Acts 2:42-47, Colossians 1:3-14

Acts 2:42-47

Colossians 1:3-14

“Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ”

September 30, 2007

Part 4 of “Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series

For the month of September we’re looking how we can be the very best Church we can be – or how we can be the Church God wants us to be.

            Three weeks ago we began by noting that we can’t just gather our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – or our ideas about what we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be – without first looking to God and seeking what God’s ideas are about what we need to be doing here at Hopewell – and what God thinks we need to be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.

The point is that we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and we may have many ideas and plans for how to make it that way. That’s a good thing — I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be. But – we need to also take a look at what God may be calling us to be doing – and what God may feel we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be. It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing. But – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

The questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            But – they are:

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

            These are the questions we started considering two weeks ago and will continue to consider for the next two weeks.

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            We’re looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question. The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early church committed themselves to – things like:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church.

We’re looking at these things that the members of the early church committed themselves to so we cam get a vision for how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, and do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be.

That’s the theme for our month of September.

Three weeks ago we looked at Acts 2:42-47 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:16-20 – and saw how a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission is a great Church. We saw how we need to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells Good News!

Two weeks ago week we added a second step to the process as we look at Acts 2: 42-47 and Ephesians 5:1-20 – and discovered that we need t be a Church that exalts God.

Last week we added a third step as we looked at Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 12 – and saw how we need to be a Church that works together.

Today we are going to consider a passage from Colossians 1:3-14 — and discover how we need to be a Church that grows in Christ.

Listen to God’s Word. (Read passages)

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be!

Let’s be a Church that tells the Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that works together!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

We have already noted that — when you look at the description of the early church that Acts 2:42-47 gives us — you get the sense that this was not a church that people joined just because it would look good on their resume or because they thought it would help them make influential friends or help their standing in the community. No – this was a group of individuals whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God – and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to work together for the glory of God in the world. This was a group of people who were committed to growing in their relationships with Christ.

You could tell they were committed to these things from the way they worshiped:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)

and the way they lived as they:

gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:45-47)

They wanted to exalt and glorify God – they wanted to live lives that showed God’s glory to the world – committed themselves to working together to show God to the world through their worship and their actions – and committed themselves to growing in Christ. And – God blessed them and added to their numbers daily.

They were the Church God wanted them to be – telling the Good News of God, exalting God, working together for the glory of God, and growing in Christ.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

In Colossians 1:3-14, Paul is excited about what’s going on in the church at the Greek city of Colosse. The church was growing – they had a great faith and a great amount of love for God, for each other, and for others. He prayed that they would continue growing – and would be filled with the knowledge of God. Paul wanted the church to be a church that grew – not only in numbers – but a church that grew in Christ.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

If Hopewell is going to be the Church that God wants it to be – if we are going to be the Church that God wants us to be – we are going to have to be a Church that grows in Christ. It’s a great thing to grow numerically – and we are celebrating that today. But we not only need to grow numerically – we also need to grow spiritually – we have to be committed to – as Paul writes – being filled

with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9)

What this means is that each member of Hopewell – each of us – are going to have to be committed to growing in Christ.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Paul gives us 4 hints here in Colossians 1:3-14 to what it means to be a Church that grows in Christ.

1. First – we need to grow in the knowledge of God.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10)

A friend of mine related top me how one day he was getting to go to a meeting when his son asked him if he could go with him.

He replied: “Sorry, but no. The meeting will be long and tedious. You’ll be bored out of your skull.”

His son looked at him and said:

“You’ll be there – won’t you?”

“Yes” my friend replied.

His son then said: “Then it won’t be too bad.”

How do you think that made my friend feel?

Can you guess that the son got to go to the meeting?

My friend says that occasionally his son will ask him a question, like

“Who was your favorite band when you were in high school?” or

“Who’s your favorite quarterback?” or

“Who will you vote for to be President?”

His son asks questions like this because he wants to know him, and this desire pleases my friend very much.

In the same way, God is pleased with us when we have a desire to know him.

Some people approach knowing God in a backwards manner. They try to develop an image of God that pleases them. I was in a church once and there was a notice on the bulletin board for an upcoming workshop called, “Do-It-Yourself Theology.” The poster said that the workshop would help you “develop a concept of God you can live with.”

Friends — this is not the way to approach God. We can’t say, “This is the kind of God that pleases me, so this is how I want God to be.” Instead, our attitude must be, “God, reveal yourself to me. Show me the way you are.”

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Do you want Hopewell to be the Church God wants it to be? Then, you are going to have to be the Christian God wants you to be. You are going to have to grow in your relationship with Christ. One way to do that is to grow in your knowledge of Christ. You are going to have to get to know Him. How do you do that? Well, how do you get to know anyone? You do it by spending time with them. God wants you to know Him, and He will make Himself known to you if you will make the effort to know Him. The more time you spend in God’s presence, in his Word,

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

One step is to grow in your knowledge of God.

A second step is:

2. Do good.

Paul writes:

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10)

As Christians, we can live with the assurance that our good works are not wasted. When we do good, God blesses our good works and uses them for His eternal purposes, even if we don’t see immediate results from our efforts. The “bearing fruit” part that Paul talks about here is God’s responsibility. God will make it happen. The “good works” part, however, is our responsibility.

Now, I want to make one thing clear:

Our good works do not save us.

If you want to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus, and your strategy for getting there consists exclusively of doing a bunch of good deeds, then it’ll never happen! You can’t work your way into heaven. You can’t “do-good” your way into a right relationship with God. If you want to come alive spiritually, there’s only one way it can happen: you have to have a personal relationship with Christ. You must surrender your life to Christ and ask Him to come into your heart and forgive of your sins and fill you with the Holy Spirit and make you into a brand new person. When you do that, He makes you spiritually alive and changes you into a brand new person! That’s when you’re ready and able to do good works.

Doing good works doesn’t save you or make you more of a child of God than you were before. There’s a first – things – first principle at work here; you must give your life to Jesus before you can begin to work for him.

When I was growing up I had jobs I had to do. The list included cleaning my room, doing my homework, taking out the trash, and other things that helped around the house. My Dad always made it clear to me that I didn’t do these things in order to be a part of the family, but I did them because I was part of the family. When I did my work, Dad was pleased. It pleased him because I was part of his family – I was his child. When my friend across the street did his homework, it didn’t make any difference to Dad because he wasn’t a part of our family – he was not Dad’s child.

