(Show video - The Church)
In our passage for today, Paul tells of a love relationship that makes an eternal difference. It is a love relationship with the God of the universe, Jesus Christ. Let’s consider what Paul tells us here about the difference Jesus makes.
Verse 13 is the pivotal verse in this passage (Read Verse 13). In the verses preceding, Paul tells us what life is like without Christ and in the verses following, he tells us what life is like with Christ. Let’s notice what he has to say about the difference Jesus makes.
1. Without Christ - vs. 11-12
A. I am without help - v. 12a
Paul explains how these Gentile believers were cut off from any help in this world. He speaks of them being “separated” and “excluded.”
The same is true for too many today as well. They find themselves alone, even when they are in a crowd. This world is filled with lonely, hurting people.
Two psychiatrists met at their 20th college reunion. One looked as though he had just graduated. The other appeared weary, worn, and much older than his colleague. The aged one asked, "What’s your secret? Listening to other people’s problems every day for all of these years has made an old man oat of me." The spry looking doctor replied, "Who listens?"
Were it not for the credentials of the Associated Press this might sound like something from a notorious tabloid. On March 17, 1992 an 84 year old woman was found dead on her balcony in Stockholm, Sweden. She was sitting in a chair, dressed in a coat and hat with her forehead leaning against the railing. Upon further research it has been learned that she may have died as early as New Year’s Eve while sitting on her balcony watching fireworks. Just inside the door of her apartment, policemen found untouched newspapers that dated back to the beginning of January.
(In Sweden, papers are delivered to apartments through the mail slot in the door. Margaretha Marsellas, a neighbor, realized something was wrong when she saw the woman on the balcony around the clock despite freezing temperatures.
This story graphically illustrates the kind of world we live in. it is a lonely world, where, too often, many live in isolation from one another, living quiet, helpless lives. But Christ can make a difference!
Without Christ, I am without help and . . .
B. I am without hope - v. 12b
Without Christ, I am without hope for today.
A hydroelectric dam was to be built across a valley in Maine. The people in the town were to be relocated and the town would be submerged. During the interim time between making the final decision and actually evacuating the people, the town, which had once been a well-kept place, fell into disrepair. The townspeople saw no reason for maintaining their town. One resident said, "Where there is no faith in the future, there is no work in the present.” We must have some hope for the future. With Jesus Christ, there is always hope!
2) Without Christ, I am without hope for eternity.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you.” - 1 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV)
One year, Ben Wofford caught a bass worth $21,786 at the Texas Bass Championship Tournament on Lake Conroe. His 7.64 pound fish was the fourth largest fish overall but according to Rule Number 6, Ben’s fish didn’t qualify. The fish was fine but Ben wasn’t. Rule 6 clearly stated all contestants must wear the official tournament hat they were issued at check-in. Ben opted instead to wear his “lucky” cap and left the tournament cap in his partner’s truck. Because of Ben’s small error he was denied any prize money.
The Bible is clear, salvation requires identification with Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord - you must wear His hat. Unfortunately, though, many feel their “lucky” cap is a better option and they end up forfeiting the greatest prize of all - eternal life.
Without Christ, I am without help and without hope. But . . .
2. With Christ - vs. 14-22
A. I have a new family - vs. 14-18
When one comes to Christ, he is born into the family of God. In Christ, each of us, despite our differences, have this one thing in common - our spiritual parentage - v. 18.
I wonder, how to think of your church? Do you think of your church as family or something else?
(Share video - Deep thoughts From A Shallow Christian)
No, our church is more than what was portrayed in that video clip! We are brothers and sisters in Christ! Since this is true, it ought to impact the way we relate to one another. How committed are you to the family of God?
(Share video - Family Core Values)
“I hope to visit you soon. But I am writing these instructions, so that if I am delayed, you will know how everyone who belongs to God’s family ought to behave.” - 1 Timothy 3:14-15 (CEV)
If we would think of our church as being family, it will make a great deal of difference in how we relate to one another.
B. I have a new focus - vs. 19-22
Note especially verse 21-22. My focus in life should now be upon my walk with God as experienced within the fellowship of God’s family.
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” - Romans 15:5-7 (NIV)
“[Come] and, like living stones, be yourselves built [into] a spiritual house, for a holy (dedicated, consecrated) priesthood, to offer up [those] spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ.” - 1 Peter 2:5 (Amplified)
In addition to the references to the church as being God’s family, Paul in this epistle (Ephesians 5:22-27) refers to it as Christ’s bride. Now, this imagery of the church helps us to understand that my relationship to Christ will be reflected in my relationship with His bride.
The fact is that if you don’t want to accept my wife, you are not going to have a very good relationship with me, and visa versa. It is the same with Christ and His church. As one who has a personal relationship with Christ, I must understand that He calls me to grow in my relationship with Him through being in a committed relationship with His bride, His family, the church. If I am going to experience the life of God, it will be within the context of my involvement with and commitment to his church.
“In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.” - Ephesians 2:22 (Amplified)
This means that we must be open to growing through our involvement in our church and to seeing our church grow, too. This will mean that we must be open to seeing change take place in our lives as well as in the life of our church.
A man celebrating his 100th birthday was asked by a reporter, “I suppose you’ve seen a lot of changes in your day?” “Yes,” said the centenarian, “and I’ve been against every one of them.”
I think that I shall never see, a church that’s all it ought to be; a church whose members never stray, beyond the straight and narrow way. A church that has no empty pews, whose pastor never has the blues. A church whose deacons always speak, and none is proud and all are meek. Such perfect churches there may be, but none of them are known to me. But still, we’ll work and pray and plan to make our own the best we can.
Conclusion: Without Christ, we were without help and without hope. With Christ, we now have a new family which should be the focal point of our life in Christ; for it is within the context of the family of God that we receive the help and hope which Christ alone supplies!
That is God’s intention for His church - for our church. But if that is what our church is going to be, I must commit myself to doing my part to see my church be all God calls it to be.
I am your church. Make of me what you will. I shall reflect you as clearly as a mirror. If outwardly my appearance is pleasing and inviting, it is because you made me so. If within my spiritual atmosphere is kindly, yet earnest; reverent, yet friendly; worshipful, yet sincere; sympathetic, yet strong; divine, yet humanly expressed; it is but the manifestation of the spirit of those who constitute my membership.
But if you should, by chance, find me a bit cold and dull, I beg of you not to condemn me, for I show forth the only kind of life I shall receive from you. I have no life or spirit apart from you. Of this may you always be assured: I will respond instantly to your every wish practically expressed, for I am the reflected image of your own soul. Make of me what you will. I am your church.
(Show video - Honest Church)
The church is suffering from a perception problem. First, there is a problem with the world’s perception of the church as being fake and irrelevant. Then, there is the problem of the believer’s perception of the church as being something other than what God intends for it to be - a family. Let’s change our perception of the church. It is God’s family - a place through which I can give and receive the help and hope Christ gives. Once we begin to see each other and treat each other as family, the world’s perception will change, too.
