Healthy Church Bodies pt1
Healthy Church Bodies • Sermon • Submitted
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· 3 viewsWhat makes a healthy church? What does it take to become a church that people want to be a part of? Programs? Charismatic preaching? Gimmicks to draw people in? Young people? Old People? Families? If we are going to be a healthy church, then we must have a healthy body.
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Healthy Church Bodies pt1
Healthy Church Bodies pt1
Today, we are going to begin a series…a discussion really…about how we do just that — become a healthy church body.
What makes a healthy church? What does it take to become a church that people want to be a part of? Programs? Charismatic preaching? Gimmicks to draw people in? Young people? Old People? Families?
None of the above!
If we are going to be a healthy church, then we must have a healthy body.
Today, we are going to begin a series…a discussion really…about how we do just that — become a healthy church body.
We all have a desire to see this church grow....to see our little church impact this community for the Kingdom!
But, can I tell you that that will not happen unless we become a healthy body of believers.
Let me ask you this — Why do we “go” to church? (Why do we come here?)
Is it for the fellowship? The worship music?
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Why is Paul concerned about us gathering together?
Why is it the gathering together of the saints in one place so important?
Could it be that it is because the Church…this place…is the one place in this broken world where all people can gather together — in One Name — and be encouraged, strengthened, and find the Love that this world fails to give?
The Church — this church (Bonham Community Church) — is to be a place where people gather....where sinners find peace…where judgment is covered and erased by grace…where the broken can find rest....
This is not a place for judgment and “religious” legalism.
Look at that whole passage:
Paul begins with “Therefore,” so we must look back at the passage just before these words
Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Paul begins with “Therefore,” so we must look back at the passage just before these words....
Hebrews 10:17
he also adds, “I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.” Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin.
Do you see what he is saying? This is an amazing message!
Our sins are forgiven…Grace has been extended…God remembers them no more....
There is no more sacrifice, because Christ — our Great High Priest — has made the final sacrifice!
We are no longer bound by the need to make sacrifices! We are free to enter into a “new way of life.” Amen?!
That is an awesome message in itself… isn’t it!?!
So…Where is judgment in that?
You see… The church is meant to be different. The World judges....The Church loves....
In this passage, Paul gives us three foundational pursuits of a healthy church body:
The pursuit of “True Worship.”
let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews
2. The pursuit of “firm commitment.”
Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who has promised is faithful.
3. The pursuit of “mutual concern.”
Hebrews 10
And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Today, I want us to focus on the last one.
“Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds....”
We are called to gather together for the purpose of encouraging each other to Love and Live like Jesus.... Amen?
Our purpose as a church is to create an atmosphere of love and accountability — not judgment and laws.... Why?
Why is this important?
Because we live in a world that seeks to devour us....to tear us down…to control us.... Let’s face it — this world does nothing to help us walk the path God calls us to walk.
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction, and there are many who take it. For the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
We all struggle to walk the narrow path, don’t we?
It is so easy to stray from it, especially if we walk it alone.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
We are called to stand beside each other…to walk with each other…to strengthen and “lift each other up” as we walk through this world!
There should be none of us — not a single person — struggling through life…through sin…through depression…through illnesses, disease, and loss....alone!
We need each other! And God knows that....
Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and through it many become defiled. See to it that no one becomes like Esau, an immoral and godless person, who sold his birthright for a single meal.
Look at the things Paul calls us to do here:
— Lift up drooping hands...
— strengthen weak knees....
— Pursue peace with everyone....
— Pursue holiness.....
— See to it that noone fails to find grace....
Notice that these things cannot happen without regular interaction with each other.
If we are to accomplish these things…to find strength, peace, holiness, and grace in our lives.... We cannot do it alone!
We need each other. Life in Christ requires the corporate body.
In our culture, independence is stressed. We are taught to be independent…to not depend on anyone…that we do not “need” anyone’s help....we can make it on our own.... Wrong!
We were made to be in relationship — with God AND with each other. God did not create us to be independent.
Think about it — We were made in the “Image of God.” God is “Three-in-one” — Father, Spirit, Son. If God is a relationship of three parts, then we are the same.
God created us to participate in a relationship with Him. We cannot do that independent of the corporate body.
We simply do not function well on our own.
The fact that we see so much brokenness.... addictions.... depression.... suicide…in this world proves that.
We need God’s help, AND the encouragement of others. There is power in relationships.
That is what the enemy wants to prevent.
Think of it this way.... Have you ever seen lions hunt? What do they do?
Do they chase down the strongest gazelle in the herd? No!
They separate the weak from the rest of the herd. They know they cannot defeat the entire herd, but one weak gazelle…separated from the strength of the herd…cannot defend itself.
The same is true for us!
We cannot defend ourselves from the attacks of the enemy, or the trials of this world, if we are alone in the fight!
We need each other, and that is what the church is supposed to be. That’s what we come together for.
There is an unimaginable strength to be found when we gather together in unity....not of ideals and messages....not of causes and programs....but in the name and calling of our great high priest.
I want to take just a moment — I want to ask you — What would you say need to be the “core values” of this church?
Love God — cultivate communion
Love people — pursue relationships and connections with the community
Holiness — (discipleship) resist evil, pursue righteousness (Christ)
Great commission — reach and teach....
Ok, so…How do we do that? How do those core values “play out” in our everyday lives and the life of this church?
In other words… How should the church function?
(“Love your neighbor as yourself” “Love one another”)
These two commands given by Christ to the disciples (to us) require reciprocal interaction.
In other words, they require us to function together..... It is not about “the pastor’s job,” or the leadership team’s responsibility....
It is about each of us doing our part.
The church cannot function without every piece…every person…fulfilling their part and participating in the activities and work of the whole.
gives us a great example of how this works.
