Embodying the Church: Active Faith in Community

Today, I explored the profound concept of what it means to be the church, not just attend church. We delved into the essence of the church, its purpose, and our individual roles within it. The church, as we discussed, is not merely a building or a weekly gathering; it is a living, breathing community of believers who are called to serve, worship, and embody the teachings of Christ in every aspect of their lives.

We began by defining the church, emphasizing that it is a body of believers, saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and called to live out the Great Commission. This definition sets the stage for understanding that our involvement in the church is not passive but is an active engagement in a community of faith.

From there, we explored the scriptural basis of the church's purpose, highlighting six key functions: to glorify God, disciple believers, provide fellowship, serve others, evangelize, and display God's love and glory to the world. Each of these functions underscores the active role each believer plays in the life of the church.

A significant portion of our discussion focused on the practical implications of being the church in our daily lives. I challenged each of us to consider how we view our role within the church. Are we merely consumers, attending services and leaving without engaging further? Or do we see ourselves as integral parts of the body, each with gifts and talents meant to be used for the edification of the church and the broader community?

We addressed the issue of spiritual gifts, emphasizing that every believer is endowed with unique gifts intended for the purpose of building up the church. I encouraged everyone to reflect on their gifts and consider whether they are actively using them to serve others within the church community.

Finally, we discussed the transformative potential of the church when every member actively participates and uses their gifts. We envisioned a church that not only meets within walls but also extends its influence into the community through acts of service, love, and evangelism. This vision of the church is not limited by its physical premises but is manifested wherever its members are present, serving as the hands and feet of Jesus in a broken world.

### Key Takeaways:

1. **The Church as a Community, Not a Location**:
The church is defined not by its physical buildings but by its members—the body of believers. Each member plays a crucial role in the life of the church, contributing to its mission and outreach. Understanding this helps us shift our perspective from a place we go to, to a community we are part of. [54:09]

2. **Active Participation Over Passive Attendance**:
Being part of the church means more than just attending services; it involves active engagement and participation. Each believer is called to use their gifts and talents to serve within the church, contributing to its growth and the well-being of its members. This active role fosters a deeper sense of community and personal growth in faith. [01:06:44]

3. **The Importance of Spiritual Gifts**:
Every believer is endowed with spiritual gifts, which are meant to be used for the common good of the church community. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts is essential for the personal fulfillment of each member and for the overall effectiveness of the church in fulfilling its mission. [01:08:30]

4. **Transformative Influence of the Church**:
When all members of the church actively participate and use their gifts, the church's influence extends beyond its walls into the broader community. This transformative impact can lead to significant changes in the neighborhood and beyond, as the church lives out its call to display God's love and glory. [01:11:54]

5. **The Call to Serve and Evangelize**:
The church's purpose includes serving others and evangelizing, which are fundamental aspects of our faith. Each member is called to embody these roles, impacting not just the church community but also the wider society. This dual role enhances the church's relevance and outreach in an increasingly complex world. [01:15:14]

### Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [48:05] - Introduction to Church Participation
- [49:41] - Prayer and Welcome of Visitors
- [50:52] - Series Introduction: Limitless Life All In
- [52:24] - Exploring Personal Church Experiences
- [54:09] - Defining the Church
- [01:05:00] - Scriptural Basis of the Church as a Body
- [01:06:44] - The Role of Individual Members in the Church
- [01:08:30] - The Impact of Inactive Membership
- [01:09:58] - Consumer Mentality in Church
- [01:11:54] - Active Service within the Church
- [01:13:17] - The Importance of Personal Involvement
- [01:15:14] - Encouragement to Serve and Use Gifts
- [01:16:46] - Community Impact and Church Growth
- [01:18:22] - Closing Remarks and Call to Action

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. **Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)**
> "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

2. **Acts 2:42 (NIV)**
> "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."

