8.21.22 Sermon - The House of the Lord

Welcome/Intro

Have you ever marveled at the engineering marvel and masterpiece that is the Human body?

Stats?

It really is amazing.

The Body of Christ

In 1 Cor 12, Paul uses the reality of our human body as a metaphor for the Body of Christ — The Church

There is this amazing reality of the role and function of each individual in the Body of Christ

just as there is a role and function of every single cell in the human body

Yet there is a corporate role and function for the Body as well.

These two work together just as the cells of your body work together for you to function as a human being

Is that an amazing and compelling metaphor for the church?

Today

Today we are going to do something a little unorthodox

I want to share for a few minutes on the nature of the Body of Christ — the Church — from Eph 4:1-16.

Then I want to invite up a few of our lay leaders in the church and give them an opportunity to share.

Bible

So we’ll be in Eph 4:11-16 .

Go there in your Bibles

Welcome you all and ONLINE

Let me Pray

Pray

Isaiah 61:1–3 (ESV)

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

The Properly Working Body

Eph 4 Structure

Ephesians is the book on the Church (We Preached a few years ago)

Eph 4 is right at the center.

Paul ends Eph 3 with this amazing prayer.

Structure

Eph 4:1-6 - Unity in the Church

One Body, One Faith, One Spirit

Character of people

Eph 4:7-10 - Centrality of Christ

Grace given by Christ

His Incarnation, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension

Eph 4:11 - Gifted Leaders

Christ gave gifted leaders to the Church

Eph 4:12-16 - Growth unto Maturity

Growth unto Maturity

The Gift of Gifted Leaders (Eph 4:11)

Ephesians 4:11 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Just previously Paul talks about Christ descending and ascending

He’s talking about his incarnation, death, resurrection and ascension

And Jesus gives these gifted leaders:

Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Shepherds and Teachers

He gives them to the church as a GIFT

but for what purpose?

Equipping the Saints

Ephesians 4:11–12 (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,

Why does God give gifted leaders to the church?

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ.

Equip (gk: καταρτισμός): to make someone completely adequate or sufficient for something—‘to make adequate, to furnish completely, to cause to be fully qualified, adequacy. Lit used in medical “setting of a bone”

καταρτίζω: to train, put in order, restore, prepare

Matthew 4:21 (ESV)

21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

Hebrews 11:3 (ESV)

3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

Saints (ἅγιος): persons who belong to God, and as such constitute a religious entity—‘God’s people.’ … In rendering οἱ ἅγιοι it is important to avoid an expression which means ‘sanctified,’ for the focus is not upon a particular state of holiness, but upon a special relationship with God.

Ministry (διακονία): to render assistance or help by performing certain duties, often of a humble or menial nature—‘to serve, to render service, to help, service, help.’

Building up (οἰκοδομή): the construction of something, with focus on the event of building up or on the result of such an event—‘to build up, to construct, construction.’

To Equip: to make proficient

The Saints: the individual member of the body of Christ

Ministry: literally to serve others

Build up: literally as to construct a house, construction

Until when? for how long?

Unto Maturity

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 (συναρμολογέω) and held together(συμβιβάζω) by every joint with which it is equipped,

when each part(μερος) is working(ἐνέργεια) properly,

makes(ποιεω) the body grow so that(εις) it builds(οἰκοδομή) itself up in love.

Lit. according to the operation/working in measure of each part (each part in its proper measure) makes the body grow into building itself in love.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV)

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 (συνοικοδομέω) the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure (οἰκοδομὴ), being joined together(συναρμολογέω), grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together (συνοικοδομέω) into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Observations

Unity is the goal:

in Faith/Trust

In the knowledge of Christ

knowledge about him

personal knowing him

Until maturity is reached

to the measure — of the fullness of Christ

Stability (v 14) — Solid Rock vs. Sandy Foundation of Matt 7:24-25.

