesus; No to the Church.” C. There are many that think they can have a relationship with Jesus and simply discard the Church. D. The question is: is Church membership essential? E. Acts 20:28– “(Jesus) purchased the church with His own blood.“ F. Ephesians 5:25–“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her.” G. Jesus 1–purchased the Church, 2–with His blood, 3–loved the Church and 4–compared marital love to the love He had for the Church. H. How can anyone think he can have a relationship with Jesus and discard the Church? I. Can one be saved outside the Church? (Acts 2:47) J. Notice: They did not join the Church but were added to the Church after baptism. K. Nowhere did the Lord promise to save those who were outside the Church. L. How can the Elders shepherd the Church if the sheep aren’t a part of the flock? M. The Apostle Paul gives us a great example of being a member of the local church in Jerusalem (Acts 9:26). I. If you say “yes” to Jesus, you must say “yes” to His Church. J. If you want the “man,” you must also want the “plan.” Concl: The plan involves the Church. Scriptures Referenced Acts 20:28Ephesians 5:25Acts 2:47Acts 9:26