Lifeline Connections Class Lesson May 24, 2015

We were all designed to connect—with God, other believers, the church and with the world around us. When we neglect these connections, we miss out on so many things. We slow down our spiritual growth, and beyond that, we miss out on being able to work alongside God as He brings His light to the world.



This week we look at how we connect with the church.

"David served God's purpose in his own generation."

The Bible says that, "David served God's purpose in his own generation." I really like that! In fact, I can't think of anything better that could be said of each of us when we pass on. I would like for people to say of me, "He served God's purpose in his generation." 



BIG IDEA: Serving the Church with our gifts accomplishes God's purposes and provides meaningful connections.




When we talk about the Christian life it’s important for us to realize that there is more to it than just believing – it also involves belonging to something. That something is called a family – God’s family. God wants us to be part of His family, the Church. Ever wonder why the Cheers sitcom was so popular?

Do you remember the theme song from the classic TV show, Cheers? Pastors have said that the lyrics speak of how the Church ought to be. Check out the chorus:

Sometimes you wanna go

Where everybody knows your name.

And they're always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see

our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows your name.

The song speaks of community and of a place where everyone is welcome, accepted, and cared about. On the show, the characters share their lives with one another, telling each other their problems and victories while often offering advice and help. In short, it is a show about community. Yes, Sam is a playboy, Woody is a dolt, and Carla is a loud-mouth. Yet watching the show, one gets the sense that these people care about one another. Shouldn’t this be the same for the Church? Shouldn’t our church here in Simpsonville, SC be a place where people feel welcome, accepted, and cared about?



Today we're going to see two aspects of connecting with the church:

1. One that involves what you do with the gifts God has given you.
2. And two, how you learn to love others - in the church.

I. Connecting with Your Gifts

 

Why are we given spiritual gifts anyway?

One reason is to Remind Us of Our Dependence upon One Another!

Rather than giving each believer all of the gifts, the Lord chose to give each of His children one motivational gift and an unlimited number of ministry and manifestation gifts. He did this so that no one would “think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.






Key Passage: I Corinthians 12

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. 4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 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. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. 

 

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.


How would you summarize I Corinthians 12?

• ·     Paul first emphasizes that spiritual gifts, though diverse, come from the same Spirit and are to be used for the benefit of all (1-11). To demonstrate that every person (and spiritual gift) is important, He compares the church to a body with many different yet essential members (12-27). The chapter closes with Paul pointing out that not all serve the same function and have the same gifts, encouraging them to earnestly desire the best gifts, and preparing to show them a more excellent way in the next chapter (28-31).

 



Do you think people find it difficult to connect with a church?

·       There are benefits to serving God together instead of by ourselves; we compensate for each other’s weaknesses, we’re more efficient, we multiply our effectiveness, we can defeat bigger problems, and we can support each other when we’re tired and discouraged.

 

    

· 

God did not create us to work alone. As we studied in weeks one and two, we need a foundational connection to God, and meaningful connections with those around us. This week we’ll explore how a strong connection to a specific body of believers is also necessary.



God wants us to operate from the perspective that whatever we’re gifted to do can be done “for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)




Did you know that you were SHAPED to serve God and others? When God calls you to serve, He always equips you with what you need to accomplish what He wants you to do. This customized combination of capabilities is called your SHAPE. We'll talk in class about what this entails.

S PIRITUAL GIFTS – God gives to use in ministry. (1Cor. 12, Rom. 12, Eph. 4)

H EART – Determines why you say, feel, and act the way you do.

A BILITIES - Natural talents God has given to accomplish His purposes.

P ERSONALITY – Affects the way you use your gifts. Extroverted/Introverted – evangelism.

E XPERIENCE – Given to you by God for the purpose of helping others. (educational, vocational, spiritual, ministry and painful experiences)

II. Connecting in Fellowship

 

Remember the song by Jackie DeShannon: What the World Needs Now is Love?

“It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.”

In the 60’s and 70’s Love was a common theme: It was a common theme of the music of the day and much of the political scene as well. Love was viewed by some as the answer to all of our social, political and world problems.

Is our love for other people, as a society, as a Church any better today?

How we love other people is God’s second purpose for your life. God is love and He wants you to learn to love just like He does. It’s one of your reasons for being here on earth, so you can practice learning to love other people. The place to do this is the Church and the task of learning to love each other is called “Fellowship.”

 



7 ways that as Christians in love, we can learn to fellowship together.

1. By admitting our need for each other. Romans 12:5b (NLT)

“Since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.” Romans 12:5b (NLT) 
 


Recently, there was a news report about a man by the name of Jim Sulkers, a Winnipeg, Manitoba, resident, who died in his bed and laid there for two years before his neighbors in the same complex discovered it. The man had lived there twenty years, but no one missed him.
 


Why are we so reluctant at times to admit our need for each other?

There are two main reasons: 
 

A) Our culture glorifies individualism. – We admire independence, self-sufficient people who seem to get along quite well by themselves. The sad truth is that beneath that confident appearance is usually a lonely and insecure person with a heart filled with hurt. Loneliness is the most common disease in the world, yet we continue to build walls instead of bridges between each other.