3. **1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27 (NIV)**
> "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many... Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to Matthew 28:19-20, what are the key actions Jesus commands His followers to take?
2. In Acts 2:42, what four activities did the early church devote themselves to?
3. How does 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 describe the relationship between the different parts of the body and the body as a whole?
4. What does the sermon suggest is the difference between being the church and merely attending church? ([52:24])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that Jesus promises to be with His followers "to the very end of the age" in Matthew 28:20? How does this assurance impact our mission as the church?
2. Acts 2:42 mentions the early church's devotion to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. How do these activities contribute to the health and growth of a church community?
3. In 1 Corinthians 12:27, Paul states that each member of the church has a special purpose and function. How does this understanding affect the way we view our individual roles within the church? ([01:05:00])
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of using spiritual gifts for the common good. How can recognizing and utilizing our gifts transform the church and its impact on the community? ([01:08:30])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current involvement in the church. Are you actively participating and using your gifts, or are you more of a passive attendee? What steps can you take to become more engaged? ([01:06:44])
2. Consider the six key functions of the church mentioned in the sermon: glorifying God, discipling believers, providing fellowship, serving others, evangelizing, and displaying God's love and glory. Which of these areas do you feel most passionate about, and how can you contribute to it? ([56:07])
3. The sermon challenges us to shift from a consumer mentality to an active service mentality within the church. What practical changes can you make in your attitude and actions to embody this shift? ([01:09:58])
4. Think about the spiritual gifts you believe God has given you. Are you currently using these gifts to serve the church community? If not, what is one specific way you can start using your gifts this week? ([01:08:30])
5. The sermon discusses the transformative potential of the church when every member actively participates. How can you encourage others in your small group or church to discover and use their gifts? ([01:11:54])
6. Reflect on a time when you felt the church made a significant impact on the broader community. What role did active participation and the use of spiritual gifts play in that impact? How can you contribute to similar efforts in the future? ([01:16:46])
7. The sermon mentions the importance of not forsaking our meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25). How can you prioritize and encourage regular fellowship and community within your church, especially in challenging times? ([01:01:15])

Day 1: Embracing Community Beyond Location
The church is fundamentally a community of believers, not confined to a physical location. It is essential to understand that being part of the church means being actively involved in a living, dynamic body of Christ. This community is where faith is not only expressed but also practiced through interactions with others who share the same beliefs. The physical walls of a church building do not define this sacred gathering; rather, it is defined by the hearts and actions of those who commit to living out their faith together. This perspective shift from seeing church as a location to embracing it as a community can profoundly change how one engages with and values their role within the body of Christ. [54:09]

1 Corinthians 12:27 - "Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it."

Reflection: How can you contribute more actively to the community aspect of your church beyond attending services?

Day 2: The Call to Active Participation
Active participation in church life goes beyond mere attendance; it involves contributing one's gifts and talents to the community. This engagement is crucial for personal spiritual growth and for the vitality of the church as a whole. Each member of the church has unique abilities and spiritual gifts that, when utilized, can lead to a richer, more vibrant community. This active involvement helps to foster a sense of belonging and purpose within the church, encouraging a deeper commitment and connection to the faith community. [01:06:44]

Ephesians 4:16 - "From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: What are your spiritual gifts, and how can you start using them more effectively within your church community?

Day 3: Utilizing Spiritual Gifts for Common Good
Every believer is endowed with spiritual gifts intended to benefit the church community. Recognizing and utilizing these gifts is not only a personal responsibility but also a crucial aspect of church life. These gifts are given by the Holy Spirit and are meant to be used for the common good, to build up the church and to extend its mission. By identifying and employing these gifts, members can fulfill their roles more effectively, contributing to the overall health and growth of the church. [01:08:30]

1 Peter 4:10-11 - "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."

Reflection: Consider your own spiritual gifts. Are there ways you can better use these gifts to serve your church community?

Day 4: Transformative Influence of the Church
When every member of the church actively uses their gifts, the church's influence can extend far beyond its walls. This active participation leads to a transformative impact on the broader community, demonstrating God's love and glory through acts of service, love, and evangelism. This vision of the church is dynamic and influential, capable of bringing about significant change in the neighborhood and beyond. The church, therefore, is not just a place of worship but a force for good in the world, actively embodying the teachings of Christ. [01:11:54]

Matthew 5:14-16 - "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: How can your church better serve as a light to your local community, demonstrating the love and teachings of Christ?

