“Keeping In Step With the Spirit” – Galatians 5:16-25 (Romans 12:11)
A healthy church has passionate spirituality.
The story is told …
A Catholic church was on fire. The priest risked his life to save the communion host and the crucifix.
Sometime later a Synagogue caught fire. The rabbi braved the flames to save the torah.
Not long after that a Mennonite church was burning. At first the pastor didn’t believe the news (“When has our church ever been on fire?”). When he realized it was an actual fire, he went in to save the coffeepot!
Did you hear what the firefighter said when the church caught on fire?
Holy Smoke!
A church fire is no joke; it’s a tragedy (Recently a sister church, Conestoga Mennonite burned).
Four times the Maple Grove building burned. (Oct 1922, 1940, May 1952, and Dec 1967)
Kevin King, Executive Director of Mennonite Disaster Services told us that the last fire at MG inspired him to minister with people in disaster situations.
A building fire is a tragedy, but a church on fire is what God wants.
I want to focus on passionate spirituality.
A HEALTHY CHURCH
We want to be healthy; we want our church to be healthy.
I am in the midst of a series of sermons centering on being a “healthy church” from the Natural Church Development study.
The study discovered 8 characteristics common to healthy churches. We have looked at two specific points.
First, a healthy church has leadership (at all levels) that empowers every member for ministry, and Spiritual Gift centered ministry. In healthy churches, the leaders encourage and empower the members to be ministers of Jesus Christ.
Second, a healthy church has spiritual gift centered ministry. When we become Christians (accept Christ) each of us receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers us to do the ministry of Christ, not in our own strength, but in the power of God.
Now, I want to look at a third characteristic of a healthy church. A healthy church has “passionate spirituality.”
PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY
What comes to mind when you hear the phrase passionate spirituality?
Perhaps you remember a time in your life when you first became a Christian.
You realized that God loves you unconditionally; you just couldn't get enough Bible study.
Perhaps passionate spirituality makes you think of people you know who are still excited about their Christian faith. They're always talking about it, even though they have been believers for years. Their eyes light up when they talk about their faith.
People get passionate about many things: football (Go Eagles!), hunting, quilting, etc.
You can see the passion in their eyes when they talk about it.
So what about passionate spirituality?
Passionate spirituality has less to do with strong emotions and more to do with "the degree to which faith is actually lived out with commitment, passion, and enthusiasm." When it comes to passionate spirituality, we need to ask: "Are the Christians in this church 'on fire?' Do we live committed lives and practice our faith with joy and enthusiasm?"
It certainly makes sense that if church members are living out their faith with commitment and passion, the church would be growing. Faithful discipleship is contagious. How can you measure passion? How do you measure Spirituality? It’s the kind of thing you know is there, by the effects it causes (in your life, and in the lives of those around you).
PASSIONATE SPIRITUALITY IN GALATIANS CHAPTER 5
The Apostle Paul visited the region of Galatia on his first missionary journey. A number of new churches were established.
Afterwards, many people came urging the Galatian Christians to modify their faith by submitting to all the Jewish laws and regulations.
Much of the letter Paul wrote later is dedicated to understanding: Legalism vs. freedom in Christ
Some used that freedom to mean, “We can do anything we want as long as we call ourselves Christian”
Paul lets us know that we are “Free in Christ” but that our freedom cannot be used to “indulge the sinful nature” (5:13).
The young churches in Galatia – central Turkey in today's world – had been deceived by some theologically confused Christians who had taught them that faith in Jesus wasn't enough. If you really want to experience God, they said, then you have to keep the whole Jewish law, especially the ceremonial parts. Legalism was their path to passionate spirituality.
Legalism continues to lure many Christians today. It's a trap we easily fall into.
People come to God through Christ, receiving salvation by grace through faith.
But then someone comes along to tell them that if they really want to have a relationship with God, they have to do all sorts of things to earn God's favor. The Christian life becomes a long list of things to do, and especially things not to do.
Soon, people who began their life in Christ with a passion for him and his mission become weighed down with endless dos and don'ts, and the life of Christ gets sucked out of them. That's what was happening with the Galatians
LIVE BY THE SPIRIT
In response, Paul pointed to a new way of living, something he might well have called passionate spirituality.
"Live by the Spirit," he wrote in Galatians 5:16, "and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature (flesh)."
