Love Like Jesus Part 4 - Loving the Church
Love Like Jesus • Sermon • Submitted
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· 20 viewsI used this message on Pastor Appreciation Sunday which was a combined service with children and adults.
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Introduction
Introduction
Thank workers for Minister’s Spiritual Renewal (largest registration in several years)
Trimming bushes and cleaning up outside
Cleaning the floors
Greeters
Ladies who came in early each morning to clean
Coffee and donuts
Audio / Video team
Worship team
Set up and tear down team
How many of you have seen t-shirts that say “I love my church?” Have you ever asked yourself what that means? Is it just a feeling of affection? A warm and tingly feeling? Or is it love in action as it should be?
Dad: What do you love about church?
Issac: I love that I can hang out with my friends and we can get closer to Jesus together.
Michael Stewart
Gary Oller
Pastor Allen
Isaac: What do you love about church?
A church that’s all it ought to be:
A church whose members never stray
Beyond the strait and narrow way;
A church that has no empty pews,
Whose preacher never has the blues,
A church whose deacons always deak,
And none is proud, and all are meek;
Where gossips never peddle lies,
Or make complaints or criticize;
Where all are always sweet and kind,
And all to others’ faults are blind.
Such perfect churches there may be,
But none of them are known to me.
But still, we’ll work, and pray, and plan
To make our own the best we can.
The Apostle Paul wrote letters to young men he mentored in the ministry: Timothy & Titus
Churches that the Apostle Paul wrote to: Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth
Paul wrote this at the beginning of his letter to the church in Corinth:
4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus.
And this at the end:
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
1 cor 16
In between these sections, however, the apostle essentially said, “You’re an absolute mess.” Paul thanked God for and deeply loved one of the messiest churches in the New Testament.
In Paul wrote, “I always thank my God for you”. In the last verse of that book, he wrote, “My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.” In between these sections, however, the apostle essentially said, “You’re an absolute mess.” Paul thanked God for and deeply loved one of the messiest churches in the New Testament. That’s a good model for us to follow.
Church is messy, church is hard, people hurt us and let us down, but just as Christ loved the church, we need to love the church.
12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Who’s the “each other?” Those who has been saved, the redeemed, those who belong to Christ.
A family / Members of a household
“let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Greek word: “oikeios”
“‘Belonging to the house;’ persons who are related by kinship or circumstances and form a closely knit group, with focus on association in common cause or belief.”
knit group, with focus on association in common cause or belief.”
A Building or a Structure
9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care.
A Holy Temple
16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.
16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.”
A Bride ()
A Body (; ; )
“I love Jesus, it’s the Church I don’t like!”
Isaac will read:
20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Isaac: That scripture tells us this …
You can’t Love Like Jesus without loving His church!
You can’t Love Like Jesus without loving His church!
Today we are going to look at some very practical ways on how we can “Love like Jesus by Loving the Church.”
Dad:
1. Jesus promised that He would build His church
18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
The Greek word ekklesia refers to a meeting or gathering of people who are called out and brought together for a purpose.
Isaac:
Isaac:
2. He called leaders to care for His church
(Like you and mom and Pastor Robin and Mickey and Pastor Allen)
This is what the Bible says to leaders like you:
28 “So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.
(Isaac will point to Dad when he says “the Holy Spirit has appointed YOU as leaders”)
Dad: (will point to Isaac when he says “who spoke the word of God to YOU”)
7 Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Isaac:
There are also Deacons and Elders that help pastors lead the Church. (Dad: I think it would be a good idea to have our wonderful Deacons stand so that we can recognize them)
Gary Oller
John Brown
Tim Loutzenhiser
Brad Palmer
Jeff Reynolds
Zane Walker
Lois Brayfield
Isaac:
And the rest of the church should help their pastors and leaders as well:
17 Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
Dad:
3. The church should gather together to worship the Lord (), grow in maturity (; ), do good and care for the needs of others (), carry out the great commission ().
do good and care for the needs of others
3. The church should gather together to worship the Lord (), grow in maturity (; ), do good and care for the needs of others (), carry out the great commission ().
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
How can we “Love the Church?”
Be an encourager
Be an encourager
1. Be an Encourager
1. Be an Encourager
25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Isaac:
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
Dad:
24 Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Jesus always affirmed people. He strengthened the weak and gave hope to the hopeless.
