Greater than #5
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Northside Church
God’s family is better than
June 30,2024
Jamey Mills
Good morning Northside… it’s so good to be back with you guys…
My name is Jamey MIlls, I am the lead pastor here at Northside…
This is Phil McPhearson and Mike wood…
Just a little over a week ago we got back from a short term mission trip to PNG… to support/encourage missionaries we sent there a little over 1 ½ ago.
Kurt (Big Beth), Beth, Ellie, Julia, and Lucy (what’s up bruh)
We are so thankful for your support… I felt like it was an incredible and productive trip. Today we are going to share just a little about it…
Phil -
Picture one
Picture two
MIke -
Picture one
Picture two
Jamey-
A couple of my highlights would be…
Introducing Phil to Nacho Libre…
More seriously… for me the highlight was the people…
The Powel Family… are just amazing people and it was so good to be around them again and see the ways that God is using them. Every single one of them is fluent in Tok Pisin.
Super hard when you get there and realize what you’ve been planning isn't happening. At the same time… it feels like God has them in places where they are gifted and they are doing some really good things.
Sitting in a meeting with about ⅓ of the translators Kurt oversees… in all stages… one didn't even have a language assigned yet, one was just a year or so away from coming to type setting… for a 30 year… life work… providing a bible to a people.
Katherine, Jesse, and Rebekah… hearing about the work they are doing… about ½ through their process
Dr. Beth… this amazing single mom of two PNG kids she’s adopted who is THE doctor… incredible person.
Matt and Vickie… was probably my favorite educational part… matt manages the store in Ukarumpa… which plays a huge and significant role in what happens there… and trust me when I say… its a job not many could do. Matt told me to embellish… but I don't need to. He is the dude that woke up early to come and see us off. Vickie however… she is hardcore. She is part of a small team who goes into villages early in the process… spends two weeks trying to teach them on passage… over and over in english, in Tok Pisin… they draw it out, act it out, and then… have them in their own language… tell them the story… often in places where the language is only spoken… they don’t know how to read or write it…
Dinner on the last night… their 20th anniversary… watching the girls work so hard to make it special for their parents was just the coolest thing…
Pray for the Powells
Mike, Phil and I want to say thanks for all the prayer and support… I also want to give Phil a special shout out too… he pretty much took care of the logistics and did a masterful job… Phil, I know Mike and I both were incredibly blessed by you and your deep desire to honor the Lord.
We are in the 5th week of a sermon series we are calling…
God is greater than…
The major aim of the series is to help us sort of back up and evaluate…
Do I really believe that God, His design, His truth, His plan for my life, His values, His priorities for me, are greater than anything I could create or that this world could provide…
Greater than what I think, value, prioritize and identify as…
Do I believe and am I willing to surrender to His way and His will knowing… That God as the creator of it all knows things… sees things… and guides me in ways… I don’t always see or understand.
One question might be…
What causes us to raise the funds and spend the money… take the time off… to spend about 30 hours each way traveling to go to PNG…
And one of my answers is… because Kurt, Beth, Ellie, Julia, and Lucy are family… OUR family.
The Bible has incredibly powerful things to say about the church. these metaphors are word pictures that help us to sort of understand how God sees the church, its value, it's important, it's significance, it's purpose
Today we are going to look at a few of those… our sermon today is
Being a part of God’s family is better than walking in the wilderness alone.
#1 The Church is God’s family
And family matters.
It reminds me of Eph 6:1 where it says children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right… it is the first commandment with a promise, that it may go well with you…
And it's true… obeying your parents… honoring them… is not only obeying and honoring God… but it’s formative…
It’s one of my favorite passages to share with my kids… and I’ve seen it lived out countless times…. Obeying and honoring your parents that it may go well with you…
Honors God… He commands it…
It forms the way we see and relate to God… learning how to follow and submit and accept authority…
It helps us understand the power and value of family
When real life hits the fan… and it will… having that right relationship with your family matters.
A place for prayer and counsel
A place to stay
A place of support
Dry rot story… 15k
As parents if you don’t have that in your family… begin to pray for it… and build it in your family now.
One author went so far as to say our spiritual family is the most important family we have… two major reasons were…
because of what it stands for but also…
because it's the only eternal family there is.