V. 16 – “Live” = Greek “peripateite” literally “walk” or “move forward” It means “continually live.
Passionate Spirituality is not something we “have” (like something on a check list or grocery list), it’s something we “live.”
v.16 continues – “and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”
This is not a promise, but a result. By living “passionate spirituality” you will not fall into sin. Do you want to be sure you don’t give in to temptation? Don’t focus on the sin; focus on your spiritual walk.
Maybe someone once said, “Don’t think about elephants.” (you’re thinking about them aren’t you?)
The more you live by the spirit, the less you will be given to sin. Focus!
BE LED BY THE SPIRIT
v. 18 – “led” = be guided by. This implies something outside ourselves.
What will that be? The Judiazers suggested it should be the Law.
Paul tells them it should be the Spirit of God.
The result of being guided by the Spirit is that there is no need for the law. If God is in control, why do you need a set of regulations? Paul is saying, “Ask God, don’t consult a rule book.”
GENUINE SPIRITUALITY
Spirituality is in. People want to be spiritual (not religious). Mystical transcendence, meaningful living, eastern meditation, motivational talks, crystals, incense, etc. are all used to find higher meaning.
For a Christian, Spirituality must begin with the “Spirit.” It is Spirit (or God) centered.
Spirituality is living each day in the power of God’s Spirit who dwells in us.
Paul tells us that the more you live in the Spirit, the less you will engage in the so-called works of the flesh, including (Paul liked to make lists): "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing" (vss. 19-21).
On the contrary, as you live in the Spirit of God, you'll find that your life is increasingly characterized by what Paul calls the "fruit of the Spirit": "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (vss. 22-23).
True spirituality, therefore, isn't something hidden away in our souls. It impacts how we live in relationship with others: offering love, seeking peace, treating folks with patience, kindness, generosity and the like.
GPS AND GOD’S SPIRIT
I showed the children a GPS device. It took them a while to figure out what it was. Once we identified the device as a GPS, they knew exactly what it was and what it did (It belongs to their generation).
The GPS reminds us of what God wants to do for us.
Psalm 23:3 “He guides me in paths of righteousness” (NIV)
Maybe you’ve heard the story (from an insurance agent) of the man whose car was pulled out of a river – the GPS told him to turn. (The Spirit is a perfect GPS device; properly used, it won’t lead you astray)
When we become a Christian, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is a little like a GPS device. As we pay attention to the Spirit, we receive divine guidance for our actions.
Guided to help others, guided to teach, guided to serve on a commission, etc.
KEEPING IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:25 "Since we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."
“keep in step” = greek “stoichomen” = advance, go forward. It implies movement.
Life with the spirit is not stagnant.
We can see God walking ahead of us, leading us. We are keeping up, going the right path.
Children do this sort of thing on the beach. You' may see a dad walking across the sand, leaving large footprints as he walks. Then, several feet behind, a little boy will be following along, stretching his legs in order to put his feet in the footprints of his daddy. Similarly, we can be led by the Holy Spirit, who shows us where to step, helping us to walk in God's ways each day.
Keeping in step with the Spirit means not falling too far behind or getting too far ahead of God.
PAYING ATTENTION TO THE GRAMMAR
verse 16 – you “live by the spirit” (singular)
verse 18 – you “be led by the spirit” (singular)
verse 25 – “we live by the spirit” “let us keep in step with the spirit” (plural)
The greek word (stoichomen = keep in step) is plural and has the meaning of unity, “together” we keep in step with the spirit.
To be in step with God, we need to be in step with other Christians who are also “in step” with God. It is the spirit that keeps us together.
Spiritual passion is not just an individual thing. To be effective, it must involve the whole church.
A CIRCUS STORY
Some people have a real passion for the circus … it excites them …
The story is told …
Years ago, the circus came to town. Bobby went into town to see the circus. His dad gave him a dollar to see the circus. Bobby rode his bike into town, and watched the circus parade – there was lots of excitement, it was an amazing thing. There were clowns at the end of the parade. Bobby went up to the last one, handed him the dollar, and raced home to tell everyone about the circus.
But Bobby hadn’t seen the circus, he only saw the parade.
Bobby needed to follow the parade to the show – where the real excitement and joy is.