Day 5: Serving and Evangelizing as Core Missions
The dual role of serving others and evangelizing is fundamental to the church's purpose. Each member is called to embody these roles, impacting not just the church community but also the wider society. This involvement enhances the church's relevance and outreach, making it a vital presence in an increasingly complex world. By focusing on these core missions, the church can fulfill its calling to spread the gospel and serve humanity, reflecting the love and compassion of Christ to all. [01:15:14]

Galatians 5:13-14 - "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Reflection: What specific actions can you take this week to serve someone in your community or share your faith with someone who does not yet know Christ?

won't stop and we won't go can't quit till we let y'all know.

Hey, this love and peace I found, it never ends and it won't come down.

Hey, I had a great idea: a world with no hate and no fear, all grace, love, and all cheers, families, hugs, and no tears.

Hey, let me just bask for a minute, brand new with no windows tinted.

Party in the street till the sun come get us and tell the whole crew they can all come with us.

And we ain't gotta lock the doors and we don't need cops, of course.

And we don't care about your skin, we just want an all-out win.

They tell me it's illogical, but anything is possible.

If God be for us, we can overcome.

Attention, limitless men! This message is for you.

I want to invite you this year to the Let's Do This Together Men's Conference put on by the Assemblies of God.

This is an amazing conference. I've hosted the conference for the past two years, and I want to invite all the men of Limitless Church to this conference on May 17th and 18th.

It's going to be at Destiny Christian Center in Rockland, California.

To attend, now, it is two days. You can choose to come to both days, or you can come to one day, but I really want you to take some time out.

Come and be with a group of men who are there to encourage you, to build you up, and to get you prepared to do this life together.

9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. We hope to see you there.

Calling Team Limitless! That's right. If you are a part of Team Limitless, then this message is for you.

May 19th, we're having an all-volunteer meeting. I need you to be there.

Please clear your schedule. Please make sure that you are in attendance on May 19th at 1:30.

It's something that the Lord has placed on my heart, and I want to make sure that it is communicated to all of our volunteers, all of our current volunteers, our Team Limitless members.

So please make sure you're there. 1:30 on May 19th. I cannot wait to see you there.

Please register at the link in our link tree. We want to make sure that you're there. God bless.

Good morning! How's everybody doing this morning?

Good, good, good, good, good!

I am excited to be here this morning. I do have my two things for you this morning, and the two is actually three, but we're just gonna call it two. It's fine, it's fine.

Okay, the first thing very quickly: if you're a member of Limitless Church, if you've gone through our membership class, signed our membership agreement, and said, "Hey, this is my church, I am a member of Limitless Church," we have a meeting after the meeting, and we're gonna be there for you.

So please make sure you're there after service today at 1:30. We need you to be here, okay?

We have the great opportunity of voting in new members for our board, and we would love for you to participate and be a part of that.

Second thing, my men, thank you so much. I know I practically voluntold you last week to sign up to help clean up, but thank you for doing it anyway, you know?

We had more than enough men come and sign up, and so I just want to give you a little bit of details.

I noticed last week, I was like, "Sign up! We need you to be here." I didn't give you much detail, and you were like, "All right, fine. I got it."

But this Saturday, the 11th, at 8 a.m., okay? Men, 8 a.m. Get coffee on the way, okay?

8 a.m., and we're going to be cleaning up the church next door.

Now, I got in a little trouble last week because I said, "Men," and one of the ladies was like, "You don't think I can clean up?"

And I was like, "No, I believe that you can. I know you can."

So if you would like to come, ladies, you are more than invited and welcome to come, and there's plenty of work to go around.

I do know that there's a lot of heavy lifting, so I wanted to make sure that we had enough men be there, but ladies, you are more than welcome to come, okay?

Saturday at 8 a.m. You don't even got to sign up, okay?

Saturday at 8 a.m. Just show up. You ain't even got to sign up, all right?

All right. And last but not least, baptisms. I am excited about baptisms.

We get to participate in something called Baptize California, and it's where the whole state of California, churches in California are partnering to baptize California.

And those people, it's this opportunity where we get to come together as a body and say, "Hey, there are people who have made a public declaration for Jesus."

There are people who have said, "You know what? I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Savior, and now I am making a public declaration of the inward confirmation of what's going on on the inside of me."

Their chance to say, "I'm going public. I am living for Jesus."

