The Church: Our Spiritual Mother and Call to Action
Summary
Today’s focus is on the profound and often misunderstood reality of the “big C” Church—the universal body of Christ that transcends denominations, buildings, and organizations. On this Mother’s Day, we reflect on the Church as our spiritual mother, echoing St. Cyprian’s ancient wisdom: we cannot have God as Father without the Church as our mother. The Church, though flawed and often wounded, is the means by which we come to know God, experience His love, and are nurtured in faith. My own journey has been marked by both deep wounds and deep gratitude for the Church; it has at times bored, rejected, and frustrated me, yet it is through the Church that I encountered Christ and was transformed.
The Church is not merely a nonprofit or a Sunday gathering, but a living, breathing body of people who have been united to Christ, reflecting His glory and serving as His hands and feet in a hurting world. We are called to gather, to reflect God’s radiance, and to be agents of His love and mercy. Despite its many failings, the Church has been the greatest force for good in human history. From the founding of universities and hospitals to the creation of orphanages, soup kitchens, and global humanitarian organizations, the Church has shaped civilization in ways that are often overlooked or forgotten.
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 reveals His vision for the Church: that we would be one, united in love and purpose, set apart by truth, and sent into the world to continue His mission. The potency of the Church is found in our unity and our willingness to go beyond comfort, to risk, to serve, and to rescue. William Booth’s vision, which birthed the Salvation Army, challenges us to move beyond passive safety on the “rock” and to join Christ in the stormy sea, rescuing those who are perishing. Too often, we become absorbed in our own pursuits, forgetting the urgency of the world’s need and the call of Christ to join Him in His work.
The invitation is clear: to repent of apathy, to remember our calling, and to jump into the waters with Jesus. Our schedules, finances, prayers, and attitudes should reflect what matters to Him. The Church is at its best when it is on the move, loving, serving, and sacrificing for the sake of others. This is how awakening comes—when the Church becomes the hands and feet of Jesus in the world.
Key Takeaways
- The Church as Spiritual Mother and Imperfect Nurturer
The Church is the means by which we come to know God as Father, nurturing us in faith even as it bears many flaws and wounds. Our relationship with the Church is often complicated, marked by both gratitude and frustration, but it remains the vessel through which God’s love and truth are made known. Embracing the Church as our spiritual mother means accepting both her imperfections and her irreplaceable role in our spiritual formation. [03:36]
- The True Nature and Mission of the Church
The Church is not defined by buildings, denominations, or nonprofit status, but by people united to Christ, reflecting His glory, and serving as His hands and feet. Our calling is to gather, to worship, and to be sent into the world as agents of God’s love and mercy. The Church’s mission is not passive attendance but active engagement in the world’s pain and need. [09:25]
- The Overlooked Legacy of the Church in Shaping Civilization
Despite its many failings, the Church has been the greatest force for good in history, founding educational institutions, hospitals, and organizations dedicated to benevolence and justice. These contributions are often forgotten or dismissed, yet they are the fruit of believers who took Jesus’ call seriously and acted in unity. Recognizing this legacy should inspire gratitude and a renewed sense of responsibility for the Church’s ongoing mission. [19:19]
- The Danger of Spiritual Apathy and the Call to Action
William Booth’s vision exposes the tendency of believers to become comfortable and distracted, forgetting the urgency of the world’s need and the call of Christ to rescue the perishing. True discipleship means moving beyond self-preservation and comfort, risking ourselves to join Jesus in His work among the lost and hurting. The Church is most alive when it is sacrificially engaged in the mission of Christ, not merely praying for help but becoming the help. [29:47]
- Personal Repentance and Recommitment to the Mission
Each of us is called to examine where we have grown cold, apathetic, or judgmental, and to repent. The invitation is to rejoin Christ in His mission, to let our lives—our time, resources, and relationships—reflect His priorities. Awakening and revival come not through passivity but through the Church’s willingness to get in the water, to love, serve, and share the hope of Christ with a desperate world. [37:32]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Mother’s Day and the Church as Mother
[03:36] - Honest Reflections on the Church’s Flaws
[06:30] - The Church as the Bride of Christ
[09:25] - Jesus’ Vision and Prayer for the Church
[12:40] - The Power of Unity in the Body of Christ
[14:50] - The Church’s Impact on Education
[17:30] - The Church’s Role in Healthcare
[19:19] - Benevolence: Orphanages, Soup Kitchens, and More
[21:45] - The YMCA, Red Cross, and Salvation Army
[24:30] - Why the Church Faces Criticism
[27:00] - Sent into the World: The Church’s True Calling
[29:47] - William Booth’s Vision: The Rock and the Sea
[34:08] - The Tragedy of Spiritual Apathy
[37:32] - The Call to Repentance and Action
[39:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: The Church as Our Spiritual Mother and Mission
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### Bible Reading
John 17:6-23 (ESV)
> 6 “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.
