Thankful for Our Church Family

Were living in a world where people are isolated.

They don't want to deal with anybody, and we have this feeling and we even conveyed which is I don't need the church.

I'll need the church. Me and Jesus we got this thing going. I I can watch my favorite preachers on TV. I have my podcast laid out.

I got the latest greatest book by David Jeremiah. I will need the charge is as if not, would you think with me your eight-year-old 10-year-old coming to you and say I don't need this family or would you do I do what I would do try that and yet that's how we treat this family is optional. I don't have to have this this group of people that's never been God's plan. You just heard a portion of the upcoming title thankful for our church family that has started on shot of Clearview church in Henderson, Carol I Clearview my focus is on making Christ visible from the way we worship to serve the love one another.

Come check us out at 3485 Oxford Rd., Henderson, or visit us online@clearviewb.org and join us for the rest of this week's message for my fondest memories growing up was to being around the family and having the family meals hospice. Remember those meals when they would cook my favorite dish or my favorite dessert with mom and dad and my grandma lived with us they would do as they would take their fertile order spoon and cut off a portion of whatever it is what it was cheesecake or something of that sort of that would take it and they would put it on my plate and the reason they would do that is because they were telling me they knew how much I liked that particular dish and they were willing to sacrifice and give it to me and see me. Enjoy and that brought them joy that brought them satisfaction to see me enjoy whatever I like. It was an atmosphere of comfort that family table was an atmosphere of assurance that we are here for you and be one the best for you. I have done the same thing with my children. You know how you carry on the same tradition, so when I see them enjoying a dish when they were young I would take a piece of that cheesecake for even at times pecan pie and cut it up and put it in their play and wash them eat it up and brought me joy, because all of them to have that same feeling of assurance.

The feeling of joy knowing that this is a safe place where people care about you genuinely care about you. By the way, when I talk about vegetables would talk about sweets and desserts and ice creams and things of that nature just want to clarify that is the family is where we learn how to love others family is where we learn how to live with others. The church is also family this is the group of people around whom you learn how to love other people and how to live with other people.

And unlike our earthly family which is temporal.

Did you know that look around you. These other people if they know Christ as their Savior. You will spend eternity with them and the amazing thing about it is, there is always a place at the table for more to come in. That's our church family were living in a world where people are isolated. They don't want to deal with anybody, and we have this feeling and we even conveyed which is I don't need the church. I will need the church. Me and Jesus we got this thing going.

I I can watch my favorite preachers on TV. I have my podcast laid out.

I got the latest greatest book by David Jeremiah.

I will need the church is as if not want to think with me your eight-year-old 10-year-old coming to you and say I don't need this family would you do I do what I would do try that and yet that's how we treat this family is optional and I don't have to have this this group of people that's never been God's plan and this morning. You learn how important it is to be thankful for the church family not say it right from the beginning. Clearview is not a perfect church but is one church I'm really grateful to God for and I hope you are as well. You have your Bibles with you, turn to Colossians chapter 3 starting in verse 12 where Paul talks about the characteristics of what makes a great church and will see how at Clearview imperfectly as you may think I've seen these qualities and I'm grateful to God for this place.

Colossians chapter 3 starting in verse 12. Let's all stand once again for the reading of God's word. Therefore, as the elect of God. Now keep that in mind what we have done as we have come to the passages were about to read and we rip it out of context and we'll apply it to our individual lives. That's not what Paul intended. He is talking to the elect of God is not about election. This passage is not about the doctrine of predestination, or any of that he's talking about the people of God. The context of this passage is collective, not individual Christian life. So listen again, he says. Therefore, as the elect of God, you people. The church, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering, bearing with one another and forgiving one another. If anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do CC this is in the context of the church family. What's more, Colossians 314 but above all these things put on love, what is it that holds us together. Love what holds our earthly family together.

Love what holds our church family together is the agape love which is the bond of perfection. Question for you before I pray and read get into the message. How do you see the church family.

Do you see the church family is optional.

