Mission Illinois Offering
Revitalization, Scott Foshie
BCHFS Fall Festival was a great example of what we can do together.
Intro & Recap
This was 100% unintentional on my part, but during this series we have been talking a lot about the ways that the culture we live in in SOIL has changed over the years, and what our response to it should be.
The loss of community.
US Surgeon General, Epidemic of Lonliness
We’re seeing more forces that take us away from one another
and fewer of the forces that used to bring us together.
— US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
This comes from Health & Human Services because it has demonstrable, real-life effects on our health.
Over four decades of research has produced robust evidence
that lacking social connection—and in particular, scoring high
on measures of social isolation—is associated with a significantly
increased risk for early death from all causes.
— National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine
Our lack of close relationships is literally killing us.
We are a family of servant missionaries sent
to be disciples who make disciples in all of life.
Brothers & Sisters
We talked about adoption not that long ago, so I’m not going to belabor the point this morning.
See what great love the Father has given us that
1 John 3:1
we should be called God’s children—and we are!
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too.
1 John 5:1, NLT
A Radically Different Relationship
We cannot simply import our American idea of what it means to be a brother or sister into our interpretation of the NT. ‘Brother’ meant immeasurably more to the authors of the Bible than the word means to you and me—it was their most important family relationship.
Lee Eclov, Feels Like Home
The New Testament is the only place where the word has been found outside the context of a home. A first-century reader would therefore come across it here with a sense of shock; Peter really does mean that Christians should have a quality of relationships which is demonstrably different and satisfying, demanding a high and new loyalty.
Dick Lucas & Christopher Green
- Greek word “adelphos” (brother, bro/sis) occurs 271 times in the NT.
- the idea of siblingship is the dominant self-understanding and self-designation of the church.
At this point you are now prepared, perhaps for the first time ever, to properly appreciate what the early Christians meant when they referred to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Lee Eclov, Feels Like Home
This is serious business.
It’s a matter of whether we will be faithful.
You can’t feel at home in an organization.
Lee Eclov, Feels Like Home
But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
1 John 2:11
We are the people of God, not just a person of God.
Erin Wheeler
Implication & Application
I am not saying that we don’t do this. (talking to Josh)
I am saying we can be better at this, specifically Monday—Saturday.
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What would it look like if we were to truly live as the family of God in such a way that people could observe our lives in the everyday and see how God’s family actually works?
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Most obvious place to start is to ask: what does a healthy family do?
1. Families know each other.
There are jokes (mostly from old movies) that I can only make when I’m with my siblings… because they’re the only ones who will get it!
We have a shared history, a shared story.
Learning someone’s name is an introductory act of Christian love. We can’t dismiss this duty by saying, “I’m just not good with names.” If that’s the case, then you’ll just have to work harder at them.
Lee Eclov, Feels Like Home
2. Families spend time together.
In fact, this is the only way we will ever actually know each other more than just a surface level.
Natural family relationships provide the model for relationships within the family of God.
Grandma’s House
Drove by the road yesterday. Some of the best memories I have.
Imagine that place in your mind right now.
- It wouldn’t have been the same if we had been in a third place, like a restaurant.
- It wouldn’t have been the same if we had a time limit.
We need time together, unstructured time. That’s often the place where the best disciple-making actually happens.
3. Families take care of each other.
- Vanderstelt MC: agreed to give each other permission to ask for help—no request too big or too small.
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of
Galatians 6:10
all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
Families take care of each other, even when it’s a hassle. Older kids babysit when they’d rather be on their own. Mom rocks the crying child at 2:00 a.m. Dad gives up his softball league to coach his kid’s Little League. A man drives two hours to visit his aging aunt. Church families are no different. Caring for our brothers and sisters is a test of our family commitment.
Lee Eclov, Feels Like Home
4. Families forgive each other.
As God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive. Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
Colossians 3:12-14
Common Objections
”What about my ‘real’ family?”
This privilege of adoption into God’s chosen family allows us to work together for the common good of loving God and loving our neighbor in order to bring God the glory and praise due his name. We shouldn’t live as spiritual orphans. We should commit ourselves to a people striving together to make that glory known to the watching world.
Erin Wheeler
”What about my ‘real’ family?”
Some might say, “That’s not been my experience of family life.” (I’m sorry.)
- Sin warps the family in severe and lasting ways.
The Church should be the place of healing & restoration.
”What if I don’t agree/get along that well with X?”
Welcome to family!
It would be tempting to trade your church family for a group of friends who are just like you. Or to tailor your spiritual growth based on your favorite Christian thinkers or podcasts.
But what if issues and problems and debates exist within the church because the church is alive? What if drama happens occasionally because the church is full of real sinner/saints, a group of people who have next to nothing in common except for their love and devotion to Jesus Christ and gratitude for his great salvation?
Trevin Wax
Conclusion & Invitation
What ways are you engaging right now that feels like family? Celebrate that.
You will notice we say brother
And sister ‘round here
It’s because we’re a family
And these folks are so nearWhen one has a heartache
We all share the tears
And rejoice in each victory
In this family so dearFrom the door of an orphanage
To the house of the King
No longer an outcast
A new song I singFrom rags unto riches
Bill & Gloria Gaither, The Family of God
From the weak to the strong
I’m not worthy to be here
But praise God I belong
Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ
Romans 15:7
also welcomed you, to the glory of God.