November 4, 2007

Why?

Why the Church?

Ephesians 4:1-6

Opening Words: There are five basic questions. There is who, what, when, where and why. Each question is important but the most probing question is the question of why. When you ask why, it means you are digging below the surface. It means you are trying to understand the complete situation or concept. It means you are using the brain that God has given you. Never underestimate the question of why?

This is sermon number seven in an eight part sermon series I have called, Why? Why does the church cling to certain practices and beliefs? There is more to it than simply tradition. To date we have looked at Jesus, the Bible, communion, baptism, missions and fellowship. Today, on All Saints Sunday, we answer the question why the church? What makes the church different from any other organization? We are instructed this morning from the fourth chapter from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 4:1-6 ¹As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ²Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— ⁵one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

In the 17^th century King Louis XIV sat on the throne of France. One Sunday when the king and his attendants arrived at the chapel for the regular service, no one else was there but the priest. King Louis demanded, "What does this mean?" The priest replied, "I had published that you would not come to church today, in order that your Majesty might see who serves God in truth and who flatters the king." Some lessons are timeless. It doesn’t matter if you are talking about 17^th century France or 21^st century America some view church as a painful thing.

The other day I was walking down the back hall of the church. I glanced into room number 12, the class we are using to teach confirmation. On the dry erase board was a picture of a church. Around that picture of a church were comments the class had made about church. I love those students because they are honest and they reflect our society. Around the picture of the church the students had written Russ, the Bible, prayer. Someone wrote down Jesus. Those are great answers but the real honest answers stuck out to me. Someone wrote down, “Oh No!” Someone else wrote down, “can’t sleep in!” Still someone else wrote down, “Boring!” It was hard to look at those words but they were just being honest. They are products of our society. There are many who feel just like them.

Several years ago Willow Creek Community Church in Illinois conducted a door-to-door survey and asked a single question. If you don't go to church, why? Here are the top five reasons:

1) Church is boring

2) Church is irrelevant

3) Churches are always asking for money

4) I'm too busy already

5) I feel awkward at church.

Have you ever heard those excuses? Maybe instead of being upset with those people, we should listen to them. Maybe we should find new ways to tell our world about Jesus? There are some who never go to church. There are entire generations who are absent.

How bad is it? Research tells us that people who identify themselves as worshipers don't really worship regularly. The U.S.A. Today newspaper, reported back in 1994 on May 25 that 48% of church-goers attend an average of once a month.  You do the math. Once a month means twelve times a year. There are fifty-two weeks a year. Twelve divided by fifty-two is 23%. If you car started only 23% of the time how would you feel? How would you feel if your electric was only on 23% of the time? How would you feel if you only had hot water 23% of the time? What kind of marriage would you have if your spouse was faithful to you only 23% of the time? Generally speaking, we are a society of non-worshipers. Maybe that is the reason our society seems to be going in the wrong direction. We are spiritually parched. Our spiritual root system is drying up!

I talk to many people all the time about their local congregation. I hear the stories. You hear the stories. There are many ugly stories out there. Is their any organization that damages itself more than the church? We seem to specialize in self-inflicting wounds. There is a surplus of nonsense in local congregations today. There always seems to be a small group that runs everything. There is always a surplus of politics. The pastor is always strange and not effective. I have heard the stories because many have come to Western Reserve vowing to not be too involved again. They have come here to get a fresh start having learned from their last experience. We have become the church home for many recovering Roman Catholics, Baptists, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and United Methodists. I don’t care if you have been here for forty years or four minutes. I am glad you are here today because I believe it is important to go to church! We know the reasons people don’t go to church.

We have become experts in that field.

Why go to church? What does the church offer that is different from any other organization? Today, what I want to do is give you three reasons why it is important to go to church. Three things that the church offers that are unique to the church. You will not get these things at the bowling alley, Kiwanis Club, AARP, VFW or the Eagles. These things are only found in the church. Let me say this clearly. This list is not complete. There are many reasons why the church is important. However, I only have time for three and I am going to be brief. I have found these three things in our scripture lesson for this morning. So if you are ready to answer the question “Why the Church?” say, “Amen!”

God

In the scripture lesson for today, Paul is encouraging the church at Ephesus to continue to be a united body. He does not really addresses any particular problem in the life of that church. He is challenging to expand their horizons in the faith. When Paul speaks of unity it isn’t just a unity with fellow church members. It is a unity with God, himself. Verses four, five and six say, “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” In that perfect church, there is a direct connection between the church members and God.”