God wants us to do good works. He has things He wants us to do because we are a part of His family.

What kind of good works? Well, the Bible gives us a great deal of direction in this matter—there are hundreds of commandments to follow. We’re to help the poor, we’re to reach out to the lost, we’re to honor our parents, we’re to encourage our children, we’re to forgive our enemies, we’re to show mercy and compassion to others…I could go on and on. These are all general “good works” that we should all be doing.

But – you might ask – what specific good work does God want you to be doing? Well, the answer to this question is determined by the answer to three other questions:

1. What has God given you the ability to do?

2. What has God given you the desire to do?

3. What has God given you the opportunity to do?

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Be a person who does good works!

Examined your options — what God has given you a desire to do, an ability to do, and an opportunity to do — and you’ll have some idea of what good works God wants you to do.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

    Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
                Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

One way is to grow in the knowledge of God.

Another way is to do good.

There’s a third way Paul gives us in Colossians 1:3-14:

3. Endure with patience.

When you read Scripture you can’t help but notice that God places a great deal of value on endurance. It’s not enough to start well, God wants us to finish well, also – to endure to the end.

God places great value on the ability to endure, but let’s not lose sight of where the ability to endure comes from. There’s only one way we can endure: if we are, in Paul’s words…

…strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience… (Colossians 1:10)

The bottom line is this: if you try to live your life in your own power, or by your won strength, you’ll probably fail. But, if you yield yourself to God, He’ll fill you with His strength and power, and give you the ability to endure.

I heard about a little boy who was trying to fix his bicycle, and he wasn’t having much success at it. He tried and he tried, and he failed again and again. Finally, in frustration, he threw down his tools and said to his father, “I give up. I’ve done everything that I can, but I just can’t fix my bike.”

His father said, “Have you asked for my help?”

The boy said, “No.”

The dad said, “Then you haven’t done everything you can do.”

You see — God wants us to endure till the end, but the only way that can be done is trusting Him to strengthen us according to His might — not our own. And how do you receive His power? Just like the little boy who needed help with the bicycle — you ask. It pleases God when we trust Him. It pleases God when we depend on Him. It pleases God when we turn to Him as our only source of strength.

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

One way is to grow in the knowledge of God.

Another way is to do good.

A third way is to learn to endure with patience.

There’s a fourth way Paul gives us here:

4. Have a thankful heart.

Paul says we should be…

giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

When we begin to understand what Christ has done for us we cannot help but feel grateful! ..

He’s given us an eternal inheritance in heaven;

He’s rescued us from darkness of sin;

He’s saved us;

He’s forgiven our sins.

Think of all the other things God has done for you…all the blessings he has put in your life—the people who love you, your job, your home, your family, this country, this church—when you think of all that God has done for you, you cannot help but feel grateful. However, God does not want our gratitude to be expressed from a sense of dread; he wants it to be expressed from a sense of joy—”joyfully giving thanks to the Father.”

Do you see what Paul is saying?

God wants you to say “thank you” to Him and give Him praise. It pleases God to hear his children say, “Thank you.” But – God also wants us to joyously celebrate all the blessings He gives us!

depend on Him. It pleases God when we turn to Him as our only source of strength.

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!
            Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

If Hopewell is going to be the Church God wants Hopewell to be, it’s going to have to be a Church that grows in Christ. What that means is that we are going to have to be people who grow in Christ.

Paul gives us 4 things to in this process of becoming people who grow in Christ:

1. Grow in the knowledge of God.

2. Do good.

3. Learn to endure with patience.

4. Have a thankful heart.

Grow in Christ!

Grow in the knowledge God – do good – learn to endure with patience – have a thankful heart.

Let’s be a Church that grows in Christ!

Amen.

Acts 2:42-47, I Corinthians 12

 

 

1 Corinthians 12

Acts 2:42-47

“Let’s Be A Church That Works Together”

September 23, 2007

Part 3 of “Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series

For the month of September we’re looking how we can be the very best Church we can be – or how we can be the Church God wants us to be.

            Two weeks ago we began by noting that we can’t just gather our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – or our ideas about what we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be – without first looking to God and seeking what God’s ideas are about what we need to be doing here at Hopewell – and what God thinks we need to be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.

The point is that we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and we may have many ideas and plans for how to make it that way. That’s a good thing — I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be. But – we need to also take a look at what God may be calling us to be doing – and what God may feel we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be. It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing. But – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

The questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            But – they are:

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

            These are the questions we started considering two weeks ago and will continue to consider for the next two weeks.

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            We’re looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question. The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early church committed themselves to – things like:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church.

We’re looking at these things that the members of the early church committed themselves to so we cam get a vision for how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, and do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be.

That’s the theme for our month of September.

Two weeks ago we looked at the passage from Acts 2 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:26-30 – and saw how a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission is a great Church. We saw how we need to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells Good News!

Last week we added a second step to the process as we look at Acts 2: 42-47 and Ephesians 5:1-20 – and discovered that we need t be a Church that exalts God.

Today we’re going to add a third step as we look at Acts 2:42-47 and 1 Corinthians 12 – and see how we need to be a Church that works together.

Listen to God’s Word. (Read passages)

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be!

Let’s be a Church that tells the Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You may remember that we noted last week that — when you look at the description of the early church that Acts 2:42-47 gives us — you get the sense that this was not a church that people joined just because it would look good on their resume or because they thought it would help them make influential friends or help their standing in the community. No – this was a group of individuals whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God – and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. You could tell from the way they worshipped:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)

and the way they lived as they:

gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:45-47)

They wanted to exalt and glorify God – they wanted to live lives that showed God’s glory to the world – and committed themselves to working together to show God to the world through their worship and their actions. And – God blessed them and added to their numbers daily.

They were the Church God wanted them to be – telling the Good News of God, exalting God, and working together for the glory of God.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

If we are going to the Church God wants us to be, we are going to have to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells the Good News that God has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – and lives can be changed – we are going to have to commit ourselves to living lives that exalt and glorify God – and we are going to have to commit ourselves to working together for the glory of God.

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

One of my favorite things to do on Sunday as a kid was to read the Sunday comics (or the funnies as we called them). Of all the comics I read, the one that I never missed was Peanuts. In one of those cartoons, Lucy came into the room and demanded that Linus change the channel on the TV.

“What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asked Linus.
“These five fingers,” replied Lucy.

