Embracing Our Role: From Consumers to Contributors
Summary
In this new series, "We Are the Church," we explore the profound significance of the church as the body of Christ. The church is not just a building or a gathering; it is a living, breathing community of believers who are called to be contributors, not consumers. The local church has been a transformative force in my life, shaping my faith, relationships, and purpose. It is a place where I found salvation, community, and growth. Despite its imperfections, the church remains the bride of Christ, cherished and protected by God.
The essence of the church is not about individual needs but about collective purpose. We are reminded that the church is not a place to satisfy personal preferences, like a fast-food restaurant where you can "have it your way." Instead, it is a community where we serve, love, and grow together. Jesus exemplified this by prioritizing the will of the Father over personal comfort, teaching us that true fulfillment comes from serving others.
We are called to shift from a consumer mindset to a contributor mindset. This means actively participating in the life of the church, using our gifts to serve within and beyond its walls. The church is not just a Sunday gathering but a daily commitment to live out our faith in the world. We are the light of the world, and our actions should reflect the love and grace of Christ.
The church is a place of transformation, where lives are changed, and communities are built. It is where we learn to love, serve, and grow in our relationship with God and others. As we embrace our role as the church, we become a powerful force for good in the world, drawing others to the love of Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- The Church as a Community: The church is not just a building but a community of believers who are called to be contributors, not consumers. It is a place where we find salvation, community, and growth, and where we learn to serve and love others. [45:43]
- Jesus' Example of Service: Jesus taught us that true fulfillment comes from serving others and doing the will of the Father. He prioritized spiritual nourishment over physical needs, showing us that our purpose is found in contributing to the lives of others. [52:28]
- Shifting from Consumer to Contributor: We are called to move from a consumer mindset, focused on personal preferences, to a contributor mindset, focused on serving and building the church. This shift requires us to actively participate in the life of the church and use our gifts for the benefit of others. [55:32]
- The Church Beyond Four Walls: The church is not confined to a building; it is the body of Christ in the world. We are called to be the light of the world, living out our faith in our daily lives and drawing others to the love of Christ through our actions. [59:09]
- Transformation Through the Church: The church is a place of transformation, where lives are changed, and communities are built. It is where we learn to love, serve, and grow in our relationship with God and others, becoming a powerful force for good in the world. [01:13:49]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Introduction to the Series
[02:15] - Acknowledging Church Founders
[04:00] - The Church as the Bride of Christ
[06:45] - Personal Testimonies of Church Impact
[10:30] - The Danger of a Consumer Mentality
[15:00] - Jesus' Example of Contribution
[20:00] - The Call to Serve in the Church
[25:00] - The Importance of Community
[30:00] - Stories of Transformation
[35:00] - Serving Beyond the Church Walls
[40:00] - The Power of Generosity
[45:00] - Invitation to Salvation
[50:00] - Closing Prayer and Blessing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: "We Are the Church"
Bible Reading:
1. John 4:31-34
2. Hebrews 10:24-25
3. Matthew 5:14-16
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Observation Questions:
1. In John 4:31-34, what does Jesus mean when He says, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about"? How does this relate to the idea of being a contributor rather than a consumer? [45:43]
2. According to Hebrews 10:24-25, what are believers encouraged to do as the day of the Lord approaches? How does this passage emphasize the importance of community within the church? [59:09]
3. How does the sermon describe the church as the "bride of Christ," and what implications does this have for how we view and treat the church? [06:45]
4. What examples were given in the sermon of how the local church has been a transformative force in the pastor's life? [06:45]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Jesus' response to His disciples in John 4:31-34 challenge the common consumer mindset prevalent in today's culture? What does it mean to find fulfillment in doing the will of the Father? [45:43]
2. In what ways does Hebrews 10:24-25 suggest that meeting together as a church community is vital for spiritual growth and encouragement? How might this apply to modern church practices? [59:09]
3. The sermon mentions shifting from a consumer to a contributor mindset. What are some practical ways individuals can make this shift within their local church community? [55:32]
4. How does the metaphor of the church as the "light of the world" in Matthew 5:14-16 inform our understanding of the church's role in society? What responsibilities does this place on individual believers? [01:13:49]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current involvement in your local church. Are there areas where you have been more of a consumer than a contributor? What steps can you take to become more actively involved? [55:32]
2. Consider the ways in which the church has impacted your life. How can you share your testimony to encourage others to engage with the church community? [06:45]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of community and collective purpose. How can you foster a sense of community within your small group or church? What specific actions can you take this week? [59:09]
4. Jesus found fulfillment in doing the will of the Father. What are some ways you can prioritize spiritual nourishment over personal comfort in your daily life? [45:43]
5. The sermon challenges us to be the "light of the world." Identify one area in your life where you can better reflect the love and grace of Christ. What practical steps will you take to be a light in that area? [01:13:49]
6. How can you encourage others in your church to move from a consumer mindset to a contributor mindset? What role can you play in facilitating this shift within your community? [55:32]
7. Think about a time when you felt transformed by your involvement in the church. How can you help create similar transformative experiences for others in your church community? [06:45]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Living Community
The church is not merely a physical structure or a weekly gathering; it is a vibrant community of believers united as the body of Christ. This community is called to be active participants, contributing to the growth and well-being of one another. The church is a place where individuals find salvation, build meaningful relationships, and experience spiritual growth. Despite its imperfections, the church is cherished by God as the bride of Christ, and it plays a crucial role in shaping the faith and purpose of its members. As a community, the church is called to serve and love others, reflecting the love of Christ in all its actions. [45:43]
"For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:12-13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to your church community this week, using your unique gifts and talents to serve others?
