Church as a Sanctuary for the Broken
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound vision of what the church is meant to be—a place of healing and grace for the broken and hurting. Drawing from a powerful World War II story about medics who turned a church into an aid station, we see a vivid picture of what Jesus envisions for His church: a sanctuary for the wounded, a community of "blood-stained pews." This is not just a metaphor but a call to action for us to be a church where people can come as they are, find grace, and be healed.
We delved into the story of Matthew's calling in Mark 2, where Jesus invites a tax collector, a despised figure in society, to follow Him. This act of inclusion demonstrates that Jesus came for the broken, the outcasts, and the sinners. He didn't come for those who think they are righteous but for those who know they are not. This is a reminder that we are all broken and in need of grace. Jesus' ministry was marked by His willingness to engage with those whom society deemed unworthy, showing that His love and grace are available to everyone.
We also discussed the importance of community and the dangers of isolation. In a world filled with fake and filtered connections, the church must be a place where genuine relationships are formed, where people can be vulnerable and find support. Jesus' vision for the church is not just a gathering of individuals but a community on a mission to storm the gates of hell, rescuing the wounded and bringing them into a place of healing.
The sermon concluded with a call to action: to admit our brokenness, to seek community, and to be part of a church that lives out Jesus' vision. We are encouraged to share our struggles with others, to be honest about our wounds, and to find healing in the community of believers. This is how we fulfill Jesus' mission and become a church of blood-stained pews, a place where grace abounds and healing happens.
### Key Takeaways
1. Jesus Came for the Broken: Jesus' ministry was focused on those who were marginalized and despised by society. He came not for the righteous but for sinners, offering grace and healing to those who recognize their need for Him. This is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of Jesus' love and grace. [42:26]
2. We Are All Broken: Recognizing our own brokenness is crucial. Jesus calls us to admit our flaws and sins, not to hide them. This acknowledgment allows us to receive His grace and be part of a community that supports and heals each other. [46:37]
3. The Church as a Community of Grace: The church should be a place where people can come as they are, find grace, and be healed. This vision of a "church of blood-stained pews" challenges us to create an environment where the broken and hurting can find refuge and support. [28:48]
4. The Importance of Genuine Community: In a world filled with fake and filtered connections, the church must offer genuine relationships. We are created to be in community, to support one another, and to bear each other's burdens. This is how we fulfill Jesus' vision for His church. [35:42]
5. A Call to Action: We are encouraged to be honest about our struggles and to seek help within the community of believers. By sharing our wounds and receiving grace, we can join in Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost, creating a church that truly reflects His love and grace. [50:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[20:14] - Introduction and Personal Stories
[21:03] - The Story of Angoville Church
[22:14] - Memories of Scott
[23:32] - Authority Rooted in Identity
[24:35] - The Medics' Mission
[25:44] - The Church as an Aid Station
[26:49] - The Aftermath and Preservation
[28:48] - The Best Picture of Church
[29:48] - Jesus' Vision for the Church
[30:40] - Misinterpreting Jesus' Words
[31:16] - Attacking the Gates of Hell
[32:01] - The Problem with Modern Church
[33:11] - The Calling of Matthew
[35:42] - The Importance of Community
[37:11] - Jesus' Association with Sinners
[39:40] - Empathy for the Pharisees
[42:26] - Jesus Came for the Broken
[46:37] - We Are All Broken
[50:40] - A Call to Action
[54:14] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Mark 2:13-17 (NIV)
> "Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth. 'Follow me,' Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: 'Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?' On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.'"
2. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
> "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
3. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
> "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
### Observation Questions
1. What was Levi's occupation before Jesus called him, and why was this significant in the context of Jewish society? ([33:11])
2. How did the Pharisees react to Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, and what was Jesus' response to them? ([37:11])
3. What does Jesus mean when He says, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick"? ([40:27])
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the "blood-stained pews" in the story of the Angoville church? ([28:48])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to call someone like Levi, a tax collector, to be His disciple? What does this tell us about Jesus' mission? ([33:11])
2. How does the concept of a "church of blood-stained pews" challenge our traditional views of what a church should be? ([28:48])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the church should be a place of genuine community and support? How does this align with Galatians 6:2? ([35:42])
4. What does it mean to "carry each other’s burdens" in a practical sense within the church community? ([35:42])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider or unworthy. How did you find grace and acceptance, and how can you extend that same grace to others in your church community? ([42:26])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of admitting our brokenness. What are some practical steps you can take to be more open and vulnerable about your struggles within your small group? ([50:40])
3. How can your small group create an environment that reflects the "church of blood-stained pews," where people feel safe to share their wounds and find healing? ([28:48])
4. In what ways can you actively seek to build genuine relationships within your church, moving beyond "fake and filtered connections"? ([32:28])
5. Jesus' ministry was marked by His willingness to engage with those whom society deemed unworthy. Who in your life might need to experience this kind of inclusive love and grace, and how can you reach out to them this week? ([37:11])
6. The sermon calls us to be part of a community that supports and heals each other. What specific actions can you take to support someone in your small group who is going through a difficult time? ([35:42])
7. How can you personally contribute to the mission of the church to "storm the gates of hell" and rescue the wounded, as described in the sermon? ([31:16])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Came for the Broken
Description:
Jesus' ministry was centered on reaching out to those who were marginalized and despised by society. He came not for those who considered themselves righteous but for those who recognized their own brokenness and need for grace. This is vividly illustrated in the story of Matthew's calling in Mark 2, where Jesus invites a tax collector, a figure despised by society, to follow Him. This act of inclusion demonstrates that Jesus' love and grace are available to everyone, regardless of their past or societal status. Jesus' willingness to engage with those whom society deemed unworthy is a powerful reminder that no one is beyond the reach of His love and grace. [42:26]
Bible Passage:
"For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone in your life who might feel marginalized or unworthy. How can you extend Jesus' love and grace to them today?
