| Download |
|---|
| Title: | The Church- A Communion of Encouragement |
| Reference: | Hebrews 12: 1-3 and Acts 2 |
| Notes: | Heb 12: 1-3 & Acts 2: 42-47: ebc 3 1 09
* Heb. 11 comes before Heb. 12. Going too fast. Heb. 11 highlights great men and women who lived faithful lives: heros, models, examples for us to follow: Abel worshipped by faith. Enoch walked w/ God. Noah by faith built an ark by faith. Abraham went when God told him go. Moses stood up to the mighty Pharaoh. Joshua marched around the city of Jericho and the walls came tumbling down. We all need spiritual heroes who set an example, model a godly life. I stand before you because of godly: parents, grandparents, youth leaders and friends. What legacy will you leave behind?: will you be a Barnabus- an encourager who welcomed Paul into the church; or a Judas who compromises your faith? Question: Will you get off the bench and into the game? Will you begin the run the race marked out?
*Heb. 12: 1-3: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” We remember the faith and example of others but Jesus is our ultimate example and hero. Cross. The cloud of witnesses is watching us but more importantly, they are focused on Jesus, lamb t was slain.
* Protestants tend to struggle with the phrase “communion of the saints” in Apostles Creed we associate it with some Catholic practices of praying to saints (instead of God), venerating relics, and with the authority of the Catholic Church to declare someone a “saint.” Over time, the saints came to be viewed as people with special access to God who could help humans. In Church history, we cannot deny that there have been people who have special/martyrs should be honored. And we must be careful that we don’t lose the Biblical belief that everyone who looks to Jesus for salvation is a “saint.” The church is: “community of the saints.” In NT “saint” is used interchangeably w/ Christian; and those beloved “saints” now in heaven spend their time observing us on earth, praying for our progress, & cheering us on as we run our race of faith. Rev. 6/8 refers to the prayers of the saints in heaven rising up before God as fragrant incense, they see our struggles and cry out, “How long, O Lord, before you return to earth and establish justice?” It’s those saints in heaven that are singing a new song with the heavenly host around God’s throne as they await our arrival. If you really listen, maybe you can hear them singing and cheering? Summary: Catholics believe in a closer interaction between living & dead saints but both believe:
*Saints are just the sinners who fall down & get up. Noah got drunk at a family gathering & passed out. Abraham lied about his wife identity. Moses murdered a man in a fit of rage and ran away. Jacob deceived his father to gain a blessing. Rahab was a prostitute who helped the I. spies. David adulterer, liar, murderer. People of faith are not perfect people. Hypocrites abound in churches, but remember the church is a hospital for sinners who are hurting & seeking healing not a museum for pious saints. Eugene Peterson’s introduction to the book of James in his new translation The Message is helpful: “Just as a hospital collects sick under one roof and labels them as such, the church collects sinners. Many of the people outside the hospital are every bit as sick as the ones inside, but their illnesses are either undiagnosed or disguised. It’s similar with sinners outside the church. So Christian churches are not, as a rule, model communities of good behavior. They are, rather, places where human misbehavior is bought in the open, faced, and dealt with.” We are sinners, called saints, who are seeking hope/ healing.
Like AA: we all must rise and say, “My name is _________, and I’m a sinner saved by grace.” Hi ______
*Our fellowship is UNIFIED around the common experiences of salvation and baptism.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith… consider him…” At the center of our sanctuary is the communion table, the Bible and the cross. Choir is a reminder of the heavenly host.
A saint is just a person who has believed on Christ, received forgiveness, been baptized, and is seeking to be filled with the Spirit. Immersion: I struggle because I don’t think God is going to ask, “So how much water was used in your baptism.” But, baptism by immersion is our common experience and the symbolism is powerful. And we gather around this table to remember and celebrate our Lord. I can’t prove the existence of God or debate creation/ evolution but I do know what God has done in my life.
* We are a DIVERSE fellowship of saints. “We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.”
Many parts, one body. Diversity is our great strength and biggest challenge. Emmanuel is: young, mid, old all with strong opinions. Our diversity is increased by the fact that our deceased members don’t cease to be a part of our communion. They get promoted to heaven where they watch us, pray for us and cheer us on. Do you realize Jack Poe is cheering us on? These flowers were placed in his honor…
Picture of a dinner table and then go around table like any family dinner… we are a strange family w some weird people. A-men? Long time member who likes the organ/ hymns. New member who would like some newer songs and a larger youth group. Old: struggling with health and grief. Young student bombarded w technology, temptation, bored. A homeless person who looks around & sees looks of fear. People who used to attend but who have drifted away… they are at this table with us only not here. But here we are, sitting around the table. How do come together? We look at the bread & cup & remember.
