Embracing Belonging: The Church as God's Household
Summary
In today's gathering, we come before God with hearts full of thanksgiving, acknowledging Christ as our foundation. We reflect on the past week of prayer and fasting, grateful for the grace that has sustained us. Our prayers extend to our church community, seeking blessings and the ability to shine God's light in every aspect of our lives. We lift up individuals like Wendy and John, praying for their health and recovery, and extend our prayers to families affected by recent tragedies, asking for God's mercy and comfort.
As we embark on a new series titled "Belong," we explore the profound concept of belonging within the community of faith. In a world where acceptance often requires conformity, the Jesus model offers a radical alternative: belonging precedes belief and becoming. This model challenges us to embrace those who are different, reminding us that God's grace has already made us His children. We are called to break down dividing walls and extend the peace of Christ to all, recognizing that we are all part of God's household.
The church, as the embodiment of God's household, should be a place where everyone feels welcome and valued. Despite past shortcomings, the truth remains that the church is meant to be a beacon of hospitality and belonging. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized the church's role as the hope for the world, a place where people experience love and peace. As we celebrate 135 years of making a difference, we are reminded of our mission to be a light in the world, standing on the promises of God.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Jesus Model of Belonging: In contrast to societal norms, the Jesus model emphasizes that we belong first, then believe and become. This approach challenges us to embrace those who are different, recognizing that God's grace has already made us His children. We are called to break down dividing walls and extend the peace of Christ to all. [22:17]
2. The Church as a Place of Belonging: The church is meant to be a place where everyone feels welcome and valued. Despite past shortcomings, the truth remains that the church is a beacon of hospitality and belonging. It is a place where people experience love and peace, fulfilling its role as the hope for the world. [38:32]
3. Breaking Down Dividing Walls: Jesus came to break down the dividing walls that separate us. We are called to follow His example, ensuring that our hearts are free from barriers that prevent us from embracing others. The litmus test of being a Christian is having these walls broken down, both in our hearts and in our communities. [33:46]
4. The Power of God's Household: In God's household, there are no strangers or foreigners. We are all fellow citizens, united in faith. This truth challenges us to live out our identity as members of God's household, extending love and acceptance to all. [41:11]
5. Standing on the Promises of God: As we navigate life's challenges, we stand on the promises of God, assured of His faithfulness. This foundation empowers us to live boldly, knowing that we belong to God's household and that no weapon formed against us will prosper. [01:11:41]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[07:16] - Thanksgiving and Prayer
[09:32] - Prayers for Healing and Comfort
[15:16] - Embracing God's Presence
[22:17] - Introduction to "Belong" Series
[33:46] - Breaking Down Dividing Walls
[38:32] - The Church as a Place of Belonging
[41:11] - The Power of God's Household
[49:33] - Communion and Reflection
[52:23] - Offering and Generosity
[01:05:33] - Celebrating 135 Years of Impact
[01:09:40] - Standing on God's Promises
[01:11:41] - Final Blessing and Dismissal
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 3:16-17 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
2. Ephesians 2:14-19 - "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility... Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does the Jesus model of belonging emphasize according to the sermon? [22:17]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of the church in the world? [41:11]
3. What are the dividing walls that Jesus came to break down, as mentioned in the sermon? [33:46]
4. How does the sermon define the concept of God's household? [38:32]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the Jesus model of belonging challenge societal norms of acceptance and conformity? [22:17]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest the church can be a beacon of hospitality and belonging? [41:11]
3. What implications does the breaking down of dividing walls have for personal and communal relationships within the church? [33:46]
4. How does the concept of being fellow citizens in God's household influence one's identity and actions as a believer? [38:32]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you had to conform to belong. How does the Jesus model of belonging change your perspective on that experience? [22:17]
2. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your church community is a place where everyone feels welcome and valued? [41:11]
3. Identify a "dividing wall" in your heart or community. What actions can you take to break it down and extend the peace of Christ? [33:46]
4. How can you live out your identity as a member of God's household in your daily interactions with others? [38:32]
5. Consider the promises of God that you are standing on in your life. How do these promises empower you to face challenges with confidence? [01:11:41]
6. Think of someone in your life who might feel like a stranger or outsider. What is one way you can show them that they belong in God's household?
7. How can the church collectively stand as a light in the world, especially in times of societal tension and division? [41:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Belonging Precedes Belief and Becoming
In a world that often demands conformity for acceptance, the Jesus model offers a radical alternative: belonging comes first. This approach challenges societal norms by emphasizing that God's grace has already made us His children, and we are called to embrace those who are different. By breaking down dividing walls, we extend the peace of Christ to all, recognizing that we are all part of God's household. This model invites us to see others through the lens of grace, welcoming them into a community where they can belong before they believe or become. [22:17]
Ephesians 2:19-20 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone."
