THE CHURCH
November 17, 2013
For the past 10 weeks, we’ve been talking about the church, and I thought I was finished with the series last week, but there’s one more to talk about today. So, I want to start with a simple question — “What is the Church?”
It’s a simple and difficult question all wrapped in one package.
When we talk about the church, we usually think about the building. But this is not a biblical understanding of the church. The word “church” comes from the Greek word EKKLESIA, which means “an assembly” or “called-out ones.” So, the root meaning of “church” is not of a building, but of the called out ones, or the assembly. Romans 16:5 says Greet also the church that meets at their house. How can you have a church in someone’s house? Only because Paul is referring, not to a church building, but to the body of believers.
During this series we’ve seen that the church, you and I, are the body of Christ. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:22-23 ~ 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church,
23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ. Again, that’s you and I.
But, here’s the struggle, “What’s the difference between you, a follower of Jesus Christ and someone else who is not a follower of Jesus, but who is a good person?”
Don’t just say Jesus! I know that’s the obvious answer. But it goes beyond that. Because if Jesus is not making a real and relevant difference in your life, which then you bring out into the world around you, then honestly . . . what good is your faith in Jesus?
Okay, I know you say, “Well, I’m saved, I’m going to heaven.” Okay, you’re right on that one. But aren’t you being a little or maybe even a lot selfish. You’re not sharing your faith, you’re not participating in the body of believers to help in any way. So, what is the real difference between us and them (the non Christ followers)?
Let me show you some pictures of another church at worship.
Discuss individual pictures . . .
(I will say to go to the next slide)
Let me also read part of the article to you about this church, which I read about on Yahoo this past week.
The writer said, It looked like a typical Sunday morning at any mega-church. Several hundred people, including families with small children, packed in for more than an hour of rousing music, an inspirational talk and some quiet reflection.
The leader of this church is Sanderson Jones. He said, "If you think about church, there's very little that's bad. It's singing awesome songs, hearing interesting talks, thinking about improving yourself and helping other people — and doing that in a community with wonderful relationships. What part of that is not to like?"
Sunday Assembly — whose motto is Live Better, Help Often, Wonder More — taps into that universe of people who left their faith but now miss the community church provided.
I left out one major distinction about this church. The people who attend are atheists. As the article stated, “the only thing missing from their worship, was God.”
The leaders are trying to raise $800,000 so they can start these atheist assemblies around the USA. This is not a joke. These people are serious about what they’re attempting to do. And they are doing it right in front of us. And the headline is Atheist ‘mega-churches’ take root across US, world. That was the Yahoo headline.
But do you hear what they think of worship? Listen - - If you think about church, there's very little that's bad. It's singing awesome songs, hearing interesting talks, thinking about improving yourself and helping other people — and doing that in a community with wonderful relationships. What part of that is not to like?"
Folks, that’s the church. But . . . we have to be committed to our relationship with Jesus Christ. He comes first, He comes before all other relationships. He is the One who guides us into our other relationships and into loving and serving. Are we just about lip service. We show up, we do our thing, we give a little and we leave. But we really don’t have that community which is so vital and important to our existence. Deep down, we long for relationships and that’s why these atheists are meeting. They want community, they are searching and I believe what they are really searching for is a relationship with Jesus Christ, but they just don’t get that, yet.
So, what do we do? We have to identify ourselves as the church, as the real and living and relevant church. Too often we aren’t taken seriously and are dismissed by the world because we are so much about ourselves, complaining about everything and anything and we make it known to the world. We can look really bad, and who wants to hang out in a place that appears dysfunctional. Why would I want to join an organization people complain about?
You see, we have to look at this church, as the community of believers and have love and compassion for one another. Our goal is to make Christ real to the world. We do that by our actions. That’s why Paul said in Ephesians 2:10 ~ 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. You see, we do good works because of what Jesus already did for us. Because of His grace, we have salvation when we say YES to Him. But, we just don’t sit on this great gift. We put the gift He gave to us into action. And it brings glory to God and to others.
