We Need Each Other
Generational Community • Sermon • Submitted
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· 13 viewsWhat is the value of intergenerational community? Why do we actually need this kind of community? Do we actually need intergenerational relationships? We will look at God's vision for unity and diversity in the church family--the body of Christ.
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Let’s do a little review from last week, and if you missed, this will help catch you up.
We are in a series called “Generational Unity.”
God has blessed us in life and in this church with multiple generations.
We are definitely multi-generational…meaning we have lots of generations represented…but are we inter-generational…meaning are we a community that is inter-dependent and enmeshed and truly one-anothering between and among the generations…and showing the world that we are followers of Jesus by our love for one another?? Are we?
Last week, we began by looking at the power for this—that’s the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We continued the discussion this past Wednesday night at Ripples—Soup there it is—where we ate together at 6pm, and then at 7pm, we actually sat together by multiple generations. (if you went, that was great)
I want to quiz you for a second—see if you can remember some generational breakdowns:
Question #1—Question #1 —What is the name of the generation that was born prior to 1945 (currently age 78 or older)?
Answer: Traditionalists/Builder
If you are this—raise hand.
and Michael Baer reminded us that...
This generation has been labeled the “greatest generation.”
showed us that this generation was influenced by 2 key events— Great Depression and WWII.
Love things like top down chain of command, have respect for authority, and the past and nostalgia, stable, reluctant to buck the system, uncomfortable with change.
Question #2: Which generation was born between 1945-1964, currently aged 58-77)
what is that called Baby Boomers
how many?
Baer reminded that us that sociologists call them a “selfish generation who has ruined everything for future generations.”
grew up in prosperity—could change the world but also turmoil—Vietnam War, Civil Rights, Cold War, MLK and Kennedy Assasinations, sexual revolution
started the work-aholic trend. work is your self-worth. confident task completers.
many of them are our leaders in our world and companies today
described as having sense of entitlement.
Question #3 Which generation was born 1965 - 1980
Baer said they are the “irrelevant, overlooked middle child.”
middle child label describes them well.
more grew up in homes where both parents worked or in single parent household due to divorce.
predicted to earn less income than their parents.
more desire for work and life balance.
were influenced more by MTV, AIDS crisis, and worldwide competition.
entrepreneurial and creative
Question #4 Which generation was born 1981 - 1996? currently ages 26-41
Answer: Millennials
Baer said they are the narcissists accused of killing institutions from marriage to Sears and Roebuck
gave us Amazon, Airbnb, Uber, and the gender revolution
more flexible and adaptable than previous generations—multi-taskers.
most highly educated—but highly in debt
characterized as demanding and the most confident generation.
Question #5 Which generation was born 1997-2012 (currently aged 10-25)?
Baer said sociologists call them the “coddled cohort of scared “adulting’”
most ethnically and racially diverse generation in US history
digital natives—98% own a smartphone—connected online at least 3 hours per day.
used to living in the digital world—great multi-taskers, tend to be more progressive politically
Now—I know you may say- “Well, I don’t identify with my generation…and its descriptions—remember these are generalities...”
But some of them I am sure you do
and the challenge is when we get people from multiple generations together—it’s hard—it’s hard in family gatherings—it’s hard in school or business; it’s hard in a church family. to get along…to understand each other…to empathize and be unified...
but when we do…the world takes notice—God is glorified. and we grow.
so I want to look at a passage today—that will help us.
the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Corinth—and they are divided church…struggling with so many things—but he reminds them and us---we need each other.
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
You see what He is saying—the church family—the church community—is just like a body.
A body has many parts that come together to form one body...
so it is with Christ, that is Christ’s body…He is the head—and we are parts that come together to form one body.
now look at verse 13...
13 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.
verse 13 BTW—is one of the most controversial verses in all of the Bible—entire networks of Christians are built around that verse involving baptism by the Spirit and what it is or isn’t.
My goal is not to go down that rabbit trail too much—but look at what Paul says—whatever it is—look at how Paul uses it for unity—we have all experienced it!
1 Corinthians 12:13 (NIV)
13 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.
Baptism in the Spirit is something all have experienced--
they are no longer defined by if they are Jews or Gentiles (their ethnic or racial background)
no longer defined by economic and societal status (slave or free)
you could add generations—old or young
all have experienced baptism in the Spirit.
baptism in the Spirit is unifying b/c all of have experienced it—so I believe what Paul is talking about is that baptism in the Spirit is that moment when the Spirit indwells you, and joins you to Jesus Christ, immersing you in all his benefits.
I want us to notice 3 truths in this next passage...
Stand please:
14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
Why do we need each other? generationally...
I want to mention the first 2 together.
Because you have a gift that others need (vs. 15-20)
Others have gifts that you need (vs. 21-26)
perhaps another way to say it—others need you—and you need others—we all have a role to play.
you have a gift that others need
others have gifts that you need
really what Paul is doing is speaking two 2 kinds of people here in the community.
1 group feels kind of down on themselves— “Nobody needs me. I have nothing to offer.”
and another kind of person might be the other side— “I don’t need others. I am perfectly content—me, myself, and I.”
Let me talk to that first group— “Nobody needs me.” in verses 15-20—that is the first group Paul addresses that the foot says “because I am not a hand I do not belong to the body” and the ear says “because I am not an eye…I am not part of the body.”
this is actually kind of humorous—Paul imagines the foot saying “Look at the hand…they get to do all kinds of stuff—touch, feel, point, carry, punch. I am just the foot..I get walked on…and I stink.”
or the ear (vs. 16) might say to the eye--”The eye gets to experience all things and see all things—the eye is called beautiful. nobody ever calls me beautiful. everyone is always looking at the eye—no one ever says look at me in the ear.”
but that thinking is challenged in verse 17:
17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?
even if you think your gifts or presence are unimportant, they are needed!
even if you think your generation is not needed—or maybe I am too young, or I am too old—no you are just right and you are needed.