> 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you.
> 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.
> 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.
> 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.
> 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
> ...
> 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
> 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
> 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one,
> 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Revelation 19:7-9 (ESV)
> 7 Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready;
> 8 it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.
> 9 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 17, what does Jesus specifically pray for regarding his followers and those who will believe in him in the future? ([09:25])
2. According to Revelation 19, how is the Church described, and what is the significance of the “bride” imagery? ([06:30])
3. The sermon mentions that the Church is not just a building or a nonprofit, but a living body of people. What are some of the ways the Church has impacted society, as described in the sermon? ([19:19])
4. What is the main point of William Booth’s vision about the rock and the stormy sea? ([29:47])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize unity (“that they may be one”) in his prayer for the Church? What does this unity accomplish, according to the passage? ([09:25])
2. The sermon talks about the Church as a “spiritual mother” that is both nurturing and flawed. How does this image help us understand our relationship with the Church, especially when we experience disappointment or hurt? ([03:36])
3. The legacy of the Church includes founding hospitals, schools, and organizations for the needy. Why do you think these acts of service are so central to the Church’s mission? ([19:19])
4. In William Booth’s vision, many people on the rock are distracted or indifferent to those still drowning in the sea. What does this say about the danger of spiritual apathy for believers? ([34:08])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to see the Church as our spiritual mother, even with her flaws. Have you ever struggled with disappointment or frustration toward the Church? How might embracing the Church as your “spiritual mother” change your perspective or actions? ([03:36])
2. Jesus prayed for unity among his followers. Are there ways you have contributed to unity or division in the Church? What is one step you could take this week to build unity in your church community? ([09:25])
3. The Church’s history is full of acts of service—starting schools, hospitals, and helping the poor. Is there a need in your community that you feel God might be calling you (or your group) to address? What would it look like to take a first step? ([19:19])
4. William Booth’s vision warns against becoming comfortable and forgetting those who are “drowning” around us. Is there someone in your life who is struggling or far from God? What is one practical way you could “jump into the water” to help them this week? ([29:47])
5. The sermon calls us to repent of apathy and recommit to Christ’s mission. Are there areas in your life—your schedule, finances, or relationships—where your priorities don’t reflect God’s heart? What is one change you feel prompted to make? ([37:32])
6. The Church is described as being “on the move,” loving and serving others. What is one way you can be the hands and feet of Jesus in your daily life this month? ([09:25])
7. The pastor shared his own story of being both wounded and blessed by the Church. How can you support or encourage someone who is struggling with their relationship to the Church right now? ([03:36])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for a renewed love for the Church, courage to serve, and hearts that reflect Jesus’ priorities in the world.
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as the Bride of Christ
The church is not merely an institution or a nonprofit organization; it is the living, gathered body of people who have given their lives to Jesus, united as His bride and called to reflect His purity and glory. This identity is not about perfection, but about being made ready for Christ, acting in unity and love, and preparing ourselves for the day when the groom returns. When we gather, serve, and love as one, we embody the radiant beauty and purpose God intended for His people, despite the flaws and wounds we may have experienced within the church. [07:40]
Revelation 19:7-9 (ESV)
Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure—for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.”