What does maturity look like?

speaking the truth in love — these two must go together

Growth into Christ — greater union, greater knowledge, greater intimacy with Christ

Held together by Christ

joined together — harmony

Held together (συμβιβάζω) — to bring together, unite (as in marriage), to be knit together, lit. as in a body — sinews

Colossians 2:2 (ESV)

2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ,

Colossians 2:19 (ESV)

19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Each part doing it’s intended role

ἐνέργεια - Working/operating - energia

“when each part(μερος) is working(ἐνέργεια) properly”

κατʼ ἐνέργειαν ἐν μέτρῳ ἑνὸς ἑκάστου μέρους

“according to the activity commensurate with each individual part.” (WBC)

Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 42: Ephesians (Comment)

So in this summarizing picture of v 16 both particular ministers and every member find a place. Each part of the body receives the energizing power it needs, and the proper growth of the whole body is in proportion to and adapted to each part. Each member has his or her distinct role in the well-being of the whole, and the unity in diversity depicted earlier in the passage is seen to be essential for the proper growth of the Church.

The Result:

makes the body build itself up in love

Colossians 2:19 (ESV)

19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Conclusion

Paul gives a beautiful, compelling picture of what the Church can be.

A church that is centered on Christ, empowered by Him and functioning as a mature body then builds itself up in love.

This means we have gifted leaders in our Church — God promises that

This means our role as gifted leaders and as shepherds/pastors/elders is to equip the saints

Until maturity, unity and fullness of Christ is attained

What I want to do now is to invite up some of our gifted leaders so that you can hear from them.

In light of the Church being the Body, each of us has a role to play, a calling on our life.

These individuals have been called by Christ and have been leading in various roles over the years.

I wanted to bring them up here for three reasons:

To give visibility to the body of Christ and the leaders we have

To allow them to share their heart and passion for ministry

To invite the church to invest in the work God is doing here.

Leader Panel

Participants:

Allyssa Powell (Worship Gathering)

David Hernandez (WG Facilities)

Cloe Barnes (WG Welcome Team)

Rebecca Go (Kids)

Valerie Crawford (CGs)

Alex Crawford (CGs, Outreach)

Ben Smith (CGs, DGs)

Questions:

Share your heart/passion for your particular areas of leadership. 

Why is this area important for the mission of One Hope Church?

Exhortation

Let’s thank our leaders

This is the Church

Each of us has a role to play for the building up of the body of Christ here at One Hope.

I want to invite you to invest in the work that God is doing in and through One Hope Church

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.

Upcoming Ways to Invest

Welcome Week at UCF — sign up to table with us and invite students to One Hope

Cru Pancake Night — sign up to make pancakes and serve the Cru students at their first gathering

Church Picnic — Next Friday — 5-8pm, eat around 6:30pm.

sign up — bring a side

need some grillers // set up and tear down.

Closing Prayer

prayer

CHILD DEDICATIONS

Intro

Good morning again

We are excited to be doing Child Dedications for 5 families this morning.

This is the first of 2.

We’ll be doing another 5 families in September.

Let me just take a moment to explain what Child Dedications are and why we do them.

What are Child Dedications?

We do child dedications in order to celebrate and consecrate our children and commit to raise them in the training and instruction of the Lord.

CELEBRATE: We believe each child is a gift from God. And so we celebrate our children with the church and God as the gift they are.

CONSECRATE: We consecrate or set apart our children for the Lord. We want to give them to the Lord and ask Him to bless them.

COMMIT: Thirdly we commit to raise our children in the training and instruction of the Lord according the the Word of God and by the Spirit of God.

Old Testament

Deuteronomy 6:4–8 (ESV)

4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

Moses is exhorting the Israelites the importance of impressing the truths of God on the next generation.

The interesting thing is that not all of the people present were parents.

It was an entire community being commanded to have these commands upon their hearts, and then to help raise the next generation to know their Heavenly Father.

New Testament

We see same pattern in the New Testament:

In the Ministry of Jesus we repeatedly see Him welcoming children and blessing them.

In Paul’s letters we see him teaching biblical families

Ephesians 6:1–4 (ESV)

1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

These instructions are in the context of addressing the Church community at large.

Today

So today we are here to celebrate and dedicate these children before the Lord and to commit as a community to come alongside these parents as they raise their kids in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Some of the ways this happens at One Hope.

One hope kids

Moms group

Community groups

many interactions, relationships that are taking place on an organic level.

