YOU ARE CALLED TO BELONG
Live Your Calling: What On Earth Am I Here For – Part 3
Last wk; 1st calling: You are called to be loved. (son/daughter)
This wk: 2nd calling: You are called to belong.
God doesnt intend for you to go thru life on your own
HEB. 2:10 “God is the one who made all things, and all things
are for his glory. He wanted to have many children share his
glory...” (NCV)
1st
lets review
o THE 2ND PURPOSE OF MY LIFE IS THAT
GOD FORMED ME FOR HIS FAMILY!
EPH. 1:5 “His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us
into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus
Christ.” (NLT)
In a healthy family, you’re taught WHO YOU ARE
1. IN GOD’S FAMILY: I LEARN MY TRUE IDENTITY
WHY do - wear brands? Rooca, Vans, Forever21 TO BELONG!
... stuff with LOGOS? TO IDENTIFY!
o But reality: Most of your identity comes thru relationships
son, husband, father, grandfather, friend, teammate, pastor
o If my connections are bad or broken- my identity suffers
divorce .. fired:... spouse dies WHO AM I?
(Majority of inmates – grew up w/o a dad)
ILL: “But my family was dysfunctional...broken.. non-existent!”
GOOD NEWS:
EPH. 2:19 “You are members of God’s very own family, and
you belong in God’s household with every other Christian”
o GOD’S FAMILY IS CALLED HIS CHURCH
1 TIM. 3:14-15 ”I am writing to you... so you will know how to
live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living
God, the support and foundation of the truth.” (NCV)
This FAMILY more important!
- Permanent! Will last forever!
- Your phy. family...channel to your spiritual one!
WORLD uses superficial identifier: short, black hair, Asian
People BELONG to political parties, ethnic group, nationality
o I AM CALLED TO BELONG TO HIS CHURCH
EPH. 2:19 “So now you are no longer visitors or strangers.
Now you are citizens together with God's holy people. You
belong to God's family.” (ICB)
1st words to humans “NO GOD
The longing for belong is universal!
ROM. 1:6 “You are among those who have been called to
belong to Jesus Christ” (NLT)
“ECCLESIA” (church) = “THE CALLED OUT”
Church isnt an event I attend. It’s a group I BELONG to
a relationship .. connection... association.. covenant
THE BENEFITS OF BELONGING
5 Bible Metaphors;\: Family, Temple, Body, Flock, Garden
o To illustrate 5 benefits of belong- I randomly asked
5 members to share what being a member meant to them
SONG
1 metaphor of the church: A FAMILY
st
God doesn’t want his children to be orphans or street kids
But what matters most is your SPIRITUAL IDENTITY
HEB. 2:11 “Jesus and the people he makes holy all belong
to the same family. That is why he isn't ashamed to call them
his brothers and sisters.” (CEV)
ILL: Had a bro/sister you were ashamed of?
ILL: CR vs AA “My sins are not my identity!”
By BELONGING to God’s family - discover your TRUE identity
VIDEO ; JEN GOULARD
o Gangs get tattoos. The identifying mark of belonging? BAPTISM!
ACTS 2:41 (screen) “Those who believed what Peter said were
baptized and added to the church—about three thousand.” NLT)
2nd metaphor of the church: A TEMPLE
Like a building erected for the glory of God!
1 COR. 3:16( NLT) (scr) Don't you realize that all of you
TOGETHER are the temple of God and His Spirit lives in you?
3rd metaphor of the church: A BODY
o Most imp: The parts had to FIT TOGETHER!
a beam ½ inch too short cant support anything!
A pipe-1 inch too long can connect–
To be strong & stable- everything had to connect!
We’re different parts... but we’re all connected to
complete each other and function as a whole!
1 COR. 12:27 (screen) Now you are the Body of
Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (NIV)
o ALSO noticed: lot of spare parts laying around IN the bldg.
A piece of pipe can be IN the bldg but not be A PART of it!.
3. IN CHRIST’S BODY: I DISCOVER MY UNIQUE VALUE
ROM. 12:4-5 “Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so
Like some of you – IN …but not really PART until connected!
it is with Christ's Body. We are all parts of it, and it takes
every one of us to make it complete, for we each have
different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each of
us needs all the others.” (LB) 5 TRUTHS
Why did God choose a building as an illus. of what church is to be?
BECAUSE in a bldg – connected parts hold each other together
-: Many times in life- you need others to hold you together!
2. IN GOD’S TEMPLE: I AM SUPPORTED BY OTHERS
Like a strong structure of a bldg -we support & hold each other up
EPH. 2:21-22 “In Christ the whole building is joined together
and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him
you too are being built together to become a dwelling in
which God lives by his Spirit.”
POINT: In a building, a disconnected frame has no support or
stability. IT WILL collapse!
You weren’t meant to go thru life unsupported /disconnected!
You need spir. emo, & phy support. Need to belong!!
1. Many parts. All different & unique.! God designed us that way!
2. Everyone’s needed to make the Body complete “I’m not imp”
3. We each have a work to do (Roles/Ministries)
If all parts- your body did the same thing – Redundant
4. We belong to each other not just believing / belonging
Did you know we belong to each other?
