“A PLACE TO BELONG”
Message 18, Day 17 in the Series based on Rick Warren’s The Purpose Driven Life
Rev. Todd G. Leupold, BBC, AM, August 22, 2004
INTRODUCTION:
Please allow me to take the next few minutes to tell you about several people – people you may even know. First, I’d like to introduce you to Joe. Joe has been a Christian for as long as he can remember. He grew up in a wonderful Bible-preaching church, accepted Jesus as His personal Lord and Savior, committed His life to Him as a child and has seemingly never wandered. Joe is quite the scholar. His knowledge of the Bible and ability to quote an endless array of Scripture verses is astounding. Even in his secular job, he is a highly successful, respected and well known professional. Joe is happily married has 2.5 children and a dog named “Spike.” Everybody seems to look up at Joe and yet those who haven’t gotten to know him well on a personal level just may be intimidated by his knowledge of the Bible, godly example and deep relationship with Jesus. They keep their distance so as avoid comparisons. Some even whisper unfounded accusations to try to bring his image down to their own level. This sometimes leaves even Joe to wonder: “Do I really belong here?” “Is there something wrong with me?”
I’d also like to tell you about my friend Bo, who recently became a Christian. He grew up in a home that never really went to church or was concerned with spiritual things. For forty years Bo lived as the world taught him to live – do whatever feels good to you, say whatever you want or think you need to get off your chest, show the world that you are independent and don’t need anybody or anything. Bo never learned how one should really treat, interact, connect with others. He is a new creation in Christ, but he still has a lot of rough edges and is just now learning the destructiveness and immorality of his habits for the last 40 years. He wants to live for Jesus now and learn to be a godly man. But it is a struggle to figure this all out, get used to it. Bo loves coming to church, Sunday School, small groups and to volunteer in various ministries. But, recently, Bo has been having some second thoughts. Not about Jesus, but about church. Everybody else seems to already have their act together, speak the same Christianese dialect, and know just what to do or not do or say in every situation. They already have their own group of friends and relationships who they are comfortable with, but they don’t seem to know what to say or do around Bo. Bo can’t help but wonder: “Do I really belong here? Maybe I’m just in the way? Am I distracting, bothering or bringing the others down? I don’t think I really fit in here.” Do you know Bo?
Then there is Suzie. Suzie is a wonderful woman and has been a member here for quite some time, but her husband isn’t saved. Tragically, Suzie’s husband recently left her and the children to try to re-live an idealized life with a younger woman, no kids and no rules. Ever since people found out that her husband left her, Suzie has noticed that they have started to treat her differently. They have suddenly distanced themselves and even seem to look at her differently. Some of them just don’t know what to say and so they say nothing. Some feel uncomfortable around her, afraid to do or say the wrong thing, so they just avoid her so that they don’t have to be uncomfortable. For the first time, Suzie is beginning to wonder: “Do I belong here anymore? Is there still a place for me here?”
Betsy is a single mom. It doesn’t really matter why she is single – it could be that she was never married, is divorced, widowed or something else. There is so much that Betsy loves and appreciates about the church, but when she looks around she doesn’t notice too many other single parents or even just plain singles. It seems like everybody else is happily married. This isn’t really accurate, but it sure seems that way when you’re single. Lots of people seem to feel sorry for her, but Betsy doesn’t want them to just feel sorry for her, she wants them to be her friend. Betsy wonders: “Do I really belong here? Is there a place for me?”
Hank retired from his job some years ago and his wife recently died. Hank used to be very involved in various ministries of the church, but when he retired from his job he retired from that too. He figured that he had already “done his time.” Occasionally he would hear or read others say that a Christian never retires from serving God and His church. Hank has thought about doing more again, but every time he looks around there are more and more young faces taking the positions he last held. Society and the church are changing in ways he doesn’t always understand or like. At the same time, it seems like nearly all his friends have either retired to Heaven or moved away. Hank has been here at least 50 years, so he’s not going anywhere. But still he struggles and wonders: “Do I really belong here anymore? Is there still a place for an old man like me?”
Samantha is a typical teenager, or what I like to call a “Tweenager.” Like all teenagers, Samantha is struggling to find her identity and purpose now that she is no longer a child and has the body of a young adult but does not yet have the emotional maturity, legal or social standing of an adult. Samantha loves Jesus and her church. She gets a lot out of youth group but sometimes feels like she is no longer part of the rest of the church. So many of the adults no longer seem to know what to say or do with her. To some she’s still that adorable little girl with the pigtails they had in Sunday School. To others she’s just another one of those “weird teenagers,” an enigma. She hears others complain about how her and the other teenagers always seem to keep to themselves and don’t want to be a part of or appreciate anything else. Sam wishes they could remember being a teenager. She wishes that they would understand that she doesn’t withdraw because she wants to, but because she feels like they want her to. Sam, who group up in this church her whole life and always considered it a second home, is now wondering: “Do I really belong here anymore? Is there a place here for me or do I have to be a child or adult to belong?”