Think with me just for a Sunday morning about First Missionary — some of the roles that people serve in
we have those who lead in singing and music—anywhere from 5 -8 ish up front.
and then those behind the scenes—we have someone running camera—let’s wave to him in the balcony—he’s a balcony person.
we have a sound person, live-stream person, someone who advances the slide—we have a couple of guys in the back tech booth—who are adjusting camera angles—zooming in so you can see my nose hairs—it gets really hot in there. we have people who edit the video. that’s another about 8 people. so the worship ministry takes about 16 people on an average Sunday.
on an average Sunday, our kids ministry has about 25 people serving—and we could us about 32 people serving--
on an average Sunday—we have 5 - 10 ushers, 5 -10 greeters, 6-10 adult and student teachers…
we have coffee...
bathrooms are cleaned...
parking lots cleared...
offering counters—about 8 of them.
all of these people are critical...
and even just the ministry of showing up—when you show up and come with the attitude, “I am not here for me only to grow—but for Jesus, and for others—that has a ripple effect in your area of ministry, here—just in the foyer—talking, listening, praying for someone as you meet. We need a lot of professional hanger-outers.
Now, I know that not all ministry happens on Sunday morning—we have lots throughout the week...
for example—Jean Conrad and our funeral meal team has been outstanding—as we have had 6 different funerals in the last 8 weeks—and they made meal after meal to be a blessing to the family. and if you are interested in serving let us know
our Brianna’s Hope people…who make food, show up to support, help with childcare...
student ministry - Logan and their crew...
but this just goes to show, even if you are feeling inferior, unimportant—YOU ARE NEEDED. You have something to offer—God has equipped you with his power and presence and spiritual gifts—no matter your age—to serve the body of Christ. I don’t see an age minimum or maximum
when you come—don’t assume that others have found there role—or niche—you are one of many who need to hear this.
if you are not sure—talk to one of us...
but not only do others need you—YOU NEED OTHERS.
look at verse 21 again:
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
previously, the passage mentioned parts of the body that go together—the foot and hand; ear and eye. now it’s the eye saying to the hand “I don’t need you.”
this is challenging those who are more independent…or look down on others…the first group had an inferiority complex—this 2nd group has a superiority complex.
now we may not say it like that--sometimes I see this kind of attitude—in people who look down on others in the church or just the church in general. sometimes we can come and assume that “no one else is serving.” “No one is as passionate as me...” “nobody cares like me.” or we assume things
you need others—if not for the very reason that other people can learn from you, and (you can learn from others), and you can help train others up.)
you need others if not for the very reason that others can help develop your character, and you others. Jesus was so patient with his disciples (He had every right to feel superior—where would you and I be if Jesus had the same attitude towards you as you have toward other Christians)
if not for the very reason that others need a chance to use their spiritual gifts for you—all generations.
sometimes we may feel this way generationally—young - what do I have to learn from the older generation—they had their time...
or the old - what can I learn from the younger ones—their ways seem crazy to me...
Paul reminds you if you struggle with looking down on others--
look at verse 22-24
22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,
23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,
24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
most likely Paul is talking about our private parts, our sexual organs. they may seem more hidden, but they are absolutely necessary for the creation of life.
Likewise in the church, there are people like that—who may seem weaker, less honorable—but whose function is absolutely crucial. Paul says we are to honor such people.
I won’t name names but there are plenty of people like this—in that they are behind the scenes, willing to work, they just keep the church going, faithfully, week in and week out, willing to do any task, care for someone, just consistently minister faithfully and carefully to the glory of God.
so why do we need each other?
b/c you have a gift that others need...
and others have a gift that you need...
the 3rd reason...
##3 God has arranged it so…(vs. 18, 24-26)
18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.
this is challenging to those who feel inferior…God put you exactly where you wanted to be...
1 Corinthians 12:24–26 (NIV)
But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
this is challenging to those who feel superior…slow down and suffer with the body....slow down and rejoice with the body…all generations.
when the older suffers, the younger feel it.
when the younger suffer, the older feel it.
So What:
Wed. night Soup there it is—we are looking at church issues, mainly the topic of worship. soup at 6pm; meeting at 7pm. and we had a great time.
Which group do I belong—do I tend to feel inferior or less than—and need to be reminded that God has given me a gift to serve?
or do I feel superior, and need to realize I need others...
Look to Jesus
This image of the body—I think the apostle Paul got it from personal experience.
in Acts 9—Paul was on his way before he was a Christian to arrest and kill Christians.
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied.
Jesus said “why are you, Saul (or Paul) persecuting me?”
Jesus is saying that whatever happens to his people, happens to Him. Jesus is so connected with His people, and we are connected to Him—whatever happens to one, happens to the other. that’s how much Jesus cares! He suffers with us—and rejoices with us.
and that vision of inter-connectedness is not only with Jesus and us—but for all of together as the body.
Often, we do the opposite. we sometimes get jealous of those who rejoice (we suffer), and we rejoice when others suffer.
but where would we be if Jesus did that with us?
26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
well—Jesus—suffered so all would not have to suffer.
He suffered so we could rejoice in His suffering—because He took our sin on the cross and paid our debt so we could be forgiven.