How about you? Are you watching the parade? Or have you joined the circus.
How is your walk with the Lord?
Does walking with God excite you?
What is guiding you?
Are you in step with the Spirit or are you going your own way?
God wants you to follow the Spirit to the eternal circus.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for September 7, 2008
“Spiritual Gifts with a Servant’s Heart” John 13:12-17 (Mark 10:45)
Maybe you heard …
A Sunday School teacher asked her students to draw pictures of their faith. As she arrived at one student who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The student replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without looking up from her drawing, the student replied, "They will in a minute."
I wasn’t too worried about this until I heard it was an adult class.
Teachers have a special gift from God.
Today we continue looking at the use of Spiritual Gifts.
What you do is important = discovering and using your spiritual gift
In today’s scripture, we learn, HOW we use our spiritual gifts is also important.
In our worship service, we recognized those who have gifts of teaching
I like to test the knowledge of my grandchildren. Not too long ago Daniel was with me and I’d point to an object and ask what color it was. He’d tell me … and he was always correct. After we continued for a while he looked at me and made the comment, “Pop pop, don’t you know your colors?”
Sometimes the teacher looks the part of the fool.
Today’s scripture passage finds Jesus at the end of his ministry. He was in the upper room with the disciples. They had gathered for one last time together. This is a passage of scripture that is key to Mennonite Christian theology.
Jesus washed their feet – a simple act that taught so much. After that he put down the towel and returned to the table.
He asked them if they understood what he did.
He told them they should wash each other’s feet.
He told them that the best leaders in his church are servants.
I have some observations from this scripture passage.
A. JESUS TAUGHT BY DOING
I’ve learned that Girls have dolls, but boys have action figures
Children learn from action figures – role playing, etc.
Did you ever see a Jesus action figure?
In his book, “They Like Jesus, But Not the Church,” Dan Kimball speaks of the attitude of having a “Jesus Action Figure”
You can find them in some Christian bookstores; even Wal-Mart has carried them from time to time.
He also found a Jesus bobble head
He noticed Pamela Anderson’s clothing line “Jesus is my Homeboy”
This presents a Problem – making Jesus in our image – we make him what we want him to be.
But the real Jesus always surprised his disciples.
Dan Kimball – later on in the book he asks non Christian young people, “What kind of church would you want to be part of?”
“If I were to go to church, I’d want it to be like a family. A healthy family where you all are looking out for each other. Where they are glad to see you and it really feels like a community. A place where they love you, even when you aren’t doing well. …” (p.226)
That’s the kind of church Jesus created.
Jesus could have said: God wants believers (disciples) to love one another through humble service … but, instead, he washed their feet.
“Actions speak louder than words” = easier to remember.
B. JESUS TAUGHT BY EXAMPLE
There's a Common Phrase – “If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.”
“Doing it right” has more to do with our attitude, than our action.
Jesus could have made a big deal about washing his follower’s feet.
1. A show = “Look at what I’m doing” (see me? I’m a servant)
We know People who make a PR event of their acts of service (politicians – packing boxes for soldiers or working in soup kitchens – a photo op!)
2. A reverse criticism – “Look at what I’m doing” (and you’re not)
Pride can get in the way of our actions. (This is a common problem with spiritual gifts). We’re good at it – and we let others know.
Jesus did it … and asked a simple question, “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
This is a teaching moment.
Jesus was asking, “Do you get the message?”
He didn’t just show them – he lived it.
Jesus’ motto wasn’t: “Do as I say, not as I do.” It was “Do as I say and do.”
There wasn’t any inconsistency between his words and his actions. (Hypocrisy)
READ Philippians 2:5-8 for example.
C. JESUS WASHED PETER’S FEET (The questioning student, who thinks he knows it all)
Peter believed in hierarchy – leaders don’t do menial tasks! That’s what servants are for.
There are words often repeated by Jesus: “The son of man came not to be served, but to serve”
Think about God – think about all that encompasses God – God (through Jesus) came to serve us.
From Jesus, we learn a lot about God …
We would gladly do anything for God
But we have a God who washes our feet
Like Peter, we need to let God do this for us
And be willing to do it for others – That’s the servant’s heart
D. JESUS WASHED JUDAS’ FEET (Don’t give up on a troubled child)
This always astounds me. Knowing what Jesus knew, he still washed Judas’ feet.