And so I would encourage you. This is going to be an amazing service, an amazing time. I want you to be a part of that.

And so if you have not been baptized before, we want you to participate.

It is going to be not... Is it this upcoming Sunday? The following one, yes.

Not this, because that's Mother's Day. That would be amazing, though.

Not on Mother's Day, but the following Sunday, please, please, please sign up.

I know that we have had a lot of you that have signed up, and we have reached out to you.

Please, please, please make sure we get your information.

You can sign up at the QR code on a seat pocket in front of you, or you can go out at the Team Limitless table.

And sign up. We have room for everybody. It's going to be an amazing service.

Please make sure you sign up for that. And that is my two and a half things.

All right. Let's pray.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your word, God. Thank you for today and allowing us to be here together as your church, God.

God, we take this opportunity to not worry about what's happening next, not worry about our past week, what's coming up this week.

We make a decision to be present right here with you.

God, your word is already anointed. And so we ask that you would anoint our ears and our hearts, God.

Our ears to hear what you're saying and our heart to receive what you're saying.

Speak to us, Lord. Not just what's coming across the pulpit, God, but what are you saying individually to each and every one of us?

Thank you for this moment. In Jesus' name, amen.

Very quickly, I forgot to do this. I want to welcome all of our first-time visitors.

I know they welcomed you a little bit earlier, but thank you.

Today, I had the privilege of standing outside and checking in our kids in kids' ministry.

And so I got a chance to shake some of your hands. But I do, from the pulpit, want to say thank you for being here.

You could have been anywhere this Sunday. You could have chosen to be here.

You could have been anywhere this Sunday. You could have been anywhere this Sunday.

You could stay home, but you made it a point to make it to church.

And we are excited that you chose Limitless to be at.

We don't believe it's an accident that you're here.

I know you thought you got up this morning. You thought you were just smart, intelligent, and beautiful.

And you say, "You know what? I'm going to church."

But I believe that God has been adjusting your schedule so that you could be here.

I believe that he's been having conversations with you, getting your heart prepared for what's going to happen here today.

And at Limitless, we're just going to be here. We're just excited to be a part of that.

So whether you're here or you're watching online right now, I want to welcome you.

We're honored that you're here, and we're excited to see what God is going to do in your life.

Limitless, can we make some noise for our visitors?

All right. All right, let's dive in.

So we're in this series called Limitless Life: All In.

And over the past couple of weeks, we've been diving in on what it means to be all in.

We've been going over all of these different ways that we feel God has called us to not be tiptoeing in this life of faith, but to be fully submerged as it pertains to our life with Jesus.

And so if you haven't been here or this is your first time, this week on our social media, if you follow us, we will have a link to what we're calling the All In playlist.

And on social media, you'll be able to click this link, and you'll be able to get access to all of the All In series sermons.

So if you missed the week, watch them all.

But as we close, today I want to dive into what I feel has the potential to be what I call a game changer.

Today I want to dive into something that I feel could change our neighborhood, could change our city and this region.

Taking the limits off of this has the potential to change things in a way that would give the enemy a headache for the next 20 years.

Today, today, today, today, today, today, today, today, today, today, today, today, today, we take the limits off of the way that we see the church.

When someone says the word church, what comes to mind?

What are some thoughts that pop up when you hear the word church?

For some of us, it may be getting woken up early, early, early in the morning, and somebody walking in your door, a mother and or a father saying, "I don't know what you're doing, but you better get up because we are going to church."

For some of us, it may be a place where you found a family, maybe you found friendships and you found your community.

For some of you, maybe it's dressing up in a suit or a pretty dress, and it was a place that you went to that you came and you really didn't know what was going on, but you were there.

For some of your connotations, maybe they're not so good.

Maybe church is a place where you fear, when you hear the word church, you think about hurt.

You think about disappointments. You think about pain.

To each person, that is a little bit different.

But I believe that until we have a clear understanding of what the church is, what its purpose is, and what its role is in our life and this world, we will never be able to see and experience the church as Jesus intended.

Let's start with what the church is.

Let's take a definition of the church.

The church is defined as a body of believers who have faith in Jesus Christ, who have been saved by his grace, and who have been called out to live the Great Commission.

