A Functioning Church

Illustration “Don’t Join That Church” A poem

There is no perfect Church

You know, its come to my attention that there are people talking about us and our church

I don’t know how many times people in the community have said in sort of a snide way

“O, you’re the pastor of that church”.

Like they knew all about us

And how bad things are for us over here

Up to this point, I felt like it was best to just let them go on living with their vain imaginations

My wife however has been setting an example for me recently and I have changed my mind

She got hold of something brother Ron Said in his last sermon

And when confronted by a well intended believer who offered condolences for our situation at Grace

She responded – My you have been misinformed God is still on the throne and Grace Assembly is filled with people who love God

Who love each other

And who have a purpose as a church

I believe –from this moment forward we need to proclaim to the world

That God has healed our church

And though we are not perfect

Jesus is here by his presence and we are headed the right direction

This morning I want to exhort the church

1 Tim. 3:14-15

Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

1. We are God’s Household

2. The church of the living God

3. The pillar and foundation of truth

Prayer

We Are God’s Household

When I was first save we used to sing a song

I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His blood

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this Sod

I’m a part of the family – the family of God.

I don’t know what your family was like growing up

But there are few people who had a perfect family

I ran across this little list the other day . It might have helped my family as we wer growing up

Ten Commandments for family Sanity

1. If you sleep on it - make it up.

2. If you wear it - hang it up.

3. If you drop it - pick it up.

4. If you eat out of it - put it in the sink.

5. If you step on it - wipe it off.

6. If you open it - close it.

7. If you empty it - fill it up.

8. If it rings - answer it.

9. If it howls - feed it.

10. If it cries - love it.

Just as there is no perfect family

There is no perfect church family either

We could sometimes use those same commandments around here.

If you sleep on it - make it up.

If you open it - close it.

If you empty it - fill it up.

We are called a family

How close is the correlation between real family and the church family

According to a study done of more than 500 family counselors, the following are the top 3 traits of successful families:

• Love

• Communication

• Commitment

1. Families are built on love and everything that goes with it

A minister was speaking to the Sunday school about the things money can’t buy.

“It can’t buy laughter and it can’t buy love”

he told them. Driving his point home he said,

“What would you do if I offered you $1,000 not to love your mother and father?”

Stunned silence ensued. Finally a small voice queried,

“How much would you give me not to love my big sister?”

As I said, Families are built on love and everything that goes with it

The church also needs to be built on love and everything that goes with it

John 13:35

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Jesus here is talking about brotherly love

But it is in context of His Agape love, his unconditional love

John 13:34

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Our love for family members in the Body of Christ is based upon, and in fact is enabled by Christ’s sacrificial love for us

He loved us

While we were estranged from Him

He loved us

While we were yet sinners

He loved us

And gave his life for us

So that we could do likewise

I want to read a key verse that explains the motivation for this kind of love