“Individually they’re nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”
“Which channel do you want?” asked Linus.
Turning away, he looked at his fingers and said, “Why can’t you guys get organized like that?”

While I don’t condone Lucy’s methods, however effective they might have been, she does give us a powerful illustration of what might happen if we here at Hopewell Presbyterian were to work together.

Remember what she said: “Individually they’re nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”

It is when we come together – it is when we work together — that we become an effective instrument to be used in the world for the glory of God – and that is a wonderful thing to behold!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
Let’s be a Church that works together!

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the Church to the human body. Through this analogy, he communicates the important truth of our need to accept our differences as individual members of the Body of Christ and to recognize these differences as vital to the proper functioning of the whole. Our differences are not to be accentuated, resulting in division. Rather, they are for the purpose of meeting the various needs that exist within the Church—both locally and globally. There are many parts because there are many needs. And without the various parts, some needs would be neglected.

I’m going to help you understand Paul’s teaching in this section by summarizing all that he says in just 3 words—so if you fail to hear anything else that is said, don’t miss these three words. The point that Paul is trying to make can be summed up in this motto:

You are needed!

Let me repeat it so there’s no mistaking it:

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
Let’s be a Church that works together!

If we are going to be a Church that works together, we are going to have to be a church that says to each other:

You are needed!

We are going to have to be a Church where everyone realizes that

You are needed!

We are going to have to be a Church where everyone says to everyone else:

You are needed!

Here in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul gives us three principles to drive home the point that each person is needed – and that we all need each other.

First – Each Member Is Indispensable

The first principle that Paul wants us to understand about our need for one another is that each member is indispensable. While each member of the Body of Christ is not the same, each of us is essential to the whole. Paul uses the analogy of the human body, which is made up of many different parts, to show us how the variety of parts – eyes, hands, ears, nose — is essential to the whole-ness of the body. Each part must be present in order for the body to be complete. If the human body was made up of only one part, then it would cease to be a body—by definition, a body is made up of many parts.
If it were possible for a body to be made up on only one part, then it would be an extremely limited body—it would miss out on all the functionality and potential of all the other parts. We are given eyes to see, ears to hear, hands to touch, and noses to smell. The various parts of our human bodies contribute to the whole in unique and significant ways that no other part can do.
Each part of the body is indispensable.

Each part of the body is needed.

So it is with the Body of Christ.

God has made us all different and unique.

He gives each of us particular gifts that no one else has in the same way we do. We are each special and we are each necessary. We each need to do what we can do – we all need to do the things God has created and gifted to do – for us to function in the way God intends for us top function as a Church.

Each part of the body is indispensable.

Each part of the body is needed.

Each one of us in the Church is indispensable.

Each one of us in the Church is needed.

You are needed!

You are needed!

I read about a very wise mother who – when her child came home from school one day crying because they had been given only a small part in the children’s program while their friend got the leading role — took off her watch and put it in her child’s hand.

“What do you see?” the mother asked.

“A gold case, a face, and two hands” the child replied.

Then — opening the back of the watch – the mother repeated the question. The child told her that there were many tiny wheels.

“This watch would be useless,” the mother said, “without every part—even the ones you can hardly see.”

Each one of us in the Church is indispensable.

Each one of us in the Church is needed.

You are needed!

You are needed!

Not all of us will play the leading roles in the Church. Some of us have to be the supporting actors and actresses. But we all have a purpose and a place in the Church. Each of us is important and essential. In order for the Church to function properly, it must have a variety of parts that work together as a whole. Remember: You are needed!

Each one of us in the Church is indispensable.

Each one of us in the Church is needed.

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

Each member is indispensable.

There’s a second point Paul makes –

Each Member Is Interdependent

The second principle in the passage from 1 Corinthians 12 is that each member is interdependent. That means that every part of the Body of Christ relies on the proper functioning of every other part.

Without the parts of our bodies cooperating with each other, it not only would be hard to dance the Hokey Pokey – as the Young Disciples found out earlier – but many (if not all) of the vital tasks our bodies perform would be impossible.

        Take, for example, the simple act of speaking, like I’m doing right now. If any of the parts of my body that are necessary for speech were to decide that they didn’t want to participate in this act, it would be impossible for me to talk at this very…moment. Speech is possible only when my brain, nerves, tongue, jaws, lips, larynx, lungs, diaphragm, heart, veins, arteries, capillaries and parts unknown to me all work together for that specific purpose. What appears on the surface to be the work of only one part of the body is actually a very complex and precise cooperative act of many members of the body.

            The same is true of the Church.

            Each member of the Body of Christ is interdependent. Even the most menial task in the Church requires a coordinated effort between the various members. It has been noted that the best pictures of the church are group pictures. The more mature we become in Christ, the more we realize that we need each other.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

In a certain mountain village in Europe several centuries ago, a nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave to the townspeople. At last he decided to build them a church. No one saw the complete plans for the church until it was finished. When the people gathered, they marveled at its beauty and completeness. Then someone asked, “But where are the lamps? How will they be lighted?” The nobleman pointed to some brackets in the walls. Then he gave each family a lamp that they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. “Each time you are here the area where you are seated will be lighted,” the nobleman said. “Each time you are not here, that area will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God’s house will be dark”

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

When a child flies a kite, we might ask: “Who is flying the kite?”

            “I am,” the wind might boast!
“I am,” the paper might reply!
“I am,” the tail might exclaim!
“I am,” the string might insist!
“I am,” the child might boast!
But in reality, they are ALL flying the kite!

If the wind had lulled, if the paper had torn, if the tail had gotten caught in the tree, if the string had broken, or the child had fallen, then the kite would have come down! Each had a part to play!

In the Church, we are all needed – we all have a part to play.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

              Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

            God has placed you here in a strategic role! You are an important part of the success and effectiveness of Hopewell Preabyterian Church! Everyone else is depending on you to be here and to carry out your particular function. And when you fail to be here and/or carry out your function in the Church, the whole Church suffers.

So use your gifts to the glory of God and leave the results to him.

Remember: You are needed!

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

Each member of the Church is indispensable!

Each member of the Church is interdependent!

            The third point Paul makes is that each member of the Church is interconnected.