5. We all need each other!
What good is a eyeball detached from a body? Hand?
Write: I cannot fulfill God’s purpose for my life by myself
1 COR. 12:15-16 “If your foot says, "I’m not a part of the
ILL: LEGOs have 1 purpose: Created for connection!
Connected you can create cool thing!
Disconnected- a useless pile
body because I’m not a hand," that doesn’t make it any less a
part of the body. And if your ear says, "I’m not part of the
body because I’m only an ear and not an eye," would that
make it any less a part of the body? (NLT)
Never confuse prominence with significance!
ROM. 1:12 “I want us to help each other with the faith we
EPH. 4:25 “In Christ's Body we're all connected to each
have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.” (N
ILL: Membership Covenant-(explained in 101)
where we commit to helping/supporting each other
other.” (Mes)
Greatest epidemic- esp among younger people; loneliness!
More tech connections yet feel disconnected. ALL ALONE!
A disconnected Body part dies!
VIDEO GARY & CAROL LARSON
4th metaphor of the church: A FLOCK
Like a group of sheep banded together for safety
PS. 100:3 (screen) “God made us, and we are his. We
are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” (NLT)
Now that probably doesn’t sound too appealing because in
suburbia, you have no idea how sheep are cared for!
Let me read you - Bible verses PS. 23 & JOHN 10
JN 15:4-5 “A branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed
- Doesnt this sound more appealing?
Why did God choose a flock of sheep as an ill. of what church is
like? BECAUSE....
4. IN GOD’S FLOCK: I’M PROTECTED & CARED FOR
from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me. I am
the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me,
and I in them, will produce much fruit. But apart from me you
can do nothing!” (NLT)
I’m not on my own. I have others looking out for me.
I enjoy safety and security- makes me...
MORE CONFIDENT. Less ANXIOUS. You need this!
Point: A disconnected branch cannot bear fruit
But Connected: I have life-giving energy flowing through me!
o When you’re getting beat up in the business world..
o When you family or marriage is being strained...
o When you’re facing personal crisis
SINCE WTW: A heart to heart with you Teenagers.
- You are just as gifted by God as any of these adults.
- Your church NEEDS YOU to use your gifts
- Over 400 ministries & 1000s of ways to serve!
You need people who will step up to bat for you.
People who walk into your life…when everyone else walks out!
– Take 301 & find out your SHAPE What are you good at?
- Today: Grocery Giveaway (VIDEO PICTURE)
VIDEO: JUSTIN MUNCEY
God has placed in every church 2 kinds people care for me::
1. My pastors look out for me (‘shepherd”)
1 PET. 5:2 “Take care of God's flock, his people, that you are
responsible for. Watch over them because you want to, not
because you are forced to do it.” (ICB)
HEB.13:17 (screen) Obey your spiritual leaders and do what
they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they
know they are accountable to God.” (NLT) I take seriously!
2. My small group looks out for me
58 one anothers
You haven 5 basic needs in your life:
Identity .. Stability .. Capacity... Security ... Productivity
Another way: To fulfill your calling in life, you need
Power to live on
People to live with
Principles to live by
Plan to live out
Purpose to live for!
Where else will you get all 5 of these?
GAL. 6:2 “Share each other's troubles and problems, and in
this way obey the law of Christ.” (NLT)
JUST 1 Q:: Why should you remain disconnected,
when a church family like this has so much to offer you?
1 THE. 5:11 “Encourage each other and give each other
strength.” (NCV)
Who’s looking out for you?
God will use every one of your hurts, mistakes, sins to help
others!
VIDEO: MARK TARCA
CLOSE WITH A WORD TO 2 GROUP
1. To those not yet connected. Attend but dont belong
5TH metaphor of the church: A GARDEN, VINEYARD
Organic metaphor: shows how we GROW & become fruitful
JN, 15:1, 5 (screen) “I am the True Vine, and my Father is the
Gardener... and you are the branches:. (NIV)
5. IN GOD’S GARDEN: MY LIFE BECOMES PRODUCTIVE!
I’m able to make contribution God intends me to make with life!
o Many of you live long distances from family & relatives
- Many of you are single adults.
- Many of you are in a unsupportive family/marriage
WE WILL BE YOUR FAMILY!
o Maybe all your life- been trying to belong...
“I’ve never felt I belonged anywhere” REGARDLESS...
You are wanted here! You belong here!
1. Be baptized
2. Join me Sat. March 9, 8:30 am- 101 Member!
3. Get connected to a small group
2. To you already members; Fall in love with the church
o It is the hope of the world
o It is the only thing on earth that will last!
"Glory belongs to God in THE CHURCH & in CHRIST JESUS for
all time and eternity!" Eph.3:21 screen)
o PS. 23 (LIVING BIBLE)
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the
quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do
what honors him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not
be afraid, for
you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my
enemies.
You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of
my life, and
afterwards I will live with you forever in your home!
JESUS SAID THIS IN JOHN 10:
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life
for the sheep.
A hired hand runs away because he cares nothing for the
sheep.
But I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep
know me---and I lay down my life for my sheep.
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; and no one
can ever snatch them out of my hand.
Can you hear the care and protection promised in these
words?
o It i