Day 2: Jesus' Example of Selfless Service
Jesus exemplified the ultimate model of service by prioritizing the will of the Father over His own comfort and needs. He taught that true fulfillment is found in serving others and contributing to their spiritual nourishment. Jesus' life was marked by acts of love, compassion, and selflessness, demonstrating that our purpose is not found in satisfying personal desires but in fulfilling God's will. By following Jesus' example, believers are called to serve others, putting their needs above their own and finding joy in being a blessing to others. [52:28]
"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific ways can you prioritize serving others over your own comfort this week, following Jesus' example of selfless service?
Day 3: From Consumer to Contributor
The church calls its members to shift from a consumer mindset, focused on personal preferences, to a contributor mindset, focused on serving and building the church. This transformation requires active participation in the life of the church, using one's gifts and talents for the benefit of others. The church is not a place to satisfy individual desires but a community where believers come together to serve, love, and grow. By embracing a contributor mindset, believers can experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from being an integral part of the church's mission and purpose. [55:32]
"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 4:10-11, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area in your church where you can shift from being a consumer to a contributor. How can you start serving in that area this week?
Day 4: The Church Beyond Four Walls
The church is not confined to a building; it is the body of Christ in the world. Believers are called to be the light of the world, living out their faith in their daily lives and drawing others to the love of Christ through their actions. The church's mission extends beyond its physical walls, as it seeks to impact the world with the message of the Gospel. By living out their faith in everyday situations, believers can be a powerful force for good, reflecting the love and grace of Christ to those around them. [59:09]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house." (Matthew 5:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: How can you be a light in your community this week, demonstrating the love of Christ in your daily interactions?
Day 5: Transformation Through the Church
The church is a place of transformation, where lives are changed, and communities are built. It is where believers learn to love, serve, and grow in their relationship with God and others. As members of the church embrace their role, they become a powerful force for good in the world, drawing others to the love of Christ. The church's transformative power lies in its ability to bring people together, fostering spiritual growth and encouraging believers to live out their faith in meaningful ways. [01:13:49]
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you witnessed transformation within your church community. How can you contribute to fostering transformation in the lives of others?
Quotes
The local church is not going anywhere. Things have tried to destroy it, things have tried to take it out. There's been a lot of great other great organizations that have come around and that are gone today, but the local church has been, is now, and will always be. Why? Because it is the only thing that Jesus is building, and he cares so much about it that he actually calls it his bride. [00:33:20] (22 seconds)
Some things that's happened in my life through the local church, is that okay? And I'm hoping that you can identify with a lot of these. I got saved in the church. I got water baptized in the church. I got baptized in the Holy Spirit in the church. I have lifelong friends in the church. I got to know Jesus on a real level in the church. I've learned to serve, come on somebody, I've learned to serve in the church. [00:38:20] (30 seconds)
Can I tell you that I want to be a church that fights against a consumer mentality, and I want us to be a contributor mentality, where we don't just think about me, me, me, but we actually think about we are the church, and this is bigger than just me. The church is not consumer-minded, but it should be contributor-minded. [00:43:32] (23 seconds)
Jesus is saying, I know that you think it's food that fills me up. That's a consumer way of thinking. But I'm a contributor, and what fills me up is when I actually help feed other people. And the food that Jesus was referring to was not physically something that he put in his mouth, but spiritually something that happened in his heart and in his soul. [00:45:56] (23 seconds)
We are not a church of spiritual consumers. This needs to be like a, I don't know why that's not working. We are a church of spiritual contributors. The church does not exist just for me. We are the church and we exist for the world. Can we say that together? Let's read that together from the top. We are not a church of spiritual consumers. [00:54:07] (27 seconds)
I would say if he made God's house a priority, you and I should make God's house a priority. Why? Now, you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Can I tell you something? Regardless of what you may have been told, regardless of what you may think about yourself, you are extremely valuable to your heavenly father. [01:00:02] (25 seconds)
You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Romans 12, 4, 8. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. [01:00:39] (21 seconds)
Our gifts are developed the best in God's house. Some of the greatest leaders that I've ever met in my life, businessmen, businesswomen, people who just lead well in life, one of the things that they've talked to me about the most is the impact that God's house had on their leadership. Why? Because it stretches you, it grows you, it develops you in ways that your business may not. [01:04:28] (24 seconds)
The truth of the matter is, is that you're the church. I'm the church. And together we make up the body of Christ. I mean, it's one thing to show up and sacrifice on a Sunday. It's a whole nother thing to sacrifice Monday through Saturday. And I don't think God's looking for perfection, but I want to remind us that he is looking for us to be a light. [01:12:55] (26 seconds)
Neither do people light up a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and give, give it in, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your father in heaven. Don't get it twisted. We are not saved by good deeds. [01:13:26] (21 seconds)
I hope they say that about me. I hope people will say, man, it's obvious that dude loves Jesus. It's obvious that dude loves people. The local church, it's not meant to be consumer-minded. We'll make ourselves miserable doing that. You'll never find a church, folks, that will fit a consumer mentality very long. Why? Because it will never be perfect. [01:17:04] (26 seconds)
There is nothing more important than you being here today than to leave here knowing that you're right with God. Nothing. Matter of fact, I would even say that if you didn't hear a word I said, this is where you pay attention. That if you've never given your heart to Jesus, today is the day the Bible says for salvation. [01:17:59] (27 seconds)
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