Embracing Relational Commitment in God's Family
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the core value of being relational within our church community. We emphasized that our mission is to love others as God loves us, and this begins with loving one another within our church family. Being relational means committing to doing life together, experiencing the full benefits of being part of God's family, and fostering authentic connections that promote growth and strength.
We explored the difference between merely attending church and being an active member of God's family. Membership in God's family involves a commitment to trust and follow Jesus, which grants us the rights and privileges of being children of God. This commitment extends to participating in a local church community, where we can receive consistent nurture and care, much like a child in a family.
We also discussed the importance of spiritual maturity, which is facilitated by spiritual leadership. God has given us apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip us for works of service and to help us grow into the fullness of Christ. This growth is not just for our benefit but for the benefit of the entire church body.
Finally, we talked about fulfilling our most fruitful roles within the family of God. Just as every part of a human body has a specific function, every member of the church has a unique role to play. When each of us commits to serving out of conviction rather than convenience, we contribute to a healthy, growing, and loving church community. This unity and love make it harder for the world to deny the existence of an Almighty God filled with love.
### Key Takeaways
1. Commitment to Doing Life Together: Being relational means committing to doing life together as a church. This involves more than just attending services; it means forming authentic, caring relationships that promote growth and strength. When we do life together, we experience the full benefits of being part of God's family. [02:03]
2. Difference Between Attending and Membership: Attending church and being a member of God's family are two different things. Membership involves a deeper commitment to trust and follow Jesus, which grants us the full benefits of being children of God. This commitment is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's love and provision. [04:11]
3. Spiritual Maturity Through Leadership: God has given us spiritual leaders to help us grow into the fullness of Christ. Spiritual maturity is not just about personal growth but about contributing to the health and unity of the entire church body. Trusting and following spiritual leadership is crucial for reaching our highest potential in Christ. [21:26]
4. Fulfilling Our Roles in the Church: Every member of the church has a unique role to play, much like parts of a human body. When we commit to serving out of conviction rather than convenience, we contribute to a healthy, growing, and loving church community. This unity and love make it harder for the world to deny the existence of an Almighty God filled with love. [25:36]
5. The Impact of a Committed Church: A church of committed members is uniquely positioned to demonstrate God's love to the world. In a divisive and contentious world, the unity and genuine love of God's family stand out as a powerful testimony of God's existence and love. This is why our commitment to being relational and doing life together is so important. [31:18]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - Introduction to Values
[01:16] - Mission and Relational Value
[02:03] - Commitment to Doing Life Together
[03:33] - Benefits of Being Part of God's Family
[04:11] - Difference Between Attending and Membership
[06:09] - Experiencing God and Making a Difference
[08:11] - Membership Incentives
[09:32] - Commitment to Trust and Follow Jesus
[12:20] - Spiritual Leadership and Maturity
[17:15] - Importance of Local Church Community
[20:42] - Commitment to Spiritual Maturity
[25:36] - Fulfilling Our Roles in the Church
[31:18] - Impact of a Committed Church
[31:55] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. 1 John 3:1 - "See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
2. John 1:10-12 - "He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
3. Ephesians 4:11-13 - "So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ."
### Observation Questions
1. According to 1 John 3:1, what is the significance of being called children of God?
2. In John 1:10-12, what does it mean to receive and believe in Jesus' name?
3. What roles did Christ give to the church according to Ephesians 4:11-13, and for what purpose?
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between merely attending church and being a member of God's family? ([04:11])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to experience the "full benefits" of being part of God's family as mentioned in the sermon? ([02:47])
2. How does spiritual leadership contribute to the maturity of the church body according to Ephesians 4:11-13? ([21:26])
3. Why is it important for every member of the church to fulfill their unique role, as described in the sermon? ([25:36])
4. How does the unity and love within the church serve as a testimony to the world about God's existence and love? ([31:18])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current involvement in the church. Are you merely attending, or are you actively participating as a member of God's family? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment? ([04:11])
2. Think about a time when you experienced spiritual growth through the guidance of a spiritual leader. How can you seek out and trust spiritual leadership more in your life? ([21:26])
3. Identify your unique gifts and talents. How can you use them to serve the church community out of conviction rather than convenience? ([25:36])
4. In what ways can you foster authentic, caring relationships within your church community to promote growth and strength? ([02:03])
5. How can you contribute to the unity and love within your church to make it a powerful testimony of God's love to the world? ([31:18])
6. Consider the impact of a committed church on the broader community. What specific actions can you take to demonstrate God's love and unity in your daily interactions? ([31:18])
7. Reflect on the sermon’s message about the importance of being relational. How can you make a conscious effort to do life together with your church family this week? ([02:03])
Devotional
Day 1: Commitment to Doing Life Together
Being relational means committing to doing life together as a church. This involves more than just attending services; it means forming authentic, caring relationships that promote growth and strength. When we do life together, we experience the full benefits of being part of God's family. [02:03]
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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 10:23-25 ESV)
Reflection: Think of one person in your church community you can reach out to this week. How can you encourage and support them in their walk with Christ?