Too often we get stuck on our own wants in the church. We can all find fault. There’s no shortage of that. But you know, as I was taking some candy corn the other day, this container is kind of like us and the church. STICK HAND IN
You see we go to get what we want, and we find we grab what we want, but we can’t get our hand out. Why? Because we won’t let go of what we want. Church is not about what you want! It’s about what Jesus wants for you! Let me say that again . . . because I think this is really, really important.
Church is not about what you want! It never has been and never will be!
Church is about what Jesus wants and expects from you and your life!
We can get so stuck on ourselves, that we are looking out for our own security and comfortablity. We get all snuggly.
We want church to be our way, our songs, our messages, our temperature, our seats, We really don’t want to have to be pushed out of our comfort zones, remember that chair feels really good.
We’re too concerned about our rules! And we all know that we usually bring them up only when it suits our purposes so we can get what we want! But is that really the spirit of the ‘rule?’ I know we need systems and checks and balances. I’m not against them. But I wonder how much freer it could be to do ministry, to serve and even be served if our main concern was glorifying God?
What would that look like? When the church is functioning on all cylinders.
We were designed by God to serve and be served
to give and to be given to
to know and be known
to celebrate and be celebrated
to love and be loved
That’s such a huge part of what it means to be the church. Unfortunately, in the church world there’s the 80/20 principle. It means 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people and 80% of the giving is done by 20% of the people. But that’s so wrong! We should all be involved in building God’s kingdom. We all do have a role to play. Sometimes we don’t know what it is, but part of the fun is finding out. So, let’s find out together. If you don’t know how God has gifted you, then ask me, we’ll find out together. If you have not plugged into the church, we have great opportunities for you to serve.
Just consider how your life can be fuller and richer when you discover God’s plan and purpose for you. And as you do that, you’ll meet some amazing people, and you’ll find you are loved and cared for in ways you never would have imagined. But you have to embrace God’s power, through His Holy Spirit. It’s there for you.
How about a man named Anthony Cymerys! Since the 1980s, Anthony has delivered food through Meals on Wheels, and taken day-old bread from supermarkets to senior homes and shelters. He donates blood twice a month through the Red Cross and runs the blood drive at his church.
He’s also known as Joe the Barber, and this 82-year-old retired businessman has been cutting hair for 25 years for free at a park in Hartford, Connecticut. His only requirement is that you say thank you and give him a hug. Isn’t that a great ministry. Imagine all this guy does at 82, and that doesn’t include caring for his 96 year old sister and 98 year old brother.
I know that we’re not all Anthony Cymerys. But who are we? Who are we in Jesus Christ. Remember, we are the church. We aren’t a building, we are the physical representation of Jesus Christ. So, everywhere we go, we show the world who Jesus is.
When we meet as the assembly of the called people of Jesus Christ . . . who are we? Are we making sure we demonstrate Jesus’ love? Are we making sure we greet one another, that nobody leaves this building without being welcomed? Are we exclusive or inclusive?
How do we make sure we are showing Jesus is real and alive in our hearts, spirits, minds and bodies? It’s not through bickering or snobbery, it’s not through gossip and slander, it’s not through ignoring (or not liking) people’s facebook posts. If you’re on facebook, you know what I mean.
It’s all about making Jesus real and alive to one another. We need to always, always remember, we may not agree with one another, but the bottom line is we are One in Jesus Christ. It’s our unity as brothers and sisters in Christ.
I want to close with a short video which Pastor Jeremy helped me with. We / he took a 3 minute video and made it about 40 seconds. Its about a man named Dom Tiberi, who is a sportscaster in Columbus, Ohio. His 21 year old daughter was killed in an auto accident. Before the game they showed this picture and had a moment of silence. Then after the game the players came by and this is what they did . . .
VIDEO
I know that was not the church, but that is how the church is supposed to work. We surround one another and we grieve with one another, we celebrate with one another and bottom line . . . we love one another as Christ loves you!
So, wherever we go, we are called to be the church!!
We just don’t go to church, we must be the church!