Do you see the church family is burden so we gotta go to church or do you see the church family as essential and listen beneficial. This is where you learn should learn how to live with other people out there.

This is where you learn how to love other people in spite of their faults and their failure how you see the church family and are you part of the church family.

You see the door to the church is Christ. When you receive him as your Savior and your Lord. At that moment you find there is already a table set and there's a chair there's a plate welcome to the family meal meal that never ends in man the passage we just read from Colossians chapter 3, Paul is talking to the church as I just mentioned to you, he's telling them certain qualities I would say essential values of the charge family. This is how you should be as a church family will want to do this morning is look at this list and tell you how much I am grateful for this charge. Family. I'm not saying for a moment that we are hitting all tens on these values. I'm not saying that we are a perfect church by no means will say that what I am saying this morning is that I am grateful because I see these qualities. These values that Paul is good list for us in Colossians 3 and I for one, I am really truly grateful and I hope this morning you talk to me. I hope this morning you will say amen. I pray this morning that you will not hold back and say well maybe one day I'll speak out. Speak out this morning when I say some things about how grateful I am for the godly relationships in this church speak out when I talk about the preaching of the word, the teaching of the word in the Sunday school classroom say amen you grateful for your Sunday school teacher say amen this morning for the selfless ministry was of the things we'll talk about this morning. So first begin with the godly relationships.

Listen again to verse 12 Paul says. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, and then he gives us a list of qualities and list of values that should be in the church family. One of those values this morning.

I just want to look at them in the original language and hopefully get the depth of what Paul really intended the first thing is the word spunk. No Paul says the worst bronchi which refers to our vital organs. The Greek word is referring to the vital organs like the heart the kidneys deliver in those days they were. They were considered to be the source of our emotions when Paul tells them as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on this deep love this mercy that comes from within. When you are in the church family.

Be merciful to each other not just the surface mercy but something that comes from within.

That's the word spunk them, but the next word Paul uses is the word like Thomas like Thomas has the idea of compassion, but listen to this compassion with a little bit of lamentation with some tears, but Paul is saying here is, let there be some compassion with tears when you think about each other in the family of God. Now when you put those two words together. Spunk Noah and like Thomas.

The idea is often deep, gut level compassion for others that cannot be put into words that cannot be put into words. It comes from within, but you cannot express it is like a family bond and maybe some of your grouping tough situations and dysfunctional homes where people hurt each other instead of loving each other, so maybe it's hard to understand. I hope many of you know what I'm talking about that family bond between brothers and sisters. The family bond between parents and children were there is this deep, gut level compassion but you can express it as their spokesman, Paul uses these two words together. The idea is a 50 gut level compassion for others that cannot be expressed in words. Why is it that churches live contrary to this, that when we hear a bad news.

We immediately called the phone call a people and pick up the phone and we talked trash. Why is it that we do things so contrary when we hear someone's marriage is in trouble or someone's child is born of the deep. And why does it bring glee to us. Something inside of you should say I need to fast and pray for the family. Something happened to someone in your family.

How can you say thank God were good.

Here's another Greek word that Paul uses the word is crest holidays which has the idea of kindness is the opposite of harshness is always someone says active and alive and breaks out spontaneously in the life of the person who is led by Christ. So you you're walking around God bring someone to your mind you, you file I want to do something nice for you. Here's a piece of pie. Here's what the bring is a meal.

I just feel like calling you and encouraging folks delete these spontaneous acts of kindness. I am grateful for this charge family there.

People who do this I hope is happening to each other something else, another Greek word top-end offer, assuming which means a deep sense of humility is a reason why I'm giving you these words.

Okay, not just to show you that I know Greek. It has a deep sense of humility is the word that Jesus used to describe himself. Listen to Matthew 1128 come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden their people around you who are heavy laden their things happening in their lives that you do not know their struggling to singleness the struggling bits cichlids are struggling with a big bill. The people sitting here this morning.

Maybe that's the concern on their heart.

