Past the Edges

Communion

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This is our monthly time of communion. The time we remember the body and blood of Jesus. We remember what he’s done, we remember that we are now a part of that body in this world.

What better space to remember Paul’s words:

1 Corinthians 12:26 “So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.”

We don’t always have it easy in our culture as followers of Jesus. But we have yet to reach the point of persecution.

We are blessed with the freedom to be here, the freedom to worship together, the freedom to share our faith with neighbors to who need to hear the hope of the gospel.

But we are a part of the same body with those 300+ million who can not.

Someday we may be there too, this morning as we take communion, I want us to pray for the persecuted church the way we would hope others would pray for us.

The team is going to play…come forward, get the elements and return to your seat and we will pray and partake together.

song

1 Corinthians 11:23-26 “For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

Pray for their lives, health, well being

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Pray for their impact, god’s glory, freedom in Christ even while bound in the world

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Pray for our boldness in freedom to match theirs in suffering.

Deacon Commissioning

The first martyr in the kingdom was a man named Steven. He was killed for boldly proclaiming the gospel when a crowd of Jewish leaders, the same who had called for the death of Jesus were around.

As they took his life, his prayer was for their salvation. The apostle Paul, who wrote the letter we just quoted twice in our communion time was one for whom that prayer proved effective.

Steven was a deacon. Not a pastor, prophet, or apostle. A role not of authority, but service and sacrifice,

In Acts 6 as the church was new, and growing, we read about the first complaint. In this case there were a group of widows overlooked along racial lines. Jesus’ disciples, who now led the church called the rest and recognized something that has been important to the church of Jesus ever since.

They couldn’t do everything. The need was real, urgent, and yet, the calling of this new church was to preach the word, to pray, to reach the lost and they knew if they put their hands and heads to even these essential things, the mission would suffer.

So they called on the church to identify a group of people who could take on this task. But not just anyone.

They were people who were a part of the Hellenistic Jewish community that was suffering, so they were equipped with keen understanding of the issues.

They were men of good reputation, full of the Spirit, and wisdom.

They then took this task that in this moment was so essential.

Churches have now for centuries appointed deacons, the word means “one who serves” to help move the mission forward by committing to handling the essential tasks that would take the eyes of the leadership off the ultimate mission.

Every church does this differently, as the tasks and needs are different. We do not have Hellenistic Jewish widows being neglected…instead we have facilities, we have finances, we have people with needs and challenges that need to be met.

This morning we are pleased to be commissioning Ted Domingos and Bill Ferber into this role at HCC. They were nominated, proved to be of good reputation, and known to be filled with the Holy Spirit and wisdom.

And so like the disciples I want to ask our elders and deacons who are present to come lay hands on them and pray.

Pray

In Acts 6:7, following the commissioning of these first deacons, we read, “So the word of God spread, the disciples increased greatly in number and large groups of priests became obedient to the faith.”

May it be so here.

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Every morning when I make my coffee I do the same dance. It looks like the pot is full…but I can’t remember if the maker has beeped yet.

I mean, I haven’t had my coffee…can’t expect me to remember something like that.

I’m probably about 50/50 on getting it right.

If I’m right, all is well.

If I’m wrong, the still flowing coffee will offer up a few drips onto the hotplate before the stopper can settle into place.

Then I’m holding the carafe while grabbing a paper towel, trying to get up the liquid before I put the carafe back trapping the liquid between the glass and heat in a never ending cycle of hissing and bubbling.

It’s important to know if something is finished or not.

It’s like looking at a piece of cloth with threads sticking out all over the place.

Sometimes, that’s just a trick, the blanket is finished, and there is a hem that intentionally extends threads out as a part of the design, but they are only there for looks.

Sometimes it means something has gone wrong and the finished blanket is unraveling.

Or, it means you are seeing a blanket that isn’t done yet.

You can probably use some context clues to figure out which is which.

Maybe you can see the seam that keeps the loose threads held tight.

If it’s old and tattered, other holes, maybe unraveling

But if it’s still in the hands of the weaver, and they are still at the loom, pretty good case to be made for it not being finished.

(Ugh)

Maybe you see where I’m going here.

We’ve spent weeks establishing the idea that God is the great weaver, that in the church, God is weaving our individual threads into a glorious pattern that communicates his heart for reconciliation.

That this fabric has purpose, and design.

But there is an important question to be answered if we as his woven together church are going to understand our calling and purpose.

As we look at the loose threads of the church, the extensions that go beyond the walls

Are we fake? Is there a seam that keeps the loose threads from going too far, and prevents new threads from finding a place of connection?

Are we unraveling? Are the threads outside the fabric a sign that it’s all falling apart?

Or…are we unfinished.

Every church in every context is all three at some points.

The other day Josh was talking to me about the different factions around during Jesus time,

The Pharisees, Saducees, Zealots and Herodians.

It occurred to me that Acts tells us that all 4 ended up in the church literally as they came to Christ and figuratively as their natural tendencies had an impact.

The Pharisees had that seam locked down. No one gets in or out of this thing. They went out, but only to prove they were better inside than those outside.