A Servant’s heart – loves the unlovable, the enemy, the betrayer.
God’s message – no matter how bad (unlovable) I am – Jesus still love and cares for me
That’s the mark of a true servant.
The theme of this quarters Adult Sunday School lesson – birth of a new community
The church is a different type of community than the world knows – a community dominated by a servant’s heart. And this makes all the difference in the world.
Paul to the Philippians writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (2:5)
THE SHOPPING TRIP
In the supermarket there was a man pushing a cart which contained a screaming, bellowing baby.
The gentleman kept repeating softly, “Don't get excited, Albert; don't scream, Albert; don't yell, Albert; keep calm, Albert.'”
A woman standing next to him said, “You certainly are to be commended for trying to soothe your son Albert.”
The man looked at her and said, “Lady, I'm Albert.”
I can just see Jesus pushing his disciples in a shopping cart – he has a true servant’s heart
How are we doing, pushing the cart for others?
Maybe you heard …
A Sunday School teacher asked her students to draw pictures of their faith. As she arrived at one student who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was.
The student replied, "I'm drawing God."
The teacher paused and said, "But no one knows what God looks like."
Without looking up from her drawing, the student replied, "They will in a minute."
I wasn’t too worried about this until I heard it was an adult class.
Teachers have a special gift from God.
Today we continue looking at the use of Spiritual Gifts.
What you do is important = discovering and using your spiritual gift
In today’s scripture, we learn, HOW we use our spiritual gifts is also important.
In our worship service, we recognized those who have gifts of teaching
I like to test the knowledge of my grandchildren. Not too long ago Daniel was with me and I’d point to an object and ask what color it was. He’d tell me … and he was always correct. After we continued for a while he looked at me and made the comment, “Pop pop, don’t you know your colors?”
Sometimes the teacher looks the part of the fool.
Today’s scripture passage finds Jesus at the end of his ministry. He was in the upper room with the disciples. They had gathered for one last time together. This is a passage of scripture that is key to Mennonite Christian theology.
Jesus washed their feet – a simple act that taught so much. After that he put down the towel and returned to the table.
He asked them if they understood what he did.
He told them they should wash each other’s feet.
He told them that the best leaders in his church are servants.
I have some observations from this scripture passage.
A. JESUS TAUGHT BY DOING
I’ve learned that Girls have dolls, but boys have action figures
Children learn from action figures – role playing, etc.
Did you ever see a Jesus action figure?
In his book, “They Like Jesus, But Not the Church,” Dan Kimball speaks of the attitude of having a “Jesus Action Figure”
You can find them in some Christian bookstores; even Wal-Mart has carried them from time to time.
He also found a Jesus bobble head
He noticed Pamela Anderson’s clothing line “Jesus is my Homeboy”
This presents a Problem – making Jesus in our image – we make him what we want him to be.
But the real Jesus always surprised his disciples.
Dan Kimball – later on in the book he asks non Christian young people, “What kind of church would you want to be part of?”
“If I were to go to church, I’d want it to be like a family. A healthy family where you all are looking out for each other. Where they are glad to see you and it really feels like a community. A place where they love you, even when you aren’t doing well. …” (p.226)
That’s the kind of church Jesus created.
Jesus could have said: God wants believers (disciples) to love one another through humble service … but, instead, he washed their feet.
“Actions speak louder than words” = easier to remember.
B. JESUS TAUGHT BY EXAMPLE
There's a Common Phrase – “If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all.”
“Doing it right” has more to do with our attitude, than our action.
Jesus could have made a big deal about washing his follower’s feet.
1. A show = “Look at what I’m doing” (see me? I’m a servant)
We know People who make a PR event of their acts of service (politicians – packing boxes for soldiers or working in soup kitchens – a photo op!)
2. A reverse criticism – “Look at what I’m doing” (and you’re not)
Pride can get in the way of our actions. (This is a common problem with spiritual gifts). We’re good at it – and we let others know.
Jesus did it … and asked a simple question, “Do you understand what I have done for you?”
This is a teaching moment.
Jesus was asking, “Do you get the message?”
He didn’t just show them – he lived it.
Jesus’ motto wasn’t: “Do as I say, not as I do.” It was “Do as I say and do.”
