I Am Friends Church
Becoming the Body of Christ
Pt 1 – Taking Ownership
Eph 4:1-16
Becoming the body of Christ. That is the topic I want to discuss with you over the
next few weeks. The truth is that the basis for this series comes from the fact that I
believe that the church in our western culture has lost its way. No longer acting as
the body of Christ (His hands, feet and voice) we have been reduced to living as a
country club for believers. Entertaining, fund raising, and partying have replaced
serving, sharing, and making disciples.
This series is meant as a wake up call for the church – for our church to rise from
the ashes of our culture and become the body of Christ. It’s time for us to again
become the hands, feet and voice of Jesus in the world around us. Time is growing
short and the task before us is becoming more urgent. So over the next few weeks
I want us to take a look at becoming the body of Christ.
It starts with a simple declaration – “I am Friends Church”. The truth of the body
lies in that statement – the church is not a place or a time or a service; it’s you. All
that is Friends Church is wrapped up in you. If we are a place of growth it’s
because you are growing. If Friends Church is friendly it’s because you are
friendly. If Friends Church is touching people it’s because you are touching
people. You are Friends Church – you are the body of Christ.
1) I Am – God is calling me. Paul encourages the church to begin to live a life
that is worthy of your calling. Have you ever thought about the wonder of God
calling you? There is something wonderful about being chosen – something
completely wonderful about being wanted. I am convinced that one of the
deepest longings of the human heart is to be wanted. Our world is built on
exclusion, segregation and elitism. Something about the human heart makes us
want to be one of a few among many. It makes us feel special. The truth of our
existence however is that most of us don’t feel special – we feel entirely
ordinary and plain. We are overwhelmed and lonely and broken. The reasons
films like Harry Potter, New Moon, The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and
others are so popular is that they play to the part or our collective hearts that
cries out for the possibility that the ordinary can become extraordinary. That
more than the captain of the football team gets to be in the story. Our hearts cry
out for something bigger than the ho hum. I want to tell you this morning you
are far from ordinary – you are called by God. You are the His body, His hands
and feet. You have been chosen, you have been called, you have been handed
the baton in the race and it’s your turn to run. Your turn to be the hero of the
story. Your turn to make a difference. Your turn to impact eternity with your
life. You have been called – you are Friends Church.
2) I Am – God Has Gifted Me (v.7) - The truth of this body of Christ is that God
has not only called you He has gifted you. He has given you all that you need
to fulfill your part. The wonderful thing about the calling of God is that He
never calls us to be something we are not – He simply calls us to fulfill who we
are. He has given some as apostles, some as prophets, some as teachers and
pastors – the gifts of God are as diverse as the people of God who enjoy them.
God has generously given each of you gifts to use in His service. To be His
hands and feet – to meet needs, bring healing, share hope, and tell His story.
God has gifted you – you are Friends Church.
3) I Am – God Wants to Use Me (v.16) – In big ways and small ways God is
using you. The church is not the individual – it’s the collection of individuals
all serving a collective goal. It’s each one doing their own special work to
make the whole what it is. You can’t help everyone – but you can help
someone. You can’t know everyone but you can know someone. You can’t
reach everyone but you can reach someone. Each one doing their own special
work to make the whole what it is. We are only as healthy as you are healthy.
We are only reaching people as you reach people. We are only washing the
worlds feet because you pick up the basin and the towel. God wants to use you
– You are Friends Church.