Open Our Hearts (2)

Background to passage: Paul has been talking about “body” life for several chapters, but in this text he drills down on the powerful illustration of the body and the body. The parallels between the physical body and the body of Christ are rich and help us understand what life is supposed to be like within the body.

1 Corinthians 12:12–27 ESV

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

Opening illustration: Two key discoveries from their research stand out:

82 percent of church members who drop out leave within the first year of joining.

Dropouts are not random. Most leave around the six-month or twelve-month mark.

The six-month test: The Belonging Phase

By the six-month mark, every new church member is asking three basic – yet critical – questions. These questions might not be spoken out loud, but they’re felt deeply. They’re questions of connection, identity and welcome.

1. Have I made friends in this church?

This is the first and most fundamental question. Their research shows that new members who stay active in their church make an average of seven new friends within the first six months. In contrast, dropouts typically make fewer than two.

This number is telling. It reminds us that while theology, programs and preaching matter, relationships are often the glue that holds people in a congregation. Friendship is not a fringe benefit of church life – it’s central. When someone walks into a church, they’re not just looking for a seat. They’re looking for a place to be seen and known.

2. Is there a place in the church where I fit?

3. Does this church really want me here?

12-month phase

4. Are my new friends as good as my old friends?

Early church friendships can feel warm and promising, but by month 12, people assess the depth of those relationships. Are these surface connections, or have they grown into real, trusted friendships?

The truth is, people will drift if they feel their relational needs aren’t being met – especially if they’ve left behind deep friendships at a previous church.

5. Does the group meet my needs?

6. Is my contribution important?

This final question is perhaps the most existential. It goes beyond friendships and beyond needs. At its core, it’s about purpose. Am I making a difference in this church? Is this just a place I attend, or is it a mission I’m helping carry out?

People want to be part of something that matters. If they sense that their time, talents, or resources aren’t needed – or worse, aren’t noticed – they may walk away.

Main thought: This morning we will walk through the second piece of the HOPE discipleship strategy. O is for Open Our Hearts. This is the idea that true Christianity is lived out in community. The biblical word for koinonia, sharing life together. It is more than potlucks, but to make disciples, to follow Jesus, opening our hearts on one another is a key piece.

1) Christian Fellowship

Explanation: Look at the language and implications of the text: many members are one, we need each other, the body as a whole needs the individuals, we’re equally important, we care for each other, suffer together, and rejoice together

Romans 16:3–5 ESV

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.

Colossians 4:15 ESV

Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

Philemon 1–2 ESV

Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:

Illustration: Crowded loneliness: Squeezing the living out of life - typical middle aged family, adapt it to your stage in life.

Application: We are known as a friendly church. I hear it regularly from our guests. We have good cooks. Mackenzie rejoices at the thought of a church fellowship potluck. We are good at greeting and possibly remembering names. We must, however, become more intentional about opening our hearts to each other. There are introverts and extroverts, but we must have a true friend.

If you feed them, they will come

Plan to stay

Be a good listener, don’t judge quickly

Be willing to share your life

2) Small Groups

Explanation: Small groups of many kinds offer relationships at a deeper level. It’s a place where you see the kind of body life found in this text. Directed spiritual growth, accountability, support, discussion, learning from each other, investment in each other, and deeper prayer at these regular meetings with generally the same people.

These can be Sunday School classes. They could be bible study or a fellowship group at homes. These could be ministry groups that you are regularly with that offer accountability. These could be prayer groups. They just need to be a group of believers that you prioritize to walk with Jesus together on the regular.

Argumentation:

Illustration: My mom and James were going to a new small group from their church that meets on Tues afternoons. First time this week. Excited to be back.

Application: This is a part of our following Jesus that we must participate in. Jesus had a group. Paul had a group in the church, then another on the mission field. Isolation hinders the mission of the church, and a lack of intentional personal and corporate growth in the faith, and a lack of accountability - these short-circuit the church and you. Find a group, no excuses, somewhere, somehow, do what’s important.

Join a Sunday School class

Find a home group or start one

3. Get involved in a ministry group

4. Do a intensive weekly meeting with 1 or 2

3) Life Stewardship

Explanation: This is about a central tenet of Christian understanding of how we put on display the glory of Christ by the way that we use resources. Don’t let that language throw you. The idea is that all we have: physical bodies, personality, skills, possessions, accomplishments, spiritual gifts, and time belongs to God and is to be used to advance his kingdom. The study on the Kingdom of God is a little longer, so just know that we want you to learn how to take care of things that God has entrusted to you.

2 Corinthians 12:4–7 ESV

and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

2 Corinthians 12:11 ESV

I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing.

2 Corinthians 8:5 ESV

and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

Illustration: driving Jason’s dad’s corvette to prom, “it’s God’s car.”

Application: Part of our following Jesus is devotion, devotion of all of life’s stuff, all that we are, all that we have to the service of the Lord. Remember all of these things that we are talking about today are in relationship to the church, to Western Heights. To follow Jesus is to support the church, but it may also be for you a local non-profit or a young Peruvian child with no family. Part of serving here is serving there.

We want you to follow here. We want to learn to glorify God with everything we are and have.

Seek to determine your spiritual gifts

God has given you passion and skill

Devote time and energy to the church

Give of your financial resources

Closing illustration: Convivium - the reward at the end of the day of slowing down, replenishing life together with family and friends. Paragraph pp. 129-130

Recap