“PRIORITY #2: LOVE THE CHURCH”
Philippians 1:1-8
FBCF – 1/18/26
JON DANIELS
INTRO – Welcome to First Baptist Flora – a perfect church! No one here has any problems – no one here struggles in any area of their life – no one here has ever had a disagreement w/ anyone else in this church FAMILY – we’ve never had anyone leave this church mad or disgruntled – we all always agree on everything – we are victorious over temptation 100% of the time – our kids are perfect, our bank accounts are overflowing, our health is spectacular, our report cards are straight A’s – worry & anxiety are nonexistent in our lives. In fact, when you ask us how we are doing, we are actually telling you the truth when we smile & say, “Fine.” Our pastor & staff are superheroes who have the answers to every question, the solutions to every problem, & they never give in to temptation & sin w/ one exception: Our pastor tends to lie sometimes!
We all know that there is no such thing as a perfect church. If there was a perfect church, the instant that you or I joined it, it would become imperfect. Brandon Lake: “Everyone’s going to be hurt by a Christian. But it doesn’t mean God hurt you. At some point, the church is going to let you down. But it doesn’t mean God did. Church isn’t perfect b/c you’re there & I’m there.”
The Church is imperfect b/c we are imperfect. The Church has ups & downs, highs & lows, mountaintops & valleys b/c those words describe all of our lives.
The Church is messy b/c we are messy. In his book, No Perfect People Allowed, John Burke: “…the 21st-century church will be messy if it’s to be effective.” (p. 20). People are looking for a church that is real where they can be real & get real answers for their lives. They want to be able to say, “I’m NOT fine” when asked how they’re doing. They want & need to experience the unconditional love of God in their “not fine” moments. They need to know that we are all broken, needy, “not fine” people who are striving together to make much of JESUS, not ourselves. They need to know that we truly are a people & a place of GRACE where anyone can meet Jesus & grow in their rel w/ Him.
Sermon series: “3 Priorities for the New Year (& every year for the rest of your life)”. 2 wks ago, “Priority #1: Love God.” Today: “Priority #2: Love the Church.”
EXPLANATION – Philippians 1:1-8
Paul loved the Church, the Body of Christ. And he loved the individual churches he wrote to & ministered to. It seems that he had an extra special relationship w/ the church at Philippi. He loved this church & they loved him. They supported him financially & in prayer. No doubt that there was a lot of love between Paul & these folks!
The intro to Philippians is pretty standard for Paul’s writings. You can see similar personal words of thanks in his other letters. But he goes above & beyond the normal & gets deeply personal in sharing his love & affection for them. Look at his words:
- V. 3 – “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you”
- V. 7 – “I hold you in my heart”
- V. 8 – “I yearn for you w/ the affection of Christ Jesus.”
“What’s your point, Jon?” If it’s possible for the Apostle Paul to love a local church, then it’s possible for us to love a local church, too. We can learn from his example. He prayed for them all the time – He thanked God for them all the time – He partnered w/ them in Gospel work – He knew God was working in them – He had a deep love for them.
So, I will say it again: If it’s possible for the Apostle Paul to love a local church, then it’s possible for us to love a local church, too. And I believe you do love this local church. And I do, too!
Posed question to a bunch of you this week: Why do you love our church? Phone blew up! Can’t read them all, but this is what you said: You love your leaders – the sense of community – the welcoming heart – the prayer life of the church – the way we minister to others inside & outside the church – the way the men are stepping up in leadership & discipleship – the authentic preaching/teaching of the W of G – the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit – children & youth ministries – the authenticity found here – challenge to go & tell others about Jesus – music & worship – we mean it when we say we are FAMILY – we strive to live out our vision statement.
APPLICATION – The Church MUST be a priority for every Christ-follower.
I love the Church & here are some reasons why:
I love its Head – The Church is the Body of Christ. 1 Cor. 12:27, Eph. 4:12 & 5:23, & Col. 1:24 all tell us this.
And just as our physical body must have a head in order to live & function properly, so we as the Church must have a body so that we might live & function properly. And the Head of the Body of Christ is Jesus. Col. 1:18 – “Christ is also the Head of the Church, which is His body.” JESUS is the head of the Church – not the pastor, not the Pope, not the deacons or the most influential member or the wealthiest giver – ONLY JESUS! Which means He alone is worthy of our love, devotion, & worship. We submit to His authority, His Lordship, & seek His wisdom & His leadership.
I love its Members – Jesus is the Head of the Body & the rest of us are the different parts of the Body. Rom. 12:4-5 – “ For as in one body we have many members, & the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” Physical body has 6 tradition sections, about 80 internal organs, 12 organ systems, over 7500 anatomical parts, & roughly 37.2 trillion cells. And every one of those sections, organs, systems, parts, & cells has a job to do so your body will function properly.
Same is true of the Body of Christ & this specific body of Christ called FBC Flora. If you know Jesus, then you’re a member of His Body. And if you’re a member of His Body, you should commit to a local church body where you can serve & help the body be healthy. If you’re not serving, then we are suffering. If you’re not connected, then we are not complete. You are necessary & needed, useful & unique, & you have a purpose to fulfill & the power to fulfill it. So what are you waiting on?
I love its Foundation – The Truth of W of God – Matt. 16:13-18 – “Who do YOU say…” “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” V. 18 – “Upon this rock I will build my church, & the gates of hell shall prevail…” – Church not built on Peter. Church is built on Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone. Church is built upon the foundational truth that HE ALONE IS THE CHRIST, THE MESSIAH, THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD. And THAT is what we will preach until our dying breath! Do that & your house, yoru life, & this church will be built on the Solid Rock! “On Christ the Solid Rock I stand…”
One of things you said you loved about our church is the preaching of the W of G. Pastor search – “We want you to come preach the Word & lead our Church.” Alistair Begg: “When the Spirit of God takes up a man of God who is able to open up the W of G, people will attend w/ listening ears.” That’s what I commit to you to do to the glory of God, in the power of God, for the K’dom of God.
I love its Doors – New building is going to have doors one day. It doesn’t right now. Right now, there’s a fence around it. Let people know that, unless you are authorized to come in, gotta stay out.
But one day, we are going to tear the fence down, throw open the doors so they can accomplish their 2-fold purpose: 1) So that anyone can come in to meet Jesus & grow in their relationship w/ Him. 2) So that WE can go OUT & into a world that is lost & dying & needs to meet JESUS!
I love its Smell – What should the church smell like?
- Aroma of prayer – Ps. 141:2 – “May my prayer be set before you like incense…”
- Aroma of food – fellowship
- Aroma of sweat – work
- Aroma of dirty people – the world
I love its Message & Mission – Message: John 3:16. Mission: Matthew 28:19-20.
CONCLUSION – The Church must be a priority for every Christ-follower. If you love Jesus, you’ll love His Body. Today, I challenge you to come to one of your staff members & commit or recommit to making the Church a priority in your life.
