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Go Back to Sermons...Likes Jesus but Dislikes the Church
Sunday, October 22, 2006
I Have a Friend Who…Likes Jesus but Dislikes the Church
1 John 4.20-21 Allen R. Hunt Mount Pisgah 10/22/06
(With thanks for thoughts from Bouknight, Lucado)
If first time you came to Mount Pisgah, you were invited by someone else, please stand
We have had 30 new members in October already – most invited by someone like you
Simplest way to share your faith is simply to invite someone to worship with you
But when we do that, we will hear a lot of objections
Church is boring, it’s hypocritical, it’s irrelevant, Church is obsessed with money, pastors are either simpletons or lunatics
And to a certain degree, each one of those statements has truth in it
Not to mention that often Christian divorce rates, debt levels, and abortion choices are exactly same as non-Christians – we don’t always look or love differently from world
Explains why some folks will say, “I like Jesus but I dislike the Church.”
So what do we say – more importantly, what does God say?
I. The Church = God’s People
No such thing as purely one on one relationship with God – no mention in the Bible
If planning on going to heaven, better get used to being around Christians, because that is who is going to be there – will not be just you and God – will be all His people
In fact, 1 John says it plainly, doesn’t it?
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
Church is not optional – to see why
Understand that God describes His people 3 primary ways
1) Body of Christ
(Eph. 5.23; Acts 9.4; 1 Corinthians 12)
Christ is the head of the Church, His body, of which He is the Savior (Eph. 5.23)
Jesus and the Church are intimately connected
Then look at this remarkable passage from Acts
He fell to the ground and said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9.4)
Not why do you persecute my followers, or my church, or my people – but ME
Church literally is the body of Christ
No such thing as liking Jesus and disliking the church – they are one and the same
2) Bride of Christ
(Rev. 19.7)
Which is why Bible describes Church in even more remarkable way
Heaven is like a wedding feast – Christ is the groom and the Church is His bride
Bride of Christ – be a bit tough to tell God, I like you but I don’t like your wife
Again, there is no way to like Jesus but dislike the Church
3) God’s Family
(1 Peter 1.22; 2.10 Hb 13.1; Mark 3.31-35)
220 times between Acts and Revelation, Bible describes God’s people as a family
The Church is a family – get used to it
Families are not perfect but they are still family
And you need a family when you start to understand what Satan is up to in this world
Satan is at work to keep you out of prayer, out of the Bible, and out of the Church
If he does that, he wins – there is no hope for you
So he will attack you and the church – only way to prevail is to have a strong family
The Church is family
The gates of hell will not overcome the Church (Mt 16.18)
Now be clear, the Church has many shortcomings and failings to be sure
But when you read history – becomes obvious that Church has been the primary instrument for good in all the world
One historian says, “There is no significant institution in the history of the world that did not have its origin and beginning at the altar of the Church.”
Church has no rival in serving the world
Red Cross – get it? Red CROSS
4th century Rome – Church was already feeding 20,000 people a day
Look at history of America - Education, hospitals, Habitat homes, orphanages, 12 step groups, civil rights, abortion opposition and alternatives – all from the Church – not from government, not from Islam or other religions, not from private industry – but the Church
But best of all, Church shares God’s primary passion
To see that, remember Luke 15 – chapter with 3 stories – lost sheep, lost coin, lost son
II. The Church = God’s Passion
(Luke 15.1-32; Matthew 16.18; Eph. 2.10)
Let’s just look at the third one – prodigal son
Look at it through the eyes of the father
Son comes, asks for his portion of the estate – takes and leaves
How do you think the father felt?
Did not dispute or persuade him– did not know why, did not know where son was going
He granted his son’s wish and let him go
The son wanted to be on his own
Boy has one thing in his world view – himself
A self-centered son takes what is not yet his, without thanks, and leaves
Look through the eyes of the father - Think he stood at the porch and watched until the son’s figure grew so faint in the distance that he could no longer see him?
And the father lets go – just like God does
When we walk away from God, it is always our idea not His
We go the way of stupidity, or selfishness, or foolish, or compromises
Proverbs says we can go our own way and the end of that path is death
The son leaves – and he squanders it all
Riotous living – parties, dinners, finery – buying friends at every turn
And the father knows what he is doing – fathers just know what prodigals do
The prodigal’s father knows
And God knows
But the father looks and waits – imagine him on the lookout
Asking others to do the same – if you happen to be in town and see him, let him know I am waiting, let me know so I know he is OK
May even have put the son’s picture on a milk carton or a poster
LOST: Simon bar Joseph – age 19, Home: Galilee
Father stands watch
The son wastes everything he has – squanders – spews cash – flying out of his wallet
Until the well runs dry
Turns to wallet in the pub – and there is nothing left
Hands the waitress his card – and she returns with furrowed brow – says “Not accepted”
Son is destitute – he has reached the end of his journey
So gets a job – only one he can find – tending to pigs
Son has no other options
Still the father searches and stands watch
Just like God searches for you and me – that is His passion
Jesus said it Himself, “Son of Man came to seek and save that which is lost.”