Just what does it mean to belong? How do you know? Is it based on a certificate or license? Rooting for the same team? Sharing a common school/company/occupation? Do you earn it through accomplishments? Are you born into it? Is it just as simple and shallow as the old theme song to “Cheers”: “Where everybody knows your name”?
PRAYER
MEMORY VERSE: EPHESIANS 2:19: Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God
PROPOSITION: “The Christian life is more than just commitment to Christ; it includes a commitment to other Christians.” – Rick Warren
The Christian faith is not a private faith; it is a communal life together - Me.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELONG?
To belong is to be in the Body of Christ. There is nothing more important, valuable or eternal than belonging to God’s Family. our personal spiritual growth depends on our being an active member of Christ’s Body – the local church. No matter how long you’ve been a Christian, whether you are a Joe, Bo, Suzie, Betsy, Hank, Samantha or Someone Else, none of us will ever outgrow our need for the family of God!
POWER POINT: The Christian faith is not a private faith, it is a communal life together.
How do we achieve this? What does it mean to belong to the Body of Christ?
I.BEING BOUND TOGETHER FOREVER
A.)Alive Together Ephesians 2:8-10 page 1147
Once saved, we are not only made alive, but we are spiritually “re-made.” We are a “new creation in Christ.”
“Workmanship” (poiema) refers to anything created, with an artistic connotation. We (the redeemed) are God’s new creation, His masterpiece, His poem and crowning achievement!
Further, we are “alive together” in order that we might “do God’s good works.” These works are the very purpose for which we were saved, “re-created,” and assembled as a local church.
B.)Built Together Ephesians 2:19-22 same page
“members of the household of God”
In God’s family, we are in deep, tender and meaningful relationship with our Father and with each other (1 Timothy 5:1-2)!
Family is a place where each is accepted for who they are and encouraged to be who God created them to be – celebrating the similarities and the differences.
“having been built”
Now, in Christ, God has created a new “race,” a new people that transcends tribes, biological succession, and geographical boundaries.
A new temple is needed, and the Lord has declared that to be encompassed by the community of believers themselves. This new temple would be built upon three elements:
1.“on the foundation of the apostles and prophets”
The foundation is the teaching of the apostles and prophets – the New Testament Scriptures.
If the Word is not taught, or if it is watered-down, distorted or neglected the foundation will crumble and with it the whole building!
2.“Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone”
The cornerstone is the capstone that holds the whole structure together.
All other stones had to be adjusted to the Cornerstone.
3.“in whom the whole building being fitted together, grows”
In Roman construction, the laborers (often slaves) would painstakingly have to turn and maneuver large blocks of stone until the appropriate ones fit together perfectly.
That is how God wants us to be in His church!
Only, rather than dead, inanimate stones, we are living and growing (1 Pt. 2:4-5)
POWER POINT: The Christian faith is not a private faith, it is a communal life together.
C.)Knit Together Colossians 2:19 page 1156
Same idea, only instead of a building illustration, think of how your body is all knit together with muscle and sinew.
Are we so intertwined in our relationship with one another?
D.)In Eternal Community 1 Thess. 4:17-18a page 1160
This new community or family that God has brought us into is eternal – forever! That means we all better start getting to know and used to each other now!
POWER POINT: The Christian faith is not a private faith, it is a communal life together.
II.PRIVILEGED MEMBERS OF ONE BODY
A.)Each a Part , NOT A Whole Romans 12:3-6b page 1114
Cookie Illustration (adapted from Wesley Bishop): I have before me a jar. In this jar are some de-licious chocolate chip cookies. Mmmm-mmm! Anybody like chocolate chip cookies? No other cookies are quite like it. They come in all shapes and sizes, but they are very similar in how they are made. There is the flour, sugar, butter, eggs, vanilla and – of course – chocolate chips. All of these ingredients work together to form the chocolate chip cookie. Now, some of these ingredients we may like or use more than others. But tell me, is any of these ingredients unimportant? (pause) What if we just left out the flour because it’s just too powdery and messy? Or the sugar because it’s too sweet? The eggs because they could have salmonella and not get cooked right? Etc. . .
In the same way, church is made up of very different individual parts and each is
essential to the whole!
B.)Belonging to Christ 1 Co. 12: 12-13 page 1127
He is the Head of the Body, the Owner & Coach of the Team, the King of the Kingdom and the Father of the Household.