The Saducees had abandoned truth in order to blend in to culture. They had the power, because they played by the world’s rules. But their faith and devotion to God was disintigrating.

The Zealots and the Herodians were opposite sides of the same coin, both would still claim to be Jews by culture and faith…but both had taken positions that were contrary to God’s word and purposes…to try to accomplish God’s word and purposes…A blanket unraveled.

Strangely though, all found a place in the new church as they embraced Jesus. Even in the disciple group! And though these attitudes continued to pop up in the church…It could never remain. Every time a church group tightened the seam too much, threads went out on another side.

In places where the church broke down, the weaving would get stronger in another place.

(aha)

If God is the weaver, and we are this woven together fabric it is clear that we often try to treat it as if it’s finished or tattered…but God is clearly not done with us.

Matthew 28:18-20 “Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

Threads woven…out. Go… How long? To the end of the age.

There will be a day when a beautiful silk border will be added to this blanket…But that day has not come. Which means…our threads are not to be confined to this 2500 square feet, to these 100 or so relationships.

IF the weaver is still weaving, then he is weaving us not only into one another, but out past the edges.

NOT to blend into the fabric of the world, but to transform it and bring the threading of the kingdom story into the middle of it.

Not by force, coercion, or argument, but by following Jesus, doing what he did and allowing him to shape us and lead us where he would have the fabric woven.

So what does it mean for us? What ought we to be and do as the church and as individual threads if this is truly God’s intent?

Hint: this is about much more than evangelism.

(Whee)

Past the Edges We:

Matter

My father-in-law was telling me during their visit recently that their church in Bend some time ago asked the schools, non-profits, and others in the community around them what impact it would have on them if the church closed down.

They got a shrug.

Not much. No financial difference, no volunteer difference, no support difference.

So they made it a point of emphasis. They looked at their building, their people, and their resources and pressed in.

Same question more recently. “We wouldn’t exist the way we do now without you.”

In Jeremiah we read about Israel’s exile. They were out of comfortable territory, living in Babylon, and they were uncertain how they ought to live there…God gives the prophet a word, he says settle in and then:

Jeremiah 29:7 “Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

This is simply a call to our original purpose in the garden! We were placed there and told to tend and nurture it. Add value. God created and then set us the task to extend the garden’s beauty beyond the wall.

After sin and flood and rebellion, God begins to further his purposes through abraham and what does he say about that blessing after Abraham demonstrates his obedience to God’s purposes:

Genesis 22:17-18 “I will indeed bless you and make your offspring as numerous as the stars of the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your offspring will possess the city gates of their enemies. And all the nations of the earth will be blessed by your offspring because you have obeyed my command.”

Part of God’s original design is that one person’s blessings would be the blessings for others. That’s Eden…that’s Heaven. Everyone’s blessings blessing everyone.

That’s why God told Moses that no one in Israel should ever be poor.

When you read the prophets, you will see clearly that though the “big” sins we tend to identify were involved in their exile. The underlying issue that God judges was their absolute unconcern for the welfare of others WHILE they used their comfort to find new opportunities to enjoy themselves...

If you moved out of your neighborhood…who would care. I mean really care. Who would be praying that their new neighbors were just like you?

Would you dare go ask the way that church in Bend did? Hey if I moved out, what would the impact be? … oh, by the way, my name is Shaun, nice to meet you.

If HCC were to move to another community…If we became Probestel Community Church. what impact would we leave behind?

This one has an easy application. Get involved.

November 19th, the community is putting up Christmas lights. Help with that.

Volunteer to help with the tree lighting. Those sign ups will be out soon

Volunteer at one of the schools, concessions at sporting events, with the boosters, the main street team, the fire department

And at a personal level…get involved in the lives of your neighbors. Not as a busybody, but as a friend, as a support, as one who always is ready to not just lend a tool, but a hand, not just a cup of sugar but an ear.

Our threads need to be in the community in such a way that they matter.

The second point is kind of a deep dive on a part of the first. We need to:

Serve

Let’s look to Daniel really quick. Boy, the exile gives us the best examples.

Daniel is forced into public service for the king that just leveled his city, and killed his people. There’s the context. Here is his attitude toward this service:

Daniel 1:19-20 “The king interviewed them, and among all of them, no one was found equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they began to attend the king. In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and mediums in his entire kingdom.”

So there’s the beginning, lots happened, and then Nebuchadnezzar was on the edge of God’s judgement for his pride. He had a dream and asked Daniel about it…not good news

Daniel 4:19 “Then Daniel, whose name is Belteshazzar, was stunned for a moment, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king said, “Belteshazzar, don’t let the dream or its interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered, “My lord, may the dream apply to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your enemies!”

His heart was breaking for the pain that was coming to the guy who burned his city down and about to be punished justly for his sin.

His service and love was not contingent upon…anything.

Paul in Philippians 3 Paul is about to go on a little description of those opposed to the gospel and he starts by saying:

Philippians 3:18 “For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.”

They didn’t enrage him, they broke his heart.

our tendency is to serve…but we are careful to serve only where we are fully in agreement with those we serve with. Don’t like the schools, don’t serve them. Don’t approve of a polititian, don’t pray for them. We might pray they change their policies, or they be thwarted…but have you ever prayed blessing over a president you despised?

