CHURCH OF 4-H
(All my sermons use illustrations from sermoncentral.com and scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted)
As we recently had our county fair, I remembered my children being a part of the 4-H and the work they did to show their animals, and the projects they were going to do, but never seemed to get around to. I researched the 4-H and found that it was an organization designed to show young life skills through projects, activities and events that could help them become contributing, productive, self-directed members of society. The 4-H started back in 1914 and the 4H’s stand for HEAD, HEART, HANDS, & HEALTH. Reflecting on this great organization made me think about the church and the parallel between them. We have a HEAD in the church it is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, We have a HEART that is the people themselves, we have HANDS, those who serve in the capacities needed to keep the church a productive and contributing force in society, and the church needs HEALTH in order to stay this way.
There is a passage of scripture contained in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians that really applies to the 4-H’s of the church, HEAD. HEART. HANDS & HEALTH, and this morning I would ask that you turn with me to this passage. It is found in Ephesians 4, verses 1-16. I think Paul is attempting to unite the Ephesian church here and the words he uses are very helpful to our church as well. This is a passage, actually a chapter that every member of God’s church should read, this morning we will read verses 1-16.
Eph 4:1-16 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men." 9 (What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
PRAYER
Jesus Christ is the Head of the church, Paul tells us that right there in verse 15. He is the One who makes the Body possible. I have seen many a living body missing a part, but never a LIVING body missing a head. It is through the saving grace provided by Jesus that we become a part of the body, that alone makes us holy and blameless in the sight of God. EPH 1:4 tells us that this was God’s plan from the start to make us Holy in His sight through His Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph 1:4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.
Jesus is the HEAD, everything must grow in Him, everything we do, everything we say reflects on Him, we either bring Him glory through our actions or we bring him shame.
Addressing a national seminar of Southern Baptist Leaders, George Gallup said, “We find VERY little difference in ethical behavior between church-goers and those who are not active religiously . . . The levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkably similar in both groups. Eight out of ten Americans consider themselves Christian, Gallup said, yet only about half of them could identify the person who gave the Sermon on Mount, and fewer still could recall five out of the Ten commandments. Only two in ten said they were willing to suffer for their faith.
Although we are seen as HOLY and BLAMELESS in God’s eyes through the sacrifice of Jesus, we are far from perfect, AMEN? I know perfect is not a word I would use to describe myself or anybody else with the exception of our Lord. Jesus is perfect and the Christian should continue to work for the perfection we will find when we are finally united with Christ in heaven. Paul tells us in verse 7 “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.” This is not speaking of the saving grace ALL Christians receive when they enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. This is an equipping grace, the grace that was given to Paul to become a great preacher and missionary to the Gentiles in spite of the years he was a persecutor of them. This is an equipping grace that each Christian is given as Christ apportions it, in order that the body might work well, and if each Christian is using this grace to accomplish God’s will the body will work well.
That brings us to the HEART, if Christ is the HEAD, the church people are the HEART of the body. Yet, if the body is to be strong, not only must the HEAD be Jesus, the HEART must be working well. A HEART that is not working the way it should will create all kinds of problems for the body. The HEART must have HARMONY.
. Eph 4:2-6 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
These verses describe HARMONY, they describe many parts, singing one song and making beautiful music. It describes people being humble and good to one another, it describes people having patience with one another and accepting each other.
A few years ago, back in 1990, the USA was involved in what was known as the Persian Gulf War. Troops took on the Iraqi forces out in the desert of Kuwait. In those two months, January and February, the USA won an outstanding victory, and had relatively few casualties. One of the interesting things about that war was that the majority of our troops weren’t injured or killed by the enemy. They were the victims of what is called “friendly fire,” from artillery. Friendly fire is where you are hit by ammunition by your own troops. In other words, it’s where your own soldiers become your worst enemy. You can’t prepare for it, and you never see it coming. Right now in the church today, our biggest enemies aren’t from outside, they’re from within. The weapons that are used aren’t rifles and missiles. It’s our own words and attitudes. A lot of fellow church members are seriously wounded because the results of friendly fire. Non-believers avoid some of our churches because they know they’ll be landing in the middle of a war zone.