C.)Body Parts Are Interdependent 1 Co. 12:14-27 same page
I think it is safe to say that most if not all of us have been caught up with the Olympic Fever. Perhaps and sadly one of the biggest stories of the Olympics has been the terrible play of the USA Men’s Basketball Team. Nobody disputes that they are by far the quickest, most athletic and skilled team in the world. And yet, they have been making a habit out of embarrassing themselves by struggling and even losing against far inferior teams. Why? The near-unanimous consensus is because all of these star NBA players keep trying to play as individuals – independent of the rest of the team. Only recently have they begun to show signs of interdependence and, not coincidentally, are playing better as they do so. You see, no matter the activity, everyone on the team is important. Every player needs to be working together to get the job done. It is only through a combined effort that a team will experience success. It’s the coach and the players, but also the trainer, statistician, film guy, waterboy, maintenance, scheduler, everyone. The same is true in the church!
POWER POINT: The Christian faith is not a private faith, it is a communal life together.
1.All belong. vv. 14-16
2.All are needed. vv. 17-24
We spend way too much time and energy comparing “parts” and functions. They are ALL important and necessary to the others. As someone pointed out: “The foot may not be able to run up and down the piano reproducing the music of Mozart, but without the feet, the hands will never get to the piano.”
The human body does not exist to meet the needs of the hand. The hand exists to meet the needs of the body and in doing so gets its own needs met. The Church (Body of Christ) does not exist to meet our needs. We exist to carry out the work of the Body.
General Eisenhower once rebuked one of his Generals for referring to a soldier as “just a Private.” He reminded him that the Army could function better without its Generals than it could without its foot soldiers. “If this war is won,” he said, “it will be won by Privates.” In the same way, the common, ordinary, one-talent Christians are the very backbone of the church. We have our great evangelists, our super congregations led by dynamic elders, and our wealthy givers who are able to finance great works. But, if the work of the Lord is to be done, if the gospel is to be taken to the lost, it will be the “ordinary” Christians who will do it.
3.All share. vv. 25-27
a.in caring/helping
+ How often have you heard someone complain or ask, “Why doesn’t the church do more to meet people’s needs?” - usually referring to their own needs? I’ll let you in on the secret: When people stop sitting in the pew or standing around the halls saying, ‘They’re not meeting my needs’ and start saying, ‘Whose needs can I meet?’, then needs will be met.
+ As Zig Ziglar is fond of saying, “You can have everything in life you want if
you will just help enough other people get what they want."
b.in suffering
c.in rejoicing
III.REAPING THE BENEFITS OF BIBLICAL FELLOWSHIP
A.)Express Your Primary Identity
John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another.”
17:20-21
(Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there
is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”)
B.)Experience Connected Community
1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
POWER POINT: The Christian faith is not a private faith, it is a communal life together.
C.)Enlarge Your Spiritual Muscles
Ephesians 4:16 “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every
joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part
does its share, causes growth of the body for edifying of itself in love.
(Hebrews 10:24-25)
Vince Lombardi tells what it takes to make a winning team: “There are a lot of coaches with good ball clubs who know the fundamentals and have plenty of discipline but still don’t win the game. Then you come to the third ingredient: if you’re going to play together as a team, you’ve got to care for one another. You’ve got to love each other. Each player has to be thinking about the next guy and saying to himself, ‘If I don’t block that man, Paul is going to get his legs broken. I have to do my job well in order that he can do his.’ The difference between mediocrity and greatness is the feeling these guys have for each other.”
In the healthy church, each Christian learns to care for others. As we take seriously Jesus’ command to “love one another,” we contribute to a winning team!
D.)Extend Your Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the
profit of all”
Will you “get in the game?”
E.)Expand Christ’s Kingdom
(Ephesians 2:10)
Acts 2:42-47
F.)Be Encouraged To Keep The Faith
Hebrews 3:13 “But exhort one another daily while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you
be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
(James 5:19)
POWER POINT: The Christian faith is not a private faith, it is a communal life together.
“SOMEONE ELSE”
Let me wrap this up with a tragic announcement. I know that we have all been saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our church’s most valuable members -- Someone Else. Someone’s passing created a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years, and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than the normal person’s share of the work. Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results. Someone Else can work with that group. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone’s lips, "Let Someone Else do it". It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the largest givers in the church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed that Someone Else would make up the difference. Someone Else was a wonderful person, sometimes appearing super-human, but a person can only do so much. Were the truth known, everyone expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone. We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did? Remember, we can’t depend on Someone Else anymore.
Do you Belong? Absolutely!
Is there a place, even a role, here for you? Absolutely – but you have to choose to claim and fulfill it!
APPLICATION:
1.If you haven’t already, will you actively discover your role as part of BBC?
2.Will you make an extra effort to build relationships with your family members at BBC?
3.Are you as committed to others here as you are to Jesus Christ?
4.If not already, would you consider committing to be a member of BBC?
Point to Ponder: I am called to belong, not just believe.
Question to Consider: Does my level of involvement in my local church demonstrate that I love and am committed to God’s family? (repeat)
POWER POINT: The Christian faith is not a private faith, it is a communal life together.
PRAYER
ALTAR CALL
