Moving Forward - Pt. 8
Notes
Transcript
I read of a short story this week of a motorist driving through the country who lost his way. He asked a local resident how far it was to a certain town. The resident replied, “Well, the way you are going it is 24,999 miles. However, if you turn around, it is just one.”
Herschel H. Hobbs, My Favorite Illustrations (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1990), 214–215.
You know, it is possible at times in our lives when our intentions are good, while the direction of the pursuit of those intentions are not best.
And it is our desire in this current sermon series to lay out for our church family a way forward that has clear and applicable intentions set in a biblically healthy direction.
We began our year looking at the way forward defining our missional existence:
We exist to glorify God by making spiritually and relationally healthy disciples!
We do this through emphasizing:
1. Gospel-centered Worship
2. Gospel-centered Transformation
3. Gospel-centered Relationships
4. Gospel-centered Service
5. Gospel-centered Outreach
As you remember, all that we do begins with and continues in the truth of the Gospel.
The truth that God extends His righteousness to the unrighteous through faith in Christ's life, death, and resurrection changes everything! The gospel changes our worldview and the way we progress through the Christian life. As we study, apply, and live out the truths of God's Word, the gospel continually molds our worship, spiritual transformation, relationships, service, and outreach. The gospel of Jesus Christ is the why that formulates the what of our faith family.
So we took 2 weeks and looked at Gospel-Centered Worship.
We define that as:
The heart cannot love what the mind does not know, which is why our worship of God is grounded in treasuring His Word. As we diligently study the Bible to know Him greater, our knowledge of God overflows into praise to Him for who He is and what He has done. Worship involves every affection, attitude, and action because they ascribe worth to what we value. When we gather together, and when we don't, God alone is the focus of our worship.
As you recall, worship is more than the songs we sing on Sunday, although it includes them. Worship to God (as defined in John 4) must be done in Spirit and truth.
And that involves two things:
The Inner Man - Your Heart
The Truths of God - defined by the Word of God
Our worship then, when we are together and when we are apart, is to be:
based on truth, not our feelings
focused on Jesus, not ourselves
from the heart, that has been transformed by the Gospel
So whether it is Chuck or Shannon leading us in worship and Ruth or Kenya or someone else accompanies on piano, or Andrew, Cole, or Rick is leading from guitar - worship involves:
The Inner Man - Your Heart
The Truths of God - defined by the Word of God
Whether we are taking up the offering, or partaking in communion - - worship involves:
The Inner Man - Your Heart
The Truths of God - defined by the Word of God
Whether you are at a meal with your family, or in a meeting with your coworkers, if you have been changed by the gospel - meals and meetings are opportunities for worship involves:
The Inner Man - Your Heart
The Truths of God - defined by the Word of God
Friend, we want to emphasize a worshipping church that worships God in Spirit and Truth.
Not only that, but we emphasize:
Gospel-centered Transformation
Slowing down sufficiently for the will and presence of God to fill our lives doesn't happen naturally. We intentionally embrace our limitations and strive to allow the rhythms of our lives to reflect the grace and goodness of God. Centering our hearts and schedules on the gospel transforms the way we pray, rest, relate to others, and work. Although perfection is not a reality on this side of heaven, progressive growth is a result of a life impacted by the gospel daily.
We are taking time on Sunday Nights to define this more clearly and we have 6 weeks left. For those who don’t know, we have two classes going on on Sunday afternoons at 3 and 5 and are walking through what it means to be healthy disciples of Jesus. If you joined us for the first class and haven’t been back, we have gone a different direction with curriculum and encourage you to meet back with us again this afternoon!
Two weeks ago we looked at:
Gospel-centered relationships:
The Christian faith is not intended to be lived in isolation, but in community with other believers. Our affections leak, so our gatherings remind us of our mutual love for God. The local church is not something we attend but a people to whom we belong, and as we get together, we do so with mutual love, grace, consistency, and authenticity. Our care for one another is an overflow of Christ's care for us through the gospel.
Two weeks ago we looked at 1 Corinthians 12 and were reminded that the church is not a building or tradition, but a group of people called out by God.
The picture Paul gives is one of a body - we are called to work together!
And this morning we transition into Gospel-centered Service. And in this we emphasize that:
The church thrives when the body ministers to the body. Embracing the grace of God to us individually through the gospel, we extend grace through humility, generosity, and hospitality. We do not spectate, but wholly participate by using the gifts God has given us for the building of our church family and the glory of God! One way our salvation shows itself is through how we serve others.
Church, as we look at this today, my goal is that you would understand how gracious God has been to you. Because until you understand the grace of God to you, you will not be able to extend grace to others in healthy ways.
Let’s break down our statement:
You see the church thrives when the body ministers to the body.
