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Sermon Reources available here...

                      

small things: BIG PURPOSE Many of us claim to know and understand what the Bible teaches. Some of us have grown up with the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ. There are some of you that have no idea what the Bible says or what Jesus taught when He was here on earth.

Let me ask you some questions:

Do you believe that things that are bigger are better?

Recently I gave a couple of young brothers in this church one coin each. One of them received a gold dollar and the other a fifty-cent piece. There was a little argument that ensued because the one who received the dollar wanted the fifty-cent piece. You know why don’t you? The fifty-cent piece is noticeably bigger than the gold dollar. The one who had the dollar didn’t realize that his coin was worth twice as much as the bigger coin.

We live in a society that has crammed that idea that bigger is better down our throats. Literally!

McDonalds: Big Mac’s, Super-size things
Burger King: Whopper’s
Wendy’s: Big Classic

Bigger is not always better. More is not always what is needed.

Jesus was teaching one day and performing miracles when he noticed that the crowd was huge and he began to question the disciples as to how they would feed the people.

In John 6:5 it says that Jesus asked Phillip the disciple, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?”

John 6:6 “He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what he was going to do.”

Jesus had a plan: “He already had it in mind what he was going to do.”

Jesus had a purpose: “He asked this only to test him.”

Jesus had a passion: “When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” John 6:12

Not only was Jesus teaching and doing miracles on this day but he was teaching by using this incident of feeding the five thousand to show the things that were important to Him. It is in the middle of this story that we find our classic question for today. You see in the middle of the conversation with Phillip another disciple named Andrew tells Jesus that he has made a discovery.

One young man, a boy had brought a lunch consisting of five barley loaves and two fish.

The book of John says it like this...

John 6:9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

It is a great question. It embodies the sense of frustration that humans experience when they feel overwhelmed by a problem or something that is bigger than they are.

It is this question that I want to apply two ways this morning. First I want to talk to you about the church and than I hope to lead us in a personal examination.

We will use this same pattern that applies to the scripture verses... the plan, the purpose and the passion.

1. What is this church among so many...?

I have been slightly involved with the starting of new churches in the Nazarene church. I have also watched as at least four churches being launched in this area in the last year or so. It is not uncommon for people to ask when they hear of a new church starting, “Why do we need another church? Why don’t they just join an existing church?” I know they seem to be reasonable questions but one must ask how many effective churches are there in any given area. Churches are like anything else, they lose their effectiveness. Oh they many still be open and have the lights on, but they long ago lost their ability to do credible ministry. Most often this is because of an unwillingness to change their methods to meet the needs of the culture. Believe it or not there are less churches today in America.

In 1900, there were twenty-seven churches for every one hundred thousand people. In 1950, America had seventeen churches for the same number of people. At the dawning of a new century, that number has decreased to eleven churches per one hundred thousand people. On Mission, May/June 1999, p. 11

According to the respected World Christian Encyclopedia, some 2 billion Christians are alive today, about one-third of the planetary total. The largest single bloc, some 560 million people, is still to be found in Europe, Latin America, though, is already close behind with 480 million. Africa has 360 million, and 313 million Asians profess Christianity. North America claims around 260 million believers. (The Next Christendom, Philip Jenkins.)

In this area it seems as though there are churches on every corner. The question that could easily be asked is what are we as a church among so many...?

Jesus has a plan for the church.

Jesus has always had a plan for the church. He spent his three years on this earth establishing how to be in relationship with each other as Christ followers and with the world outside the church. In Math. 16, Jesus is in a conversation with Peter the disciple and He says to him, “...on this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”

God has always had a plan for building the church. One of the first things that happened after Jesus left the earth is that the church began to explode with people. In Acts 2:46-47 we read these words:

“So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

In Ephesians 5:25-26, we read how Christ loved the church and the fact that He plans for her to be without spot or wrinkle, holy without blemish. Interesting choice of words.

Jesus has a purpose for the church.

The purpose is very simple and stated as a mission statement for the church.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19

We have defined our role through this vision statement: Leading people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Jesus has a passion for people who don’t know God.

“Seventy percent of the population is un-churched. Christians are not working to get people to come back to the church; they are working with generations who have never been to church.” —Kennon Callahan

A lively church has parking problems;
    a dead church doesn't.
A lively church has lots of "noisy" children and young people;
    a dead church is fairly quiet.
A lively church often changes the way things are done;
    a dead church doesn't.
A lively church often asks for more program and mission money;
    a dead church tries to keep plenty of money in the treasury.
A lively church asks people to open up and risk involvement;
    a dead church plays it safe and never risks.
A lively church sees challenges and opportunities;
    a dead church sees problems and dangers.
A lively church apologizes, forgives, and seeks forgiveness;
    a dead church never makes mistakes.
A lively church uses its tradition and facilities to serve people;
    a dead church uses people to preserve facilities and traditions.
A lively church believes in God's future and "lets go" with faith;
    a dead church believes in the past and "holds on."
A lively church is filled with committed givers;
    a dead church is filled with tippers.
A lively church dares to dream great dreams for God's kingdom;
    a dead church has nightmares.