I am incredibly passionate about the Church… as God’s family. It’s one of the reasons I do what I do…
The church as God’s family is far more important than we think…
Ephesians 2:19 (NLT)
So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
19 So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
Part of what it means to come to know the Lord is… becoming a part of His family.
And I know that there are some who want the benefits of God… without being a part of the family of God… and all I can say is… I don’t think you can read the Bible and honestly come to that conclusion.
It reminds me of this… (Pic’s of my kids).
I met my son when he was 3 ½ and my daughter when she was 16 months old. My wife and I were and are so fortunate to be able to adopt them into my family… and it wasn’t a 1\2 way commitment.
At one point… they weren’t a part of my family… but once they were… they were 100% a part of my family. I don’t love them ½ ways, I didn’t raise them ½ way, I don’t fight with them ½ way… I don’t treat them ½ way…
Till my dying day… I will furiously fight for my kids.
And oddly enough that is the exact word that God uses to help us…
We are adopted into His family; heirs of his forgiveness, grace and promise.
… Heirs of His forgiveness, grace and promise…
It helps us understand our relationship with Him… with each other… and it frames in some incredibly important things…
It speaks to your identity as a child of the living God… and identity that is radically important and untouchable. No one can take that from you. It speaks of value, meaning and purpose.
You belong… at one time, because of sin… you didn’t but now you do.
If we are truly living our relationship with Jesus… the Bible is clear that there will be times we feel like we just don’t belong in this world… because of our lives, our values, or priorities… aren’t reflecting the world around us (if they do, that's something we want to look at).
The church should be a place where you are known, cared for, prayed for, encouraged and you need that.
I can’t tell you how many people through the years that didn’t invest in that… and then got angry at the church…
There are always things the Church could do better… but… How many times I’ve seen people get upset for not feeling that from God’s family… when the truth is… they haven’t really been a part of it.
Family suggests that you have a responsibility
It should also be a place where you know, pray for, care for, serve, and support others.
As a believer… we have responsibilities within and to God’s family
If I were to ask you how that's going… how you’re doing at being a healthy part of God’s family… What would you say?
Years ago I saw I was driving around and saw this bumper sticker…
It made me laugh… and then it made me sad…
But the truth is… family is hard.
Our church family is amazing… awesome… and I love it… but sometimes it is hard… but what if… Some of the struggle and difficulty within our family was about more than we think… was about God’s refining, molding, teaching us to follow and depend on Him…
There are times and reasons to step out of a church family… but sometimes I wonder if we do it too easily… when it becomes more about preference and comfort than development and unity.
What does it mean… or suggest… if we say that we know Jesus… but don’t have any commitment to the family?
1 John 4:19–21 (NLT)
We love each other because he loved us first.
If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
If we say we love God… but hate fellow believers… we are liars.
Part of what it means to love God is loving His family.
And that word hate… means strong dislike, but also allowing separation between…
One of that tangible evidences of loving God and submission to Him… is the way we see and handle our Church family.
So much of what God has for you… and what to do in you and through happens in the context of this relationship…
God’s discipline…
He disciplines those he loves… not pleasant at the time… no one enjoys it… but if we are willing to meet God there… the power of it is incredible.
A lack of that… means being stuck in sinful cycles…
#2 The Church is God’s Temple
Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.
(NLT)
20 Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. 21 We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.
Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
(NLT)
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
We as believers… both individually… but also corporately… are the temple of God.
The temple was dedicated to God… for His purposes… in OT times they understood it as the place where God’s presence powerfully dewalt...
It was a place where people would travel from far and wide… to come… and be close to God’s presence together.
It has discipleship connotations… We gather together in God’s presence… seeking Him… praising Him…
Acts 2 talks about how the early Church… devoted themselves to God’s Word, fellowship (intentional relationship/connection), eating together, and praying together… generosity, praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people… EVERYDAY… God added to their family…
Interdependent structure… where each part supports the and gives integrity to the whole…
And that's why division is one of Satan’s greatest tools… it has the potential to weaken the entire structure…
And the key to strength and unity is what?
Christ as the cornerstone.
The stone that was carefully chosen and laid… that would determine the shape, size and even the purpose of the structure…
As a church… we are only strong… and only effective and only meeting our true intention as we align with the cause, values, priorities, and heart of Christ.
