Why Church? (2)

Parable of the Misused Land Rover

There’s an old story of a few missionaries who went to Africa and noticed that the people in a particular village needed to walk over 3 miles in each direction daily just to get water.

Rather than praying for them to have strength for the journey, they acted and raised funds to purchase an almost brand new Land Rover with Air Conditioning, Satellite Radio, GPS Navigation, the most rugged off-road capabilities possible, and enough cargo capacity to carry all of the water they would need for 3 days at a time.

The missionaries quickly taught the villagers how everything worked, but needed to leave & felt very good about what they had done for these people and how much easier their lives would be as a result of the Land Rover.

After a bit more than a year, the missionaries came back to visit. When they were driving back to the same village, they recognized some of the villagers walking along the road and carrying their jerry-cans full of water back from the pump that was over 3 miles away. They were very concerned that the vehicle they had purchased had broken or been stolen.

When they arrived to the village, they noticed that the Land Rover was parked in the EXACT same location where they had left it over a year ago. Curious about what transpired, the missionaries asked about the Land Rover and if it was working well for the villagers. The villagers replied and said yes, and thank you so much. Every 3 days we go to the Land Rover and get in. We turn it on, listen to the satellite radio, see where we are on the map, and enjoy the cool air-conditioning. We are very thankful for your gift.

The missionaries pieced things together & figured out that the villagers had not understood the purpose of the Land Rover and had continued to carry their jerry-cans to fetch water on-foot every day for more than another year. Needless to say, the missionaries showed the villagers how to load their water containers in to the Land Rover & taught them how to drive to get water to take full advantage of their incredible gift!

Many people aren't sure why they attend church, or have a misconception of what the purpose of church is.

Why do you come to church?

Pew Research Study in 2017 found the top 10 reasons why Americans state they go to church regularly.

What if I told you that none of these is the purpose of church?

People are using the Land Rover (of the church) for the wrong purpose.

What is Church?

Ekklesia is the Greek word translated in the Bible as “Church” & is defined as “a called-out assembly or congregation.”

Ekklesia can refer to the “universal church” comprised of all follower of Jesus Christ worldwide, or the “local church”

If you are a part of Ekklesia, you are individually “called out” & gather with other people who are “called out.”

-Like Grains of Salt vs. All the salt in the shaker

What Does It Look Like to be Called Out?:

The Israelites were called out of Egypt’s bondage & slavery into God’s land of Promise and abundance

1 Peter 2:9 AMP

9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God’s] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

If we want to make a difference in the world we must be different than the world!

Exodus 8:23 NKJV

23 I will make a difference between My people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall be.” ’ ”

2 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV

17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”

We are living IN this world, but we are not OF this world (John 17:16)

We are meant to be like salt in food.

The salt flavors the food, but it is not the food.

We are meant to be like light to the world.

The colors that we see are simply a reflection of what is not absorbed. Light is the full-spectrum of colors.

Matthew 5:13–16 NKJV

13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Have you allowed God to call you out of where you were and make you different from the world around you?

Are you exactly the same but just added Jesus to your tool belt & learned to play a religiously accepted role?

“Jesus doesn’t just want to give you a makeover - He wants to give you a take-over” - Pastor Judah Smith

At a recent Leadership Training, one of our teens had a prophetic word and shared that God was calling us, as Christians to be the influence not the influenced!

Just One Thing:

Come to Ekklesia ; be called out, be changed, & be different so you can make a difference - Go be salt & light this week!

Discussion Questions:

What video game (or board game if you don’t play video games) are you best at?

What has been your primary reason for attending church recently?

Please read 1 Peter 2:9 and 2 Corinthians 6:17 and share what these verses mean to you and how you can apply them to your life now.

How did God challenge you personally through this sermon? Please share.