Today, we are talking about belonging - God's second purpose for our lives ® That we are called by God to walk together, (on this spiritual journey), (not alone) and that part of the spiritual formation God wants to do in our lives, can actually only happen, together . . . (with other people) who are involved in that spiritual process. "Belonging" says yes, God does work on . . . and in our lives individually - but . . . there is something greater that He wants to accomplish with us, . . . and that greater work takes everybody - not just ourselves.
The bible uses a few different ways to describe this idea of belonging - the best description is that of a family . . . listen to Ephesians 1:5 "His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ." This is pretty cool . . . When you think about it . . . Listen to the promise God gives us . . .
It says . . . when we place our faith in Jesus Christ - we become sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father . . . and . . . because of that faith in Christ, we together (all of us ) become brothers and sisters spiritually - we are a family together . . . so . . . (Like it or not - you're my brothers and sisters) (trust me - I'm not always that excited either). . . . . .
Here's the truth, we were spiritually formed for God's family . . . and since we were created to live together as God's family forever (meaning in heaven) . . . . (long after this life) I think . . . it's pretty important that we do a little practice at getting along now - because forever (together) is a long - long time . . .
One thing I've wondered about my whole life is why there are so many different Christian denominations . . . (churches) Baptists and Alliance and Catholic and Pentecostal . . . and mostly it's because we couldn't agree on some small point or another - so we formed our own groups . . . Well - God's word is pretty clear . . . All those who trust in Christ will be in heaven together forever . . . so my bet is . . . God thinks it's kinda silly that we can't get along down here better than we do . . .
Listen to this verse from the bible
I John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another." (we belong together) . . .
Not just the Baptist (alone) or just the Catholics (alone) or just the Free Methodists (alone) . . . . . We're supposed to "belong" together, to have fellowship together . . . .
Webster's definition of fellowship:
The companionship of individuals; A close association - comradeship.
That's what fellowship is . . . being companions together as we walk
with Christ (it's belonging).
Fellowship is all about loving God's family . All of it . . .
I John 4:21
"And He has given us this command: whoever loves God must also love his brothers (and sisters)" That's what belonging is and what the
church is supposed to be all about.
Listen to this description given to the 1 st century church . . . the very
1st church community formed to be together following Jesus Christ . . .
Acts 2:42
"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
It says . . . they devoted themselves to one another in the church so much so, that that community of faith became known as the fellowship - The place of love and belonging . . .
Folks, the truth is , God not only calls us to worship Him and to follow Him with all of our lives individually . . . but He also calls us to love each other as we do that. And that's what the church is supposed to be all about - loving each other . . . as family - See folks - the church is much more than a building - and it 's more than coming together like this in a worship service . . . The church is about people - one another. It's about family . . . watch this - clip, "Big Fat Greek Wedding."
The church is a lot like a family - we're all unique and different - some of us are a little bit nuts . . . but we're a family and a family loves one another . . .
So God calls us to live in fellowship - in community together . . . - so what does that really mean? . . . Well I've got 2 or 3 ideas to share with you on this . . . but every one of these ideas (that I'm gonna say next) do not just happen . . . naturally - (they must become intentional in our lives - they must be chosen) - our lives just don't naturally drift towards community and belonging . . . Here's the first way to work towards it . . .
. . . In order to experience belonging - we all must first
I Choose to share life together - seems basic . . . but notice I said choose . . .
Acts 2:44 continues the description of the first church . . . "And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had . . ."
See . . . I think . . . the first Christ followers knew something that some of us don't completely understand - that - we can't develop as a spiritual family and that we can't develop friendships/fellowship (community) without meeting together regularly . . . . . .
Seems elementary - but it's true . . . We must choose to belong . . . This is a high value . . . God wants us to identify ourselves and make a choice to be part of His family . . . . . . (want)To clearly choose to be an active player in the church family is basic, to the whole idea of belonging . . .
Now . . . that early church (in the book of Acts) knew who was part of their faith community - (their family) - mostly because they were always together and connected . . . The word used in Acts 2:44 was "constantly". They were together constantly . . .
But it's obvious as you read about it - that they all knew who was part of their family and they knew who had joined it . . . and they knew who had chosen to belong . . . . . . Now our culture is different than theirs . . . . . . and our faith community is different - but I want to talk to you about 2 practical ways that you can choose to belong . . . here at Lakeview.