There wasn’t any inconsistency between his words and his actions. (Hypocrisy)
READ Philippians 2:5-8 for example.
C. JESUS WASHED PETER’S FEET (The questioning student, who thinks he knows it all)
Peter believed in hierarchy – leaders don’t do menial tasks! That’s what servants are for.
There are words often repeated by Jesus: “The son of man came not to be served, but to serve”
Think about God – think about all that encompasses God – God (through Jesus) came to serve us.
From Jesus, we learn a lot about God …
We would gladly do anything for God
But we have a God who washes our feet
Like Peter, we need to let God do this for us
And be willing to do it for others – That’s the servant’s heart
D. JESUS WASHED JUDAS’ FEET (Don’t give up on a troubled child)
This always astounds me. Knowing what Jesus knew, he still washed Judas’ feet.
A Servant’s heart – loves the unlovable, the enemy, the betrayer.
God’s message – no matter how bad (unlovable) I am – Jesus still love and cares for me
That’s the mark of a true servant.
The theme of this quarters Adult Sunday School lesson – birth of a new community
The church is a different type of community than the world knows – a community dominated by a servant’s heart. And this makes all the difference in the world.
Paul to the Philippians writes, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” (2:5)
THE SHOPPING TRIP
In the supermarket there was a man pushing a cart which contained a screaming, bellowing baby.
The gentleman kept repeating softly, “Don't get excited, Albert; don't scream, Albert; don't yell, Albert; keep calm, Albert.'”
A woman standing next to him said, “You certainly are to be commended for trying to soothe your son Albert.”
The man looked at her and said, “Lady, I'm Albert.”
I can just see Jesus pushing his disciples in a shopping cart – he has a true servant’s heart
How are we doing, pushing the cart for others?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Sermon Synopsis for August 31, 2008
“Gift Oriented Ministry: God’s Plan for His Church” Romans 12:4-8 (1 Corinthians 14:12)
I’ve heard it said …
There was a particularly slippery and dangerous stairway.
A Methodist minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself up andsaid, "That was an experience, how do I learn from it?"
Then, a Catholic priest fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "I must have done something really bad to deserve that."
After that, a Presbyterian minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself upand said, "That was inevitable, I'm glad it’s over."
Later, a Mennonite minister fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "Which one of the elders pushed me?"
I’m sure that’s just a story preachers tell, because God wants us to trust each other.
Many are traveling this weekend (Labor Day). I’ve heard it said that if all the cars in the USA were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day weekend. Drive carefully folks.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Rome.
Beginning at chapter 12, his letter to the Romans moves from theoretical to practical
12:1-3 – be living sacrifices, be holy, don’t conform to the world’s ways, be transformed, know God’s will, don’t think of yourself as overly important in this world.
And beginning in verse 4, Paul tells us how we can do this …
GOD’S HAS A PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
A. Rom 12:5 – one body = unity
God wants the church to be unified.
Jesus had a great concern that his disciples be unified. “That they may be one” is a phrase found in the Gospel of John (especially chapter 17 – Jesus’ prayer)
B. Work together – the one body, had different parts, but they work together
God wants the church to work together.
Illnesses = when something in the body doesn’t coordinate with the other parts.
God’s design for our bodies is harmony and unity.
God’s design for the spiritual body, the church is the same.
Some might say that dependence (and interdependence) is bad – we want to be individuals, we want to “do it ourselves.” But it is God’s plan and design that we be dependent and interdependent.
It depends on each part doing what it was designed to do.
EXAMPLE: OLYMPICS TEAM USA
Olympics athletes specialize.
Michael Phelps – most gold medals (first record set when he was 10 years old)
How would he do at other sports?
Think about the gymnasts – Natasia Lukin for example – she’s the best all around.
How would she do at track? Or Soccer? Or shot put?
Why are these athletes good at their sport?
The have the desire (calling) to a specific sport
They Practice
They have Dedication and Passion
They show Endurance
Ultimately,”They love it!”
Yet they are a part of a team … each one doing his/her best.
Did you watch the opening ceremony? When they all marched in together on Friday night …. Makes me think of what heaven will be like.
Here’s what the Apostle John saw: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’" (Revelation 7:9–10)
Until that time … we exist in the church … in the world
THE CHURCH IS A LIVING ORGANISM
The church is not a building of brick, board and mortar. These things are dead. The church is alive!