Invite the families up

Presentation of Families

Introduction of Families

Have each family introduce themselves and their child

Show picture of family

Have one parent read verse/vision for child (Homework assignment)

what kind of person do you want to be

date time with spouse

Homework Assignment #1:

Write a description of the kind of person you hope your child will become over the next 18 years.

Every year on their birthday, pull out the card. This exercise will give you a chance to evaluate how you’re doing as you lead your child spiritually and to remember the importance of your child’s relationship with their heavenly Father.

Homework Assignment #2:

What are two things that you are going to DO to invest in yourself and the supportive and significant relationships in your life?

Maybe you are going to get a babysitter once or twice a month. Maybe your baby goes to bed early so that you have couple or personal time at the end of every day. Maybe you’re going to go for a walk every night after dinner and enjoy God’s creation. These kinds of practical decisions can make a huge impact on your relationships over the long haul. Decide right now what two things you’re going to do and write them down.

Not only is it important to invest in your significant relationships with those who surround you, but you must also invest in your relationship with your heavenly Father. Perhaps you are going to join a small group. Maybe you are going to commit to quiet time three times a week. Make your decision on two things you are going to do to continue growing in your relationship with your heavenly Father and write them down.

Family order

Kaileb and Willa-Ann Hammontree | Asher Thomas-Sterling Hammontree | August 4, 2022

Alec and Jill Jacobs | Grant Winston Jacobs | Oct 26, 2021

Holly and Westley James | Kenzie Jean James | March 24, 2022

Philip & Amber Lavandera | Serena Lavendera | June 8, 2022

Ben & Meli Smith | Roman ZANE Smith | June 30, 2021

Exhortation

At this time, I'd like to ask these parents and you, the church, a series of questions and after each one, if you affirm then please say out loud “We Do”.

First, to the Parents

Do you receive this child with gratitude, as God’s gift to you and your family?

Do you acknowledge that, like you, your child needs the cleansing blood of Jesus for salvation?

Do you dedicate your child to God, and promise, in humble reliance upon the Holy Spirit, that you will regularly pray for him/her, teach him/her the holy scriptures, demonstrate worship and repentance in your home, and seek to shepherd him/her to love and follow Jesus?

Now to the Church

Do you celebrate alongside these parents and welcome these precious children into our church family?

Do you, in humble reliance upon the Holy Spirit, commit to pray for and encourage these families, to uphold the holy scriptures, demonstrate worship and repentance in our church, and join in shepherding each of these children to love and follow Jesus?

We’ve also given each family a COPY OF THE JESUS STORYBOOK BIBLE, written for kids to show how every story in the Bible points to Jesus.

Prayer of Dedication

God, we praise you for your goodness. We acknowledge that each of these children is a gift. They are completely Yours. You formed them. You love them. You know them. We breath in deep rest knowing you are a Good Father;

First, we ask that you would consecrate this ceremony. That You would ingrain these commitments in our minds and hearts. That you would help us to regularly remember what we’ve promised.

Second, we ask for your help. We know we are utterly incapable of remaining true to these vows without You. Without Your Holy Spirit in us we cannot succeed. But by your power working in us, we already have victory. By your power working in our church, help us to come alongside these parents as encouragers, as brothers and sisters, as their very family.

Finally, we pray for [LIST FIRST NAMES OF CHILDREN].

Asher Hammontree

Grant Jacobs

Kenzie James

Serena Lavendera

Roman Smith

In Jesus’ name, we ask that you would rescue each of them from their sin. We ask that they’d learn to love you and worship you with their whole hearts. We ask that they would become true disciples and ambassadors that boldly share Jesus with the world around them.

We ask that you’d allow them to be courageous in the face of fear and hopeful in times of great difficulty. We pray over their relationships, especially with their future spouses, that they would demonstrate Jesus’ love and kindness toward others.

Let these children grow in faith, health, and stature and emerge as the leaders of the next generation.

As your people, we boldly declare that we have one hope and His name is Jesus. We ask in faith that this would be the legacy passed down to each of these children.

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Benediction

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24 The Lord bless you and keep you;

25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.