It's always risky when I try to tell you how to be a "good" church member! I'm sure some of you are saying to yourselves, "What's the point of listening to this? I'm already a good church member." You may very well be right. But, I hope you won't tune me out or start chatting with the person sitting next to you. You may learn about some things you can do to be an even better church member! I've shared with you before that I see my job as being one of comforting the disturbed and disturbing the comfortable. It's up to you to decide which category you're in. Or, as that old saying goes, "If the shoe fits, wear it."
So, when I talk about how to be a good church member, I may step on some of your toes. But as I commented to some of you before about stepping on toes, that's what makes people dance. And let's face it, the Bible says that dancing is one way to worship the Lord! The Bible is also very clear about what our duties are as members of the church - members of the Body of Christ. It is that definition right there that is the first clue about our duties. For as members of the Body of Christ, we are part of a living, breathing organism. We are part of a Body of which Christ is the head. As a result, we must be active, we cannot be static. As in your body, all the parts are necessary and all the parts must be working all the time. The problem we have in the Body of Christ is that some members don't know what their function is. Some of you haven't yet discovered the gifts God has given you, so you don't know what you are supposed to be doing. You know how our physical bodies have that little attachment to the intestines called an appendix? And most doctors don't know what its purpose is? Unfortunately, churches also have those who want to be an appendix. They claim that their service is not necessary.
Peter says in our text today, "You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. " (1 Peter 2:9 NLT) What a wonderful promise!! You are chosen! We see people chosen all the time, don't we? Beauty queens, Oscar and Emmy winners (although with the writer's strike, the Oscars are now up in the air). We see lottery winners - at least the ones who hit the big jackpots. Then, of course, there is the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes drawing. This ad that I have reproduced on the screen for that big event was in last Sunday's paper. Have you entered yet? You won't be chosen for the $5000/week if you don't enter!
Even on the playground at school, kids choose sides to play kickball or softball or basketball or whatever. I was never very athletic, so you can guess that when it came to choosing sides, I was always one of the last ones chosen. I understand now that the PC police (that's the Political Correctness police) are trying to get such games banned from the school yard so no one's little ego will be hurt by being chosen last. But I'm happy to say that I have been chosen by God to be one of His special people and to serve Him in a special way.
You know what? You have been chosen, too! And it has nothing to do with athletic ability, or looks, or age, or strength or any other physical feature. God has chosen you and called you to be a part of His holy family. It may be that you don't know that yet because you are just here to find out what's going on. But the fact that you're here is a strong indication that God has chosen you. So let's look at what it is that you have been chosen to be.
The first thing we see is that you are chosen or "called out" of darkness into His wonderful light. Immediately, you must recognize that in order to be a good church member, you must see the difference between the darkness of the everyday world and the Light of living in the presence of the risen Savior. Gene Peterson in his version, The Message: calls it "the night-and-day difference" Christ has made for you. You see, so often people who are separated from God, people who are outside of the church family, live in darkness and don't even realize it. They act or talk in ways that show clearly that Jesus is not a part of their life - they don't even realize that they are offending Jesus. The language people use, or the lifestyle they live, is not the kind of language or lifestyle of a Christian. These folks seem oblivious to the fact that there are other people around - people who are offended by such language and/or lifestyles.
What a wonderful opportunity you have to help people out of that darkness into the "wonderful light," as Peter calls it, of Jesus. And you know what? When you find someone like that, you are called upon, throughout God's word, to share with them what it can be like to live in the light. It's kind of like helping a blind person to see. Here in our text today, Peter says, you are chosen "that you can show others the goodness of God"
That is the second thing to learn from this text about being a good church member. You are chosen so that you can "declare the wonderful praises of the One who called us out of the darkness into the light of Christ." It is hard for any of us to know what it is like to be blind. As most of you know, I have come close, and only have sight in my left eye. To be honest, it scares me to think that I could lose the sight in the other eye. It's bad enough to have limited vision. Most of us can only imagine what it would be like for a blind person to have their sight restored. I have prayed over and over for God to heal my vision and restore my sight. I know that many of you have been praying for that, too. And I appreciate your prayers. If, one day, God chooses to provide that healing, I will be rejoicing all over the place. I would know a little more about what it is like, for a blind person to be healed. It would be a wonderful, spectacular feeling for anyone!
That's what Peter is talking about here. He is saying that helping someone into the light and love of Jesus Christ is like helping a blind person see. What Christ has to offer is so wonderful, so special, so comforting, that it is imperative that you share it with others.