I look at the son – and I see a jerk – a selfish, brash, profligate jerk
But the father looks at the son – and simply sees his child
You and I worship a God who never gives up
He never – ever – writes us off – ever
God’s passion – is to seek and save the lost
God loves desperate souls – He is always on the lookout for them
When the son finally has a rational thought – I could at least go home and beg dad to let me stay in apartment on top of garage – and I could work in the fields with hired hands
God rejoices – God rejoices when a destitute son comes to his senses, when a drug addict drops his needle and spoon, when a prostitute walks out and closes the door for good, when the workaholic pushes away from the desk, when a man walks away from the porn shop – God rejoices
When a lost child finally decides that he/she has had enough, God rejoices
How do I know He rejoices? Just remember Luke 15 again with me
1) He runs
Father runs to the son – when he spots him on the horizon – he runs to him
Only place in Scripture where God is described as running
This charges up God – a lost sheep or a lost child who findsmway back home to Him
So overcome that He runs
2) He embraces
3) He kisses repeatedly
Verb here is not a kiss – but repeated action
Over and over again – father kisses the lost son – outpouring of joy
4) He rejoices
Point of all three parables in this chapter of Luke
Flapping of sandals in heaven – sound of Nike waffle trainers hitting the golden streets of heaven as God runs out to greet each one of us as we make our way home
This is God’s passion – seeking and saving the lost
It is very simple to understand – why you must love the Church
5) God’s Church is a home for sinners
Church is a bunch of sinners – your answer: “Yes and there is room for one more.”
OF course, the Church has failings and shortcomings – let’s face it, we are broken vessels
Each in our own unique way – standing in need of God’s grace
Experienced that in my life in a powerful way – I am not perfect, I cannot perform at the standard that I would like, I fall short of God’s holiness – I have nothing but His grace
That is why the Church is so crucial
God’s passion – to seek and save the lost
And He uses the Church to do just that
Every 12 step group– God is on the porch like the father, pacing, looking, hoping
Confirmation class meets, God there on porch
Crown Bible study gathers, when women straggle into Beacon of Hope, when doors open for worship, God is right there on the porch, pacing, looking, hoping
That is His passion
How does that match with your passion?
How does that match with the passion of our Church?
We are having one of our greatest years ever in ministry – Celebrate Recovery continues to grow, largest Easter worship attendance ever, largest Global offering in our history, more than 300 in Crown Bible groups, 100 folks will go on Walk to Emmaus this year, and list could go on
But do you mind if I tell you – our most important days lie ahead
Time now to be more devoted than ever before
6) We pace porches with God
To share God’s passion – to remember folks who are just like we are – lost and broken in need of grace – God’s good grace
To share God’s passion for the lost and to share His joy when folks get saved
God’s passion and should be ours
III. 4 Steps to Porch Pacing
1) Pray
Pray for every person you pass – use traffic as opportunity to pray for folks around you
Pray for the people in your life
2) Stir spiritual conversation
Use your conversations with people as opportunities to discuss what is most important
Use questions to start conversations – What do you think happens when we die? Do you think there is anything on the other side of the river? What do you think of that Jesus fellow?
3) Love
Love people because God loves – He loves you first
1John makes it clear – cannot love God and not love people – go hand in hand
Love as you have never loved before – remember what you used to be
Prodigals smell bad, we get frustrated with them, they may not do exactly what you like
But love
4) Invite
Invite – invite someone to worship with you – already seen the impact it has today
Friends Day coming in 3 weeks – begin planning now
David Cline will give instruction
First, let me share what happened not long ago at my friend’s church in Memphis
Young couple with two daughters were regular part of Sunday at church
One Sunday, mom and dad were tired and decided to sleep late and relax for a Sunday
Younger daughter, 4, got up and came to their bedside – “Are we going to church today?”
“No. We are going to rest at home today.”
“I’m hungry.”
Mom got up – “OK. I will fix you something since we are staying home. What are you hungry for? Banana pancakes, biscuits and gravy, waffles?”
“I’m hungry for church.”
