Printer Friendly VersionSupportive Scriptures: Acts 2:40-47; Romans 12:4-8
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.
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.
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.
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)