There are, of course, three ways in which you can do that. The first is with your words. You can share how you came into the light - what it was that helped you recognize the love and forgiveness of the living Lord Jesus Christ. Or, better yet, if that happened many years ago, tell them what He has done in your life lately. If you don't know what that is, it's time to get back into Bible study, and study Him and meet Him all over again.
The second way to help others come out of the darkness into the light of Christ is to let your deeds be seen by them. Live your life in such a way that they may "see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16 NIV) Peter said it only slightly differently in the last verse of our text today: "they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world" (1 Peter 2:12 NLT) When you are out in the community or at work or school, throughout the week, you never know who may be observing your attitudes and actions to see if you really walk the walk - rather than just talk the talk. Let there be no mistake about it in your daily life. Show people that you belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
The third way to help others come out of the darkness into His wonderful light is to identify and minister to that other person's needs. That is where the idea of a priesthood comes in. In our text today, Peter made that point saying, "You are royal priests."
A priest, of course, is a minister. But you know what? That's not talking about me. If you look at the back of your bulletin, you will see a list of the leadership of the church. The first line says, Ministers - All the members. You see, you are the ministers of the church. I am the pastor. My job is to help you do your job. To be a good church member, you must be a minister to the needs around you. You see, I can't be everywhere all the time. I can't be at work or school with you. I can't be in all of your neighborhoods. I am not a member of the clubs to which you belong. But when you are in those places, and you see a need, your job is to minister to that need - to be a priest - in the name of Jesus Christ.
That's what it means to be members of the royal priesthood! It means that everyone of you who calls yourself a Christian is a minister (or priest) serving in the court of the King of kings. Your job as a minister is to "declare the praises of him who called us." That's what Peter is saying and that's what is meant by the phrase, the priesthood of all believers. In a sense, it means that I am dispensable. You are all ministers to one another. Your job as believers is to serve Jesus Christ as ministers: identifying the need and discovering the resources to meet that need.
If you see someone who is hurting, someone who appears to be in tears or nearly so, if you see someone who is angry, or seems to be here in protest, you need to be a minister to that person. No one else may notice, but if you do, that's your job - to let them know someone cares; to be Christ to them. If you know of someone who is unhappy, begrudging, complaining, be a minister to them. Talk with them about that attitude and help them see the viewpoint of others.
Moreover, help them see it from God's viewpoint. If you find it difficult to do, just picture in your mind that it is Jesus you are serving, rather than that other person. Jesus said, "As you did it unto the least of these, you did it unto me." (Matthew 25:40 NIV)
So, you see, one of you may know a person who is struggling with, say, single-parenting. As a minister, a priest, it is incumbent upon you to come along side of that person and minister to their need. You might do that by saying, "I know how hard it was raising my kids and I had my husband's help. I can't begin to know how much more difficult it is for you. But if I can help in any way, please tell me. Say, maybe I could watch your kids on Saturday and give you an afternoon to get away and go to a movie or something." In some other situation, you might say, "I want you to know that I will be praying for you every day." In another, you might say, "I know someone at my church who has been where you are. Would you like to talk with them about your struggle?"
The other side of the coin is that it's okay to ask another member of Christ's Kingdom for help. You might say to someone, "Your marriage seems so solid, and mine is struggling. Could we talk about what you and your spouse do to keep the fire alive and the love growing?" Or you might ask, "Your faith seems so strong and sure, and I find myself unsure whether God cares about me or not. Could we talk sometime?"
In seeking to be a minister to others, you must do it to show the love of Christ, not for any earthly reward for yourself. Your service is not for the applause of others, it is for the applause of God. Your worship is not so others notice, it is so that God is pleased. My preaching is not so much that you are pleased, it is so that God is pleased that I am able to convey His word to you. My only hope in preaching is that somehow I can make His word plain enough that you understand and act on it. A woman said to her pastor at the door one Sunday, "You gave me a lot to think about today." He replied: "That's too bad, I was hoping I gave you something to move you to action."
I said it a little earlier, but it bears repeating: If you see someone who is hurting, someone who appears to be in tears or nearly so, if you see someone who is angry, or seems to be here in protest, you need to be a minister to that person. No one else may notice, but if you do, that's your job - to let them know someone cares; to be Christ to them. If you know of someone who is unhappy, begrudging, complaining, be a minister to them. Talk with them about that attitude and help them see the viewpoint of others. Moreover, help them see it from God's viewpoint.
Too often, we find people who participate in the life of a church because, in their minds they think, "I work and serve and minister because it makes me feel good." Others worship and serve because, for them, to be noticed by others is the reward they need - it provides the strokes that keep them going. Others serve to salve their conscience, thinking that it will atone for their failure to please God.. Timothy Keller wrote: "Pastors often hear, 'I work my fingers to the bone in this church, and what thanks do I get?' Is that the way it is? Your service was for thanks? Are you in your right mind? Servanthood begins where gratitude and applause end." After all, Jesus did the work of atonement. We worship and serve to say thanks to Him.