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
Paul goes on to give us the perfect example of how the church is supposed to function in verses 12-13:
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 the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many.
The human body is the perfect illustration of how the Church — the Body of Christ — is supposed to function. Think about it…if any one part of your body doesn’t work properly, then it effects the rest of your body.
The same is true in the church. If any one of us is not working…serving…with in the gifts and calling God has placed on us, then the whole church suffers!
It is not about the pastor…the small group teachers…the worship leader....doing the right things and reaching out in the community.
It’s not about coming up with ideas of things for other people to do..... It is about each and every one of us doing our part....using our gifts....serving both inside and outside of these walls!
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
1 Cor 12:
How are you serving?
Now, I don’t want to chase that “rabbit trail” to far, but I want us to acknowledge that we each have a part to play in the “success” of the church.
God chose you to be a part of His Kingdom, and that means that you are a part of building His kingdom.
He has gifted you to play a role… It’s up to you to participate in it.
Now, here is the point: If we are going to “love others,” and “love each other” in such a way that the Kingdom of God explodes in this community, then we must function as “One body.”
Paul gives us three concepts of how God designed the church to function.
I. UNITY
There is a difference between togetherness and unity isn’t there? Think of it like this — if you tied two roosters together and tossed them over a clothes line, they’d be together, right? But, they wouldn’t necessarily be united!
Unity implies commonality, agreement, common goals and common purpose....essentially, unity implies a common way of life.
Just as with the body, each part of the church serves the whole.
II. DIVERSITY
Even in unity, the body is comprised of distinct parts.... each with its own purpose and function within the whole. How the body grows is determined by each part functioning as it should. And here’s the best part....
No individual part is any more or less important than the others.
III. MUTUALITY
Each part of the body is dependent on the others functioning properly.
Have you ever seen a dysfunctional family? If not, get with me later, I’ll tell you about mine..... lol!
A dysfunctional family is dysfunctional because one or more of the parts is not functioning properly. Mom might blame Dad for all the misdeeds of the children (or vice versa).... One parent might be “absent”.... The children “play” the parents against each other.... In any case, the family unit breaks down because each part is not fulfilling its role.
Just as with the body, God designed the church to function best in unity, diversity, and mutuality.
If we fail to understand our essential unity....
If we fail to appreciate the diversity of the body....
If we forget that we are mutually dependent upon each other....
Then the church will not function as God intended.
All three of these concepts appear in
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Paul gives us three categories....
“Gifts” are the capabilities given and empowered by the Holy Spirit. “Ministries” are the places where those gifts are used. And, “Effects” are the results of the proper functioning of the other two....
Notice that the gifts are given for “the Common Good.” They are not personal gifts. They are meant to equip the church to function properly.
Look at verses 11-12
All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 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.
God is the one who gave you the gifts you have. He is the one who decides....amen? Now listen....God knows where you will serve best! And He places you there..... No one.....absolutely no one is more valuable or more important than anyone else....
It takes all of us serving for the Church to grow.
For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Now, watch out! I might step on your toes here!
In this passage, Paul clearly defines a “second blessing” ...or work… of the Holy Spirit. You see…Paul defines the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” as that moment when God places in…connects to…identifies with the body of Christ…by placing us into it and gifting us for service.
You did not receive the Holy Spirit, and the gifts of God, the moment you prayed the “sinner’s prayer”.... You were identified with…and gifted for....the Kingdom of God the moment you “COMMITTED” your life to Christ.
The moment we commit ourselves completely to God…to the Kingdom....we are unified with the diverse body of believers.
I want you to understand something....you did not receive the Holy Spirit the moment you prayed....your “conversion” happened the moment you COMMITTED your life to Christ.
Indeed, the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot would 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 would 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 the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 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 members, yet one body.
We are One Body, with many members. God places each and every one of us where He wants us.
Let me tell you — You are where you are at this very moment because that is where God wants you to be!
But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.
You are important! You must function and serve where God has placed you! That is how the Church grows strong!
What has God called and gifted you to do?
Do you know? If not, then get with Him in prayer.... And don’t just pray…listen to Him!
None of us can function properly without everyone else....
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 members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect; whereas our more respectable members do not need this. But God has so arranged the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior member, that there may be no dissension within the body, but the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together with it; if one member is honored, all rejoice together with it.
There are no unnecessary parts in the Body....there are no self-serving parts in the Body.... Everyone is important…vital…to the whole.... If one part is not functioning it effects ALL the others.
When people are missing…it hurts the church. When people are not serving....it hurts the church. When the church lacks ministers (not just the pastor)....it hurts the church!
We need each other!
That is why it is vital that we take care of each other.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?
The church only functions well if it functions in unity, diversity, and mutuality.
I want you to see something here.... look at verse 31
But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Unlike what many believe, this is not a command.... It is a statement of fact.
Paul is not telling us that there are some gifts that are “greater” than others.... He is telling us to desire the greatest gift of all, because in that gift, we will find unity…celebrate diversity…and come together in mutual support of each others gifts.
“and yet I will show you the most excellent way.” ( NIV)
What is that “Most excellent way”?
Take a look at what Paul says next.... — the “Love Chapter”
No matter how important your gift seems....no matter how great it might be praised....without love it means nothing.
Lack of love destroys unity and mutuality. Lack of love causes dysfunction in the Church..... But....Love empowers!
Every one of you has been placed by the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ.
Every one of you has been connected to Christ.
Every one of you has been gifted for service in the Body.
You are ALL critical to the growth and proper functioning of this church.
For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
1 Cor 12:
We all serve the same Christ… we are all empowered by the same Spirit....the Spirit has gifted each of us — uniquely — to serve the Body....and we all need each other...
Let us serve each other in love…continually encouraging each other to live and love like Christ.