How many of our church folk become victims of friendly fire? How many times have you been a victim of friendly fire? More important, how many times have you attacked a fellow brother or sister with friendly fire?
This passage tells of a Heart with Harmony, people who have a proper perspective, and a correct attitude, they are not SELF centered but others centered and they are giving ALL the glory to God. These are a people that are NOT weak but have controlled strength, they display restraint and strive to be considerate. This is a church that waits on God’s timing and are patient with others when they TRY us. They have a reluctance to avenge wrong doings and allow God to take care of it. This is a church that understands that ALL of God’s children are different, they are a people that bear with the faults and idiosyncracies of others, BECAUSE they know they have their own set of faults and quirks and understand that God loves us ALL. A church that is not working like this is ineffective.
In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy demands that Linus change TV channels and then threatens him with her fist if he doesn’t. "What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?" asks Linus. "These five fingers," says Lucy. "Individually they are nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold." "What channel do you want?" asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, "Why can’t you guys get organized like that?"
When the church is organized and has harmony there is nothing we cannot do. This is the HEART that allows the body to be effective, with CHRIST as the HEAD and a harmonious HEART the body is strong.
But let us now look at the HANDS of the body, those that will do the HARD WORK. Paul tells us this: Eph 4:11-13 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Paul talks about the church as a whole and then speaks of the individuals and gifts-by-grace and resumes his train of thought after speaking of the ascent and descent of Christ, but that was a necessary diversion of his thought because he needed to stress that none other than the exalted Lord can endow His people with these grace gifts. Now Paul might have given a list here, but instead speaks only of some who have received these gifts; apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. Paul tells us that they are placed in these roles to PREPARE (God’s people) the church for WORKS of service.
It is unfortunate that there is such a huge harvest field and so few workers. We as God’s people could do so much more than we are. I think that many of us have worked very hard and need a rest, but there is so little time. I believe that many people feel the call of God to do more for His church, but they hope inside that if they ignore the call of God, someone else will do the work.
Elmer Towns tells about a member of a motorcycle gang who was converted to Jesus Christ dramatically and the first Sunday he did the only thing he knew he should do and so he went to church. Nobody in the church knew him and he walked down to the second aisle and sat in the seat. And the people stared because he looked the part; big burly, bearded, long hair, black jacket, tattoos. It came announcement time and the minister got up and made an appeal for nursery workers. He said, “We need someone to work in the nursery.” But no one would volunteer. He asked a second time, “We really need someone to go be with our kids.” But no one would volunteer. And the cyclist prayed, “Lord, I want to do what you want me to do and if you want me to go work in nursery just have the preacher ask a third time.” And a third time the preacher said, “Please we need someone to work in the nursery.” And the cyclist raised his hand, nodded his head and started toward the nursery. And immediately 50 mothers followed volunteering to work in the nursery.
We need to be the HANDS of the church, the tools of the work table of the Master. It is the people of the church, living and working in HARMONY that allows the world to see the HOLY witness God wants and allows Him to be glorified. I think that if we don’t have these things in place the church will die.
An artist was once asked to put on canvas what he considered to be the picture best symbolizing a decaying and dying church. After several months, he returned and reported that he had finished the task. The hour finally arrived when the painting was to be unveiled and Several people standing around the easel had already given their description of what they thought the church would look like. Some had said it would be a rundown building in great need of repair and paint. Weeds would be growing in the church yard, and there would be some broken window panes. Everyone in the group seemed to have a similar picture in mind. However, when the cloth was removed, a hush fell over the group. Everyone was stunned. Before their eyes was an absolutely beautiful church building. The grounds were well kept and the exterior of the building was in excellent condition. After a few minutes, one person stepped forward and said to the artist, "I thought we asked you to paint a dying church?"