I think I've shared this story with you before, but it is so compelling and illustrative of ministering to the needs of others, that I want to share it again. Former televangelist Jim Bakker speaks of events that occurred immediately after his release from prison: When I was transferred to my last prison, Franklin [Graham] said he wanted to help me out when I got out--with a job, a house to live in, and a car. It was my fifth Christmas in prison. I thought it over and said, "Franklin, you can't do this. It will hurt you. The Grahams don't need my baggage." He looked at me and he said, "Jim, you were my friend in the past and you are my friend now. If anyone doesn't like it, I'm looking for a fight."
So when I got out of prison, the Grahams sponsored me and paid for a house for me to live in and gave me a car to drive. The first Sunday out, Ruth Graham called the halfway house I was living in at the Salvation Army and asked permission for me to go to the Montreat Presbyterian Church with her that Sunday morning. When I got there, the pastor welcomed me and sat me with the Graham family. There were like two whole rows of them--I think every Graham aunt and uncle and cousin was there. The organ began playing and the place was full except for a seat next to me. Then the doors opened and in walked Ruth Graham. She walked down that aisle and sat next to inmate 07407-058. I had only been out of prison 48 hours, but she told the world that morning that Jim Bakker was her friend.
Afterwards, she had me up to their cabin for dinner. When she asked me for some addresses, I pulled this envelope out of my pocket to look for them--in prison you're not allowed to have a wallet, so you just carry an envelope. She asked, "Don't you have a wallet?" And I said, "Well, yeah, this is my wallet." After five years of brainwashing in prison you think an envelope is a wallet. She walked into the other room and came back and said, "Here's one of Billy's wallets. He doesn't need it. You can have it."
So, in a nutshell, if you are going to be a member of the "royal priesthood," as Peter calls it, you need to live a life that proves it. Don't be what one commentator calls a "closet Christian." Instead, let your faith show no matter where you are. At school, at work, at the store, in the neighborhood, walk the walk and talk the talk of a Christian. Don't let worldly words enter into your thoughts or conversations. Practice your faith by helping others and being an encourager rather than a discourager.
You may consider yourself a "good" church member. You may think that you do a pretty good job of serving God. If so, I hope you are now ready to do more. You may be here today because you love the Lord and want to be with some of His people to worship Him and celebrate His love. On the other hand, you may be here today because it's the thing to do, it's just part of your routine. You may be here today because you are hurting and looking for someone to help you - but maybe you're afraid to ask for that help. You may be here because you are searching for answers or a word of hope and you haven't found answers or hope anywhere else, so you thought you would try God.
But the fact that you're here is a strong indication that God has chosen you. You may not have made the decision yet to accept His invitation. You may still be wondering whether He is really the answer to the questions of life that we say He is. If that's the case, I would encourage you to take a step of faith and try Jesus. He is the only one who can satisfy your soul. He is the only one who can and will back up His promises with action and support.
If you are ready to make that choice, if you are ready to try Jesus and let Him prove Himself, I would encourage you to do so today. Talk with me at the door, then stick around for a few minutes so I can have prayer with you.
If you have made that decision already, but you need help or prayer in a specific area of your life, I would like you to stay for a moment or two and share your concern and let me pray for that need. If you see someone who may need comforting or prayer or guidance, be a priest, a minister to them. Go and ask if you can help them, pray for them, be there for them.
We are all ministers to others. We are a royal priesthood. Let's let our ministry shine to all who are here and all out there that we see from day to day. It is our job to declare to all people "the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9 NLT)
Prayer:
Gracious, living Lord Jesus: Thank You for calling us to be priests or ministers to those around
us who need to experience Your love and forgiveness. Help us see the need and give us the
courage and reassurance of Your presence, as we seek to serve You by ministering to that need.
Bless us and use us to help others see the Light of the World. For Your love's sake. Amen.
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Sermon July 29, 2007
Sermon August 5, 2007
Sermon August 12, 2007
August 19, 2007 - Youth Service, transcript not available
Sermon August 26, 2007
Sermon September 2, 2007
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Sermon September 16, 2007
Sermon September 23, 2007
Sermon September 30, 2007
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Sermon November 4, 2007
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December 30, 2007 - Guest speaker, transcript not available
Sermon January 6, 2008
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If you have questions about this message or wish to contact Dr. Kile for further information, feel free to e-mail him at pastor@gulf-prairie.org