Subject: The Disconnected Christian
by Rick Welborne
Ephesians 2:19-22 (NKJV)
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone,
21 in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,
22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22 (MSG)
19 That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building.
20 He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone
21 that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God,
22 all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.
19 That's plain enough, isn't it? You're no longer wandering exiles. This kingdom of faith is now your home country. You're no longer strangers or outsiders. You belong here, with as much right to the name Christian as anyone. God is building a home. He's using us all—irrespective of how we got here—in what he is building.
20 He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he's using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone
21 that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God,
22 all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.
--Today we are starting a new series called “Toxic Christians” and I believe it will be a time where we can see where we are in the body of Christ or maybe if we are in His body at all.
--We will look at very popular excuses that people have for not being faithful, for not being used in their gifts, for not staying in one place very long, for not being content with their relationship with God and the church.
Ecclesiastes 1:8 (NLT)
8 Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.
8 Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content.
Philippians 4:11-13 (NIV)
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
--We have looked at verses talking of being joined together and verses speaking of being content which leads me to our first symptom of a “Toxic Christian”. I just can’t get connected…I feel so disconnected.
1. Being connected is vital.
--Getting connected is probably one of the most popular subjects around churches today. Obviously, we want everyone who attends Life Church to get connected with us and to feel at home.
--We even have Connect Groups to help in this process…we make calls…we send letters…we shake hands.
--This series of messages will give you opportunity to get upset or to do some self-examination and possibly get some things reconciled in your heart and mind.
--I, of course, love when someone comes to our church and they say they know immediately that this is home. They feel the presence of Holy Spirit and they feel that they are accepted immediately.
--All of us here at Life Church play a part in making people feel comfortable and at home, and as we grow we may have to give up our special place in the pew. Lady going for Joseph Storehouse losing her seat.
--I believe one of the reasons people do not get connected is because they have unrealistic expectations when they come to a new church.
--They get in their minds…we will go in and 20 people will greet us, when we go in the sanctuary the Spirit will overwhelm us, 3 couples will invite us to lunch and bang…we are connected.
--That may happen but it may not…have you ever thought maybe you should come in with a heart of prayer asking God for His will to be done in your life…no matter who else welcomes you.
--Maybe you should come several weeks in a row and hear the heart and vision of the lead pastor and see if it is biblical and relevant. Maybe you should pray and ask God, can my gifts be used here for Your glory.
--Maybe you should see if the church has a vision for the lost in outreach and missions…a church that turns inward dies, but a church that reaches out, grows…God’s church may make you uncomfortable.
Bill Gothard – Many Christians live such unfulfilled lives because they have such unrealistic expectations from others. This is true in marriage and in church. Contentment starts with you.
--Your first impression may not be the rest of the story. Story when I went to Bartow First Assembly youth group and no one spoke to me when I came in, while I was there, not until I was leaving. Come back!
--I thought…there is no way I am going back because no one put out any effort to make me feel at home…a couple of weeks later the pastor called…what’s up? I told him…he convinced me to keep coming.
--Because I did, I eventually found my wife there…because I did I eventually became the youth pastor of the church…because I gave them a chance and gave it some time I got connected. Helped others get connected!
--Listen, if you come late and leave early there is a good chance you will never get connected. I know you may be new, but you reach out to others…you reap what you sow.
--When Paul was first converted and tried to connect with the church, he was not accepted…he had only killed Christians for a living…thank God he didn’t give up! I was not real accepted after my conversion!
Acts 9:26 (NKJV)
26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.
26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.
--Barnabas gave him a good recommendation and he became a premier voice for the Kingdom of God! What would the church have looked like if he would have been offended and just taken his little wagon and gone home?
2. Where you connect is vital.
1 Corinthians 6:17 (NKJV)
17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
17 But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
--Just a little more advice from someone who cares about you and wants to see you in a great relationship with God…you need to ask yourself…am I really connected to God the way I need to be?
--Does the church I attend or am thinking about attending give me opportunities to connect with God on many different levels? Questions you may need to ask about connecting with God and His church:
A. Does the church welcome the presence of God…do they welcome Holy Spirit to come?
--If everything that happens in the service revolves around man or around a personality I would run like they have the plague. Look for hunger for God and truth.
B. Does the church give ample time to worship the Lord and to spend time with Him?
--I did not say…do they sing your favorite songs…your favorite style…your preferred volume…does the worship leader and team lead you to a place where you have all your attention on worshiping God?
C. Does the church have time for prayer where you can petition God for your needs and also pray for others?
Mark 11:17 (NIV)
17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
17 And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: "'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
D. Does the church preach the Word of God in such a way that you know you can connect with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit?
1 Corinthians 1:21 (NKJV)
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
E. Does the church, or more specific, the pastors, give an opportunity (an altar call) for people to respond to…why? For salvation or rededication of their lives to God?
--Why would we be so cruel to preach about such a wonderful Father, a saving Jesus, and Holy Spirit Who will fill you and not give people the opportunity to connect with Him? Doesn’t make sense.
--Our church is structured in such a way that you can connect with God, and hear me, that is the only way that you will make it to heaven! Connecting with people is good but connecting with God is your salvation.
3. How you connect is vital.
A. Do not come thinking that you must fit in. If you belong to Jesus, you are in, and if you do not fit in, you can. Take the pressure off of yourself and just seek God.
Romans 12:3-5 (NIV)
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.
4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
B. Come in as a servant with the attitude of Jesus. Don’t come looking to see what you can get out of this arrangement but seeking to see how you can be used for God’s glory.
Philippians 2:1-9 (NIV)
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,
2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
--I truly believe having the attitude of Jesus will fix a whole lot of issues that surround this issue of connecting.
If the person seeking a church and the people in the church are servants…connection will happen.
C. Give yourself time to connect, and give the body you are connecting to time also.
--We live in scary times where not everyone is who they say or what they say. By faithfulness, consistency, and time people will see you for who you are.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 (NIV)
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
D. Finally, become mature in the Lord and realize no church is going to be perfect.
Philippians 3:13-15 (NIV)
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
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