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BELIEVE AND BELONG

(Matt. 12:46-50)
October 19, 2008

We are called to belong, not just to believe. The writer of Hebrews said, “You should not stay away from the church meetings, as some are doing. But you should meet together and encourage each other . . .” (Heb. 10:24-25a, edb).

Notice, he said that attending church should encourage us. Unfortunately, many people have been discouraged by churches that have misused their roles. So, they say, “I can be a Christian without belonging to the church!” And that’s true; but it’s like saying I can be a baby without belonging to a family. Now, it would be hard for a child to survive and grow without the love and support of family members. Likewise, it’s hard for a Christian to survive and grow without the love and support of a church family. Paul said, “You are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s family” (Eph.2:19b, edb).

Jesus himself described Christians as being members of a family. “As Jesus was speaking to the crowd . . . Someone told (him), ‘Your mother and your brothers are outside, and they want to speak to you.’ Jesus asked, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?’ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, ‘These are my mother and brothers. Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!’” (Matt. 12:46-50).

His response is important because families are powerful shaping forces. It is families that give us our identity. It is families that help us develop our self-esteem. It is families that call forth and utilize our abilities.

All of these things are true of the church. Let’s see what the church really does:

I. FIRST, IT GIVES US OUR IDENTITY.

Paul said, “You must see yourselves as you really are. Decide what you are by the amount of faith God has given you. Each one of us has a body, and that body has many parts. These parts all have different uses. In the same way, we are many, but in Christ we are all one body. Each one is a part of that body. And each part belongs to all the other parts. (Rom. 12:3b-5, edb).

Later, Paul said, “Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ’s body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit” (I Cor. 12:12-13, nlb);

Now the particular church we attend may give us either a true or a false identity. Paul’s next few verses illustrate the value of different temperaments and personalities. They explain that each of us is special and unique. He said, “A person’s body has . . . many parts. The foot might say, ‘I am not a hand. So I am not part of the body,’ But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body. The ear might say, ‘I am not an eye. So I am not part of the body.’ But saying this would not make the ear stop being a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, the body would not be able to hear. If the whole body were an ear, the body would not be able to smell anything. If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But truly God put the part in the body as he wanted them” (I Cor. 12:14-19, edb).

Your church should establish your identity as a child of God. It should help you have self-respect and confidence. It should teach you to be authentic.

A great poem, in describing the church, expresses it this way:

If this is not a place
where tears are understood,
where can I go to cry?
If this is not a place
where spirits spread their wings,
Where can I go to fly?

If this is not a place
where questions are okay,
where can I go to seek?
If this is not a place
where honest words are heard,
where can I go to speak?

Our church lets us be ourselves. Our church gives us our identity!

II. NEXT, THE CHURCH HELPS US DEVELOP OUR SELF-ESTEEM.

Paul said, “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you! No! Those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are really very important. And the parts of the body that we think are not worth much are the parts that we give the most care to . . .” (I Cor. 12:20-23, edb).

Now, again, the particular church we attend may either enhance or damage our self-esteem. But this Scripture clearly tells us that each member is very valuable, even those who may seem to be insignificant.

Your church should emphasize your value and assure you of your right to a happy, productive life.

It should never increase your shame or guilt or anxiety. Its very purpose is to lift and comfort and support. A poet said

I met a friend the other night
Whose lamp had ceased to shine.
I paused to let him take his lamp
And get a light from mine.

A tempest sprang up later on
And shook the world about
And when the wind was finally gone
I found my lamp was out.

But back to me the old friend came
His lamp was glowing fine,
He reached out with that precious flame
And quickly lighted mine.

That’s what Christians do for each other. Our church keeps our love light burning. Our church helps us develop our self-esteem.

III. FINALLY, THE CHURCH HELPS US DISCOVER AND USE OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS.

Paul said, “God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well . . .” (Rom. 12:6);

“Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving” (I Cor 12:4-5).

Once again the particular church we attend can either encourage or repress our abilities and talents. Your church should call forth your special gifts and give you places of service that will allow you to use those gifts.

In stained glass windows there are often portraits of Christ. Hundreds of small colored bits make up the picture. Each little piece is a different shape and a different color, but each is absolutely essential. It’s the same in the church.

So, why do we need to belong as well as believe? What does your church do for you? Well, a successful church does ten specific things.

First, it offers moral guidelines. People need self-discipline and ethical standards. These guidelines should concern universal principles not narrow legalistic regulations.

Second, it offers educational programs. People need to continue learning throughout their lives. These programs include classes and seminars on personal growth, social relationships and cultural issues.

Third, it offers counseling Services. People often need therapy for themselves and their families. These services can include both workshops and individual sessions.

Fourth, it offers leadership training. People need to fill responsible roles in society. This training can be obtained as men and women hold offices in the congregation.

Fifth, it offers support groups. People need caring friends to help them through grief and crises. Members of the church can visit, listen and give comfort.

Sixth, it offers ministry opportunities. People need ways to use their abilities in worthwhile causes. These opportunities give men and women a chance to help individuals and promote justice.

Seventh, it offers benevolent projects. People need ways to share their resources with others. These projects channel donations of money and food and clothing to those in need.

Eighth, it offers social activities. People need fellowship, relaxation and recreation. These activities may include celebrations and informal get-togethers.

Ninth, it offers ceremonial observances. People need rituals to mark the milestones of birth, marriage and death. These observances may include special occasions such as baby dedications, weddings, anniversaries and funerals.

Finally, it offers worship experiences. People need peak moments that transcend everyday routines. These experiences may include music, prayer and inspirational messages.

Now, these are the ministries of the church.

Our church welcomes everyone. You’ll never be judged or condemned. Jesus said, “ I have come to save the world, not to judge it” (John 12:47b, nlb).

If Jesus did not judge, why should we? We have no requirements except your desire to learn and grow. It is our purpose to help you have a successful life. We’ll accept you at whatever stage you are right now–not when you begin to live up to our standards. The church is your family.

A man told an interesting story about his friend. He said, “Bob was invited to preach at a small rural church one Sunday when the pastor was away. He and I arrived a little early and found the church locked. We waited in our car, but the hour for the service came and no worshipers arrived. After a while, a dusty pickup truck rattled up and a man in overalls got out. “Are you the preacher?” he asked in greeting.

“Well, I’m the substitute,” Bob told him.

“I’m sorry,” the man said, “but I don’t guess we’ll be having church today. Somehow Jim Morgan’s fence got broken down during the night and his cows got out. We’ve been working since daylight, rounding them up. Got most of them back, but now we’re busy fixing the fence.”

“Are all of the church members helping?” Bob asked.

“Yeah! It took all of us, and I gotta get back. Just had to bring you the word.”

We followed his truck down the road, and when he turned into the driveway of a farm house, we saw a cluster of individuals working on a nearby fence. We watched for a few minutes, then Bob said, “Those people don’t need a sermon from me this morning. They’re living one! It’s called, ‘Love your neighbor!’ ”

That’s what the church is about. That’s why it’s important for us to belong, not just to believe!
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(WC1700)

This issue of NEW PERSPECTIVES is from an unpublished manuscript © copyrighted 2008 by Miles and Maralene Wesner, Idabel, OK. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE THEM IN ANY WAY YOU THINK IS APPROPRIATE. The only thing we ask is that you give credit for original material in PUBLISHED works.

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