Each soul, whether know it or not, is hungry for church. God made us that way
You and I can help
1 John 4.20-21 Allen R. Hunt Mount Pisgah 10/22/06
(With thanks for thoughts from Bouknight, Lucado)
If first time you came to Mount Pisgah, you were invited by someone else, please stand
We have had 30 new members in October already – most invited by someone like you
Simplest way to share your faith is simply to invite someone to worship with you
But when we do that, we will hear a lot of objections
Church is boring, it’s hypocritical, it’s irrelevant, Church is obsessed with money, pastors are either simpletons or lunatics
And to a certain degree, each one of those statements has truth in it
Not to mention that often Christian divorce rates, debt levels, and abortion choices are exactly same as non-Christians – we don’t always look or love differently from world
Explains why some folks will say, “I like Jesus but I dislike the Church.”
So what do we say – more importantly, what does God say?
I. The Church = God’s People
No such thing as purely one on one relationship with God – no mention in the Bible
If planning on going to heaven, better get used to being around Christians, because that is who is going to be there – will not be just you and God – will be all His people
In fact, 1 John says it plainly, doesn’t it?
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
Church is not optional – to see why
Understand that God describes His people 3 primary ways
1) Body of Christ
(Eph. 5.23; Acts 9.4; 1 Corinthians 12)
Christ is the head of the Church, His body, of which He is the Savior (Eph. 5.23)
Jesus and the Church are intimately connected
Then look at this remarkable passage from Acts
He fell to the ground and said, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9.4)
Not why do you persecute my followers, or my church, or my people – but ME
Church literally is the body of Christ
No such thing as liking Jesus and disliking the church – they are one and the same
2) Bride of Christ
(Rev. 19.7)
Which is why Bible describes Church in even more remarkable way
Heaven is like a wedding feast – Christ is the groom and the Church is His bride
Bride of Christ – be a bit tough to tell God, I like you but I don’t like your wife
Again, there is no way to like Jesus but dislike the Church
3) God’s Family
(1 Peter 1.22; 2.10 Hb 13.1; Mark 3.31-35)
220 times between Acts and Revelation, Bible describes God’s people as a family
The Church is a family – get used to it
Families are not perfect but they are still family
And you need a family when you start to understand what Satan is up to in this world
Satan is at work to keep you out of prayer, out of the Bible, and out of the Church
If he does that, he wins – there is no hope for you
So he will attack you and the church – only way to prevail is to have a strong family
The Church is family
The gates of hell will not overcome the Church (Mt 16.18)
Now be clear, the Church has many shortcomings and failings to be sure
But when you read history – becomes obvious that Church has been the primary instrument for good in all the world
One historian says, “There is no significant institution in the history of the world that did not have its origin and beginning at the altar of the Church.”
Church has no rival in serving the world
Red Cross – get it? Red CROSS
4th century Rome – Church was already feeding 20,000 people a day
Look at history of America - Education, hospitals, Habitat homes, orphanages, 12 step groups, civil rights, abortion opposition and alternatives – all from the Church – not from government, not from Islam or other religions, not from private industry – but the Church
But best of all, Church shares God’s primary passion
To see that, remember Luke 15 – chapter with 3 stories – lost sheep, lost coin, lost son
II. The Church = God’s Passion
(Luke 15.1-32; Matthew 16.18; Eph. 2.10)
Let’s just look at the third one – prodigal son
Look at it through the eyes of the father
Son comes, asks for his portion of the estate – takes and leaves
How do you think the father felt?
Did not dispute or persuade him– did not know why, did not know where son was going
He granted his son’s wish and let him go
The son wanted to be on his own
Boy has one thing in his world view – himself
A self-centered son takes what is not yet his, without thanks, and leaves
Look through the eyes of the father - Think he stood at the porch and watched until the son’s figure grew so faint in the distance that he could no longer see him?
And the father lets go – just like God does
When we walk away from God, it is always our idea not His
We go the way of stupidity, or selfishness, or foolish, or compromises
Proverbs says we can go our own way and the end of that path is death
The son leaves – and he squanders it all
Riotous living – parties, dinners, finery – buying friends at every turn
And the father knows what he is doing – fathers just know what prodigals do
The prodigal’s father knows
And God knows
But the father looks and waits – imagine him on the lookout
Asking others to do the same – if you happen to be in town and see him, let him know I am waiting, let me know so I know he is OK
May even have put the son’s picture on a milk carton or a poster
LOST: Simon bar Joseph – age 19, Home: Galilee
Father stands watch
The son wastes everything he has – squanders – spews cash – flying out of his wallet
Until the well runs dry
Turns to wallet in the pub – and there is nothing left
Hands the waitress his card – and she returns with furrowed brow – says “Not accepted”
Son is destitute – he has reached the end of his journey
So gets a job – only one he can find – tending to pigs
Son has no other options
Still the father searches and stands watch
Just like God searches for you and me – that is His passion
Jesus said it Himself, “Son of Man came to seek and save that which is lost.”