Okay? A body of believers who have faith in Jesus, who have been saved by his grace, and who have been called to live out the Great Commission.

Now, you may hear this word church, and then you may hear people talk about the big C.

And you're like, "What is the big C?"

The big C is simply defined as the universal church.

It is the body of Christ consisting of all believers of Jesus Christ across different denominations and traditions worldwide.

So we have the church, which is the local C, and then we have the big C.

These are the definitions. This defines what the church is.

And one of the things I see from both of these definitions is that nowhere in any of those definitions does it mention a building.

Nowhere in any of these definitions does it mention a building, because the building is not the church.

This building, the one next door, this is not the church.

Now, this is a building that houses the church.

It is a building where the church often meets, but we, you and I, are the church.

Okay? Nobody said okay.

All right. Wake up, y'all.

Now that we know what the church is, let's clarify what the purpose of the church is.

Throughout Scripture, Old Testament and New Testament, there's a lot of things that you see.

We're given different purposes and things that the church is established for and that the church purpose exists for.

And we believe that there are six things that are identified in Scripture that tell us the purpose of the church.

The first thing that the church exists to do is to glorify God through worship.

Not just the songs, because we'll get into that in a few weeks, but worship is a lifestyle.

It's a way that you live your life.

It's a way that you live that gives honor to God.

And so the church exists to glorify God through worship.

The second thing that the church exists to do is to disciple believers.

Okay?

The third thing that the church exists to do is to provide fellowship.

The fourth thing it exists to do, it exists to serve others.

It also exists to evangelize, to tell people of the day and night difference that Jesus made in your life.

To evangelize.

And last, it exists to display God's love and his glory to the world.

These are the six things that we find in Scripture that tell us the purpose of the church.

Matthew chapter 28, verse 19.

Here we go.

Verse 19 says, "Go therefore and make disciples."

Oh, look at that. Make disciples.

Make disciples of all nations.

Help the people learn of me, believe in me, and obey my words.

Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Doing what?

Teaching them to observe everything that I've commanded you.

And lo, I am with you always, remaining with you perpetually, regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion, even to the end of the age.

We go over to Acts chapter 2, verse 42.

We see the very first church here.

The very first church.

And it tells us some things that they were doing as the very first church.

Verse 42 says, "They were continually and faithfully devoting themselves to the instruction of the apostles and to fellowship and to eating meals together and to prayers."

We see why the church exists.

This is not all of the scriptures, but a few scriptures that show us why the church exists.

To glorify God through worship, to disciple believers, to provide fellowship, to serve others, to evangelize, and to display the love and the glory of God to the world.

Let's put that list back up.

Let's put that list back up.

And I'm looking at this list, and you may say, "I thought the church existed to make sure that I had everything I need whenever I needed it, and that I had worship that sounded exactly like I like."

But I don't see that on the list.

Or, you know, I thought that the church existed just to make me feel good.

I don't see that on the list.

And it's very important that we understand why the church exists.

Because if not, we put up false expectations and things that we feel are not true.

And we put up false expectations and things that we feel are not true that the church should be when it's nowhere in line with scripture as to what the church is supposed to do.

The purpose of the church.

We have to make sure that the lens in which we view the church is the right one.

Not one that's based off of tradition.

I know you love your traditions, and I know that you get it, and it's a whole thing, and I understand that.

But we cannot view church based off of tradition.

We cannot view church based off of tradition.

We cannot view church based also based off of our past.

But pastor, when I went to church, we did this.

And the church I come from, we do this.

And I just don't understand why you don't do it because, okay, we're not supposed to base it off of our past or our preference.

Well, I'm so glad that you're here at our church.

Well, were you at another church?

Yeah, but I didn't like the coffee there.

And I'm so glad that you're here at our church.

I'm so glad that you're here at our church.

And I couldn't understand, you know, I kept asking for them to serve something other than coffee, like tea or water, but they never did.

And I felt like if they couldn't acknowledge that small request, then I probably didn't need to be there.

You're laughing, but that's a direct quote.

We have to make sure the lens in which we view the church is the right one.

Hallelujah.

Hebrews chapter 10, verse 24.

When we view the church, we have to make sure, sure.

We got to be sure that what we're looking at lines up with the word.