The artist smiled and invited everyone to step closer to the painting. He pointed through the windows to the empty pews and the lack of all activity. There were Cobwebs because the building was not being used for anything other then service and bible study. This church was not being used to glorify God through ministry and therefore was in decay and dying. Without workers the mission of the church is not carried out and the church is purposeless and dead.
Unfortunately, many will sit and hope that someone else will do the work that needs to be done, tying the HANDS of the body and rendering the church ineffective.
Let me share story with you about some church people… It’s about 4 people in the church whose names were Everybody, Somebody, Anybody, and Nobody…
The church had some financial responsibilities and Everybody was asked to help… Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it… Anybody could have done it… But you know who did it? Nobody… It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have done…
Then the church grounds needed some work, and Somebody was asked to help… But Somebody got mad, because Anybody could have done it, and after all, it was really Everybody’s job… In the end the work was given to Nobody, and Nobody did a fine job…
On & on it went… Whenever work was to be done, Nobody could always be counted on… Nobody visited the sick, Nobody gave his time, Nobody shared his faith… In short, Nobody was a very faithful member…
Finally the day came when Somebody left the church and took Anybody & Everybody with him… Guess who was left. Nobody! Isn’t that a sad story
The HANDS of the church are those who are willing to serve and that brings us to HEALTH.
HEALTH - the signs of a Healthy church
Eph 4:13-16 attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Our goal as a church is to be a healthy church and I believe Paul shows us that a healthy church is a mature church, one that has attained the fullness of Christ. A church that is willing to speak the TRUTH, one that does not veer from the scripture in anyway. The TRUTH sometimes hurts, but it was designed to set us free from the bondage of sin. It needs to be presented with Love and not with condemnation for there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. A healthy church is one that can withstand the attacks of false teachings and those that would twist the truth for their own personal gain.
Folks there are many who still twist God’s Word to meet their own needs. There are those who are cunning and crafty, who will cheat and those who will stop at nothing to achieve their own personal agenda. Barclay says the dangerous teachings and actions of these men is to be traced in “the slick cleverness of men, craftily calculated to lead us astray.” There goal is to take us away from what we should be focused on and instead to focus on something that will bring them glory and recognition. It is our goal as a church to never allow this to happen. Instead to grow up into Christ who is the Head of the church and the One out of whom the church displays itself in love. With the support of each member doing his or her job the church grows in maturity. It is ONLY when everyone is working properly that the church receives the support it needs. Calvin once said, “If we want to be considered members of Christ, let no man be anything for himself, but let us all be whatever we are for the benefit of each other.”
We want our church to be alive and well, HEALTHY and vibrant.
LIVE CHURCHES VERSE DEAD CHURCHES!
Live churches constantly change, --- dead churches resist and refuse change...
Live churches love to try, dead churches feel they don’t have to...
Live churches have youth that are noisy and can’t be still, dead churches are very quiet...
Live churches have people problems, dead churches float with the current...
Live churches need money and take many special offerings, dead churches focus on their savings...
Live churches have dirt and garbage, dead churches seem to just fight dust...
Live churches are never satisfied and dream of improvement, dead churches tell it like it used to be...
Live churches move in faith, dead churches have to see it first...
Live churches are filled with givers and doers, dead churches have tippers and dippers...
Live churches make mistakes and learn, dead churches have clean stalls...
Live churches are passing the dead churches that say it can’t be done...
Live churches try and try again, dead churches say we never did it that way before...
Live churches reach out to sinners and backsliders with personal evangelization,
dead churches are paralyzed and fossilized.
Live churches are better, dead churches are BITTER.
Father in heaven, MAKE OUR CHURCH ALIVE!
The 4-H church has
HEAD - Christ who makes us HOLY and give us grace gifts
HEART - the body of believers together in HARMONY
HANDS - it is God’s people that must carry out the work of the church,
HEALTH - a healthy church is one that has matured into the HEAD, which is Christ and is able to withstand the onslaught of men who would take it apart for their own personal gain.
I pray this morning, that we can be a church with 4-H.
INVITATION