I look at the son – and I see a jerk – a selfish, brash, profligate jerk
But the father looks at the son – and simply sees his child
You and I worship a God who never gives up
He never – ever – writes us off – ever
God’s passion – is to seek and save the lost
God loves desperate souls – He is always on the lookout for them
When the son finally has a rational thought – I could at least go home and beg dad to let me stay in apartment on top of garage – and I could work in the fields with hired hands
God rejoices – God rejoices when a destitute son comes to his senses, when a drug addict drops his needle and spoon, when a prostitute walks out and closes the door for good, when the workaholic pushes away from the desk, when a man walks away from the porn shop – God rejoices
When a lost child finally decides that he/she has had enough, God rejoices
How do I know He rejoices? Just remember Luke 15 again with me
1) He runs
Father runs to the son – when he spots him on the horizon – he runs to him
Only place in Scripture where God is described as running
This charges up God – a lost sheep or a lost child who findsmway back home to Him
So overcome that He runs
2) He embraces
3) He kisses repeatedly
Verb here is not a kiss – but repeated action
Over and over again – father kisses the lost son – outpouring of joy
4) He rejoices
Point of all three parables in this chapter of Luke
Flapping of sandals in heaven – sound of Nike waffle trainers hitting the golden streets of heaven as God runs out to greet each one of us as we make our way home
This is God’s passion – seeking and saving the lost
It is very simple to understand – why you must love the Church
5) God’s Church is a home for sinners
Church is a bunch of sinners – your answer: “Yes and there is room for one more.”
OF course, the Church has failings and shortcomings – let’s face it, we are broken vessels
Each in our own unique way – standing in need of God’s grace
Experienced that in my life in a powerful way – I am not perfect, I cannot perform at the standard that I would like, I fall short of God’s holiness – I have nothing but His grace
That is why the Church is so crucial
God’s passion – to seek and save the lost
And He uses the Church to do just that
Every 12 step group– God is on the porch like the father, pacing, looking, hoping
Confirmation class meets, God there on porch
Crown Bible study gathers, when women straggle into Beacon of Hope, when doors open for worship, God is right there on the porch, pacing, looking, hoping
That is His passion
How does that match with your passion?
How does that match with the passion of our Church?
We are having one of our greatest years ever in ministry – Celebrate Recovery continues to grow, largest Easter worship attendance ever, largest Global offering in our history, more than 300 in Crown Bible groups, 100 folks will go on Walk to Emmaus this year, and list could go on
But do you mind if I tell you – our most important days lie ahead
Time now to be more devoted than ever before
6) We pace porches with God
To share God’s passion – to remember folks who are just like we are – lost and broken in need of grace – God’s good grace
To share God’s passion for the lost and to share His joy when folks get saved
God’s passion and should be ours
III. 4 Steps to Porch Pacing
1) Pray
Pray for every person you pass – use traffic as opportunity to pray for folks around you
Pray for the people in your life
2) Stir spiritual conversation
Use your conversations with people as opportunities to discuss what is most important
Use questions to start conversations – What do you think happens when we die? Do you think there is anything on the other side of the river? What do you think of that Jesus fellow?
3) Love
Love people because God loves – He loves you first
1John makes it clear – cannot love God and not love people – go hand in hand
Love as you have never loved before – remember what you used to be
Prodigals smell bad, we get frustrated with them, they may not do exactly what you like
But love
4) Invite
Invite – invite someone to worship with you – already seen the impact it has today
Friends Day coming in 3 weeks – begin planning now
David Cline will give instruction
First, let me share what happened not long ago at my friend’s church in Memphis
Young couple with two daughters were regular part of Sunday at church
One Sunday, mom and dad were tired and decided to sleep late and relax for a Sunday
Younger daughter, 4, got up and came to their bedside – “Are we going to church today?”
“No. We are going to rest at home today.”
“I’m hungry.”
Mom got up – “OK. I will fix you something since we are staying home. What are you hungry for? Banana pancakes, biscuits and gravy, waffles?”
“I’m hungry for church.”
Each soul, whether know it or not, is hungry for church. God made us that way
You and I can help