Reflection: Who in your life might feel like an outsider? How can you extend a sense of belonging to them today, even if they don't share your beliefs?
Day 2: The Church as a Beacon of Hospitality
The church is meant to be a place where everyone feels welcome and valued, a beacon of hospitality and belonging. Despite past shortcomings, the truth remains that the church is a place where people experience love and peace, fulfilling its role as the hope for the world. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. emphasized the church's role in making a difference, and as we celebrate 135 years of impact, we are reminded of our mission to be a light in the world, standing on the promises of God. [38:32]
Hebrews 13:1-2 (ESV): "Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a more welcoming place for newcomers this week? What specific actions can you take to show hospitality?
Day 3: Breaking Down Dividing Walls
Jesus came to break down the dividing walls that separate us, and we are called to follow His example. This involves ensuring that our hearts are free from barriers that prevent us from embracing others. The litmus test of being a Christian is having these walls broken down, both in our hearts and in our communities. By doing so, we create an environment where love and acceptance flourish, reflecting the unity and peace that Christ brings. [33:46]
Colossians 3:11 (ESV): "Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all."
Reflection: What dividing walls exist in your heart or community? How can you actively work to dismantle them and promote unity?
Day 4: The Power of God's Household
In God's household, there are no strangers or foreigners; we are all fellow citizens, united in faith. This truth challenges us to live out our identity as members of God's household, extending love and acceptance to all. By recognizing that we are all part of the same family, we are empowered to reach out to others with the love and grace that we have received, creating a community where everyone feels at home. [41:11]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate the unity of God's household in your daily interactions? What steps can you take to ensure that others feel like they belong?
Day 5: Standing on the Promises of God
As we navigate life's challenges, we stand on the promises of God, assured of His faithfulness. This foundation empowers us to live boldly, knowing that we belong to God's household and that no weapon formed against us will prosper. By trusting in God's promises, we find the strength to face difficulties with confidence, secure in the knowledge that we are part of His family and that His love and protection are always with us. [01:11:41]
Isaiah 54:17 (ESV): "No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord."
Reflection: What promise of God do you need to hold onto today? How can this promise give you courage and strength in your current circumstances?
Quotes
"This morning, as we continue or as we start, you know, we are in a new month. Today is first Sunday of February, right? And so we are starting a new series called Belong. Everybody say belong. and in the month of through the month of February there are so many themes in February you know some people think about February as a month of love right as a month of you know because in you know you have Valentine you have all these you know and also is a black history month and all that the month of February but we are going on the journey of what it means to belong because I think that captures all that it means to be part of the community of faith amen in our culture today I mean all through the world I can say when we think about community we have an invisible way of accepting people into our community and the model seems like you become like us you believe like us and then you belong to us sometimes when you are about to enter a community or or do something and back on something you are asked to check the box and check the box and check the box and check the all that applies to you sometimes you you you are asked to think like the way that community is thinking speak like us be like us and then when you do those things then you belong to us amen that is what we see that is the model that we see across different small groups communities in our world and even in our immediate you know works environment you become like us you believe you think the way we are thinking when you are check all the boxes and it all applies then you actually belongs to us i came to challenge us this morning and remind us this morning that the jesus model is opposite the jesus model is different the jesus model is that you belong first of all then you believe and you become the jesus model the jesus model put belonging first before even learning of what to be in the community means like the jesus model says you you don't need to do anything else to be part of the community of faith you belong you believe you increase in your believing then you grow into becoming" [00:22:17]
"never please never forget this jesus model because that is a model that can make us to think about how we handle those that are different from us how we handle the strangers among us how we handle people that don't think like us that don't act like us that don't speak like us that jesus model is very very clear the jesus model is that you belong it doesn't matter what you you you look like it doesn't matter what you think like you already belong before you even think and realize that you you have been far from god the jesus model is that first of all you are a child of God even before you knew it in United Methodist we call prevenient grace the Jesus model is that God's grace has already gone ahead of us and made us children of God even people who don't know about God the Jesus model is that they belong to God first of all and then you continue in believing and becoming we know a story about how a man called Mol het was he went to Jesus at night he was afraid to show himself in the day he went to Jesus at night and asked Jesus about what it means to be real child of God he went to ask Jesus how can I belong to the family of God how can I be part of the kingdom of God and Jesus said you don't need all that what you need is to belong first in fact Jesus told him that you need to be to be part of the kingdom of God you need to be born from above which means that the model is a heavy model amen you need to be born from above it has nothing to do with all the systems of this world with all the things that we've we've created among us with all the systems around us and that is where we get the scripture John 3 16 for God so loved the world the the he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life but it didn't end