What does it mean to be the body of Christ today? The church is a living organism. Human bodies are living organisms. Look at any part of my body; each part is alive.
They remain alive because they are connected, in a symbiotic relationship.
There are millions of billions of little living cells in my body.
Look through a microscope; you can see the movement of millions of particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
So also with the body of Christ. The church is a living organism, composed of billions of different parts, in every nation, in all tribes and languages around the globe.
THE CHURCH IS A COMPLEX ORGANISM
The earth itself is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest human imagination.
The oceans are enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
The universe is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
So is the body of Christ.
Each cell is so complex. Each congregation is so complex.
Each congregation in each culture in each century is so utterly complex.
Yet all are part of Christ’s body.
WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY
Paul tells us that we have different gifts according to the grace given us. In 1 Corinthians Paul seems to amplify on what he is saying, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:4-7)
Not everyone is called or equipped to do the same thing.
You can’t do what other Christians can do. Don’t be discouraged. This is part of God’s design!
Different doesn’t mean better or worse – it’s just different.
God determines who gets what. 1 Corinthians 12:11 - “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”.
Everyone’s gift is given for the purpose of enriching the whole body.
It’s not about you! Or me for that matter.
THE CHURCH WILL BE EFFECTIVE WHEN WE DO WHAT WE CAN DO
Paul’s counsel is pretty simple, “If you are able to teach, teach; if you can serve, serve; if you are a preacher, preach. If you are an encourager, encourage.” In other words, our job is to do what we can do.
Maybe you’re thinking: “I don’t know what I can do.”
Ask two questions and then act.
First – Ask yourself, “What am I good at?”
Second – Ask, “How can I use this for the Kingdom of God?”
Then – Take a step of faith. Try it out. Ask the pastor or elders where you fit in.
WE NEED TO SEE OUR WORK FOR GOD AS A SPECIAL CALLING IN THE OVERALL KINGDOM OF GOD
The story is told …
Three stonemasons were working on a cathedral when a stranger wandered by. The first stonemason was toting rocks to a pile near a wall.
“What are you doing?” asked the stranger.
“Can’t you see that I’m carrying rocks?”
The stranger asked the second laborer, “What are you doing?”
“I’m building a wall,” he replied.
A few steps away, the stranger came upon a third mason. “What are you doing?” he asked.
This worker smiled, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God!”
Same jobs - different attitude.
How would you answer?
Are you reading through an outline to a group of people on Sunday morning?
Are you a Sunday school teacher?
Or are you building lives and training workers for use in God’s Kingdom?
Your attitude makes all the difference.
Carrying rocks? Building a wall? Building God’s Kingdom?
Paul tells us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
I showed the children my tool box. (It is Labor Day weekend after all)
We looked at the different tools and talked about how they are useful to build or repair something.
If all I had were a box of hammers, I couldn’t do anything.
God wants to build his Kingdom in this world.
We are God’s toolbox.
I’ve heard it said …
There was a particularly slippery and dangerous stairway.
A Methodist minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself up andsaid, "That was an experience, how do I learn from it?"
Then, a Catholic priest fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "I must have done something really bad to deserve that."
After that, a Presbyterian minister fell down the stairs, he picked himself upand said, "That was inevitable, I'm glad it’s over."
Later, a Mennonite minister fell down the stairs; he picked himself up andsaid, "Which one of the elders pushed me?"
I’m sure that’s just a story preachers tell, because God wants us to trust each other.
Many are traveling this weekend (Labor Day). I’ve heard it said that if all the cars in the USA were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day weekend. Drive carefully folks.
The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the believers in Rome.
Beginning at chapter 12, his letter to the Romans moves from theoretical to practical
12:1-3 – be living sacrifices, be holy, don’t conform to the world’s ways, be transformed, know God’s will, don’t think of yourself as overly important in this world.
And beginning in verse 4, Paul tells us how we can do this …
GOD’S HAS A PLAN FOR THE CHURCH
A. Rom 12:5 – one body = unity
God wants the church to be unified.
Jesus had a great concern that his disciples be unified. “That they may be one” is a phrase found in the Gospel of John (especially chapter 17 – Jesus’ prayer)
B. Work together – the one body, had different parts, but they work together
God wants the church to work together.
