Sermon – Believers Living in Community Belonging to God and to His Family
Scriptures: 1Corinthians 6:19,20 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
Psalm 100:3 “Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are His; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”
Isaiah 43:1 “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine.
Introduction: Many of us are familiar with the fables attributed to an ancient Greek named Aesop. In one of those fables, "The Tortoise and the Hare," a hare constantly boasted that he was the fastest of all the animals. So, tired of the hare's arrogance, a tortoise challenged him to a foot race. Now, the hare clearly could have won, but because he was so certain of his victory, so full of pride in his great abilities, he took a nap in the middle of the race. And while the hare was sleeping, the tortoise crossed the finish line ahead of him.
In certain ways, many Believers living in the city of Corinth during the first century were like the hare of Aesop's fable. Just as the hare counted himself the winner before the race was over, many in the Corinthian church thought of themselves as winners before the race of their Christian lives was over. Their earthly prosperity, their status in society and their special spiritual gifts deluded them into believing that the Lord had made them superior to everyone else. They thought that God had blessed them with the gifts of his kingdom far more than he had blessed other Christians who had fewer earthly treasures, less social status, and less spectacular gifts. And the apostle Paul warned them that they were in danger of losing the race of the Christian life and missing out on the benefits of companionship with others.
What is the beauty of belonging to God and what does it means to belong to God? In the beginning, humanity was created to be in perfect union with God and belong to Him, for we are His creation (Genesis 1:26). There is an intimacy that was always part of His original design for our relationship with Him. We are His masterpiece and reflect the image of God in this world (Ephesians 2:10). To belong to God is to feel safe and secure. Trust and connection are felt more deeply in this relationship than any other. It makes sense that our Creator would know what we need and be able to offer it. We have been created by God, selected by God, and accepted by God. Belonging to God is our deepest need, and yet God himself calls creation and life without human companionship and community “not good”. Believers need God and one another.
Because Believers belong to God by His choice, they are fearfully and wonderfully made, placed in his body in the best possible place. He chose their nationality, ethnicity, giftedness, and even their looks! He thinks each one is a masterpiece, with unlimited potential, who has been given everything they need to fulfil His assignment. You see, to belong is to be accepted. To belong is to feel secure. Without belonging, we are alone.
Humanity’s greatest desire is to know and be known, to love and be loved and to feel confident that those who know and love us will be there for us through the joys and troubles of life. It is the desire for connection. That’s why relationships are such an important part of life. We all desire to be connected to others. One of the greatest joys of life is the joy of being securely connected or attached to others. One of life’s greatest pains is relational disconnection. Disconnection causes us to experience loss, rejection, and loneliness. Human beings are wired for connection. That’s why belonging to God, our people, and to each other is so important. We all need a place to belong, and the greatest joy in life is to feel the safety and security of this type of connection. Belonging to God means being in relationship with God and with God’s children.
1. Believers Are in Relationship with God and Others. 1Corinthians 6:19,20 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.”
Although God is not human, He is a relational being. The Bible says that as humans, we are made in his image. It is evident through scripture and through the experience of countless people that God is very interested to have relationships with us. In the scripture, God calls people to Himself; God calls believers into His Family; and then God calls believers His very own family, His “children.” God calls believers into relationship with himself and in relationship with other members of his family. Together his family makeup His body. Believers need God’s headship for life, support, and direction. Believers need one another to function. Just as the body needs every member to carry out its functions, believers need each other to function properly.
Some believers who have known God or walked with God for a long time, may not feel as close to him as they use to for a number of reasons. Sin, trouble, impatience, and many other things can dampen a relationship. Lack of communication, lack of fellowship, and life’s disappointments cause many believers to feel distant from God. Others fail to do those things required to maintain a good relationship. Things that separate believers from God also separate believers from one another. One of the main hindrances to a good relationship is pride. Pride creates barriers and causes separation. Paul cautioned the Corinthians about their spiritual pride and encouraged them to act like members of the same body. Then there are other people who know about God, but they don’t feel they know God in a personal and intimate way. With an understanding that believers belong to God and are connected to God and others opens the door to a life-giving and joyful connected and reciprocal relationship. When this type of relationship is formed, it is truly transformational for every member in the body of Christ.
Romans 12:3-5 “Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.”
Yes, Believers belong to God and to one another! When each member appreciates each other, and celebrate each other, the whole body is edified and God is glorified. The believers’ relationships are transformational.
2. Believer’s Relationship with God and Others is Transformational.
The Believers relationship with God, more than any other has the power to transform the believer’s life personally. John 1:12-14 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”
Transformation is possible because God is perfect, and He is always present. Just as Moses was changed by being in God’s presence, believers are transformed by his Presence. Philippians 1:6 “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Not only are believers transformed, but they are also constantly and continuously being changed. This process will continue until the Lord returns. Others may leave you, even the most faithful connection, or the most well-intentioned friend; others may fail us sometimes, disappoint us or be unavailable to us. The truth about God is that he is the most secure connection we can possibly have. That does not mean we don’t need human relationship, but human connection without a lifeline to God will cause us to put too much reliance on others. We will expect our family and friends to be something for us that they can never be…because they weren’t meant to fulfill this role. There is truly a void in all of us when we don’t have this spiritual bond.
