March 25, Fifth Sunday in Lent

Lesson: 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:5b

Sermon Title: Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way - Church

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HUMOR

Mental Test (1)

A noted psychiatrist was a guest at a gathering of humor editors, and his host naturally broached the subject in which the doctor was most at ease. "Would you mind telling me, Doctor," he asked, "how you detect a mental deficiency in somebody who appears completely normal?"

"Nothing is easier," he replied. "You ask him a simple question which everyone should answer with no trouble. If he hesitates, that puts you on the track."

"What sort of question?"

"Well, you might ask him, 'Captain Cook made three trips around the world and died during one of them. Which one?'"

The editor thought a moment, then said with a nervous laugh, "You wouldn't happen to have another example would you? I must confess I don't know much about history."

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INTRODUCTION:

  1. The Editor Host does not know much about history.

    1. You do not need to know much about history to answer the question.

    2. Captain Cook, obviously, died during the third voyage.

  2. Not to beg the question but what do you know about love.

    1. Begging the question is "an argument which begs the question is one in which a premise presupposes the conclusion in some way."

    2. This presupposes that we know love, which may or may not be true.

  3. We have looked at the phrase, "love does not insist on its own way," from different angels and viewpoints.

    1. March 4, Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way - God

    2. March 11, Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way - Individually

    3. March 18, Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way - Society

    4. Today, March 25, Love Does Not Insist On Its Own Way - Church.

      1. You may ask, Does not the Church have a right to insist on its won way?

      2. Perhaps we can answer this question is this way.

        1. Are we all to believe the same doctrine the same way?

        2. Are we all to behave, in all things, the same way?

        3. Are we all to conform to concepts of

          1. Dress?

          2. Music?

          3. Worship styles?

          4. Humor or lack of it?

          5. And more?

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MAIN BODY:

  1. Are we all to believe the same doctrines?

    1. That would appear to be the case in 1984.

      1. Statement of Faith (Old Constitution and Bylaws, July 29, 1984).

      2. Article IV: Confession of Faith & Covenant (I have included the whole statement here even though I only quoted and commented on three sections. This is what the Church stated. It is not what I believe.)

We adopt the following principles as expressive of our faith and doctrinal attitude:

        1. THE WORD OF GOD

We believe that the Bible is the Word of God, fully inspired, word by word, without error in the original manuscripts, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, preserved in its doctrinal purity to the present, and that it is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.

        1. THE TRINITY

We believe that there is one living and true God, eternally existing in three persons, that these are equal in every divine perfection, and that they execute distinct but harmonious offices in the work of creation, providence, and redemption.

        1. GOD THE FATHER

We believe in God, the Father, an infinite, personal spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, power, and love. We believe that He concerns Himself mercifully in the affairs of men, that He hears and answers prayer, and that He saves from sin and death all who come to Him through Jesus Christ.

        1. JESUS CHRIST

We believe in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son, conceived by the Holy Spirit. We believe in His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, and teachings. We believe in His substitutionary atoning death. bodily resurrection, ascension into heaven. perpetual intercession for His people. and His personal visible return to earth.

        1. THE HOLY SPIRIT

We believe in the Holy Spirit who came forth from the Father and Son to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment, and to regenerate, sanctify, and empower all who believe in Jesus Christ. We believe that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer in Christ at the new birth and that He is an abiding helper, teacher, and guide. We believe that it is the privilege and duty of all the saved to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

        1. SALVATION

We believe that all men are sinners by nature and by choice and are therefore condemned to eternal punishment in hell. We believe that those who repent of their sins and personally trust in Jesus Christ as their Saviour are regenerated-born again by the Holy Spirit, being freed from condemnation and given assurance of eternal life with God.

        1. THE CHURCH -- ITS ORIGIN AND FUNCTION

We believe in the universal church, a living spiritual body of which Christ is the Foundation and Head and that all regenerated (born-again) persons are members. We believe that Pentecost was the beginning of the Church since the Body of Christ is formed by the baptizing work of the Holy Spirit (I Cor. 12:13) and this was first performed on Pentecost. We believe in the local church, consisting of a company of believers in Jesus Christ, associated for worship, work and fellowship. We believe that God has laid upon the members of the local church the primary task of giving the gospel of Jesus Christ to those in their locale and to the whole world.

        1. HEAVEN AND HELL

We believe that God created heaven and is the eternal dwelling place of God and the eternal dwelling place of the saints in resurrection glory.