Something that their burden come to me. Jesus said, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest on this in verse 29 take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle. Here's the word that Paul uses for kindness and lowly in heart, when you come to Jesus. He is lonely he is horrible and what is the result. Can you read with me and you will find rest when you are around. People like this, you can rest you can drop your guard your safe how people feel when they're around you how to you personally. I was of people in my life. Maybe not here this morning, but I know some people out there. I don't feel at rest around the because I feel like I'm being judged. I feel like they're about to criticize their about to say something that I have to defend myself in this uneasy how you beat feel on people you make an easy want to get out of there. I am grateful for this church is a place where people rush to come here because there is this deep humility like Christ. Our time is running away is another Greek word power to us which means gentleness. That's one of the fruit of the spirit, another Greek word is micro to me other Paul uses, which is more than just patients. It is something that God does in us that helps us meet people with a generous and is self giving spirit and then he says in verse 13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another. The Greek word on a call my bearing means to put up with how often do you hear people say things like, I'm gonna put up with that. I mother put up with their talk about the church is it I'm to put up with that Paul says put up with it. There might be people in your den discharge building who may have said things and done things to you as they are doing ministry that you feel like with that one right, put up with it, forgiving one another. The word is covered so my which means show grace comes from the word carless. Colossians 314 but above all these things put on agape put on love, which is the bond of perfection love this family love one another and let the peace of God rule in your hearts. What we have done is we have ripped this out of context and say you know when you have these qualities you have peace in your heart. I have noted a is about the church family.

You know I'm grateful for this charge family because their people in this place were actively working to make sure there is peace. I love it.

How do people call me as a hit, looks also said this, don't you worry about it. I went ahead and answer the question. It's all good.

What about Mike, thank you.

Blessed are the peacemakers, so this is in the context of the church. Paul says the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called, what is that in one body both. This is not about individual Christians.

This is about the body and then and be that's the reason why I chose this passage. This message, be thankful I am grateful to this body because of so many attributes that I see every day.

Question for you today is are you grateful for Clearview both as a pastor I can tell you there are many many many times y'all have put up with me.

I had a bad day and you happen to come by and out and give the time of the day I was abrupt.

I moved on you and say well, next time. What did you do it put up with me. I put up with you to, and I'm grateful for you. Amen was a second quality word and worship. Listen to verse 16.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom and keep the context in mind. For some the charge context, the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. What is the word of Christ.

This is the word of Christ is the Lord about Christ, the Old Testament and the New Testament, the priority of this church is biblical preaching. Now it is my priority but I'm grateful for this church because it is the church's priority as well.

Did you know one of our core values of Clearview is that we are a Bible believing church that believes in the importance of sound doctrine and the need for a scriptural foundation for our daily life and church. The Bible is our sole authority for faith and practice. Did you know folks and I'm not here to talk about about the church is because in this community there are other churches that are doing the same thing I'm doing what I'm saying to you this morning is that many churches are not. The Bible is not the sole authority.

Lastly, the word of God to preach.

I spent hours I have certain questions I asked myself before I finally print out the message I asked questions like, did this message come from the Bible. It is immediate context is in its overall context, make sure it's the truth from the Bible. Is it clear enough to understand and to apply I want is give him preach and dazzle you and confuse you. I want you to obey the word of God doesn't magnify Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross doesn't draw the lost of salvation every message to draw someone to Christ. This is called the saved to obedience. It takes a while to prepare this and I'm so grateful for the team at Clearview that many times are things going on. A function on a Saturday or Thursday night or something else, they'll tell me I know you been busy you been booked up and you want to go home and work on your sermon. Don't you need to get that done.

We got this and I'm so grateful for the staff at Clearview. The word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another. What is teaching is a systematic explanation of truth and not just randomly preaching to preach this morning. I'm preaching something. There is a purpose. Our staff gets together and start the year and we decide what are the doctrines that people need to know admonishing is strongly encouraging people sometimes you have the correct people and by the way is not just in the pulpit I'm talking about this is happening in the Sunday school classes, the word of God is being taught is happening on was not Bible studies is happening in the circle groups is happening in the inner circle groups, but I listen to verse 16. Again, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Three things Paul says here about worship. Worship is also a priority of our church. It's the core value of Clearview Psalms 1 Asam Psalms. The Greek word is sound noise which comes from another Greek word solidly which means to pluck the strings is playing a stringed instruments. If I could keep you here throughout the week and let you see how much work goes into planning and prepping for a worship service. It will blow your mind.