Day 2: We Are All Broken
Description:
Recognizing our own brokenness is crucial for receiving Jesus' grace. Jesus calls us to admit our flaws and sins, not to hide them. This acknowledgment allows us to receive His grace and be part of a community that supports and heals each other. In a world where people often put on masks to hide their true selves, the church should be a place where we can be honest about our struggles and find healing. Admitting our brokenness is the first step towards receiving the grace that Jesus offers and becoming part of a supportive community. [46:37]
Bible Passage:
"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you need to admit your brokenness? How can you bring this to Jesus and your community for healing today?
Day 3: The Church as a Community of Grace
Description:
The church should be a place where people can come as they are, find grace, and be healed. This vision of a "church of blood-stained pews" challenges us to create an environment where the broken and hurting can find refuge and support. Just as medics turned a church into an aid station during World War II, we are called to turn our church into a sanctuary for the wounded. This means being open and welcoming to everyone, regardless of their past or present struggles, and offering them the grace and support they need to heal. [28:48]
Bible Passage:
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)
Reflection:
How can you contribute to making your church a place of grace and healing? What specific actions can you take to support someone in your community who is hurting?
Day 4: The Importance of Genuine Community
Description:
In a world filled with fake and filtered connections, the church must offer genuine relationships. We are created to be in community, to support one another, and to bear each other's burdens. Genuine community means being vulnerable with each other, sharing our struggles, and offering support. It is through these authentic relationships that we can truly fulfill Jesus' vision for His church. In a society where superficial connections are the norm, the church has the opportunity to be a place where real, meaningful relationships are formed. [35:42]
Bible Passage:
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection:
Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to build a more genuine relationship? How can you offer them support and encouragement?
Day 5: A Call to Action
Description:
We are encouraged to be honest about our struggles and to seek help within the community of believers. By sharing our wounds and receiving grace, we can join in Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost, creating a church that truly reflects His love and grace. This call to action involves admitting our brokenness, seeking community, and being part of a church that lives out Jesus' vision. It is through this honesty and vulnerability that we can find healing and help others do the same. [50:40]
Bible Passage:
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection:
What is one struggle you have been hiding that you can share with a trusted member of your church community? How can you seek their support and prayers for healing?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I want to be part of a church of blood-stained pews. I want to be a part of a church where the broken and hurting and lost can come and find grace and truth to set them free and then join God's mission of fighting against evil to save people through the power of Jesus." [29:48] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Grace is love that seeks you out when you have nothing to give in return. Grace is love coming at you that has nothing to do with you. Grace is being loved when you are unlovable. It's why Tim Keller used to put it this way. You are more wicked than you dared imagine, but more loved than you dared dream." [45:09] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus came to liberate us from the waste of grace. From the weight of having to make it on our own. From the demand to measure up. He came to emancipate us from the burden to get it all right. From the obligation to fix ourselves, find ourselves, and free ourselves." [45:09] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus says, I came for sick people. You know, there's a certain group of people in our world who are scientifically proven to be the most or some say the worst. Sick people in the world. I don't know if you know this or have seen this data. They're called husbands." [41:05] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus says, healthy people don't need a doctor. Sick people do. Jesus kept it obvious here, right? Like, thank you for that insight, Jesus. But if you work in an emergency room and you have somebody in there and say, why are you here? And they say, well, I just need my yearly physical. And another person who says, I have a stab wound, it's obvious which one you're going to help." [40:27] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Because it wasn't an authority rooted in ego. It was an authority rooted in identity. He was so sure of who he was and whose he was that he could speak the gospel with a boldness that was unique. And I said, I want to learn from that guy. I want to be like that guy." [23:32] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So when Jesus says the gates of hell will not prevail against my church, he's not saying the church is passively sitting back under attack. He's saying the church is the one on attack. The church is attacking hell. We're attacking it. And it's most vulnerable part. And we're going to find the wounded and bleeding and save them." [31:16] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The word church means community. It means coming together. But in this generation, where we have fake community, and filtered community, and more isolation than ever, I want to speak to the longing in your soul to be connected. The longing in your soul to be known. It is not good for man to be alone. We want you in community. More importantly, God wants you in community." [32:28] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And here's the reality is for every one of us, somebody could say to us, you're out of here. I think a lot of us feel that in church, that if people knew my story or my past or my secret, what I did last night, the fight I had this week, how lazy I am, how manipulative I am, how much just not who I want to be. They look at me and they say, you're out of here. And Jesus says, no, no, no, no, no, no. I came for you." [42:26] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "One of the reasons I need church is to be reminded I'm not the only one, where I can be part of a journey called spiritual formation where God is slowly making me into the man he wants me to be. So I journey with others called the church. And they encourage me. They laugh with me. They call me out. They encourage everything they can. And they help me along so we can do God's mission together." [52:26] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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