Day 2: Difference Between Attending and Membership
Attending church and being a member of God's family are two different things. Membership involves a deeper commitment to trust and follow Jesus, which grants us the full benefits of being children of God. This commitment is essential for experiencing the fullness of God's love and provision. [04:11]
"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, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord." (Ephesians 2:19-21 ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your current level of commitment to your church community. What steps can you take to move from merely attending to becoming an active, committed member?
Day 3: Spiritual Maturity Through Leadership
God has given us spiritual leaders to help us grow into the fullness of Christ. Spiritual maturity is not just about personal growth but about contributing to the health and unity of the entire church body. Trusting and following spiritual leadership is crucial for reaching our highest potential in Christ. [21:26]
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-13 ESV)
Reflection: Identify a spiritual leader in your life who has helped you grow. How can you show appreciation for their guidance and continue to learn from them?
Day 4: Fulfilling Our Roles in the Church
Every member of the church has a unique role to play, much like parts of a human body. When we commit to serving out of conviction rather than convenience, we contribute to a healthy, growing, and loving church community. This unity and love make it harder for the world to deny the existence of an Almighty God filled with love. [25:36]
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching." (Romans 12:4-7 ESV)
Reflection: What unique gifts and talents has God given you? How can you use them to serve your church community more effectively?
Day 5: The Impact of a Committed Church
A church of committed members is uniquely positioned to demonstrate God's love to the world. In a divisive and contentious world, the unity and genuine love of God's family stand out as a powerful testimony of God's existence and love. This is why our commitment to being relational and doing life together is so important. [31:18]
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35 ESV)
Reflection: How can your commitment to your church community serve as a testimony of God's love to those outside the church? What practical steps can you take to foster unity and love within your church?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "I think everyone can agree their benefits to attending church even even when I was not trying to follow God every time I went to church I felt better there I could I I had no intentions of changing my behavior I knew it I had no intentions of of Sur surrendering my life to Christ but my mother I I love my mother and I didn't want her to smack me upside the head so I got up and I went to church and I'm telling you no matter what I was doing in life even though I was doing the some of the wrongest stuff every time I went to church I felt better but you know what attending church and being a member of God's family are two different things with one you get the full benefit everybody say full benefit I want to talk to you about the full benefit today attending church and membership in God's family are two different things." [03:33] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The rights and privileges of God begin with us accepting Jesus into our hearts and in our lives just like a a humbling ourselves like a little child Jesus Come into my heart come into my life come into all that I am as a person I submit my life to you I Surrender myself to you come in and help me to live for God all the days of my life that's the the prayer that we would do in children's church but each and every one of us have to come to the point where we accept Jesus that we we we receive the gift that he is the the the highest example of of God's love that he could possibly give us and and and if if we don't do that we're not a member of God's family." [10:56] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Without Christ we are estranged from God no matter how spiritual or religious we think we are do you know there was a very spiritual and religious group of people when Jesus came on the scene Jesus when he came he took two groups of people those who thought they were very close to God and those who were far from God and he brought them together Ephesians 2:1 17-19 says this let's read it he said he came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near for for through him we both have access to the father by one Spirit consequently you are no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow citizens with God's people and also members of his household." [12:20] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "A church of committed members is uniquely positioned to demonstrate God's love to the world especially with with how divisive and contentious the world is today the world needs to see love the world needs to see togetherness the world needs to see commitment and as the world sees a church that becomes a place where people of all backgrounds races and social statuses can coming together in unity to bless others as the world sees that unity and genuine love of God's family it becomes harder to deny the existence of An Almighty God that is filled with love that's the big deal." [31:18] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "At the heart of this value is a desire to see everyone fully benefit fully benefit from the special love relationship we have as God's family there's some benefits to being a part of God's family and and we want everyone to benefit fully everybody say fully fully now I think everyone can agree their benefits to attending church even even when I was not trying to follow God every time I went to church I felt better there I could I I had no intentions of changing my behavior I knew it I had no intentions of of Sur surrendering my life to Christ but my mother I I love my mother and I didn't want her to smack me upside the head so I got up and I went to church