If you are uncomfortable or upset with me…I’m kinda with you. But it’s what I read in God’s word...

I am thankful for my friendship with the superintendent. I’ve gotten to read some of the angry emails he got during the pandemic. edited for anonymity and profanity.

From both sides of the masking and reopening issue…from Christians.

Not offering to help, not offering encouragement, just condemnation…on both sides.

I’ve watched others get just as angry or even angrier over sports funding (both sides) and everything in between.

I wouldn’t take that job for anything.

I get not being thrilled with the government, with the public schools, with teachers, with the county, with the governor, congressmen, or the president.

But this is where we are to be different. The world responds in anger and attack…the church of Jesus responds with love and service.

but Jesus overturned tables! … in the place of worship where the priests were charging people to get access to God, not in Herod’s court, not in the midst of a garbage trial, not in the garden when his friends wanted to fight on his behalf.

The words we repeat so often: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me…start to hit home.

Want to see change? Serve. Complain about the failure of education, volunteer. This homeless crisis we are in, help supply needs, serve in shelters, and maybe even help establish new ones.

And when someday, should we face persecution, may we be like Steven who prayed for those taking his life instead of striking back.

That’s the fabric of the kingdom we are being woven into.

It’s not weakness, it’s strength like none other to serve those we would despise, to love those who offend, to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control…in the midst of offence, opposition, and grief.

Last loose thread for this morning is:

Welcome

I love hearing newer people tell me that they find HCC welcoming.

I love it even more when they find HCC to be home.

Groups are funny things. You can get a masters degree in things like “Group dynamics” because they are complex.

in essence, groups are systems. And systems like to find equilibrium.

We have found a nice place to settle, and would like to keep that going.

This is why cliques form in middle and high school. Our group works. You get in if you fit.

They form in churches too…only problem…that’s not the kingdom.

Romans 15:7 “Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed you, to the glory of God.”

How did Jesus welcome you?

Warmly at first and then distant once he saw your quirks?

Or did you get welcomed into his life fully and forever?

“to the glory of God” in other words, that reflects the character of your Father in heaven.

We will finish this series in two weeks with a word on evangelism, but understand this:

If we can not embrace new people into our family, into this weaving who already know Jesus, but have different church experiences, different styles, different vocabulary…we won’t be able to welcome in new believers at all.

Now, it should be said, I think we’re pretty good in this area. But not where we could be.

There is a fairly ignored verse in Hebrews (we like it, just rarely implement it)

Hebrews 13:2 “Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it.”

Not a lot of this in our homes. We could go back to point one…but what for the church that is guilty here. What angels have come into our church and not found a place.

What gifts to this community have found themselves unwelcome or just unengaged because we were too busy with those already in our circles?

I want to challenge those of you who have been around here awhile. Don’t stop at greeting new folks. Invite them to lunch, or your life group. If your life group is full…ask to get trained to start a new one to make room.

Our life groups are great for connecting and intimacy, but if they become closed doors because there’s no room at the table, then they’ve lost the plot.

If you are newer with us, but have started to think of HCC as home, then I’ll extend that challenge to you. If you feel like there isn’t a space right now, let’s talk about it.

If you aren’t getting invited to lunch, invite someone. I guarantee there is someone else in the room looking for connection as much as you are.

For both, as long as we wait for someone else to do the work of ministry, it won’t get done.

i had a poster in my bedroom as a kid that I thought was funny. It had a picture of chickens on it. And a little story. I thought the story was funny…now I think it’s prophetic.

This is a story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got angry about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have.

Practical Application

(Yeah!)

Close your eyes for a moment.

Picture someone who lives in your neighborhood or a local friend or family member that is outside the fabric of Jesus. They aren’t a part of another church, they don’t know the hope of Christ.

you want them to know Jesus.

you’re not sure what they would say if you invited them to Church.

You have that name?

Open your eyes.

In the seat in front of you there is a little card, grab that.

In a month, we have an easy entry point. We get to host the community tree lighting ceremony. It’s here, in and around OUR building.

We are going to be set up at that event with invitation cards and a public invitation to our other Christmas stuff. The cookling (sign ups in back), Christmas eve, Christmas morning!

They may not come to church on a Sunday, but would they come WITH you? Not talking about spreading the word, I’m talking about an invitation to come with you. maybe grab dinner with your family before.

And if they came with you to that, would they then come with you to the cookling? To Christmas eve? And then?

Now, I’m not saying your goal is to get them to church. No, church isn’t the goal, salvation is. But it might be sitting with you in a service here, might give you the opening to share your reasons for faith and invite them to be reconciled to God the way you are.

Write that name down on the card. Put it on your fridge in your wallet, wherever you will see it.

Then pray for courage to be woven past the edges of your comfort and into their lives for that invitation.

Pray for one another in your families. Pray in your life groups over these. As you invite others, tell your story to encourage others.

We need to matter in our community if we are going to fulfill the great commission. Beyond that, our call is to love and serve regardless of the response.

Let it begin here.

Pray