Those who are on the praise team to know exactly what I'm talking about is a lot of work a lot of work. We have a new staff member descended the other day he said I did not realize y'all did that much for just one hour stringed instruments means we believe in using instruments in worshiping God. Some churches don't know what to do with that word. Here's another word helps the Greek word is home loss, which originally was used. To me, and point tree.

I know what you think some of you your Methodist hymnal. Your Baptist hymnal.

How many of y'all believe that Paul had the Baptist hymnal. Please raise your hand that were to handle his point tree that was recited or sung it means to sing about someone or something is not just Protestant hymns and a lot of those hymns.

But don't misunderstand me. Folks, it's just point tree that has been put to music. Somehow everything hymns have to be the old songs that were song 200 300 years ago. Don't get me wrong I love those songs. I love those hymns, but with every generation. New songs are written, that also arrived and you're singing them hymns.

Every generation should be writing songs that rhyme in praise to God when we say things like I like the old hymns and we should be singing the old hymns were saying to the young generation is you can never write poetry to honor God. Forget gets what they say will then see you. I'm headed to Nashville while headed to LA, to write secular songs and they would buy my albums and they will make me rich because the church doesn't want my poetry sung to God.

What a shame. And then we complain.

Don't belittle going to church or you drove them away. Another word spiritual songs. The Greek word is old door on David will begin the word adoration.

This includes songs that reinforce our beliefs and draws close to God. The last song we sang in the worship this morning was a spiritual song is in the past illness. To understand, listen to the Colossians 316. How should we sing these songs, hymns and spiritual songs should be singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord to tell you something. Be thankful for the church for its word and worship and I know y'all tank me out of when you feel common and say kind things to me.

Do me a favor hotel something to these guys who work in the back work on the front because most of time of the hearing that was too loud there watching you walk out, angry, and it breaks their heart. I am thankful for this charge family for his heart for the word. It is hard for worship is not perfect. We don't have it all together but I see the focus I see the balance and we need to be grateful and say hey guys, think of what you did last service that will folks what went up to the back and and told Adnan and I saw them beaming is the last one I promise Dawn.

The third thing Paul says godly relationships word and worship selfless ministry, selfless ministry. Listen to Colossians 317 and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus read with me if you can, giving thanks to God the Father through him. That's why chose this passage for being thankful for the church family. When you do things do it without any selfless selfish motives didn't do it because you're doing it in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ because it is not about recognition and discharges. I'm just so blessed to see to be part of a place where people are meeting the needs of people inside and outside were going across town Gregorio across the globe to meet the needs.

In Jesus name with tanks to God the Father through him. I am grateful. I am grateful.

I'm grateful for the nursery workers.

I don't have any children that age, but they come and they change diapers.

They clean the plays they do whatever it takes to make it pleasant for you to be in worship, grateful for the blaze workers who spend time with the children. I'm grateful for the Alana workers. I'm grateful for Kindle workers ministry joy, ministry, men's ministry did any cooking turkeys for acts they can be out here the night before Thanksgiving cooking turkeys and rest of the meal to for the women's ministry for all they do, I'm grateful.

Listen very carefully am grateful.

I'm grateful to God for this church family.

Thank you so much for joining us for this message. We are so thankful for the church family. God is blessed us with your Clearview he's brought so many people together with different talents and different gifts to use for the upbuilding of this body, for God's kingdom.

Are you thankful for your church family.

One of the ways that we show that stepping up and serving giving of our time to help meet the needs of others.

For more information visit us online@clearviewb.org for the sermons. Note, check out Pastor Shaw's blonde confidant shot.com