Illnesses = when something in the body doesn’t coordinate with the other parts.
God’s design for our bodies is harmony and unity.
God’s design for the spiritual body, the church is the same.
Some might say that dependence (and interdependence) is bad – we want to be individuals, we want to “do it ourselves.” But it is God’s plan and design that we be dependent and interdependent.
It depends on each part doing what it was designed to do.
EXAMPLE: OLYMPICS TEAM USA
Olympics athletes specialize.
Michael Phelps – most gold medals (first record set when he was 10 years old)
How would he do at other sports?
Think about the gymnasts – Natasia Lukin for example – she’s the best all around.
How would she do at track? Or Soccer? Or shot put?
Why are these athletes good at their sport?
The have the desire (calling) to a specific sport
They Practice
They have Dedication and Passion
They show Endurance
Ultimately,”They love it!”
Yet they are a part of a team … each one doing his/her best.
Did you watch the opening ceremony? When they all marched in together on Friday night …. Makes me think of what heaven will be like.
Here’s what the Apostle John saw: “After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.’" (Revelation 7:9–10)
Until that time … we exist in the church … in the world
THE CHURCH IS A LIVING ORGANISM
The church is not a building of brick, board and mortar. These things are dead. The church is alive!
What does it mean to be the body of Christ today? The church is a living organism. Human bodies are living organisms. Look at any part of my body; each part is alive.
They remain alive because they are connected, in a symbiotic relationship.
There are millions of billions of little living cells in my body.
Look through a microscope; you can see the movement of millions of particles that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
So also with the body of Christ. The church is a living organism, composed of billions of different parts, in every nation, in all tribes and languages around the globe.
THE CHURCH IS A COMPLEX ORGANISM
The earth itself is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest human imagination.
The oceans are enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
The universe is enormously complex and intricate beyond our wildest imagination.
So is the body of Christ.
Each cell is so complex. Each congregation is so complex.
Each congregation in each culture in each century is so utterly complex.
Yet all are part of Christ’s body.
WE ALL HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY
Paul tells us that we have different gifts according to the grace given us. In 1 Corinthians Paul seems to amplify on what he is saying, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. (1 Cor. 12:4-7)
Not everyone is called or equipped to do the same thing.
You can’t do what other Christians can do. Don’t be discouraged. This is part of God’s design!
Different doesn’t mean better or worse – it’s just different.
God determines who gets what. 1 Corinthians 12:11 - “All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines”.
Everyone’s gift is given for the purpose of enriching the whole body.
It’s not about you! Or me for that matter.
THE CHURCH WILL BE EFFECTIVE WHEN WE DO WHAT WE CAN DO
Paul’s counsel is pretty simple, “If you are able to teach, teach; if you can serve, serve; if you are a preacher, preach. If you are an encourager, encourage.” In other words, our job is to do what we can do.
Maybe you’re thinking: “I don’t know what I can do.”
Ask two questions and then act.
First – Ask yourself, “What am I good at?”
Second – Ask, “How can I use this for the Kingdom of God?”
Then – Take a step of faith. Try it out. Ask the pastor or elders where you fit in.
WE NEED TO SEE OUR WORK FOR GOD AS A SPECIAL CALLING IN THE OVERALL KINGDOM OF GOD
The story is told …
Three stonemasons were working on a cathedral when a stranger wandered by. The first stonemason was toting rocks to a pile near a wall.
“What are you doing?” asked the stranger.
“Can’t you see that I’m carrying rocks?”
The stranger asked the second laborer, “What are you doing?”
“I’m building a wall,” he replied.
A few steps away, the stranger came upon a third mason. “What are you doing?” he asked.
This worker smiled, “I’m building a cathedral to the glory of God!”
Same jobs - different attitude.
How would you answer?
Are you reading through an outline to a group of people on Sunday morning?
Are you a Sunday school teacher?
Or are you building lives and training workers for use in God’s Kingdom?
Your attitude makes all the difference.
Carrying rocks? Building a wall? Building God’s Kingdom?
Paul tells us, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
I showed the children my tool box. (It is Labor Day weekend after all)
We looked at the different tools and talked about how they are useful to build or repair something.
If all I had were a box of hammers, I couldn’t do anything.
God wants to build his Kingdom in this world.
We are God’s toolbox.
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