Because the enemy knows that if we grasp the true significance of being the church, of living out what it means to come together, the scripture says, "Let us consider thoughtfully how we may encourage one another to love and to good deeds, not forsaking our meeting together as believers for worship and instruction."

Because we'll be quick to see if we're going to be able to do that.

We've got to say, "I am a Christian. I just don't go to church."

And I don't think I need to go to church to be a Christian.

Well, you don't got to go home to be married, but I guarantee if you don't go home, you won't be married for long.

Anyway, let me keep moving.

The enemy knows that if we understood and we grasped the significance of being the church, of living out what it means to come together, we would unlock a level of effectiveness and power that would turn our families, that would turn our neighborhoods, that would turn the city of Woodland, that would turn this region upside down.

It really would.

But here's the problem.

Here is the problem.

We can never experience the full manifestation of what the church was meant to be until we change the way that we see the church.

We have to change the lens.

First Corinthians 12, and I'm going to start at verse 12, and I'm going to go through verse 14, and then I'm going to skip down.

First Corinthians 12, Paul is talking about the church here, and he says, "For just as the body is one, yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form only one body, so it is with Christ."

For by one Holy Spirit, we were all baptized into one body, spiritually transformed, united together, whether Jews or Greeks, Gentiles, slaves, or free, and we were all made to drink of one Holy Spirit, since the same Holy Spirit fills each life.

For the human body does not consist of one part, but of many limbs and organs.

Okay?

So he's talking about these limbs.

He's talking about these organs.

He says, "You can't say one part of the body that I need you and not say that I don't need the other."

He says, "You can't tell the foot, the toe doesn't belong. You can't tell the toe, the foot doesn't belong."

And he picks up this analogy in verse 27, and he says, "Now you collectively are Christ's body, and individually, you are members of it, each with its own special purpose and function."

You collectively are Christ's body.

And he says, "Each one of you," he says, "we individually are members of the body of Christ. You and I are the church, and we each have a special purpose and a function within the church."

Now, just like each part of the body has its own special purpose and its own special function, what happens when a part of the body stops functioning as it should?

Any of you ever was sitting down for a minute, and tried to get up and your leg was asleep?

You get up, think you about to walk somewhere?

Got up strong, too, just about to march off.

You ain't going nowhere.

You're gonna sit right back down.

Why?

Because a part of the body that was equipped to operate and function in a way has now chosen to not operate in the way that it was created to.

So therefore, you cannot do what you were called to do or what you want to do or operate fully in your body because a part of the body has decided, "You know what? I'm not going to do that."

It is the same with the body of Christ.

It is the same with the body of Christ.

Imagine the consequences when God entrusts us with a specific purpose, with a specific function, and our response is, "Nah, I'm good. I'm not going to use the gift that you gave me. I'm not going to operate in the function that you gave me. You know what? It's just too much of a commitment right now. My schedule is so packed."

My schedule is too packed to walk in the purpose and the function that God gave me.

Yet every time we refuse to be the church, that is exactly what we're saying.

That is exactly what we're saying.

When a part of the body stops operating like it should, the body begins to break down.

It cannot operate fully or do the things that it's supposed to do.

The same is true with us.

And until we understand that the church can never fully operate without the special purpose and the function that God gave us, we will never see it operate at the level it was designed to.

We need your peace.

We have to change the way that we see the church and our role in the church.

You have a gift.

You are uniquely equipped and uniquely qualified to have this gift.

And when you decide to keep it in your pocket, when you decide to not operate in it, when you decide to keep it away, the church suffers.

And it suffers because we have to change the way that we see the church.

Because for some of us, we see the church in a consumer mentality or a transactional mentality.

This is how we see the church.

We come to church and we find ourselves in the church.

We find ourselves in the church.

We find ourselves in the church.

And we get comfortable in our seat.

And this is our favorite seat, and nobody bet not, we come in with attitude if you sit in my seat.

I've been sitting in that seat for years.

And the one day I come late, you want to sit your behind in my seat.

And then we come to church, and now we're here.

And then as the weeks pass, this is what we do.

Oh, yes.

We get comfortable in our seat because this is how we view the church.

This is a place where we come and we sit and we get comfortable in our seat.