Anything that affects one member of the Body of Christ is felt by all of the members. You know — most of us don’t give a lot of thought to our toes, especially our little pinkie toes (except, perhaps, when we’re playing with our children and it comes to that part in the game where it’s time to say, “And this little piggy went, ‘Wee, wee, wee,’ all the way home”). Pinkie toes—they’re just things we don’t normally spend hours reflecting upon. But suppose you’re at home, running around barefoot, and you carelessly happen to bump that pinkie toe into the leg of a chair. Let me assure you, it will become immediately evident that your pinkie toe does, in fact, exist. Every part of your body will join in its pain. The leg and foot that is not injured will begin to jump up and down. Your back will bend over in order to enable your arm and hand to extend a soothing massage. All the members necessary for speech will join in and offer groans that words cannot express. No part of your body will go untouched by the injury to your pinkie toe. All will be affected.

If you don’t believe me, try it some time.

        That’s exactly how it’s supposed to work in the Body of Christ. That’s what Paul is saying in 1 Corinthians 12:26:

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

            We are all related. There are ties between each of us that make us inseparable. When something happens to one member the Church, whether it is good or bad, all of us are to respond accordingly. In practical terms, this means that I cannot be blind to what is happening in your life and you cannot be blind to what is happening in mine. If each of us is going to remain a vital part of the Church, then we must do our part in seeing that we are in touch with all of the other members of this body – in touch with each other. We have to know if they are hurting, and join them in their suffering. We have to know if they are rejoicing, and join them in their happiness.

Each member of the Church is indispensable!

Each member of the Church is interdependent!

Each member is interconnected.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

            One thing we have to avoid in the Church is what I call spiritual leprosy. A simple description of leprosy is that it is a disease that causes a gradual loss of feeling. What happens to those infected by the bacteria that causes leprosy is that they become numb to the conditions surrounding them. They can’t sense what is happening around them. One who has leprosy could cut themselves and never experience the sensation of pain. As a result, the wound receives no attention, and infection sets in. If not treated in time, the infection could progress to gangrene and eventually destroy the whole body.
                This is what happens when a Church has what I call “Spiritual Leprosy”. The members become unable to sense what is occurring in the lives of the other members of the body. One member may get injured. If that injury is not attended to, it will become progressively worse until that person is finally ruined. We must beware that we do not become infected with this fatal disease. We are interconnected to one another. We must share in the experiences of one another.

            Get to know each other. Don’t just spend all of your time with certain people in the Church –make yourself know others.

            Take the first step — don’t wait until they come to you. And keep your eyes focused outward to the needs of others. Join others in their grief and joy. Remember: you are needed!

Each member of the Church is indispensable!

Each member of the Church is interdependent!

Each member is interconnected.

You are needed!

Each person in the Church is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

Each person in the Church is needed!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

You are needed!

You are needed!

            If we are going to be the Church God wants us to be, we’re going to have to take our cue from the early Church – and the way it is described in Acts 2.

We are going to have to be a Church that tells the good news that Jesus Christ has come into the world and that sins can be forgiven and lives can be changed.

We are going to have to be a Church that glorifies God!’

We are going to have to be a Church that works together!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is indispensable!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is interdependent!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is interconnected!

We are going to have to be a Church where each member is needed!

We are going to have to be a Church that communicates to each member:
You are needed!

We are going to have to be a Church where each person is important – and has an important part to play as we do the work of God in the world.

We are going to have to be a Church that celebrates that each person is needed.

OK — you’ve heard me say it enough times – and now it’s your turn. Everyone stand up — turn to the person next to you – and say to them:

“You are needed!”

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

            Let’s be a Church that works together!
            Let’s be a Church that works together!

Amen

 

Acts 2:42-47, Ephesians 5:1-20

Acts 2:42-47

Ephesians 5:1-20

“Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God”

Part 2 of “Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series

September 16, 2007

For the month of September we’re looking how we can be the very best Church we can be – or how we can be the Church God wants us to be.

Last week we began by noting that we can’t just gather our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – or our ideas about we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be – without first looking to God to seek what God’s ideas are about what we need to be doing here at Hopewell – and what God thinks we need to be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.

The point is that we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and all of us we may have ideas and plans on how to make it that way. That’s a good thing — I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be. But – we need to also take a look at what God may be calling us to be doing – and what God may feel we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be. It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing. But – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

The questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

But – they are:

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

These are the questions we started considering last week and will continue to consider for the next few weeks.

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

We’re looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question. The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early committed themselves to – things like:

1. telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2. worshipping and exalting God

3. working together for God’s glory

4. growing in Christ

5. serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church.

We’re looking at these things that the members of the early church committed themselves to so we cam get a vision for how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, and do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be.

That’s the theme for our month of September. Last week we looked at the passage from Acts 2 and the Great Commission in Matthew 28:26-30 – and saw how a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission is a great Church. We saw how we need to commit ourselves to being a Church that tells Good News!

Today we’re going to add a second step to the process as we look at Acts 2: 42-47 and Ephesians 5:1-20 – and discover that we need t be a Church that exalts God.

Listen to God’s Word in Acts 2:42-47 and also Ephesians 5:1-20:

Read Scripture

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

Let’s be the Church God wants us to be!

1. Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2. Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

When you look at the description of the early church that Acts 2:42047 gives us, you get the sense that this was not a church people joined just because it would look good on their resume or because they thought it would help them make influential friends or help their standing in the community. No – this was a group of individuals whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. This was a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God – and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives.

This was a church that exalted God.

You could tell that in the way they worshipped:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer (Acts 2:42)

And you could tell it in the way they lived as they:

gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Acts 2:45-47)

They were a group of people whose lives had been changed by God, and who were committed to living a life that showed others the difference God had made in their lives. They were a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God — and reflect the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. And – God blessed them – and

added to their number those who were being saved.

They were a church that exalted God – and God blessed them and used them to bring others to Him.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Why can it be said that the early church was a church that exalted God? Because it’s members exalted God and lived lives that showed the glory of God to the world — they were a group of people who wanted to exalt and glorify God — and reflected the glory of God in their worship and in the way they lived their lives. The church exalted God because it’s members exalted God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

If Hopewell is going to be a Church that exalts God – what do you think is going to have to happen?

It’s members are going to have to be people who live lives that exalt God! And who are it’s members? You are! You are going to have to live a life that exalts God! And – while the Book of Order does not allow me to be a member of Hopewell – I can’t run away from the fact that I represent Hopewell to the community – possibly more so than any of you do – so I’m going to add myself to this list of those who are going to have to live a life that exalts God.