Christ is what we are built on and what brings alignment… it's not our way, our likes or our personal preferences… but authentic pursuit of Christ… Him first in us and in all things.
Lastly…
#3 The Church is God’s body
Different parts, gifted in different ways, working together in unity to accomplish God’s will and plan in ways we never could on our own.
Matthew 5:13–16 (NLT)
“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
13 “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Preserving His truth… Shining His light… Accomplishing His purposes…
City on a Hill… Seattle…
When we lose our light…
Not a light on a bluff… a city on a hill. Together…
And… that's why we do things like the Luau…
Being salt and light… as a family… to our community…
Being good hosts… caring for… serving… and sharing with people who are created in His image… that He deeply loves…
CONC… Worship team and friend Dan come to help move us toward communion.
How are you doing at understanding the importance of God’s Church… of his family, of being part of His temple and body?
God has made it clear that part of what He has for you is to be part of His family. How are you doing here?
How are you doing at taking up the responsibility that is uniquely yours?
Baptism…
Membership
The aim is to introduce people to His
Each part needed… valuable… gifted… and the body suffers without it.
Being an active part of the body… matters.
CONC…
Baptism
Membership
The church matters… your presence matters… your investment and involvement matters…
If we claim God as our father… but don’t think being a part of His family is important… how might that reflect on God, on you, on the Church…
Spiritual family is an eternal family…
Baptism… stepping into a relationship with Jesus… joining His family
Memberships is saying… this part of God family is where I’ll be and invest
Come to Jesus… not interested in his family…
Love God but not His people… we lie.
God disciplines those he loves… no one enjoys it at the time…
#3 The Church is God’s body
Different parts, gifted in different ways, working together in unity to accomplish God’s will and plan in ways we never could on our own.
The hands and feet of Jesus…
His representatives…
Salt of the earth and light of the world…
Preserving truth… flavor of Jesus in a denmark and broken world
City on a hill… Seattle at night…
Not a light on a bluff
If there Northside was to fall off the face of the earth… would the community know… feel the impact.
1 Corinthians 12:12 (NLT)
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.
Each part needed… valuable… gifted… and the body suffers without it.
Being an active part of the body… matters.
#4 quickly… The Church is God’s flock…
To me this really has to do with the way we accept God’s leadership, guidance, and direction in our life. Both corporate as a church… and as individuals.
John 10 talks about Jesus as the good shepherd… and the language is…
Jesus is not one of the good shepherds… He is THE good shepherd… the best… He is not a way… but the way… not a truth but THE truth and not a life but THE life…
Is Jesus leading your shepherd… are you looking to Him for leadership, provision, discipline, direction, protection…
It is a place you belong
Where you are known… prayed for… cared for
Where you know… pray for and care for others
Because people are involved… it won't be perfect.
Because I am the senior pastor… we are all a little in trouble.
Because you’re here… right… BUT…
What if the imperfections served a larger purpose…
Not about your comfort…
Opportunities for God to shape you… grow you…
For you to serve others…
No longer infants…
Spurred on to love and good deeds
One anothers.
One of the reasons I’m not a fan of church hopping… going from church to church to church… sometimes it's needed… but sometimes the imperfections… and working through them together… is about sharpening the family… about God developing you.
It is one of the way’s God is accomplishing His work here and now…
Now… through the Church… God's work is happening and He is being made known…
Light of the world… City on a Hill
Not a single light on a bluff
Salt and light…
Preserving truth
Giving the flavor of God’s love, grace and forgiveness
Luau.
We are created for relationships…
Like a city on a hill vs. one light on a bluff…
Or a city on a hill with a power outage
An interesting concept… I want to follow God, but don’t care about being part of His family… is that what the father wants? What does that suggest about the way you relate to Him?
Acts 2… a place to belong, grow and be encouraged.
And we need to understand, because people are involved… it’s not perfect…
What if the imperfections served a larger purpose…
Not about your comfort…
Opportunities for God to shape you… grow you…
For you to serve others…
Spurred on to love and good deeds
One anothers.
CONC…
Being a part of Gods family matters…
So much of what God has for you… wants to do in you… and through you is connected to His Church… His family, His temple, His Body, His flock, His bride…
Taury and Payton… being deployed in early July
Today is our Luau outreach…