there sometimes we quote John 3 16 but we forget John 3 17 the John 3 17 says indeed God did not send his son Jesus is talking to decodemos who want to ask what it means to belong God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world must be saved through him amen that we are not condemned by jesus before we come to jesus we are not condemned by all the things that we've done with our lives and everything the jesus reminds us that jesus mother reminds us that the spirit of god welcomes us just as we are and the value the greatest value that we have in the kingdom of god is a value of belonging it's a value of belonging of becoming and belonging but first of all we are challenged to be to belong you belong first before you learn to be a disciple of jesus the church need to be reminded about this again before before we we think about how we are going to deal with all the divisions and the complexities of this life and the things that make us divided among ourselves and among our congregations and all that we need to go back to the foundation" [00:25:40]
"of the jesus model amen and and remember ourself that the jesus model is about belonging first amen somebody say i belong to god come on say it's like you mean they say i belong to god amen in our text today the background of our text is very interesting it seems like even the times we are living right now it was a time that there was so much tension if you see the message that bishop shared with us in the old testament it was very clear that all people are children of god it was very clear that they were supposed to welcome the strangers among them it was very clear that they were the people of god were supposed to give room and space to all those that are different from them and in the time of paul the model was already changing it was changing because people that interpret their law were interpreting the law in a different way so what the work we do as all of us we do how we read the bible is not as important as how we understand what the bible is saying are you here with me i hope you are awake this morning amen let me check your paws this morning amen how we read the bible is not as so many of the listeners that are watching are like do you ring the bell expressly so they can are reading the scripture and the scribes and the pharisees and they are interpreting and they began to think about purity laws and the reason why some or some people are more important and that how they interpreted the scripture began to make people began to bring more tension into the society paul wrote this letter in a time of tension and the peace paul was talking about the peace that jesus was requiring that paul was talking about it was it was more than a mild peace it was a time of tension that they really needed the peace of god that surpasses all understanding in fact research tells us that after like about ten years that Paul has written this letter the Jews and the Syrians were killing themselves they were at odds with each other they were fighting against themselves although the Old Testament makes it clear that we are to welcome the foreigners among us and the interpretation that people were given make people to exclude people that come to the courts of Israel and the time that this letter was written Paul was talking about a dividing wall that separates the people of God and was talking about how that dividing wall is broken by the coming of the Lord of Jesus but that" [00:30:26]
"the most important thing is this that Paul himself was in prison because of the tension he has been taken into prison because he was bringing an efficient Gentile into the temple courts he was bringing a Gentile into the courts and because he was bringing a Gentile person into the courts they have taken him into prison and that is why he wrote these texts and this letter that we are reading for today he says in verse 14 before the text we have today verse 14 said for God Jesus himself is our peace who has made two groups one he has put two groups one two division division groups one and has destroyed the barrier and the dividing wall of hostility he said he has set aside everything of the flesh and regulations his purpose right and he has made a new humanity somebody say new humanity this is why Jesus came he came to make a new humanity out of the two by making peace and then in verse 16 that we read he said that in one body to reconcile all of them through the cross that through the cross we are all reconciled to God and he came to preach the peace of God that was far away the peace of God for those that were far away are now part of those that are near jesus came to break down the dividing wall how come in our generation and in our time and even generations before us humanity has always been on an agenda of building walls jesus came to break down the dividing walls that separate those that were near and far those that were under the law and those that were not under the law those that were where support words couldn't call called arm citizens and those that were called foreigners he came to preach that piece came to divide or break down that wall that divides us child of god the litmus test of being a christian is when you have the walls broken down right even from your heart amen this is what jesus came to do for us he came to break down that wall he came to remind us that first of all we belong first of all we belong to god we belong to god's work god's finished work of christ on the cross you belong first before you do anything with all the divisions and things that we find ourselves we belong" [00:33:46]
"In the world, you can be a foreigner and not belong. But the litmus test. The first thing is that we belong. We belong to the household of God. God's household. In fact, the Merced Bible says it very succinctly. Is that a word? Succinctly. The Merced Bible. It says that this is plain truth, isn't it? You are no longer wandering exiles. The kingdom of faith is now your home country. Thank you. the kingdom of faith the household of god is now your home country and you no longer you are no longer strangers or outsiders but you belong here somebody say i belong here your commitment your identity is that you belong to the household of god we belong to the household of god and the most important the the institution in our society in fact that represents the household of god is the church right is the church the most perfect plan that god put in our world to represent the household of god is the church" [00:41:11] (87 seconds)