Remember this scripture concerning Jesus’ purpose in coming?
1 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Another good way that we can be an encourager is to Be like Barnabas in the Bible!
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”),
36 Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), 37 sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet.
What a blessing Barnabas was to the believers of his day! (Acts)
Acts
Isaac:
Through the encouragement of Barnabas, the apostle Paul was first accepted by the church in Jerusalem (). Through the encouragement of Barnabas, Mark was given a second chance after he failed (; ).
2. Be a Contributor
2. Be a Contributor
Be a contributor
Are you a consumer or are you a contributor?
We are not spiritual consumers; we are spiritual contributors. The church does not exist for us. We are the church, and we exist for the world.
Dad reads this scripture:
31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” 33 “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. 34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
Dad:
God calls you to serve in His church.
God calls you to serve in His church.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
Isaac:
God calls you to serve as His church.
God calls you to serve as His church.
14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
“Teamwork makes the dream work!”
“Teamwork makes the dream work!”
Isaac do you know what that means?
Isaac: It’s kind of like my football team. When we’ve all worked together and did our part we were successful. It’s the same way in the church, when we all do our part we are successful as well.
Practical ways to be a contributor
(Isaac: Wait dad, I got the first two, we Jackson kids have had a lot of experience we this!)
1. Get there early
2. Leave late
(When you get there early and leave late try to help out wherever you can)
This includes spending time with Jesus together.
3. Get involved
4. Make an investment
Illustration: When I met Jennifer I was intentional about spending time with her. I would sit in my dorm room at night and strategize how I could spend more time with her.
Dad:
Be a good witness
Be a good witness
C.H. Spurgeon once said, “If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all; and the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us.”
Get there early
Leave late
Get involved
Make an investment
1 As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. 2 Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience.
3 Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers. Instead, they should teach others what is good. 4 These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, 5 to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
titus 2.1-8
Pray for your leaders
6 In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. 7 And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. 8 Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us.
titus 2.
Will I Ever Find the Perfect Church
What made the book of Acts Church so successful?
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Extra Material:
The Perfect Church
If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don't join that church;
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don't join that church; You'd spoil the atmosphere.
You'd spoil the atmosphere.
If you should find the perfect church Where all anxieties cease
Then pass it by, lest joining it You'd mar the masterpiece.
If you should find the perfect church Then don't you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground; You'd be a misfit there.
But since no perfect church exists Made of imperfect men,
Then let's cease looking for that church And love the church we're in.
Of course, it's not a perfect church, That's simple to discern
But you and I and all of us Could cause the tide to turn.
What fools we are to flee our post In that unfruitful search
To find at last where problems loom God proudly builds His church.
So let's keep working in our church Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church Without an imperfection.
I think that I shall never see
A church that’s all it ought to be:
A church whose members never stray
Beyond the strait and narrow way;
A church that has no empty pews,
Whose preacher never has the blues,
A church whose deacons always deak,
And none is proud, and all are meek;
Where gossips never peddle lies,
Or make complaints or criticize;
Where all are always sweet and kind,
And all to others’ faults are blind.
Such perfect churches there may be,
But none of them are known to me.
But still, we’ll work, and pray, and plan
To make our own church the best we can.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
Illustration: When I met Jennifer I was intentional about spending time with her. I would sit in my dorm room at night and strategize how I could spend more time with her.
My goal in sharing this message with you today is for us to understand how much Jesus loves His church (Us) and for us to love His church too. There are a lot of great organizations doing wonderful things around the world, but only the church (faith based organizations and ministries - all successful ones are connected to the church) represents and promotes the Kingdom of God. The disciples first when out either by themselves or in groups of two or three, but later Jesus gathered them together in local congregations called the Church to accomplish his plan of making more disciples and continuing to build His church.
Extra Material:
This is my church. It is composed of people just like me. It will be friendly if I am. It will do a great work if I work. It will make generous gifts to many causes if I am generous. It will bring others into its fellowship if I bring them. Its seats will be filled if I fill them. It will be a church of loyalty and love, of faith and service. If I who make it what it is, am filled with these, Therefore, with God’s help, I dedicate myself to the task of being all these things I want my church to be.