B) We have pride. – Many people, especially men, feel it is an admission of weakness to ask for help or to express a need. But there is absolutely no shame in needing others. God wired us that way! He wants His children to depend on each other. We were designed for relationships.

How do we deal with loneliness as a Christian? Why does it happen and is it ok? Could there be times when loneliness is an important experience?

• It is not God’s will that you go through life by yourself. Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18, NIV). God hates loneliness. That doesn’t mean everyone should be married. It does mean that everyone needs a spiritual family, and that’s why God created the church.

2. By committing to each other. How do we do this in class? Colossians 3:15b, (Msg), Proverbs 18:24 (NIV)

This is more than a superficial, “to each his own” approach to getting along. It means we see the value of each individual in our class; we see each other as God’s creations and vessels of God’s grace. It means we commit to being there for each other, “none of this going off and doing your own thing” (Colossians 3:15b, Msg.)

It is by God’s design that we define our lives by what four commitments:

a. marriage

b. children

c. work

d. church

What does Proverbs 18:24 (NIV) say committing to each other means:

moving beyond superficial and becoming “a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

3. By respecting each other.

Respect begins with a Godly perspective. We must see one another through our Father’s eyes as eternal beings chosen by God for His purpose.

We show respect when we work hard at being:

1) Tactful, not just truthful.

• Thinking before we speak, knowing that the way you say something will influence the way it’s received. Before you speak frankly to someone, ask yourself, “Why am I saying this? Will my words build them up or tear them down?”

2) Understanding, not demanding.

• By treating others the way we would want to be treated. How do you want people to deal with you – understandingly or demanding? We should be considerate of one another’s feelings and stresses: sometimes people don’t feel good, and their having a bad day. Best place to practice this is at home or in small groups.

3) Gentle, not judgmental.

• Even when we disagree with one another, we should still be courteous and respectful – focusing on our own behavior first.

4) Polite, not rude.

• When others are rude to you, you don’t have to respond with rudeness. We are taught as Christians to respond with kindness.

Which of these 4-ways of showing respect to others presents the greatest challenge to you?


4. By supporting each other. 1 Peter 3:8 (NLT)

“… all of you should be of one mind, full of sympathy toward each other, loving one another with tender hearts and humble minds.” 1 Peter 3:8 NLT

We show tender hearts when we say to one another:
It’s OK to have a bad day.
It’s OK to be tired.
It’s OK to admit your mistakes.
It’s OK to say your marriage is having trouble.
It’s OK to confess an addiction.
It’s OK to share that you’re scared.
It’s OK to grieve a loss.
It’s OK to doubt, to be confused, and to cry.

We show humble minds when we say to one another:
It’s OK to be happy you got a new car.
It’s OK to celebrate that you got a BIG raise.
It’s OK to joyfully tell us you lost 17 pounds.
It’s OK to say you won the sales competition.
It’s OK to shout “Hallelujah” because God’s presence in your life is so good.

We demonstrate a tender heart when we weep with those who weep.

We demonstrate a humble mind when we rejoice in the blessings of others as though they were our own.

To support literally means to “lend strength to.”

5. By getting along with each other. 1 Corinthians 1:10 (LB)

“I beg you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be real harmony so that there won’t be splits in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (LB)


Make it your goal to love those who disagree with you.

When you find yourself in an argument with other believers, here are six biblical guidelines for getting along:

1) Let mercy guide your response.

In a conflict, most of us say we only want what’s fair, but God’s approach isn’t about being fair. It’s about grace and mercy.

2) Let God determine the truth.

Truth is only what God says it is, it’s not determined by our thoughts or feelings.


3) Look for God’s presence.

We are not alone in our struggles. Follow the example of David, who believed God was in the fight and that the battle belonged to the Lord.

4) Lean on the mind of Christ.

The Bible says that we should not lean on our own understanding, that what appears to be right to us may very well be wrong. Look for the conflict’s true source.

5) Lay down human weapons.

Paul calls using our own needs, “weapons of the flesh.” These include: manipulation, gossip, slander, ridicule, threats, blame, nagging, deception, and silence.

6) Learn to use spiritual weapons.

Prayer is a powerful spiritual weapon. Forgiveness is another spiritual weapon.


6. By being patient with each other. Ephesians 4:2b (NLT)


“Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.” Ephesians 4:2b (NLT)

God gave us two ears and one mouth, perhaps to tell us that we should listen twice as much as we talk.

7. By being honest with each other. Ephesians 4:25a (Msg)

“No more lies, no more pretense.” Ephesians 4:25a (Msg)


Bottom Line: Connecting with the church fills an important void in our lives. Connecting with the church gives us a place where we can share our true feelings; our differences can be respected; we are encouraged to grow spiritually; we spend time with people getting to know them; we find support for our purpose and we are accepted, despite our weaknesses.

Today I challenge you to join me as I look with new eyes at the opportunities to connect that are available within our church.

See you Sunday,

In His Love,

David & Susan

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