We believe there is a literal hell, an unseen state where Satan, his followers. and unbelievers will be cast into after judgment.

        1. THE PERSONALITY OF SATAN

We believe that Satan is a person, the author of sin, and the cause of the fall; that he is the open and declared enemy of God and man; and that he shall be eternally punished in the lake of fire.

        1. THE LAST THINGS

We believe in the personal and visible return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth and the establishment of His Kingdom. We believe in the resurrection of the body. the final judgment. and eternal happiness of the righteous with God, and the endless suffering of the wicked.

We further believe according to I Thessalonians that Jesus Christ will come at the appointed time, to receive His Church unto Himself.

        1. THE MINISTRY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS

We believe that the more spectacular sign gifts i.e., tongues, interpretation of tongues, prophecy, knowledge and healings gradually ceased with the completion of the New Testament. We respect those who hold that these gifts are still among us today. But it is our conviction that before the completion of the New Testament the plain teaching of the New Testament is that the more spectacular sign gifts needed some degree of order that would prevent their indiscriminate use. (I Corinthians 14:40) It appears the Apostle Paul taught that these gifts were secondary to those that instructed believers in faith and morals and that evangelized non-Christian. (I Corinthians 12:28-31) Tongue speaking was certainly not forbidden in those days (I Corinthians 14:39), but intelligent exposition of the Word of God; along with instruction in faith and duty was definitely superior.

Our firm belief is that the messages received by means of these gifts are not equal to the revelation of God in Holy Scriptures.

Though we respect those who hold that these gifts are still among us today, -- to promote unity in the life of our Church we desire that there be neither any evangelism or encouragement on behalf of seeking or use of these gifts in the services or the members of our church - but neither do we desire the forbidding of the gifts in the personal lives of those who hold to the other view.

We believe that God does hear and answers the prayer of faith, in accordance with His own will, for the sick and afflicted.

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    1. Our current Constitution and Bylaws contains a simpler statement:

      1. Article IV: Confession of Faith & Covenant

We adopt the following principles as an expression of our faith and doctrinal attitude:

        1. The Holy Bible is our only rule of faith and practice, with the right of interpretation by the individual conscience enlightened by the Holy Spirit.

        2. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only Head of the church and our only Savior.

        3. The Christian Life is communion with God and fellowship in the body of Christ, the Church.

    1. Sometime ago I put together a card, What Do Congregational Christians Believe?

Congregationalists historically have subscribed to no creeds and adhered to no statements of belief. However, because many people ask what is significant and unique in the Congregational Way, the following general outline of Christian beliefs is presented. The Congregational Churches are wholly autonomous and self-governing, therefore no two will be exactly alike.

      1. We believe in God, the Father, infinite in wisdom, goodness, and love.

      2. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Son, our Lord and Savior, who for us and our salvation lived and died and rose again and lives forever more.

      3. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us, renewing, comforting, and inspiring the souls of men and women.

      4. We recognize the Bible as the sufficient rule of Christian faith and practice.

      5. We hold that living in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ is the true test of church membership.

      6. We believe that each member of the Arena Congregational Church shall have the undisturbed right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of his or her own conscience under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

      7. We are united in striving to know the will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures, and in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord made known or to be made known to us.

  1. Our purpose is to walk in the ways of the Lord known or to be made known to us.

    1. In writing to the Romans in Romans 14, The Apostle Paul writes about judgement, faith and conduct.

1Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarreling over opinions. 2Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

5Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God.

7We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11For it is written,

"As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall give praise to God."

12So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

13Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of another. 14I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15If your brother or sister is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. 16So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. 19Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. 20Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; 21it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble. 22The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. 23But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith; for whatever does not proceed from faith is sin,. (Romans 14:13-23, NRSVA).

    1. What happens when one person is convinced that he/she knows what is best for one's self and for everyone.

      1. Colleague for whom we prayed.

        1. One person is attempting to act as conscience for all the church.

          1. 40 members have left the church.

          2. 15 youth have left the youth group.

        2. This person has no regard for the teachings of the scriptures.

        3. This person know best.

      2. You and I were not to judge the spiritual fitness of one another.

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  1. We are all at different stages of faith development.

A person once bought a home with a tree in the backyard.

It was winter and nothing marked this tree as being different from any other.

When spring came, the tree grew leaves and tiny pink buds began to appear.

"How wonderful," thought the person, "a flower tree.