and I'm telling you no matter what I was doing in life even though I was doing the some of the wrongest stuff every time I went to church I felt better but you know what attending church and being a member of God's family are two different things with one you get the full benefit everybody say full benefit I want to talk to you about the full benefit today attending church and membership in God's family are two different things." [02:47] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It's a commitment to grow toward spiritual maturity every parent wants to see their children mature all the parents said amen come on we don't want our children to be immature when when an adult is immature that's not a good thing and in the same way uh God made provision for his children to become mature God gave us Jesus and Jesus gave us spiritual leadership to ensure that his children reach the highest measure that they can reach Ephesians 4 11-13 let's read it it says so Christ himself gave the apostles the prophets the evangelists the pastors and teachers to equip his people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the son of God God and become mature attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ come on God wants us to be made like our elder brother to become in in the fullness expression of Jesus Christ that we can possibly be it's spiritual leadership in addition to our relationship with Christ that helps us to reach our full potential." [20:42] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Every member a minister well here's a new saying every person a member every member a minister and every Minister maximize for God's glory that's what Jesus wants and I was thinking about this how does this happen it happens when when every person gets to the point where they say you know what I want to be a committed member and then that committed member says you know what I actually want to be a minister I want to start making a difference and that that person starts to make a difference not out of convenience but out of conviction and let me tell you there is a difference as I was watching that video this morning about the snur I saw the examp example of serving under conviction and not convenience because they stepped up and listen they they said it was it was unnatural for them to separate themselves to start serving but that they were serving out of conviction even then and because they were willing to serve out of conviction There Rose up a group of people that said you know what we need to help them out so that they can fulfill God's call on their life and IM Scar and and and Christina fedak and other people said let's start a a a children's special needs Ministry and they began to serve out of conviction and not out of convenience and and because of that guess what Carl is able to help with production now to make our services the best that they can be and jeie she's she's overseeing all of our connect groups so that people can have genuine genuine Fellowship one with another and and together they're able to fulfill their call and reach their Highest Potential in Christ that's how it happens every member every person a member every member a minister every Minister maximize for God's glory." [28:41] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God works through spiritual leadership I remember when Pastor Charlie called me I got the phone call I was at Bush Gardens enjoying myself and he called me he said Pastor Mike I think we need you to be the head of our school what me come on sometimes following spiritual leadership takes trust but really our trust is in who our trust is in God spiritual leadership we end up becoming mature we end up becoming all that God wants us to be number four it's a commitment to fulfilling our most fruitful role within the family of God our most fruitful role within the family of God how many of you in your your household everybody has chores everybody has something to do the Bible uh also speaks of the family of God analogy that it uses or a metaphor that it uses is a body a body just like parts of a body every family every family member is desired and needed to serve its designed purpose." [24:52] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Listen God God speaks to us through our relationship with Christ he speaks to us through the Holy Spirit but God has ordained spiritual leadership Jesus gave gifts to the church spiritual leadership so that we would all become mature I want you to read I want to read Our Community Church what we call Our Community Church team member agreement this is for people who who step on to saying you know what I've been so blessed here at Community Church I now want to become a part of the team that makes Church happen for others let's read this it it just says I will continue to take next steps of growth in my relationship with Christ as prompted by the Holy Spirit and the prayerful guidance from my spiritual leaders at Community Church do you know I was thinking where would I be if it wasn't for Spiritual leadership do you know it was a pastor who said you know I really think you should go to Community Church and just try it for 3 weeks and see what you think 25 years later what would have happen if I have said I don't I I just I got Jesus he'll tell me what to do and then I thought where would we be if Pastor Arley Whitlow our founding Pastor didn't listen to his Pastor do you know his Pastor Bishop MIRS called him one day and said pastor I think the Lord told me that you need to go to Lowden County from belon South Carolina to Lowden County and start your church and Pastor Arley said something like uh uh I don't know and Bishop Mir said will you just stay there in Belton and die but I want a pastor that tells speaks to me nicely well are you how many of you are glad that Pastor Arley listened to his spiritual leadership how many of you think Bishop MIRS was wrong he could have gone elsewhere but I'm so glad that Pastor Arley came here somebody say spiritual leadership we all need spiritual gu." [22:12] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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