"And so, if you belong to God's household, it also means that you belong to the church. The church is the place where we belong. The church is the place where people must feel the most belonging when they go. Of course, there are times that sometimes churches have not always been welcoming. Sometimes there are times that the preaching and the message has sometimes brought division among people. Sometimes there are times that the churches have made people feel unwelcome. But that doesn't change the truth of God's word. The church, the house of God, is the place where everybody must feel that they are welcome, they feel they are hospitable, they feel that they are part of the household of Jesus Christ. Am I preaching to somebody this morning that believes that that is what the church stands for? Dr. King, Martin Luther King Jr., this is a man of Black History Month, he talked about the beloved community. And one of the things that he wrote is that the local church is the hope for the world. He said the local church is the hope for the world. If people go into the economics, if they go into the business sphere, they go into the social sphere, they go into the political sphere, and they fill all their divisions, when they come to church, they must feel loved, they must feel the peace of God. And I pray that this church, Leonia United Methodist Church, we will be the place of hospitality, we will be the place of belonging, we will be the place that people will feel welcome, they will feel at home, they will feel like sleeping here, they will feel like being here, all the days of their life. do I have witness at all this money that is what the church stands for" [00:42:23] (123 seconds)
"first we belong first we belong first I said I had three things from this message it seems I have to belong first let us pray dear God we thank you we thank you that you remind us that we belong we pray for your presence that is with us we pray for your love that is with us may you be with us as we continue to be the people of faith in Jesus name Amen come on let's give some praise to God indeed we are standing in holy grounds amen this is the household of God that we belong amen the Lord be with you lift up your hearts let us give thanks to the Lord our God it is right and a good and joyful thing it's always and everywhere to give thanks to Father Almighty creator of heaven and earth and so with your people on earth and all the company of heaven we praise your name and join their own ending him holy holy holy holy God of power and might heaven and earth are full of your glory Hosanna in the highest blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" [00:49:33] (0 seconds)
"holy are You and blessed it's your son Jesus Christ by the baptism of his death of his suffering and death and resurrection, you gave birth to your holy church, delivered us from slavery to sin and death, and made with us a new covenant by water and by spirit. And on the night in which he gave himself to us, he took the bread representing his body, gave thanks to, he lifted up the bread. When he took the bread, he lifted up onto heaven and gave thanks to God and broke the bread. Broke the bread and gave it to the disciples and said, take it, this is my body. This one which is given for you, do this in remembrance of me. And when the supper was over, he took the cup, gave thanks to you and gave it to the disciples and said, drink from all, drink from this, how many people? All of you. This is the blood of the new covenant poured out for you, for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. And so in remembrance of these mighty, mighty acts in Christ Jesus, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving, so holy and living sacrifice." [00:50:24] (119 seconds)
"lord pour out your holy spirit on us gathered here and on these gifts of bread and wine make them be for us the body and the blood of christ that we may be for the world the body of christ redeemed by his blood by your spirits make us one with christ and one with each other as we belong to god and and to one another in ministry to all the world until our lord jesus christ comes in our virtue and we feast at the heavenly banquet through your son jesus christ with your holy spirit in your holy church all honor and glory is yours forever almighty god now and forever people of god table that is sanctified that brings healing to our bodies that brings conviction to our souls is ready please come let's share partake together" [00:52:40] (73 seconds)
"thank you so much what we will do is that on this left side we'll have a normal offering on the left and we'll put one one here I think this is George's offering so George your offering is here and then the offering for the United Methodist Committee on Relief will come here so any any you know what they do is that they support disasters and disaster relief and so on the right here we are taking special offering and if you want to you know write a check to the church and indicate that this should go to you and call please do that as well but the Lord laid on my heart earlier in the in the month that we should do this to the glory of God and we will send this directly hundred percent to the UM call as well but our church offering comes here on the left amen God bless you for your giving and I will see you in the next video. God bless you as we give together this is a way that we remind ourselves that everything we have belongs to God amen so let's give generously together God bless you" [01:02:40] (82 seconds)
"standing on the promises of christ my king through the eternal ages Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing. Standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing. Standing on the promises of God, my Savior. Standing, standing. I'm standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promise that I cannot fail. When the holy storms of doubt and fears are sailed. By the living word of God, I shall prevail. Standing on the promises of God. Every heart, every voice, let's sing together. Standing, standing. Standing on the promises of God, my Savior. Standing. Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord. Bound to him eternally by life's strong call. Overcoming daily with the spirit's sword. Standing on the promises of God. Standing. Standing on the promises of God, my Savior. Standing, standing. Standing. I'm standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I cannot fall. Listening every moment to the spirit's call. Resting in my Savior as my all in all. Standing on the promises of God. Standing. Standing. Standing. Standing on the promises of God, my Savior. Standing. Standing. I'm standing on the promises. Of God, hallelujah, hallelujah. Somebody give some praise to the Lord, amen. We are standing on the promises of God, Amen. And the greatest promise is that you belong. Amen?" [01:09:40] (178 seconds)
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