So – here we go – if Hopewell is going to be a Church that exalts God, we are going to have to be live lives that exalt God.

If Hopewell is going to be a Church that exalts God, we are going to have to live lives that exalt God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Ok – but what does that mean – so we have to live lives that exalt God. How do we do that?

In Ephesians 5 Paul calls on us to “be imitators of God” . That’s how we exalt and glorify God — we imitate God. We live lives that help others see God in the way we live – the things we do – the things we say — and the way we worship. Yea – we exalt God by imitating God.

You know – I enjoy good comedy – and one of my favorite genres of comedy is that of impersonation. I love watching people who can do good impersonations of others. I grew up with the likes of Rich Little and his impersonation of Richard Nixon. Dana Carvey’s impersonation of the senior George Bush was one of the best—even the former president loved it. Being a good impersonator requires more that just knowing some things about the person you are imitating – it requires actually learning to talk like that person – it requires taking on some of that person’s characteristics. In the same way, if we are going to be – imitators of God – as Paul calls us to be – we are going to have to learn things about God – and we also are going to have to take on some of God’s characteristics in our own lives.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God, we are going to have to be people who imitate God – who show God to the world – who take on some of God’s characteristics in our lives and show God to others.

But – maybe you’ve tried to imitate God in the past – or maybe you’re trying to imitate God now – and have found it to be difficult. Maybe your plan for being an imitator of God – your plan for exalting God in how you live your life day in and day out is not working.

I’m reminded of the football quarterback whose team was being beaten at the hands of a much more talented and a much larger team. Every time his team would get the ball, his coach would call for running plays – and every time they would lose yardage. The quarterback would complain to the coach about running the ball every time and would point out that it wasn’t working – but the coach would respond “that’s our game plan and we’re going to stick with it.” Finally the coach called some pass plays – and the team started moving down the field – scoring points – until finally with just a few minutes left in the game they only 6 points behind. It came down to one final play. The coach reverted to his original plan – and called a running play – but the quarterback knew better. He called for a pass play – one that was brilliantly executed – and the team scored and kicked the extra point – winning the game. The coach, while excited about winning, was also concerned about why the quarterback had changed the play he had called for. When he asked the quarterback, he replied: “Well, coach, your plan A didn’t work – so I thought I’d try my Plan B.”

A lot of times in our live plan A doesn’t work – so we have to go to plan B. I’m going to recommend something today. I’m going to recommend that – if we want to truly be a Church that exalts God – if we really want to be people who exalt God and are imitators of God – if we really want to be a group of people who exalt and glorify God and reflect the glory of God in our worship and in the way we live our lives – we are going to have to scrap whatever plan A is and go to plan B – or really we have to go with plan B E – Plan Be!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

As we look at Ephesians 5:1-20 I believe that we will find 5 steps to “Plan Be” – 5 things we have to “be” to be people who imitate and exalt God – and a Church that exalts God.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to “Plan Be” is:

1. Be an imitator of God

Be an imitator of God.

1Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

One thing we have to do to be an imitator of God – to be a person who exalts God and show God to the world – is to love. Paul’s not talking about a feeling here – he’s referring to actions – actions that show God’s love to others even when we might not feel like showing God’s love to them. When we do such actions, we imitate – and we exalt God.

An example of this type of love is the ability to forgive others. Forgiveness is not easy. Mohandas Gandhi said: “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” He may not have been a Christian, but Gandhi understood this aspect of forgiveness: It requires strength. Forgiving others is not easy – but if we are going to be people who imitate and exalt God we have to be people who can forgive. I think that one thing that can make forgiving others easier is to remember what God has forgiven you for. When you have something to forgive someone for, when someone hurts you – your Plan A might be to get revenge. If so, let me suggest you go to Plan Be – Be an Imitator of God. Remember all the things God has forgiven you for, and do what you can to imitate God by forgiving others.

Plan Be starts with: Be an imitator of God.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God

The second step is:

2. Be different

Paul calls on us to be different from others:

3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a] 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them.

Be different.

If we are going to live lives that exalt God – lives that glorify God – lives and show God to the world – we are going to have to lives lives that are different from others. We are going to have to be different. It may be easy to be different from those who are sexually immoral – but what about greed – what about obscenity – what about “foolish talk” – or “coarse joking”? These are not easy things to avoid because we come around those who indulge in these things every day. We come across these things and are exposed to these things in a lot of ways at work or as we go about our daily tasks – and we even invite these things into our homes with the things we watch on TV or the things we download or view on the internet.

If you find that your “Plan A” for your life is to do, think, and say the things everyone else does, thinks, and says – if you find that your “Plan A” for your life makes you look, talk, and do things just like everybody else – if you find your “Plan A” for your how you live your life doesn’t make you a person that is noticeably different for the glory of God from everyone else – then I invite you to try “Plan Be” – Be different.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God. The second step is: Be different

The third step is:

3. Be careful.

Paul writes:

15Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Be careful. This word the NIV translates “careful” can also be translated as “cautious.” In his modern translation The Message Eugene Peterson translates it: “Watch your step.” Another paraphrase could be, “Pay attention to how you live.“

Be careful. Be cautious. Watch your step. Pay attention to how you live.

Be careful.

If you’ve ever traveled, then you might know what it’s like to be in a strange city — always watching where you are – not knowing if you’re in a safe neighborhood — carefully reading every street sign so you can find your way around. If you’re like most people, you are much more deliberate, much more careful about your actions when you travel than you are when you are at home.

Be careful – Paul says.

Be careful. Be cautious. Watch your step. Pay attention to how you live.

Have you ever played on a sports team? If so, have you ever played in a big game? A championship game? You realize how important every play is. Every time you step up to the plate, you realize, I could help win this game with a good at-bat. Every time the ball is hit your direction you think, “I could help win this game if I play this ball right.” Every play matters in a championship game.

Be careful. Be cautious. Watch your step. Pay attention to how you live

These are two great metaphors for daily living. They help us live out Paul’s command to “be careful.” We should approach every day with a certain amount of caution, because there is spiritual danger all around us. When the pressure to succeed is mounting and you start to think about cutting some ethical corners, be careful. When that person in the office says something subtly flirtatious, be careful. When you come home on edge and as soon as you walk in the door your spouse says the wrong thing, be careful. Danger lurks at every turn of the day. Be careful. Approach each moment of each day with caution. But – we should also approach every moment of the day with anticipation. We should always remember that we have an opportunity to make a real difference for the glory of God in someone’s life if we will say the right thing or do the right thing. Everything we do might matter to someone else – so we have to be careful – and make sure what we do is the right thing.