And not only do we view it as just some place where we come and get our seat, we don't think that we should do anything.

So we just want people to serve us.

I need some popcorn.

I need some...

I'm not going to get up and do anything.

I want somebody to come serve me.

This is how we view the church.

Thank you.

And...

Oh, and my favorite...

My favorite candy.

My favorite worship song.

The coffee that I like.

The lights the way that I like them.

The music the way that I like it.

Because this is how we view the church.

This is it.

And then you know what we do?

We sit and we eat.

And we take in every message every week.

That's a good word, Pastor.

You preach, brother Johnson.

Oh, yeah.

Amen. Amen.

We leave.

We leave.

Because we've done what we came to do because we...

And you know what?

It's okay.

You know what?

I'll throw a little something in the bucket so I've made my transaction.

I'll throw a little something in there so that I'm okay with this.

Because I came and I took my seat and I got what I wanted and now I'm ready to leave.

Because that is how we view the church.

That is how we view the body of Christ.

That is how we view the gathering, what I want, what I need.

When the way that we should see it is at a place where when we see something, you know what?

I have a gift of hospitality and I have a gift of grace.

I have a gift of cleanliness.

So you know what?

I'm going to make sure that this is exactly how it needs to be for the person that's going to come in after me because I believe God is going to do something and they...

Oh, I can't leave this because I care too much about my brothers and sisters.

So what I'm going to do is, you know what?

I'm not going to leave it.

I'm not going to walk out looking at the coffee on the floor.

I'm going to pick it up myself.

Why?

Because I care about the people around me.

I care that somebody is going to encounter the very presence of God, so I'm going to make sure that there are no distractions, and I'm going to clean it up myself.

Why?

Because I have a gift, and I'm going to use it, and I'm not just going to deny it and defy the Bible and say, "No, God, I'm not going to do it."

No, no, no.

No, I'm going to make sure it's right.

I'm going to make sure it's right.

I'm not going to wait for somebody else to come do it.

I'm not going to wait for somebody else to come and pick it up.

I'm not going to wait for somebody else to sing.

I'm not going to wait for somebody else to serve in kids ministry.

I'm not going to wait for somebody else to usher.

I'm not going to wait for somebody else to greet.

My team will tell you, if you don't do it, I'll do it.

I'm not going to wait for somebody else.

I'll get out there and get it done.

Why?

Because it matters.

Because people matter.

The love of God that we should have for one another because of how we see the body of Christ, because of how we see the church, because of how we see the church.

We see each other.

This has to matter.

It has to be bigger than you just coming and making a transaction.

It has to be bigger than you just coming and saying, "You know what? I did my church duty. I came to church this Sunday. I came. Let me check it off the calendar because I did it."

It has to be bigger than something you just check off so that you can feel good about yourself.

We are called to serve.

We are called to serve one another.

I am the church versus I go to the church are two totally different things.

There's a two totally different mindsets.

I am the church versus I just go to the church.

We are exposed.

And for some of us, we were exposed to a life where church was something that you did, not who you are.

That is where the change has to take place.

We have to move from a mindset.

I pay, I drop something in the bucket.

So I did what I did.

That was my part.

Why aren't you serving?

Well, I give.

Not the same.

Thank you for your giving.

Not the same.

God has called us to more.

And when you hold that gift, that talent, that ability, I just, I love kids.

Well, why haven't you signed up for kids ministry?

Well, you know, I just, yeah.

What you're saying is I refuse to use the gift that God has given me to serve the body.

I have a gift of hospitality.

I have a gift of loving people.

I just, I'm just friendly.

What are you doing with it?

Well, you know, my schedule is just so busy and, and, and, and I hear y'all singing in the congregation.

Not all of you, but some of you, y'all got a gift.

I see some of y'all.

I see it irritating y'all.

When y'all see something not done the way that it's supposed to do.

I see you like twitching.

It's like a twitch when it's not right, but you won't move, but you won't move.

When God says, "No, I created you like that. I created you with that purpose."

For a lot of us, we believe that the church is supposed to reach out and be a part of the community.

We believe that the church is supposed to serve and assist in times of peril.

And when bad things happen in our community, we just don't believe that we're the church.

We don't believe that you and I are supposed to do it.