There is a subtle understanding within the american church that pastors are the ministers and the congregation are the ones they minister to.
And although ministers are to minister, it is not the sole responsibility of the pastor, but of all believers to minister.
You see, simply: Minister - verb - to attend to the needs of someone.
And although the biblical mandate of Pastoral leadership within congregations indeed involves attending to the spiritual and physical needs of those within a congregation, there is evidence this may not be exclusively because of an office held as much as simply being a part of the body.
So, the minister ministers - yes!
But so does the congregation! And friend, the church doesn’t thrive when the pastors have all their ducks in a row - the church thrives when the people that make up the church attend to the needs of those in their local assembly!
And this requires the types of relationships we talked about in the previous two sessions of this series.
You see it’s much easier to expect someone else to do it. It’s much easier to hire a church staff and expect them to minister. But friend, depending on a system outside of God’s system of church care is a cheap substitute.
Now, next week we plan to develop this further and give some depth to this thought but for this week, I’d like for us to look at the next statement:
Embracing the grace of God to us individually through the gospel, we extend grace through humility, generosity, and hospitality.
In order to give grace in healthy ways, you must understand the grace of God that has been given to you.
Turn with me this morning to Titus.
Titus is a book written by Paul as a pastoral encouragement. Titus was a pastor experiencing hardship from within the church and from outside the church. Paul wanted to write Titus to remind him of what is important - and these important matters hinged on him and the church embracing the grace of God that had been revealed to them.
Paul begins the first chapter with some housekeeping tips for Titus. Some helpful ways to structure the church, and then he makes a transition in chapter 2 to specific responsibilities of Titus as a Pastor and then in chapter 3 to the church.
Following structure, Paul writes:
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
Paul says - Titus stick to sound doctrine. Don’t back down to what the church really needs.
Because - v. 11 - grace has appeared.
This grace that is now in sight produces what we find in vv. 12-14
SPEAKING OF - holy living - in the age of unholy living
(the gospel changes how we live)
living godly and looking forward to eternity as God’s changed people.
This grace that changes people and that is to be held on to and preached, Paul says in chapter 3:
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
did you pick up on what Paul is saying?
church - the future anticipation of chapter 2 of eternity with God is not possible outside of the grace of God involved in your past and your present!
Past:
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
You aren’t better than anyone else. We are all made out of the same stuff. Your past is darker than you want anyone to know.
BUT:
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
Your past is dark - don’t forget it - but God’s grace (kindness and love) is now apparent in your life.
Paul goes on - it wasn’t a transformation because of your ability, but God’s grace
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
God has done this work through His mercy -
Friend, in God’s mercy He has poured his love and kindness on us sinners through Jesus and has washed and renewed the darkest parts of our past.
THIS IS WHAT GOD HAS DONE FOR YOU!
And in response - those who are His -
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
Because of what Christ has done in you, and the grace he provides for you, we then are able to serve in healthy ways.
We tend to make the journey of God’s work through us much more difficult than it has to be.
We tend to make it all about us - either our greatness or our badness.
God is lucky to use me - or I am too bad for Him to use.
The Master was searching for a vessel to use;
On the shelf there were many—which one would He choose?
Take me, cried the gold one, I’m shiny and bright,
I’m of great value and I do things just right.
My beauty and luster will outshine the rest
And for someone like You, Master, gold would be the best!
Unheeding, the Master passed on to the brass,
It was wide mouthed and shallow, and polished like glass.
Here! Here! cried the vessel, I know I will do,
Place me on Your table for all men to view.
Look at me, called the goblet of crystal so clear,
My transparency shows my contents so dear,
Though fragile am I, I will serve You with pride,
And I’m sure I’ll be happy Your house to abide.
The Master came next to a vessel of wood,
Polished and carved, it solidly stood.
You may use me, dear Master, the wooden bowl said,
But I’d rather You used me for fruit, not for bread!
Then the Master looked down and saw a vessel of clay.
Empty and broken it helplessly lay.
No hope had the vessel that the Master might choose,
To cleanse and make whole, to fill and to use.
Ah! This is the vessel I’ve been hoping to find,
I will mend and use it and make it all Mine.
I need not the vessel with pride of itself;
Nor the one who is narrow to sit on the shelf;
Nor the one who is big-mouthed and shallow and loud;
Nor one who displays his contents so proud;
Not the one who thinks he can do all things just right;
But this plain earthy vessel filled with My power and might.
Then gently He lifted the vessel of clay.
Mended and cleansed it and filled it that day.
Spoke to it kindly. “There’s work you must do,
Just pour out to others as I pour into you.”—Author Unknown
Friend, have you experienced his Grace to you? If so, have you responded? If not, why not?
If you have experienced the saving grace of God, then church, we are blessed to give out what He is pouring in.