Priority #2: Love The Church! Series

“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.