If your “Plan A” to life is to just live every day in a haphazard manner and not really think about what you do, think, or say, I invite you to try “Plan Be” – and be careful!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God. The second step is: Be different. The third step is: Be careful. The 4^th step is:

4. Be Filled with the Spirit

Paul writes:

17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

Paul’s command to be filled with the Holy Spirit is an indication that when it comes to being Spirit-filled, the ball is in our court. It is up to us to activate it. How do you activate it? It’s very simple. You ask, you yield, you receive. You ask God to fill you with his Holy Spirit, to give you as much of Him as you can have. You ask, and then you yield yourself to Him, surrendering your will to His will. And you receive it, because at that moment He fills you with his Spirit. You don’t have to wait for a feeling or any kind of sign, because the proof of his presence is not in your emotions, it’s in the reliability of his word. It is God’s will that you be filled with the Holy Spirit. If you ask him to fill you with a heart yielded to Him, He will fill you—guaranteed. Sometimes you won’t feel like you are filled with the Spirit, but if you ask God to fill you, if you let God work in your life, he’ll do it.

There are a lot of things we can fill our lives with – but if you let God fill you with His Spirit, He’ll do it – and you’ll live a life that exalts God.

If your “Plan A” for your life fills you with anything but the Spirit of God, I invite you to try “Plan Be” – and Be Filled with God’s Spirit.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God, we have to go with Plan Be.

The first step to Plan Be is: Be an imitator of God. The second step is: Be different. The third step is: Be careful. The 4^th step is:Be Filled with the Spirit. The 5^th step is:

5. Be worshipful

Paul writes:

19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Being worshipful is more than just what we do inside this Church – but it involves giving praise to God in everything we do. Being worshipful involves taking joy in whatever we are doing – and doing everything for the glory of God. Being worshipful involves being in communion with God every day – every moment – so God can guide you and direct you in the ways He wants you to go and you can make the difference He wants you to make for His glory in the world.

If your “Plan A” for your life doesn’t lead you to having a joyous, worshipful attitude that puts you in touch with God and lead you to serving God in every way you can, I invite you to try “Plan Be” – and be worshipful.

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

To be a Church that exalts God, we have to follow “Plan Be” –

1. Be an imitator of God

2. Be different

3. Be careful.

4. Be filled with the Spriit

5. Be worshipful

Acts 2:42-47 shows us a church where the members knew the difference God had made in their lives – and committed themselves to showing God to others in the way they lived their lives. They told the world the good news that God had come into the world and had changed their lives – and could change the world. They lived their lives in ways that exalted and glorified God.

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Ws To Be!

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Ws To Be!

Let’s be a Church that tells Good News!

Let’s be a Church that exalts God!

Amen

Acts 2:42-47, Matthew 28:16-20

Acts 2: 42-47

Matthew 28:16-20

“Be The Church God Wants Us To Be: Be A Church That Tells Good News”

September 9, 2007 

Part 1 of “Be The Church God Wants Us To Be” series 

 

            What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            If I were to pose that question and ask for a  responses from you in a setting different from Sunday morning worship, we might come up with a rather long list – for I am certain that you all have things you think the Church needs to be doing and you all have ideas of how to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be. I count it as a blessing that Hopewell is a Church where the members care about the Church and want to make it the best it can be.

Yea — we all want to make Hopewell the best Church it can be – and all of us we may have ideas and plans on how to make it that way.   

            Maybe what we should do is have a meeting – get everyone’s input —  – gather ideas about what we think we need to be doing as a Church – gather ideas about what we could be doing to make Hopewell the very best Church that it can be.

            What do y’all think?

            Yea – maybe that’s what we should do.

            Maybe we could bring in an outside consultant who could help us brainstorm – gather our ideas – prioritize them – and maybe even come up with an action plan of how we can accomplish our goals and become the best Church we can be!

            What do you think?

            You want to know what I think?

            I think we’d be leaving out a key ingredient in our attempt the be the best Church we can be – that key ingredient being God.

It’s great to have ideas and get input from each other about how we can make Hopewell the very best Church it can be.  We certainly need to share ideas and plans for actions we can take – as well as participate in the things we are doing.   But  – first of all – we don’t need to look at our ideas about what we need to be doing as a Church – but we need to – first of all – look at what God feels we need to be doing to be the very best Church we can be.

If we focus on what we think we need to be doing and what we think we can do to make Hopewell the very best Church it can be, we run the risk of never really discovering what God has in mind for us as a Church and what God wants us be  doing as a Church.  We run the risk of never learning what God would have us do to be the Church God want us to be – and it is what God thinks that we need to be doing, not what we think.

Again – sharing our ideas is good – even needed – but first we all need to pray for God to give us His vision and His ideas for the Church             

In the series I preached on Rick Warren’s book The Purpose Driven Life I related a story Warren used to illustrate the point that we can’t discover our true purpose for our lives by looking at what think we should be doing – but we need to focus on discovering  what God thinks we should be doing. 

Warren relates that once – while driving in the mountains – he was on a remote mountain road and couldn’t seem to get where he wanted to go.  He was afraid that he was lost.  After driving on the remote mountain road for some time (his wife was probably telling him to stop and ask for directions) he finally did stop and ask for directions.  The response he got was:

“O – you can’t get there on this road.

You’ll have to go back down the mountain and take the other road.”

Warren says that – if we are looking for true purpose for our lives by looking at our own ideas or the ideas of other people – we will never discover our true purpose.  We’re on the wrong road.  But – if we look for true purpose for our lives by looking at God’s will and following God’s advice – we will discover what God is calling us to do.

In the same way, we are not going to discover what we need to be doing as a Church by looking at our ideas. We are only going to discover what we need to be doing as a Church – the things we need to do to be the best Church we can be – if pray for God to give us a vision and look at God’s ideas and what God wants us to be doing as Church.

 So – the questions we need to consider are not:

What do you think we need to be doing as a Church?

Or

            What are some things you think we need to do to be the best Church we can be?

            But – they are:  

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

What does God want us to be doing as a Church?

            What are the things God wants us to do so we can be the Church God wants us to be?

            These are the questions we are going to consider the next few weeks.

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

            We’re going to be looking at how the book of Acts describes the early church to find answers to that question.

