September 26, 2004

Faith@church.org

Scripture Passage: Ephesians 4:1-14

Supportive Scriptures: Acts 2:40-47; Romans 12:4-8

Background Information:

The issue of Faith at Church suggests two approaches. The first addresses the question of how well we are doing as a congregation in being the community of faith God expects us to be. The second examines how I am doing individually in finding my own place of service in the body of Christ. The sermon this week could address one or the other, or both of these questions – depending on the needs of the congregation.

The Introduction

In recent weeks, we have looked at our educational relationships. We have affirmed teachers and promised to be good learners. We then talked about our work relationships, affirming work and seek to offer it as part of our worship of God. Two weeks ago, we looked at our relationships in the home seeking to apply the principle of focusing on our responsibilities to each other rather than our “rights.” Last week we examined our relationships with our neighbors and our community leaders determined to do God’s work His way and to live out Kingdom values in everyday life.

Today, we look at our relationships in the Church. It is here that we are shaped into the persons and families that God calls us to be so that we can be and do in all those other relationship what we should. It is here that we come together to do in partnership what we could never accomplish in isolation. It is always tragic if there is a disconnect between faith and works – between our life in the church and our life in the community – if the values we practice are different from those we profess. It is impossible for us to live out the Gospel without the constant support, renewal, encouragement, and new light we find at church.

Examining these issues puts two questions on the desktop. How well are we as a congregation accomplishing God’s purposes in establishing the Church? What am I contributing personally to that identity and that ministry? We have been in the book of Ephesians this Autumn, and that epistle addresses both of these issues in chapter four.

1. This Congregation must be an Effective Body of Christ Jesus.

First, Paul states that as the Body of Christ we must live up to our calling. We are to be a community characterized by Humility, Gentleness, Patience, Forbearance, and Love; (v. 2)

a community exhibiting unity and peace (v. 3)
a community sharing a common creed (v. 4-6)
One Body and One Spirit
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
One God Who is Father of All

It is important that from time to time a congregation does a self examination of how well it is doing in living up to its calling and mission. We can examine ourselves in the light of the Great Commandment and the Great Commission. We can compare ourselves to the description of the church in the Articles of Faith of our denomination. We can also evaluate ourselves by looking at various parts of the Epistle to the Ephesians. In these verses, Paul gives us a concise overview of our need for unity, the beliefs that are at the core of our beliefs, and the loving identity of the One we worship along with some of the Spirit bestowed fruit that should be evident in our lives.

In Acts chapter two, we find another description of the core activities that helped define the Christian Community then and should still define us today.

Preaching (Acts 2:14)
Evangelism (Acts 2:38-39)
Baptism (Acts 2:41)
Teaching (Acts 2:42)
Fellowship (Acts 2:42)
Breaking Bread (*) (Acts 2:42)
Compassion & Generosity (Acts 2:44-45)
Church attendance (Acts 2:46)
Breaking bread in homes (*) (Acts 2:46) (with glad and sincere hearts)
Praising God (Acts 2:47)
Good reputation (Acts 2:47)
Outreach (Acts 2:47)

And in such a community, God was pleased to perform miracles and signs of his power. (Acts 2:43)

(*) Some interpret “breaking bread” as referring to the Lord’s Supper while others see fellowship meals. Some see references to both. You will need to choose your own interpretation here.)

These characteristics provide a way for our congregation to evaluate whether or not we are accomplishing all of these and how effectively we are doing so. Are there items we have undervalued in practice, if not in theory.

2. Each of us must be an Effective Member of this Congregation

Secondly, in Ephesians Paul examines the issue of finding our own place in the body.

A, There are a variety of roles to fill.

Paul lists apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. (or pastor/teachers). Those may not apply to all of us, but Paul expands the list in other places (Romans 12, for example) and includes those who serve, encourage, give resources, lead, perform acts of mercy or hospitality. In these passages, as well as in I Corinthians 12:12-27, he indicates that each of us need to find our place in the body. Every part of the body, seen or un-seen, is important and contributes to the ministry of the whole body. No part is unimportant. Therefore, each of us must not only find our different, unique, and special place, but we must function there appropriately and effectively.

B. There is an important purpose to fulfill.

Together, we are
to prepare people for works of service,
to build up the body,
to nurture maturity and Christlikeness,
to develop discernment and stability.
Then “the whole body . . . grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”

C. There is a Christlike lifestyle to follow.

From Romans 12: 4 (where he starts using the body image) through most of chapter 15, Paul discusses in specific, practical terms the values by which we are to live within the body and as examples of that body.

From Ephesians 4:1 (where he also begins using the same image) through most of chapter six, Paul discusses in specific, practical terms the values by which we are to live within the body and as examples of that body.

Both of these passages can be summed up by the word “Christlikeness.” But we need to carefully read and re-read and apply these passages not only in general terms, but in carefully examining each of them individually. We must prayerfully ask God what needs to be nurtured or eliminated if we are to be in His Body what He wants us to be. Many of these values and characteristics are very contrary to our nature and to our society. God will have to turn things upside down – or to use another image, re-program our internal computers – if we are going to live that way.The Conclusion

There is a third issue that is implied by this discussion in Ephesians. It is the inter-connectedness of these two concepts. The characteristics of the community are only evident if these characteristics are apparent in the lives of the individual members of the body. Thus, 4:1-4 can be interpreted individually as well as corporately. The congregation will be no different than the people who compose it. And it will accomplish no more than its members contribute to it. At the same time, the “people who compose it” will be shaped, inspired, and enabled by the body and those God places in leadership over it.

We are going to close this service together around the altar in prayer.

Let us pray that we will be a congregation that reflects the image of Christ and of the early church – that God will search us and examine us and transform us into what He wants this congregation to be.

Let us pray that God will help each of us to be effective members of this congregation – That God will search us and examine us and transform us in new and deeper ways to be what He wants us to be and to do in this His Body what He wants us to do.

Let us pray that God will knit us more closely into one united body, working together, to impact this community in ways beyond our imagining.

Let us pray the benediction with which Paul closed Ephesians chapter 3.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to his power that is at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”
Ephesians 3:20,21, NIV

Possible Songs:
SL # 668 The Church’s One Foundation
SL # 679 The Servant Song
SL # 498 More About Jesus
SL # 669 We Are God’s People
SL # 677 Blest be the Tie that Binds
SL # 542 When the Church of Jesus
SL # 781 Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go
SL # 681 The Family of God
Loving God, Loving Each Other
Getting Used to the Family of God
We are Your Church Lord (MCB II)
We are the Body of the Lord (MCB I)