Church: Getting Down to Business
Hebrews 13:15-17.
The business of the Church is the most important business in the world. I believe that, not because it is my line of work, but because it is eternal and spiritual.
Our roles in the Church business, however, is secondary if we are building on the rock. Christ is the foundation and the head of the Church.
Sometimes we may falsely view the Church as a "them sandwich". Think about it. What is the difference in a bologna sandwich and a steak sandwich? The substance in the middle.
We see Jesus as the foundation of the Church and the head of the Church. Where do we fit in? We falsely believe we are the bologna or the steak.
But Ephesians 4:4-6 describes the Church sandwich. "There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call-- one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."
The Church is not a "me sandwich". Jesus is in all and through all. He is the featured one.
Ill. It's a lot like the boy who was on vacation at the beach and built a beautiful sand castle. A bully came by and kicked the castle down, laughing at the boy's screams.
The next day, the boy found a concrete block and built the castle on the rock. He left the beach that day laughing at the bully's screams as his destructive ways met an constructable force. (unknown)
Jesus is the head of the Church, the foundation of the Church and is all through and through. In the Church sandwich, we are simply the lettuce. We offer little substance, little taste and just fill space. (I have little regard for lettuce, I guess you notice).
Jesus is the bread of life that makes the sandwich and the featured flavor that gives it value.
The book of Hebrews is a deep theological dissertation by an unidentified writer. However, like all of the books of the Bible, it is not written as simply a thesis. There is always something practical out of every theological presentation in the Bible. There is always a "therefore" to every point, something for us to follow in our lives.
After covering some very important topics about how Jesus is more important than anything in this life and a description of what He did to sanctify us, then comes this "therefore".
Let's get busy. Let's get to work. Let's get down to the business at hand. In this passage, the writer shows us, the Church members, how to get down to business.
Heb 13:15-17 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
For convenience, let's break this passage down into three imperatives or commands. Each one represents the sacrifice that our Savior expects and calls for in His great sacrifice.
Heb 13:15 Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.
I. The Sacrifice of Conversation.
Through Him (Who is "Him"?). That is answered in proceeding verses.
Heb 13:12-13 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood. 13 Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.
...continually offer...- The point: Our command reaches beyond our weekly services.
...sacrifice of praise... - ref. 12-13, even to ...bear the reproach he endured...
If you are going to live for Jesus, seriously sharing the message, it will cost you.
He even defines what the sacrifice of praise with us so wealth and health prosperity preachers can't distort it.
...the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.... Just living a "good example" is not enough.
Dropping Christian rhetoric into a conversation is not what God had in mind. Being here at Church is not enough. God wants us to continually speak of Him in all we say and do. This is how He has called us to do His business.
Heb 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
II. The Sacrifice of Capital
It is important that this is on the list, but do not forget that this is second on the list. This is our primary business, but is still not to be neglected. It is secondary to testifying the message, but very important.
Two things are mentioned in this sacrifice.
A. Doing Good. ...Do not neglect to do good...
Part of our mission will always be to reach into the community with service. As we zero-in on how God wants us to administrate this Church, we will always focus on what we can do to be His hands, feet, mouth and heart in Eula.
God has really put this on our people's hearts at this time. There is much talk today about what we can do. There is a desire. We must, must make the opportunity for people to serve outside these walls.
B. Donating Goods. ...Do not neglect to ... to share what you have...
Christianity has always been a theology of sharing. We share our message, our health (through things we can do for others) and our wealth to those who do not have. The writer admonishes us deeply not to neglect sharing and giving.
Do not let generosity get lost in administration and service. Some believe that what they do is what they give. We justify sometimes that we give in other ways. It is important that we quit making excuses and realize... such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
Ill. The story is told that one day a beggar by the roadside asked for alms from Alexander the Great as he passed by. The man was poor and wretched and had no claim upon the ruler, no right even to lift a solicitous hand. Yet the Emperor threw him several gold coins. A courtier was astonished at his generosity and commented, "Sir, copper coins would adequately meet a beggar's need. Why give him gold?" Alexander responded in royal fashion, "Cooper coins would suit the beggar's need, but gold coins suit Alexander's giving." (unknown).
Our giving may meet the recipients needs, but is it worthy of our Lord? Does our giving testify to His greatness. Our generosity to His love?
Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
III. The Sacrifice of Cooperation.
I believe this passage is speaking of proper respect.
Let me make this clear: I am not complaining about a lack of respect for myself. Every leader faces some lack of respect, and every leader is typically in a position to recognize those disrespectful moments and attitudes. But I am not complaining about anything or addressing any current situation. Since this writer included this in his passage, I am covering it for all of our benefits.
If you are like me, you wince at the word "obey" when it comes to Church leadership. Many a pastor has led a Church in the wrong directions. Many deacon boards have split Churches. Many strong personalities in churches have done great damage. So many so we shy away from blindly following someone in leadership.
To be honest, I would be terrified to be a pastor of a Church who followed me blindly or without safeguards.
I contend that the words "cooperate with" would serve the Greek word "peithos".
Let's quickly use other passages to lay down some principles that clarify what the writer say is saying.
Respect: Romans 13:1-5 tells us that one's assigned position and authority comes from God alone. To question it as a mistake of God is to question His power to make things happen. The authority given someone comes from God. To rebel is to rebel against God.
It does not mean that you have to agree with your authority. It does means that someone does not have to earn or be worthy of your respect to respect the position God has given them. If you disagree, you MUST disagree respectfully, like the three Hebrew children did in Daniel 3, and Daniel did in Daniel 1.
1Ti 5:17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.
1Th 5:12-13 We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.
We are forbidden to receive a bad report about a leader without proper witnesses.
1Ti 5:19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
Pray for: Heb 13:18-19 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things. I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
If you disagree with leadership, trust God to work. Is He trustworthy?
Encourage and advise: 1Ti 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;
Pastors need input, feedback, advice, direction and counsel.
Ill. In the Greek Islands, one can seek out the home of Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine. In the area, one can also find an olive tree, supposedly dating from his time. If this is so, this tree would then be some 2400 years old. The trunk of this tree is very large but completely hollow. The tree is little more than thick bark. There are a few long, straggling branches, but they are supported by sturdy wooden poles every few feet. It has an occasional leaf here and there and might produce a few olives each year. In the fields around, however, are olive groves in many directions. The strong, healthy, young trees with narrow trunks are covered with a thick canopy of leaves, under which masses of olives can be found each year. The tree of Hippocrates can still be called an olive by nature, in that it still shows the essential unique characteristics, but it has long since ceased to fulfill an olive's function. Tourists file up to inspect this ancient relic, having some link to a dim history, but the job of the olive tree passed long ago to many successions of replanted trees. (adapted from Keith Copley)
I don't want First Baptist Church of Eula to be like Hippocrates tree, having the form of a Church but not the function. My desire is that we grow, but not become hollow. I want us to produce lots of fruit, not just look the part.
If we focus on the business of the Church (getting out the message, sharing good with others and respecting leadership God has in place), we will be a healthy Church.
My pledge to you: My goal is to seek God in all of my leadership and realize that God often speaks to the pastor through the voices of His people. I will pray to God about everything you ask me to, and many things that you do not ask me to pray about. I will certainly pray for you. My goal is to love you, appreciate you, respect you and find a way you can serve the Lord in joy.
I ask you to treat me and every leader in our Church with respect and the honor God has called for, pray for us, encourage each other and seek an opportunity for others to serve.
We are a body, more importantly, the Body of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we remember to speak the name and salvation of Jesus to our community, help those who need our help and respect and cooperate with those God has placed to lead us.