            The book of Acts says that there were certain things the members of the early committed themselves to – things like:

1.      telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2.      worshipping and exalting God

3.      working together for God’s glory

4.      growing in Christ

5.      serving God and others

and it says God blessed them and “added to their number” because they were seeking and following His will for their church. 

For the next 5 weeks we are going to look at these things the members of the early church committed themselves to.  As we look at these things we are going to see how we can take steps to commit ourselves to these things, do our part towards making Hopewell the Church God wants Hopewell to be.

I’ve entitled this series: Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be – and have titled the focuses for each week:

1.      Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2.      Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

3.      Let’s Be A Church That Works Together

4.      Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ

5.      Let’s Be A Church That Serves

Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be:

1. Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2. Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

3. Let’s Be A Church That Works Together

4. Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ

5. Let’s Be A Church That Serves

Today – we’re going to look at being a Church that tells good news.

Listen to God’s word as we look at – first of all – the description of the early church  in Acts 2: 42-47 – then the command Jesus gives us to tell the good news to all the world as we find it in Matthew 28:16-20. 

Listen to God’s word.

 Let’s Be The Church God Wants Us To Be:

1. Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

2. Let’s Be A Church That Exalts God

3. Let’s Be A Church That Works Together

4. Let’s Be A Church That Grows In Christ

5. Let’s Be A Church That Serves

Let’s be a Church that tells good news.

Let’s be a Church that tells good news.

In his book The Purpose Driven Church Rick Warren makes the comment:

“A great commitment to the great commission makes for a great Church”. 

A great commitment to the great commission makes for a great Church.

Jesus commissions His followers to:

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

This is what we call “The Great Commission”. 

            Go

            Make disciples

            Baptize

            Teach

The Great Commission.

Someone once noted that this is not “The Great Suggestion” – it is not optional – it is not something we can do if we feel like it or if we think we are called to do it or if we think we have the gifts to do it. This is “The Great Commission” – it is Jesus’ order to us as His followers – it is what Jesus calls us to be doing – whether we feel like it or not – or feel particularly called to do it or not – or feel particularly gifted to do it or not – it is our commission – or order.  

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Go

Make disciples

Baptize

Teach

What this means is that – if we are going to be the Church God wants us to be – we are going to have to have a great commitment to this Great Commission.  We are going to have to be a Church that is committed to proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ to those around us in our community and in the world.

We are going to have to be a Church that is committed to telling everyone the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – their sins can be forgiven – their lives can be changed – and they can be blessed.

That’s the good news we have to share with the world.

 Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven –lives can be changed – people can be blessed.

Folks – the first thing we need to be – as we strive to be the Church God wants us to be – is a Church that tells the Good News.

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Go – Jesus says – go –

 “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Go

Make disciples

Baptize

Teach

Go – tell the good news.

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

When we look at the description of the first church in Acts 2, we see some opf the things they were doing, and we see some of the results.

42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

They were:

1.      telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ

2.      worshipping and exalting God

3.      working together for God’s glory

4.      growing in Christ

5.      serving God and others

The first thing they were doing was telling others the Good News of Jesus Christ –   the  Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – that their sins can be forgiven – that their lives can be changed – and that they can be blessed.

First of all, they were being a Church told the Good News – and because they were doing this, God blessed them and “added to their number those who were being saved.”

If we are going to be the Church God wants us, to be, we are going to have to be a Church that tells Good News.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

OK – you might be thinking – that sounds well and good – but how do we do that?  Well, if you’re thinking of asking that question – I’m glad you asked – because I think this Great Commission gives us some specific things we can be doing to be a Church that tells Good News.

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

            I see a 3 step process here.

            1. The first step is : Go.

            Go.

            That’s what Jesus said to his disciples: “go…”

This is a basic principle for success in any venture, id it not?

You don’t wait for success to come to you, you go after success.

 For example, suppose a friend of yours needs a job. What advice would you give?

Would you say, “Well, you know, you’re a sharp guy. If I were you, I would sit by the phone and wait for a Fortune 500 company to realize that you’re available and call you with an offer.”

Would that be your advice?

I don’t think so!

You would probably say something along the lines of: “You know, if you need a job, then hit the streets, start knocking on doors, and eventually someone will hire you.” The flip side of this coin is that if you have a business, do you want to wait to see if the most talented people seek you out, or do you want to go after them and offer them a job? The most talented people have lots of offers; if you don’t seek them out, they won’t know you exist. In my experience as an employee, the best jobs I’ve had are the ones I pursued. In my experience as an employer, the best workers I’ve had are the ones I’ve pursued.

How does this relate to living out the Great Commission – being the Church God wants us to be – being a Church with a great commitment to the Great Commission – being a Church that tells Good News?  Well, if we want to be the Church God wants us to be – if we are going to be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission – if we are going to be a Church that tells Good News – if we are going to be a Church that is impacting the community and the world with the love of Jesus Christ and telling people that  Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven –lives can be changed – and they can be blessed – we are going to have to go and do it! We can’t sit here or sit in our homes  and wait for the community – for the world — to come to us. We have to go out into the community – into the world – with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We are going to have to go.

Oh – yea – we’ve go a beautiful building with a sign out front that says Hopewell Presbyterian Church.  The building we worship in now has been here since the 1820’s – and there has been a Church here or across the road since 1770.  The cemetery has been here since 1770.  Some form of Hopewell Presbyterian Church has stood here since 1770.  It might be tempting to think to think that if we just sit here – people will come to us. Well, yea, if we wait long enough, a few people will find us and might decide to visit. But if we really want to reach this community, we have to go—we have to reach out.

Go.

We can do that in a variety of ways. Advertising through direct mail and the newspapers is one way. Providing outreach ministries such as clothing and food drives is another. Providing exciting programs and activities families, for men, and for women is another.  Providing youth and children’s ministries that give uplifting ways for them to have fun and fellowship and to learn about God is another way we can display our commitment to the Great Commission and reach out into the community with the love of God and the Good News that  Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven –lives can be changed – and they can be blessed.  Having special services like the one we had a few weeks ago with Curtis and Lesa Hudson is another way to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ into the community. 

All these things are important and are great ideas – but they will be better and demonstrate a greater commitment to the Great Commission if we all go – “go”   Jesus said — we need to be our best salespeople spending time telling our friends and neighbors – the young people that live around us — about the exciting things we’re doing and inviting them to come – even if it means picking them up and bringing them with us! When we’re having special programs we need to be willing to go out and put posters flyers out into the community to let people know about it. We have to go and do it! 