And we cry out to God and we say, "God, you know, why don't you help the problem with the unhoused people here in our neighborhood?

Why don't you help with the crime that's happening in our neighborhood?

Our kids need fathers and mothers and our city is going to hell in a handbasket.

Why don't you help, Jesus?"

And I imagine the Lord is up there like, "I was going to ask you the same thing."

I was going to ask you the same thing.

When is pastor going to stop bringing up kids ministry?

My goodness.

When will we finally have enough people to serve so he doesn't have to ask for people to serve?

When are we moving to that building next door?

And the answer is when we all do our part and bring our purpose, our function, and our gift and show up.

That's when.

That's when.

Because it's easy to talk.

It's easy to ask.

That's why I, you know, I never liked those old superhero movies because the superhero always gets beat up in the beginning.

That never made sense.

He realizes he has powers and then he gets beat up.

What?

Why not just use the powers you got?

It's like, "No, I must learn how to hone them and use them fully and use them the right way."

Or just use them now and figure it out.

You have a gift that you've been given.

You have a power.

You have an ability.

You have a special thing that God has given you.

Maybe your gift is, maybe you're a generous person.

Maybe your gift is hospitality.

Maybe your gift is cleaning.

Maybe we don't know what it is, but I guarantee you that we need it.

And we can never go to the place that God has called us to go as the local body until we all get in here and get it.

First Peter 4, verse 10 says, "Just as each one of you has received a special gift, each one of you, each one of you have received a special gift, a talent, an ability graciously given by God.

Employ it.

Serving one another.

Use it.

Employ it in not serving yourself and your own ability and your own agenda.

Employ it in serving one another as is, as it is appropriate for good stewards of God’s multifaceted grace, faithfully using the diverse varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God's unmerited favor.

Whoever speaks to the congregation do so as one who speaks the oracles, the very words of God.

Whoever serves the congregation do so as one who serves by what? By the...

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "I had a great idea: a world with no hate and no fear, all grace, love, and all cheers, families, hugs, and no tears. They tell me it's illogical, but anything is possible if God be for us, we can overcome." [04:17](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



2. "We're having an all-volunteer meeting. I need you to be there. Please clear your schedule. Please make sure that you are in attendance. It's something that the Lord has placed on my heart, and I want to make sure that it is communicated to all of our volunteers, all of our current volunteers, our Team Limitless members." [43:04](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



3. "Good morning, how's everybody doing this morning? Good, good, good, good, good. I am excited to be here this morning. I do have um my two things um for you this morning and the two is actually three um but we're just gonna call it two it's fine it's fine." [45:04](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



4. "We get to participate in something called Baptize California, and it's where the whole state of California, churches in California are partnering to baptize California. And those people, it's this opportunity where we get to come together as a body and say, hey, there are people who have made a public, public declaration for Jesus." [48:05](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



### Quotes for Members

1. "I am the church versus I go to the church are two totally different things. There's a two totally different mindsets. I am the church versus I just go to the church. We are exposed. And for some of us, we were exposed to a life where church was something that you did, not who you are. That is where the change has to take place." [01:13:17](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



2. "We are called to serve. We are called to serve one another. I am the church versus I go to the church are two totally different things. There's a two totally different mindsets. I am the church versus I just go to the church. We are exposed. And for some of us, we were exposed to a life where church was something that you did, not who you are." [01:15:14](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



3. "For a lot of us, we believe that the churches, the church is supposed to reach out and be a part of community. We believe that the church is supposed to serve and assist in times of peril. And when bad things happen, our community, we just don't believe that we're the church. We don't believe that you and I are supposed to do it." [01:16:46](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



4. "You have a gift that you've been given. You have a power. You have an ability. You have a special thing that God has given you. Maybe your gift is, maybe you're a generous person. Maybe your gift is hospitality. Maybe your gift is cleaning. Maybe we don't know what it is, but I guarantee you that we need it." [01:18:22](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)



5. "The church is defined as a body of believers who have faith in Jesus Christ, who have been saved by his grace, and who have been called out to live the great commission. A body of believers who have faith in Jesus, who have been saved by his grace, and who have been called to live out the Great Commission." [54:09](Make raw clip | Make vertical clip | Make vertical captioned clip)