A Place to Gather

Ephesians 2:11–22 ESV

11 Therefore remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh, called “the uncircumcision” by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands— 12 remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. 19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

A healthy family is a powerful family

An unhealthy family, sadly can be destructive and difficult.

A healthy church is much the same way

If the church is healthy, its people are generally speaking, healthy.

We are starting a new series today called HEALTHY HOUSE.

whats the goal? to talk about and look at what makes a healthy house. both here but also at your house. Your family.

There are amazing parrallells between the house of God, and my life as a house

the bible draws some analogies that way

the bible describes Gods people as SHEEP

the bible describes my life as like TREES

but also my life as a HOUSE>

As we talk about this in the next few weeks my hope is that while we will have a laugh, get inspired and grow… we would also see how really a HEALTHY CHURCH STARTS AT HOME.

There is a strong parrallel between this house… the church.. and your house.. your life and family

The parallel is strong because the New Testament repeatedly describes the church as a household or family—“the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15).

What is the FRAME FOR OUR CHURCH in all this?

A Healthy House → A Healthy Church

Healthy HouseHealthy Church

What happens in a house? in a home…?

People talk to each other…..People live in genuine community, not anonymity

People eat together......Fellowship happens around tables, communion, and shared life

There are healthy rhythms…….Worship, prayer, Scripture, serving, and gathering become consistent

Conflict gets repaired…..People forgive, reconcile, and refuse to allow offense to become division

Encouragement is normal……People call out God's work and gifts in one another

Everyone contributes……Ministry isn't done by a few professionals; everyone has a part

Distractions don't own the house……The church keeps Jesus central rather than being consumed by programs, preferences, or personalities

People get out of the house......The church goes into its community rather than waiting for the community to come inside

Rest is protected…….People serve from relationship with Jesus rather than burnout

Hospitality happens.....New people aren't treated as outsiders—they're welcomed into the family

There is laughter and celebration…….The church celebrates salvation, baptism, answered prayer, growth, and God's goodness

Jesus is part of ordinary life......Jesus isn't merely preached on Sunday; He shapes everyday life

And there's another parallel I really like:

In an unhealthy house, a few people do everything while everyone else consumes.

Mom cooks. Mom cleans. Mom organizes. Mom remembers everything. Everyone else asks, “What's for dinner?”

Church can become exactly the same.

A few people preach, worship, disciple, pray, welcome, serve, give, organize and carry the load—while everyone else comes asking:

“What's in it for me?”

But Paul describes a healthy church very differently:

“From him the whole body… grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” — Ephesians 4:16

The big idea is this:

Healthy churches aren't built by talented pastors. Healthy churches are built when the whole house becomes healthy.

The pastor isn't supposed to be the parent doing all the chores.

His responsibility is to “equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Ephesians 4:12).

So five simple habits that make the house healthy as we think about gathering:

1. A HEALTHY HOUSE EATS TOGETHER Healthy churches gather. Family always SHOWS UP.

the early church did this so well: If one of us is need - were all in need. Acts 2:42, 46

Acts 2:46 ESV

46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,

write this down: Church is not a building or service we attend, its a family we belong to.

it doesnt matter whos preaching on what book or in what way - you show up for family dinner not calling ahead to see if you’ll like the food but you show up because theresfood and you eat together!

You go to nannas house because somethings happening at nannas house. Its the same with CHurch.

Show up.!

(the average attending christian in america goes to church 1.4x per month - thats what the research says - Here is whats key.:The higher you priorotize church, the more church becomes a blessing in your life. )

YOUNG PEOPLE: Ive got a tip for you: make showing up to church every sunday a non-negotiable in your life. that decision alione will be one of the biggest blessings in your life in the years to come

CHURCH IS NOT A WORLDLY THING SO LETS STOP TREATING IT LIKE IT CAN FIT INTO A BOX ON OUR GARAGE SHELF (consumerism)

You can change churches, but listen, this isnt a restaurant, this is a spiritual family. we do life together, we do baptisms, weddings, funerals. dont allow a consumeristic culture to tear you away from your family. And maybe you need to recognize that and have a difficult conversation.

You dont attend a service - you are part of a family.

Familys show up.

Families are united around a common name

and ours isnt Colonial. Its Jesus.

2. A HEALTHY HOUSE TALKS TOGETHER Healthy churches know one another. Hebrews 10:24–25

Hebrews 10:24–25 ESV

24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

I think its hard to do this n our church but here goes anyway: if youve been coming to our church for a while now, and you dont know anyone - thats not healthy - now it may not be your fault, but that needs to change.

Visit the next steps area. Connect with someone. Go to a bible study group at one of the coffee shops, or attend a dinner party - they are awesome.

And on sunday. Meet someone. Be brave you can do it.

3. A HEALTHY HOUSE WORKS TOGETHER Healthy churches don't have spectators. Healthy homes have people that do whats required to ensure good functioning and condition of whats been entrusted to them.

They serve the house out because they see it as theirs - not someone elses.

They act like an owner who cares, not a renter who just consumes and enjoys using the house. Ephesians 4:11–16

Ephesians 4:11–16 ESV

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

4. A HEALTHY HOUSE REPAIRS QUICKLY Healthy churches practice forgiveness and reconciliation. Colossians 3:12–14

Colossians 3:12–14 ESV

12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

the longer you are planted in church, the more likely it will be that you’ll get offended by something

the longer you are planted the more likely it will be that you’ll see something that you dont necessarily like. thats ok. Do something about it. Join a team. Pray for the change you want to see. dont just give up. Show up.

I was challenged by someone in my church to be completely UNOOFENDABLE.

Why let the devil win twice?

5. A HEALTHY HOUSE INVITES PEOPLE IN doesnt keep people OUT

Healthy churches always make room for someone else.

Gods heart is that his whole house would be filled.

Jesus tells a paable about a man who gave a great banquet and he invited MANY.

This is the way God see’s the bride of Christ, the church in our day:

Luke 14:16–24 ESV

16 But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. 17 And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ 22 And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ 23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’ ”

Romans 12:13; Luke 14:23

Luke 14:23 ESV

23 And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.

The question isn't simply, “Do I attend a healthy church?”

The better question is:

“Am I helping make this house healthy so that more people can come?”

Because church isn't somewhere I go. It's a family I belong to, a body I'm part of, and a house I'm helping build.

Lets pray together.

1.WE GATHER BECAUSE WERE FAMILY.

We Gather Because In we are ONE in Christ (unity)

mutual family.

families

This is CHURCH: “a Family i’m born into not just somewhere i attend”

Colonial is yoru spiritual family.

if you come here regularly

this is hour church home

Key warning here: Distance creates distortion.

any time away even beyond 2-3 weeks / people find it hard / why?

because you havent had the revelation this is your family.

*caleb couldnt wait to be in church*

2.WE GATHER BECAUSE WE NEED EACH OTHER.

you need me.

and guess what, i need you.

But we all have gifts, that are needed in here.

3.WE GATHER BECAUSE THIS FAMILY HAS A PURPOSE.

And that purpose is the great commission

a local goal

a regional mission

an international mission (excited to share about some new partnerships)