When you come to church you should make a connection with the God of the universe. You should expect your soul to be moved. Worship is not just music, liturgy and preaching. Worship is connecting with God. When was the last time you connected with God? When was the last time you connected with God at Western Reserve? Let me say this clearly. If you have not experienced God at church, then we as church leaders have failed you. You don’t just come to church to see friends or get caught up on the news. You can do that tailgating at the YSU game. I believe you really come to church to make a connection with God. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” You go to church to experience God! You also go to church to learn the truth.

Truth

In the scripture lesson for this morning we are hearing the words of the greatest theologian who has ever lived. His words have stood the test of him. His words reflect a mature relationship with God. In a world that has specialized in half truths and outright lies, his words are the truth. One of the reasons the church exists is to educate you in the truth, the Bible, Gods' living word to us. What other organization will educate you in the Bible?

I am shocked by the poor theology of our time. We are both spiritually lazy and Biblically illiterate. Biblical truth and understanding have been replaced by personal opinions. We are ashamed to proclaim Jesus as our Lord and Savior because we may offend someone. Proclaiming Jesus is not politically correct. There are many who are more comfortable quoting Opera than quoting scripture. She is a fine woman but she is not the final word. One of the reasons the church exists is to teach you the truth. In church you learn the truth – correct theology – through liturgy, music, sermons and small group activities. If you come to church you are going to receive the divine truth. If you go to soccer practice you are only going to receive more human voices and human opinions. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!” You go to church to experience God. You also go to church learn the divine truths.

Hope

Verses four and five says, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called” The unity in the church will maintain that connection with God and as long as that connection exists we have a wonderful hope that will last for eternity. The foundation of our faith, the foundation of hope is Jesus. Part of that divine truth is that Jesus was resurrected. The New Testament says something that Opera wouldn’t dream to say. All of us of faith walked out of that tomb with Jesus. We are going to heaven because of Jesus sacrificial death. We are saved by grace and by grace, alone. Someday we are going to be reunited with all the people we have missed. Death is not the end. It is just a momentary separation.

This is All Saints Sunday. The good news is in the past twelve months we have welcomed 26 new members to our church. The bad news is we have lost 14 wonderful people to death. They were wonderful people. I miss them. I learned from them. They stood with us but now we are separated from them. Let us remember those individuals now: Phyllis Siersdorfer, Walter Stanley, Mary Ruth Bowers, LaRue Gray, Phyllis Wallis, Joe Hammerton, Albert Wilkes, Helen Hull, Celia Grasso, Dorothy Smith, Marge Olin, John Waddell, Clarabel Rhodes, and Doris James.

Why the church? We come to church to connect with God. We come to church to learn the truth. We come to church to receive hope. For those of us who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, death is not the end. It is just a momentary separation.

Jesse Ventura has been in the news a great deal over the past few years. As you know, he was a former professional wrestler turned politician. He was the governor of Minnesota. In was interviewed by CNN several years ago. He said that he wanted everyone to know that he considered himself a Christian and believes Jesus is the Savior. However, he also said he doesn't believe in the organization church. He said, “Organized religion is a sham and a crutch for weak minded people who need strength in numbers. It tells people to go out and stick their noses into other people’s business. I don’t believe I need the church. I can experience God at the lake or on a hill. I believe I can experience God in the solitude of my office.”

This is my response to the governor. I believe in a great big God! I believe you can experience God at the lake or on a hill. I believe I can experience God in the solitude of my office late at night. I also believe your best opportunity of experiencing God is at church. If you are not experiencing God at church then we have failed you as church leaders. There is nothing wrong with going to the lake or climbing a hill but they can not teach you the truth or give you hope that will last for eternity. As your pastor let me say this clearly, go to church every week because it will change your life. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Why the Church?

Ephesians 4:1-6

1. How long have you been a member of this church?

2. What is your most memorable worship service at this church?

3. When was the last time you experienced God that was not a church activity?

4. When was the last time you left church mad?

5. What is one thing you wished Jesus had not said?

6. Who taught you the most about Jesus when you were young?

7. How many on the list of 14 saints did you know? How many do you miss?

8. Who will you look for first when you get to heaven?

9. What is the greatest strength of Western Reserve?

10. Name one thing you would change about this church?