Reflection: In what ways can you actively prepare yourself, both individually and with others, to reflect the purity and unity of Christ’s bride this week?
Day 2: Jesus’ Prayer for the Unity and Mission of the Church
Jesus’ heartfelt prayer was that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world would see God’s glory through their unity. This unity is not about uniformity or organizational sameness, but about a deep, spiritual oneness that empowers the church to do greater things together than any individual could alone. When the church lives out this unity, it becomes a powerful force for good, blessing the world in ways that far exceed what any one person could accomplish. [13:10]
John 17:6-11 (ESV)
“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.”
Reflection: Who is someone from another church or Christian tradition you can reach out to this week to encourage unity and shared purpose in Christ?
Day 3: The Church’s Transformative Impact on Society
Throughout history, the church has been a catalyst for education, healthcare, and benevolence, founding schools, hospitals, and organizations that have blessed countless lives. These acts of service and innovation are not accidental; they are the result of people who, motivated by Christ’s love, banded together to meet the world’s needs and bring hope where there was none. Even when the church’s contributions are overlooked or forgotten, its legacy of compassion and transformation continues to shape society for the better. [19:19]
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV)
“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. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can serve your community this week to let Christ’s light shine through you?
Day 4: The Church’s Calling to Enter the World, Not Escape It
Jesus did not pray for His followers to be removed from the world, but to be protected and sanctified as they are sent into it, just as He was sent. The church is called to be God’s hands and feet, engaging with a hurting world, loving those who are far from God, and living by a different standard rooted in truth. True church is not passive attendance, but active participation in God’s mission, going out to bring hope, healing, and the message of Christ to those in need. [24:55]
John 17:14-19 (ESV)
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Reflection: Where is God calling you to step out of your comfort zone and bring His love to someone outside your usual circles?
Day 5: Jumping Into the Waters—The Church’s Mission to Rescue
It is easy for those who have been rescued by Christ to become comfortable and distracted, forgetting the urgent need of those still struggling in the “stormy sea” of life. The call is not just to enjoy safety on the rock, but to join Jesus in His mission—risking comfort, time, and resources to reach out and rescue others. The church thrives when its people remember their own rescue and respond to Christ’s call to jump into the waters, making His priorities their own and living sacrificially for the sake of the lost. [37:32]
Jude 1:22-23 (ESV)
And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Reflection: Who in your life is struggling or far from God, and what bold step can you take this week to reach out and help bring them closer to Christ?
Quotes
The church is a flawed institution. The church has its issues. The church has its heartaches, and we know those. We'll talk about those in just a moment. But the way we come to know God is through the church. And the church is a person or people who are gathered together, who are connected to God. And we have the commissioning to share with other people who Jesus is, what the love of God is, what the presence of the Holy Spirit does to turn a life around. [00:02:11]
Jesus says, Father, you and I are one, I'm only saying what you said and now they're coming into relationship with us because I am one with them as I am one with you so we've got this symbiotic relationship and now they get to carry on the things that you and I do. [00:11:20] (16 seconds)
You realize the public education started in our country when it was the church that said we need to teach children how to read so that they can read the Bible. So why don't we have public education? No matter what you believe, no matter what you are, let's just come together and let's teach people how to read. [00:15:45] (20 seconds)
Atheistic cynics never create anything. They just try to create fog in your mind to get you away from the one God who loves you and does amazing things. They never create anything, except discord, except anger. This is the history of the church, the history of the world. [00:22:39] (20 seconds)
Friends, we talk about God wanting to bring and move the spirit and bring an awakening. The way it happens is his church gets in the water. The way it happens is we go, we decide to be like Jesus. [00:41:50] (16 seconds)
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