Of course, we also have to be willing to talk to people about their relationship with God – the difference God can make in their lives – and inviting them to visit our Church if they don’t have a Church.  And we can never forget how important it is to tell someone you know about what Jesus has done for you and what he can do for them, too.

All of these are ways we can go into the community and into the world with our great commitment to the Great Commission – letting people know the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed.  All of these are ways we can be the Church God wants us to be – a Church that tells Good News.

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

Jesus said, “Go.” That’s the first key word – the first step toward being a Church that tells Good News. The second key word – the second step — is…

2. Stay.

Now you’re probably thinking:

You just said we needed to go. Now you’re saying we need to stay.  Which is it? 

Well – it’s both!

We’re supposed to go – and we’re supposed to stay.

Here’s what I mean — Jesus said ;

Therefore go and make disciples…baptizing them…teaching them… (Matthew 28:19)

He’s talking about going – but He’s also talking about staying. He’s talking about a long-term commitment to the people we serve.

When the Germans began their attacks that began World War II they used a tactic they called blitzkrieg – rushing in to an area with a lot of firepower, air attacks, and ground attacks, subduing the opposition, then moving on to the next area. Being the Church God want us to be – telling the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and our world – having a great commitment to the Great Commission – being committed to letting people know the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed – can not be a matter of  Holy  Blitzkrieg.  It can’t be a case of our dong a few programs – having a few special events – putting up a few posters – talking about what Jesus has done for us and can do for others for just a few weeks – then giving up when it doesn’t look like it’s making a difference. It’s about our doing these things consistently – day after day – week after week – month after month – year after year – and doing these things  long enough to make long-term change. It’s about our going into the community – going into the world – with our great commitment to the Great Commission – but it’s also about our staying – or doing these things on a consistent basis – so people can really see that we are serious when we tell them the Good News – that we are really serious when we say that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed. 

Anyone can build a Church. Anyone can put up a building, have snappy and up to date worship and have youth and adult ministries – and might have some success with it at first.  But the real success comes in working with people day in and day out on a long term basis – demonstrating to them the love and commitment God has for them. This takes work and a long term commitment – but those who have the commitment to do the work are the ones who make a real difference in their communities and the world for Christ.

    Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, once picked up a hitchhiker, who got in his car and began to swear profusely. Dawson’s habit was to share Christ with everyone he met, and as he began witnessing to this young man, he suddenly recognized him. He had witnessed to the same man months earlier, and the man had accepted Christ. Dawson had sent him on his way with the promise of Philippians 1:6—that God would finish the work he began in him. This event was a turning point for Dawson, because he realized that simply sharing the gospel was not enough — it was necessary to follow-up with new converts to help them become fully devoted disciples. As a result, his ministry took on a new direction, with a commitment to helping Christians become disciples and disciple-makers.

If you want to make a difference in people’s lives, you have to make a long-term commitment to be part of their lives. You have to be willing to stay with them, to help them grow.

In order for our church to be effective, our commitment to this community must be long-term.  It’s as simple as this: the longer we stay focused on fulfilling the Great Commission – the longer we go out and share Christ with others – the longer we strive to do everything we can to  tell the Good News of Jesus Christ to our community and our world – the longer we are committed to letting people know the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and they can be blessed – the more God will bless us, and the more effective we will be.

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

The first step is go.

The second is stay.

The third is –

3. Demonstrate.

Jesus said:

teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20)

He said, “Teaching them.” Not just “telling them,” but “teaching them.” There’s a difference between “telling” someone something and “teaching” someone something – isn’t there? “Teaching” places a certain amount of responsibility on  the teacher. Well, it is our job—our responsibility—to communicate the message of the gospel effectively. This involves more than words. It involves demonstrating the Christian life with our actions. Albert Schweitzer said, “Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It’s the only thing.” God wants us to show others what it means to be truly Christian. He wants us to lead by example. That’s how you teach people to become disciples. It’s not enough to describe obedience — we must demonstrate it — and keep demonstrating it until the lesson is learned. If we are truly going to be the Church God wants us to be, if we are going to have a great commitment to the Great Commission and if we are truly going to be a Church that tells Good News – we are each going to have to be committed to being the Christian God wants us to be so people can see by our example the difference Christ has made in our lives and can make in theirs. That was truly one of the things people noticed about the members of the early church as our description from Acts 2 tells us.  Is it something people will notice about us? 

Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

            Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28: 19-20)

To do this, we have to go – going into the world – into the community – telling people the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into the world – sins can be forgiven – lives can be changed – and people can be blessed. 

We also have to stay.  Staying with it – staying with our ministries and our message – being committed to our message and the life changing love of Christ and committed to sticking with out message so others can see the difference Christ has made in our lives.

We also have to demonstrate the life changing love of Christ in our actions – the way we treat others – the way we relate to others – the things we do. 

Friends — Let’s be a Church that has a great commitment to the Great Commission.

 Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Let’s Be A Church That Tells Good News

Eric Hoey, the PC(USA)’s Director For Evangelism And Church Growth, made a talk at the National Evangelism Conference I attended in Nashville last week.  In it, he asked the ministers and church leaders gathered if they were spending more time in church meetings or in attempts to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with others. He said that too many Christians spend too much time planning on how to tell the Good News to the world and too little time actually doing it.

He made the statement:

“If God gives you opportunity to open your mouth and share your faith, seize that opportunity.”

Remember – that was a Presbyterian who said that!

Not only that – that was one of the staff people on the General Assembly level of our denomination – who said that.

If I didn’t discover anything else at the conference last week – I discovered that God is doing a new thing in our denomination – and can do a new thing in our Church!

“If God gives you opportunity to open your mouth and share your faith, seize that opportunity.”

Don’t back away from it – do it!

If Jesus has made a difference in your life, talk about it!  Tell the world the Good News that Jesus Christ has come into your life – your sins have been forgiven – your life has been changed – you have been blessed  – and that Jesus can come into their life also – forgive their sins – change them – and bless them!

  Yea — “If God gives you opportunity to open your mouth and share your faith, seize that opportunity.”

So – what does God want us to be doing as a Church?

How can we be the Church God wants us to be?

First of all by being a Church that tells Good News!

Be the Church God wants us to be!

Be a Church that tells Good News!

Be a Church that tells Good News!

Amen