First way is membership - If you're a follower of Jesus Christ and have chosen this faith community as your primary spiritual family . . . then I'm gonna ask you to consider stepping in a little deeper - to consider membership as a choice to begin to belong, and to identify yourself as part of this family . . . God's word says that it is within community - within the church that we are called to live out our spiritual lives. . . . . . . that being a Christ follower . . . but not wanting to belong to any church just doesn't make any sense . . . Let me describe this . . . I was thinking this week . . . that it's almost like saying - "I'm a hockey player - but I don't want to be part of any team" . . . or "I'm a guitar player but I don't want to be part of any band" . . . or "I'm a soldier - but I don't want to be part of any army" - It just doesn't work. Whether you're a hockey player or a guitar player or a Christ follower - you've gotta choose to belong . . . . . .
God has created us to be part of His family . . . and a follower of Christ alone . . . is an orphan . . . and that just isn't the design of God for those who follow Him.
So think about it. If you choose to call Lakeview your faith community - then maybe you're ready to choose to step into the family a little more and (find out about membership) - the basics classes are coming up . . . basic 1 is membership - sign-up. You might be ready.
Here's the second way you can choose to belong . . . Here at Lakeview . . . it's in small groups . . . Again . . . the early church understood this small group idea - they met in homes regularly together . . . because . . . They just knew that they couldn't develop the kind of spiritual relationships that God wanted them to, (in really big groups . . . or without meeting together regularly). ® See folks . . . his children developing great relationship is a high value to God - and if there is one thing that we must fight for here at Lakeview it's this - The building of community and developing of relationships within this spiritual family . . . it's a key to why we exist. And it is the thing that gets dropped to the bottom of the priority list the quickest in our lives (here's what I really believe) I believe part of the greatest strength we have as a church is also our greatest danger . . . and our greatest strength could very quickly become our greatest weakness . . . . Let me explain - I think God has called together a group of highly energized - busy - creative - hardworking - very social and active people to be the main core of what is Lakeview church. I also believe that that's why this place is so great - we get lots done and it is creative and things are done with excellence and it is a thriving very busy church . . . but folks hear this - none of those great things can replace relationships . . . Hard work and creativity and great programs cannot take the place of building solid spiritual relationships . . . . . . God's word says . . . that we must not get out of the habit of meeting together regularly . . . . . . (of creating opportunities to develop and deepen relationships) . . . The bottom line is this . . . The more we meet and share our lives with one another - the closer were gonna get . . . and for a lot of us, . . . . . . creating that kinda time is gonna take a priority change in our schedules . . . so - here goes . . . If you've been around Lakeveiw for a while and you're pretty involved
here . . . and your not in a small group (a group of 10 people) . . . (describe small groups)
-meet regularly
-food - friends
-share life - pray
-study God's word
If you've been here for a while and you're not part of a small group that meets regularly . . . I think you might want to have a peek at that . . . in your life . . . because . . . being part of a small group is the most effective way to develop relationships and deepen community and grow family here at Lakeview . . .
Small groups are where people share life with each other and hold each other up and encourage one another . . . small groups are where you'll be challenged spiritually and be held accountable spiritually . . . Folks I gotta tell you . . . - it is only in the context of a small group, that we will ever experience real church - and real friendship and real family - because you can't do family with 100's . . . you can only do "family" in 10's
So we've got some choices . . . if you want to belong - (or let me rephrase that) (2 groups of people) . . . If you're super involved here - and not part of a small group - I don't think you have a choice . . . If that's
you . . . go see Elizabeth Nickel and she'll find you a small group - it is critical for your spiritual life and for the life of the ministry you're involved in . . . (to be in community)
(Second group), if your primary involvement here at Lakeview is on the weekend celebrations only - then hear the call - think about joining a small group (bulletin board). Think about choosing to step in a little deeper ® relationally - I think it will make a huge difference in your life . . . and it will make this church stronger - because the church and the family is more complete with you in it . . .
So what have we said? . . . Belonging is a choice.
I challenge you to step in a little deeper here . . . it is awesome what God is gonna do at Lakeview Church in the future . . . and part of that future is you . . .
Let me take this to another level. Belonging is also about
II Choosing To Do My Part
In Ephesians 4:16 The apostle Paul describes how this family is supposed to function (and work together) as the church . . . and to explain that "working together" he uses the analogy of the body . . .
Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)
"Under God's direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love."
And then in I Corinthians 3:9 (NLT) Paul says it like this . . . "We work together as partners who belong to God . . ."
2 Stories:
• My family - Saturdays
When I was growing up . . . Saturday was considered the family
(4 boys) workday . . . (more than the rest). We all had very specific duties and chores to do . . . some having to do with yard work - some with animals and some with machinery and some in the house and some on the working end of a pitch fork . . . but the thing that always amazed me was how much we could get done when we all put our minds and hearts and back to work at it. If we focused together - and each boy did his job . . . the barn would get cleaned - the garden weeded - the grass cut and a bunch of stuff would get fixed . . . (all on the same day). We could get way more done together than we ever could alone . . . and it got more and more efficient the older we got and the longer we worked together . . . because we all knew our strengths . . and we all knew who did what . . . and when . . . and you know what - working together was way more fun than working alone . . . And if Dad really wanted to see the efficiency level go through the roof - all he had to do was tell us that when the chores were done (on Sat.) we were going to the lake . . .