2. What are you among so many... ?

John 6:9 “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”

Once again, we take the pattern that Jesus demonstrated in this story and apply it to our own lives.

Jesus has a plan you.

We must become an outwardly focused church. For the most part we have done a lot of changing in here, within the walls of this building, but we must take it to the streets. You must deal with the five circles and where you fit.

    Are you a part of the unchurched community?
    Are you part of the regular attenders or the crowd?
    Are you part of the membership or the congregation?
    Are you part of the maturing membership or the committed?
    Are you part of the growing members or the core?

The Search Institute, based in Minneapolis, recently reported their findings on a study of 625 congregations. The research revealed Southern Baptist church members volunteer an average of 3.4 hours per month for church activities, Assembly of God members volunteer 3.2 hours, Presbyterians (U.S.) and Evangelical Lutherans both average 2.7 hours per month, and Catholics volunteer 1.6 hours of service per month. Researchers estimated the value of church-related volunteerism at $9.60 per hour. 21st Century Acts, June 1997, p. 4; Houston Chronicle, Nov. 2, 1996, p. 1E

None of what we want to do as a church will work without people like you participating. Allowing God to use the gifts and strengths that He has given you.

Jesus has a purpose for you.

We believe that we practice what God has called us to do by living our lives in the church by the following:

    Transformational Relationships
    Everyday Grace
    Adaptability
    Maturity
    Servant-hood

The only way that we can answer the question what are we as a church among so many is to work together in teams that will effectively do the work that God has called us to do.

Jesus has a passion “lost people.”

“When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.” John 6:12

It is everywhere in the Bible. Jesus cares deeply about people who don’t know Him. There are those who struggle with the word lost but they haven’t come up with a better word yet that I know about.

Without God, people are lost.
Without God, people are like sheep without a shepherd.

“Every statistic tells that the church in America today is becoming more and more marginalized and less and less influential. Fewer people are turning to the church for help. There are many reasons for this, but two stand out. First, as messengers, Christians have a difficult task, not because the message isn’t compelling, but because we aren’t always compelling messengers. In fact, we are often our won worst enemies. Society is no longer scandalized by improprieties among those who claim to follow Christ; it has come to expect them. Second, we have to tell the truth to a world that no longer believes in truth.

One of the most effective ways to reach people with the message of Jesus Christ today is through real and relevant acts of service. Honest, compassionate service can restore credibility to the crucial message we have to share. “People have given up on the truth because they don’t believe anyone can be trusted.” Before churches will be heard, they must reestablish trust. To establish trust, they must first show their ability to love.” (The Externally Focused Church)

The following conversation occurred between a canary in a cage and a lark on the window sill. The lark looked in at the canary and asked, "What is your Purpose?"
"My purpose is to eat seed."
"What for?"
"So I can be strong."
"What for?"
"So I can sing," answered the canary.
"What for?" continued the lark.
"Because when I sing I get more seed."
"So you eat in order to be strong so you can sing so you can get more seed so you can eat?"
"Yes."
"There is more to you than that," the lark offered. "If you'll follow me I'll help you find it, but you must leave your cage."It's tough to find meaning in a caged world. But that doesn't keep us from trying. Mine deep enough in every heart and you'll find it: a longing for meaning, a quest for purpose. As surely as a child breathes, he will someday wonder, "What is the purpose of my life?" - Max Lucado, In the Grip of Grace

You see it doesn’t matter what strengths and weaknesses you have to bring the Jesus. They may look like a few pieces of bread and fish when there are millions who need to hear, but if you will give yourself to Him there is something for you to do.

Video

Response:

Speaker: Lord, what are we among so many? We look out across the multitudes of people who make up this community where you have placed us. We see that they are hungry and we are filled with compassion for their need. But it all seems so overwhelming. How can we meet their physical needs, so that they will begin to trust us with the answers to their spiritual needs? We have so little ... we don’t have enough. Where do we begin?

All: If we bring what we have to Jesus, He will multiply our resources and there will be more than enough.

Speaker: Lord, what are we among so many? So many of the people we meet each day, whether we know them well or not, are searching for something they can’t even name. They seek to fill the emptiness of their lives with status or possessions or relationships. We know that they simply need more of you. How do we tell them that you are everything they could ever hope for?

All: If we bring what we dream to Jesus, He will multiply our vision and there will be more than enough.

Speaker: Lord, what are we among so many? Honestly, it’s easy to look at our community, our city, all those around us and see where they fall short. It’s easy to point out the answer for everybody else. But, sometimes we have to admit that we don’t embrace everything you want for us. We should know better. We have found you, the goal of this life’s journey, and still we can be so discontented and dissatisfied. How can this be? How can we have all of you and still not measure up? Why are we still so far from all we want to be?

All: If we bring what we are to Jesus, He will multiply our righteousness and there will be more than enough.

Let’s pray.

All we have ... all we dream ... all we are – we lay it at your feet, Jesus. We trust that even though what we give you falls far short of the need all around us, in your hands it will be transformed into abundance. Out of our inadequacies, you will provide for everyone who comes seeking you.

2004/07/11