I will enjoy its beauty all summer."

Before long the wind began to blow and soon all the petals were strewn over the yard.

"What a mess," said the person, "this tree isn't much use after all."

In late summer the person noticed that the tree was filled with green fruit, about the size of a large nut.

One was picked and tasted.

"Bleagh, what a horrible taste," the person thought, and the fruit was thrown away.

"This tree is worthless."

"Its flowers are so fragile the wind blows them away."

"Its fruit is bitter tasting."

"When winter comes, I'll chop it down and use it for firewood."

The tree took no notice of the person but continued to draw water and nourishment from the earth and warmth from the sun.

In late fall it produced a crop of crisp red apples.

It takes awhile for an apple to grow.

    1. It takes awhile for us to grow as well.

      1. It does not matter what mode of growth we are talking about, physical, mental, spiritual.

      2. Some understanding is necessary to realize not only the purpose but the way in which we can grow.

    2. It is important to recognize the help we need.

      1. AA describe themselves:

"A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others recover from alcoholism (chemical abuse).

      1. With some small changes this describes the nature and purpose of the Church.

The church is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others recover from sin.

    1. Richard Baxter (1615-1691) wrote what has become known as the Watchword of Congregationalism

      1. In necessary things, unity;

      2. in doubtful things, liberty;

      3. in all things, charity.

  1. Do these principles apply to the other aspects of our congregational life?

    1. Do these principles apply to behavior?

    2. Do these principles apply to the other aspects of Church life?

    3. Of course they do.

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CONCLUSION:

  1. We are the people not of doctrinal or behavioral controls, but of Covenant.

We are banded together as a Congregational Christian Church to maintain the worship of God, to proclaim the gospel of Christ, to develop in men and women a consciousness of our relations and duties to God and our fellow men and women; and to inspire each other with love for redeeming truth, a passion for righteousness, and an enthusiasm for service. To this end we publicly pledge our personal loyalty to Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, and we covenant with God and with one another that we will strive to express his spirit in our lives, both as individual believers and as a church; to live together as Christian friends and to submit ourselves to the government of this church; always working for its progress, giving liberally of our means for its support, and praying for its increase in efficiency, its purity in life and purpose, its peace and fellowship in service, and seeking in every way to make it an influence for the building up of the kingdom of God.

    1. Covenant recognizes that we are all at different stages of our faith and life development.

    2. It is a little like a marriage.

  1. A few years ago I officiated at a wedding in Franklin.

    1. I knew the family very well and the couple well.

    2. I wanted to use something that would help everyone to understand the meaning, purpose and lasting determination of marriage.

    3. So I thought of an old song, Side by Side

      1. I spoke with the Bride and Groom before using this song.

      2. They approved.

      3. I asked if they would mind if I sang it for them

      4. They didn't mind at all.

      5. As I sang the song the accompianist picked up on it, ikn my key, and we finished the song together, to much applause from the wedding party and the guests.

      6. I believe that the same lyric applies today to you and me.

SIDE BY SIDE

(Words and Music by Harry Woods (1925))
Sung by Kay Starr and Paul Anka

See that sun in the morning,
Peeking over the hill?
I'll bet you're sure it always has and sure it always will.
That's how I feel about someone,
How somebody feels about me.
We're sure we love each other
That's the way we'll always be.

Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money,
Maybe we're ragged and funny
But we'll travel along
Singing a song Side by side.

Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we'll travel the road
Sharing our load Side by side.

Through all kinds of weather
What if the sky should fall?
Just as long as we're together,
It doesn't matter at all.

When they've all had their quarrels and parted
We'll be the same as we started
Just a-traveling along
Singing a song Side by side.

We're all hunting for something
Some thing we don't know what
'Cause none of us are satisfied with things we know we've got.
We all forget about moonlight,
As soon as we've given our vow
But we'd all be so happy if we'd start and sing right now:

Oh, we ain't got a barrel of money,
Maybe we're ragged and funny
But we'll travel along
Singing a song Side by side.

Don't know what's comin' tomorrow
Maybe it's trouble and sorrow
But we'll travel the road
Sharing our load Side by side.

    1. It's tough to peddle a tandem bike (a bicycle built for two) when only one person is pedaling.

    2. I cannot do it by myself.

  1. Love does not insist on its own way!

Amen!

1. You Make Me Laugh [You_Make_Me_Laugh@crosswalkmail.com]

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