* In our fellowship we share honest stories of RACES RUN and DETOURS TAKEN.
“…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Sin that so easily entangles us… how did he know that? unless he had been entangled himself and wanted us to know how easily we fall, get tangled & helpless. The writer knew how easy it is to drift into sin and turn aside from the narrow road that leads to life. That’s why a true fellowship needs honest stories of failure and redemption. Zaccheaus: Jesus sought out seekers, they had a meal at his home, Z believes and then shares a honest story of his struggle:
Run with perseverance the race marked out for you… not someone’s else’s race but yours. We gain courage and hope and motivation by hearing the stories of those who have gotten lost and found their way home. Jesus’ stories of Lost Sheep, Coin and Son… How do we treat those who are still lost?
* In our fellowship, we share PRACTICAL SUPPORT for those suffering and struggling.
Look at Jesus, he endured the cross and all the shame and evil men so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. Jesus struggled on because he knew his life would bring life, hope and forgiveness to others. Who for the joy set before him? What joy? The joy of seeing you and me lifted up/changed/ saved.
Called to help each other get through times of hurt and loneliness. Also called to help each other grow and mature in the Christian faith. Like a sports team that works well together, except the game is life.
The early church modeled this: Acts 2: 42-27: “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Notice how the early church got involved in each other’s lives. Lived their love. Early church ministered to the plague victims that were thrown from the houses to die in the streets. Because of their faith in God/ heaven, they didn’t fear death. These acts of compassionate, sacrificial service spoke loudly to the people in Rome & the world.
* The early church made it a priority to actually get together face to face. No other option, yes, but in this day of Facebook etc, do we tend to neglect real fellowship for virtual fellowship. The question of "Can community happen online?" was a question asked by popular Christian blogger Anne Jackson. Anne discusses how her time on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter have put in her closer contact with 100s of people and even led to some face to face encounters at conferences & reunions. But she finally concludes that what happens between people online is not community. She says, “I believe what happens online is connection—not community.” Real community requires face to face, person to person contact and interaction. She goes on to say that during this season of Lent that began on Wednesday, she is pulling back from her online activities and plans to emphasize those activities that actually put in personal contact with real people in her church. For many, their online life gets in the way and limits their offline community. Do you spend more time looking at a computer than a real person? It’s good question and one that is appropriate to reflect on during Lent as we prepare for Easter. “When we spend more time staring at a glowing monitor than we do into the eyes of those we love, or need to love, it might be time to shut off the computer.” Study found more time people spent online, the more lonely they were b/c time spent online was time not spent w people.
* In our fellowship, we know the laughter of people who despite their suffering, KNOW THEY ARE HEADED HOME. Jesus, for the joy set before him. Even in suffering, Jesus experienced joy. Hard to believe. One thing I love about Emmanuel is that it is filled with people who have struggled through hard times and have learned to laugh in spite of their pain. Stimes Laugh to keep from crying.
The room was full of pregnant women with the partners. The class was in full swing. The instructor was teaching the women how to breathe properly and was telling the men how to give the necessary assurance to their partners during labor. Near the end of the class the instructor said, “Ladies, remember that exercise is good for you; walking is especially beneficial. It strengthens the pelvic muscles and will make delivery easier.” She looked at the men in the room and said, “Gentlemen, remember, you’re in this together. It wouldn’t hurt you to go walking with her.” Then a man at the back of the room slowly raised his hand. “Yes?” “I was just wondering: is it all right if she carries the golf bag while we walk.” Funeral arrangements for this man are still pending…We can laugh because everything is going to be ok
We are a communion who always leaves an EMPTY CHAIR at the table and the porch light on. Our new project allows people to find their way in and we’re definitely leaving a light on at night. Are we open, looking around, ready to receive and help those who might find their way in. These are hard times and people are struggling to make it. We’re all afraid of the future. This is a time to pull together. Usually, when we circle for prayer, we hold hands facing in. Christians, hold hands and look outward.
Story of General Maximus, played by Russel Crowe, in the movie, Gladiators. Stay close together. |