When we interact with God, we stimulate the portion of our brains enabling us to experience the feeling that we are known, understood, loved, and accepted. Then we can be assured that we are not alone. This is how our joyful bond with God grows, and we become secure in our identity in Him. If we truly understand the character of God, that He is good, He is love and He is righteous, always available for connection and truly wants to be with us, we will be comforted in our grieving. We will also be hopeful no matter the circumstances life brings, and we can be peaceful in all situations no matter the challenge.
So, to belong to God is to feel at home. To belong to God is to feel safe and secure. Trust and connection are felt more deeply in this relationship than any other. It makes sense that our Creator would know what we need and be able to offer it. The joy of knowing you are loved and accepted just as you are, and you are enjoyed just because you exist, is not only restorative but also transformative.
Just as our earthly family members assist in our growth, development, character building and help us improve our skills, the body of Christ functions the same way. Ephesians 4:12-16, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
The Believer’s Relationship with God and others is transformational bringing every member to spiritual maturity and greater productivity. Believers are in relationship with God and others until we all come to the unity of the faith and grow up into the full measure of Christ.
Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Choir amplifies this same idea, it says, "I need you, you need me. We're all a part of God's body. Stand with me, agree with me, We're all a part of God's body. It is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive, You are important to me, I need you to survive.
I need you, you need me. We're all a part of God's body. Stand with me, agree with me, We're all a part of God's body. It is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive, You are important to me, I need you to survive.
I pray for you, You pray for me, I love you, I need you to survive. I won't harm you with words from my mouth, I love you, I need you to survive. I pray for you, You pray for me, I love you, I need you to survive. I won't harm you with words from my mouth, I love you, I need you to survive.”
God has supplied every need through transformative relationships. First the believer relationship with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and through relationship with fellow believers. Each one valuable, uniquely gifted, and forever connected to God’s body. “You are important, I need you to survive.”
3. Believers Relationship with God and Others Increase Our Value. “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
Every believer is special, unique, and valuable. Together we are increased. Satan’s only hope to defeat God’s body is division. As special as believers are individually, together they are so much more! Believers are somebody special because they belong to God. Listen to our key verse again, “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So, you must honor God with your body.”
The Bible says that you’ve been purchased with a price. The blood of Jesus paid the full penalty for your sin and allows God to have you as His own. You are God's personal treasure. Never forget that you’re God’s treasure. He loves you and wants to be with you. The Bible reveals God as the perfect father, husband, friend, shepherd, and savior. You are God’s own possession designed to give glory to God. But how? How can we give God glory when the Psalmist describes God as “the King of glory”. Psalms 24:8-9 reads, “Who is this King of Glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.”
Then John 17:55 says, God the Father has glorified His Son. The Scriptures state that God himself reveals His glory. God revealed His glory to Moses in the cleft of a Rock. Even nature reveals the Glory of God. We can observe His glory, but how do we give Him glory? To glorify God is not to bestow glory on God or add to His glory, but it is recognizing and acknowledging His glory as we view His creation carrying out its God-given purpose. When things function and fulfill their God-given purpose, God is glorified. We glorify God by recognizing who God really is and to respond appropriately with humility and obedience. We even have within us the ability to Glorify God with our spiritual worship. Romans 12:1-2, reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Believers praise God with their lips, live obedient to His Word, communicate often in prayer, and produce spiritual fruit in their lives. Believers glorify God by striving to live holy lives, remaining sexual pure, and seeking the good of others. More than that, Believers give generously, live honorably among unbelievers, live faithfully when persecuted and face the future or even death with faith and confidence. Believers have a treasure chest full of potential. Every believer is valuable and fully loaded to give glory to God.
Believers belong to God and to one another, we really do. Because of that relationship, believers have been transformed, are being transformed and will one day be perfected. Believers are loved unconditionally, accepted completely, secure eternally, and at home with God and His family. The believer’s relationship with God and others increases our value and edifies the body of Christ. Believers are special! You are somebody special because you belong to God. Believers are valuable and fully equipped to glorify God and to increase the effectiveness of God’s body. We are gifted, talented, adaptable, adjustable, loving, forgiving, helpful and a blessing. When God called you to himself, He called the right one! You belong to God and to the family of God. Believers are carriers of God’s given knowledge, wisdom and understanding – therefore, together, nothing takes us unaware. Believers have power and authority to reign in life. God has provided uncommon grace that makes them succeed even in adversity. The Lord has opened His good treasure for the believer. The work of my hands is blessed already. God has commanded His blessings upon them in their storehouse and all that they undertake. Believers have a sure assurance that God has set a watch over them so that, no evil shall befall them. The believer’s minds are renewed by the Word of God; therefore, they walk in victory. Believers have the God kind of faith, faith in God and in one another.
I am glad I don’t have to walk this journey alone. God’s Word is in my heart and in my mouth – whatever I declare comes to pass. Hallelujah! I have been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb – redeemed from the curse of the Law; redeemed from sickness and disease, poverty, and death. I am fearless because I am in relationship with God, and with God’s body! “I need you; you need me. We're all a part of God's body. Stand with me, agree with me, We're all a part of God's body. It is His will that every need be supplied. You are important to me, I need you to survive, You are important to me, I need you to survive!” You belong to God and to one another, let’s act like family.