• It was a well oiled machine . . .
• A thing of beauty . . .
Folks, I think that might be a picture of how the church should work . .
like a family - each doing their part . . .
One more story . . .
• Story of small church baptism service . . .
I read story this week of a small country church (a generation ago),
that had a custom of holding a yearly baptismal service in the early summer, at a lake near the church . . . First those who were getting baptized would get dunked and then they'd change clothes and there would be a bonfire and everyone would gather around . . .They'd sing a few songs together and then one older gentlemen in this church (always the same guy) - He'd introduce the new people and the one's who had just been baptized . . . He would give their names . . . where they lived and their work . . . and their family . . . and then (this is cool) after they were introduced, the rest of the church would form a circle around them (small church) and each person would give their name and say something like this:
• Hi - my name is Joe, and if you ever need somebody to help build something - call on me . . .
• Hi my name is Mary, and if you need anyone to wash or iron - call on me . . .
• Hi my name is Sam, and if you ever need anyone to chop some wood - let me know - call on me . . .
And so on and so on and so on . . . plumbers, babysitters and fence builders and brick layers . . . .
Folks, that's a picture of what the church is supposed to feel like . . . Each of us - offering ourselves to one another with whatever we have . . .
Think of one thing you have to offer . . . fix-it guy - teacher - accountant - painter . . . before the week is out - try offering that one thing to somebody in the church.
In a couple weeks we're gonna talk about serving, being a primary purpose God has for our lives . . . and we'll dive in a little deeper then . . . but for now . . . I think . . . That's what choosing to belong and choosing to do our part - might look like . . .
A family working together - or a small church baptism service . . .
One more idea. Belonging is also about . . .
III Choosing to look outside . . .
In Matthew 5 Jesus gathers his closest followers to him and He reminds them of the basics . . . that they should take care of each other (and that they're family), and that they should always keep their hearts and actions in line with God . . . (and then), and then He reminds them that the hope and joy and life that they have inside of them is not only for them alone . . . that the world needs the message of Jesus and that they were called to spread the love that they had found (inside of them) to everyone . . . Now why did Jesus do that? Why didn't He just say . . . take care of each other and make sure you're all okay . . . Why did he tell them to look outside the family?
Well . . . I think Jesus knew how easy it would be for His followers (the church) to just focus on belonging to one another and to focus on building relationship and helping one another inside the family . . . and I think Jesus knew how easy it would be to kinda hunker-down inside the church and forget the mission He's called us to . . .
So Jesus said . . . as you develop a spiritual family . . . inside the community of faith . . . please - He said - don't forget those who aren't yet part of the family - don't forget about those who are seeking God but don't have a spiritual home or family to belong to . . .
So He said . . .
Matthew 5:13-16 (The Message)
"Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.
"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
Folks, that's what the church is supposed to be - a light - bringing out the God colours in the world . . .
And Jesus . . . just wanted to remind His followers of that . . . as they were belonging to one another . . . So - church let me ask you something . . .
Where else in life are people gonna hear the message about a God who loves them deeply - but in the church? Where else are people gonna hear about a God who is willing to forgive them and walk beside them and heal them and give them an amazing future?
Where else are people gonna hear about how their souls can be changed forever . . . Where else are people gonna get that message but in the church? That's why we're here - to be a city on a hill - shining brightly the mysteries of the faith.
That's the mission Jesus called His followers to and that's what Jesus has called Lakeview Church to do and to be . . . a city on a hill - a safe place for spiritually seeking people to find Jesus . . . and find a family . . . Folks . . . . . . spiritually lost and seeking people matter deeply to God . . . and He has called the church, (us), (the family) to be the track - the conduit through which He pours down His message of love and salvation to the world and that's what the church is supposed to be - a place where people find God - a place where people find family - a place where people find hope . . .
The Church of Jesus Christ really is the Hope of the world . . .
Folks, we can't let this one slip . . . not even a little bit - we are not just about ourselves - we are about everyone seeing and understanding the truth about God - we are about helping those who are outside to belong inside . . . So . . . as we close . . . let me tell you that in the year ahead our prayer is that you find deep community at Lakeview Church - that you choose to share life with one another and love one another . . . but in 2005 you can also expect this . . .
You can expect us to swing the doors of this place wide open this year . . . You can expect us to invite as many people as we all can to join our community of faith - our family . . . no holds barred. You can expect us to do whatever it takes to be that city on a hill. Shining brightly the life changing message of God's love and grace . . .
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