RELATED
. . .Connecting the Church of God Family
The following is a sermon using five segments from Related: Connecting the Church of God Family. As you examine the make-up of your local congregation, you may find it helpful to preach a sermon about the relationships we have in the greater Church of God family. This sermon links together five segments of the Related DVD.
You could use the following sermon and then show each clip again before the service over the following weeks. In that way, people would have the message reinforced. There are repeat themes in this message. That is by intent.
This sermon is a basic manuscript. You will want to include your own thoughts, illustrations, and style to fit your specific congregation. You have permission to use this sermon as you would any other sermon preparation resource.
Comments will be in italics.
Show DVD segment: "Related with Each Other." (2:14) This is the basic introduction to the Church of God. Show this clip at the start of the sermon without introduction.
As you listened to this basic presentation about the Church of God, you noticed that we are part of a family of congregations who are part of the Church of God. (If your church does not use Church of God in its name, indicate that you are part of this Church of God family).
Let me begin today by asking a basic question: How many of you were born and raised in the Church of God? (Take the poll and make your own observations.) The people who travel from our national offices in Anderson, Indiana, say that their impression is that about 80 percent of the people worshiping in Churches of God are not from Church of God background.
In many ways, this is exciting and good. A core belief that the Church of God has always held is that denominational names sometimes divide people; so we come together simply saying that we will gladly fellowship with anyone who is Christian. It has often been said that we fellowship with "every blood-washed one," which implies that all Christians should live in unity and harmony. Barriers that divide Christians should fall away.
You come to church to worship Christ or because your needs are met or because it's a good fit for you. The name Church of God means that this is God's church and that all Christians should be one in Christ without worrying so much about a denominational name on the door. As the clip you have already seen points out, we do not think of ourselves as a denomination but rather as a movement seeking to encourage unity within the family of God.
Yet the Church of God is distinct in many ways too. We are committed to each other in our family of faith. As a family, we are mutually accountable and interdependent. We know that we can do some things much better together than we could ever do them alone.
While we believe that all Christians are one, we do share common roots in the Church of God. We have a common history and common convictions. In some significant ways, our heritage has shaped us and continues to shape us today.
Several years ago, a neighbor built a house. The foundation on which it was built determined the shape of the house that was built upon it. Over the years, the house has been remodeled. A new larger foundation was added, and the house was expanded. Yet even today, the remodeled and expanded house is still shaped in some measure by the original foundation. Of course, the foundation of all Christians goes back to Jesus Christ. But let's look at the foundational beginnings of the Church of God.
Show DVD segment: "Related through Our Roots" (4:20)
Our own church has its history too. (Share some of the history of your own congregation.)
Our congregation has had profound freedom in making our own decisions and following Christ as we see best. However, there is always a sense in which pastors and churches are interdependent. The style of government of the church--sometimes called polity--is one that recognizes both our freedoms and our responsibilities to one another as you will see in the next presentation.
Show DVD segment: "Related and Responsible" (2:38)
As we come together, we have tremendous freedom in defining who we are. Yet there are many common elements that we share in the Church of God.
We share core convictions, or doctrines, of the church. The Church of God has no formal and ratified written statement of what we believe, which is sometimes called a creed. We tend to simply point to the Bible and ask people to study and learn from it with maturity and wisdom. Yet most of our churches share common core convictions, or doctrines. It is really amazing that we share so much in common within this family of faith as we share a common consensus in our beliefs. As you watch this next presentation, see how many teachings you can identify--both from the narration and the visuals. This presentation covers many of our core convictions, but not all of them.
Show DVD segment: "Related in Common Beliefs" (2:34)
(You might ask the congregation to state the doctrines that they noticed in the presentation. Or you might just give an overview. In addition, you might want to supplement this section by emphasizing certain doctrines or adding to the list of core beliefs.)
What we believe is very important. While our church includes people from a variety of Christian backgrounds, we teach what we believe because it affects our lives in so many important areas. If you believe that it doesn't matter what you do as long as you have fun, that affects the choices you make. If you believe that the most important goal in life is to build a career, that belief affects what you do. If you believe family is everything, that belief affects your priorities and how you spend your time. If you believe that life is more than this earth, that we are made in God's image, and that Christ came to show us how to be one with God and complete, whole people, then that makes a difference too.
Growing in wisdom and knowledge is also vital. Our culture shows great respect for sincerity. While sincerity is good, it is not everything. Would you go to a person for heart surgery who says she is going to operate on you with a new method never tried before because she had a dream after an extra-large sausage, pepperoni, and onion pizza? Sincerity is commendable, but if it is misplaced, it can actually do damage.
That's why our church has opportunities for you to study God's Word, discuss ideas with other Christians, and grow in maturity in your faith. (List some of the opportunities for growth and study, which might include Sunday School, mid-week services, and small groups.) Come and join us and examine what we believe and how it can make a difference in your life!
But we share more than common beliefs. A key reason that this church is part of the larger Church of God family is that there are some ministries that we can do better together than we could ever do alone. So we come together as a family of faith to work together. The results are exciting.
Show DVD segment: "Related in Opportunity" (4:07)
Note: This session is similar to "Related in Ministry." If that presentation better fits your needs, use that. In many congregations, people do not know who Church of God Ministries is, why their congregation supports Church of God Ministries, or whether their gifts are used wisely. This presentation addresses all of that, not just ministry information. It also includes contact information.
Our ministry to our community is absolutely vital. It demands your primary and committed effort. What we do and how we do it reflects on and represents Jesus Christ. I urge you to do your very best for Jesus Christ right here in our own community.
Yet I am convinced that any healthy church wants to make a difference beyond only that which would help them. A healthy church goes beyond its walls and beyond its community to make a difference for Jesus Christ around the world. So our church does make a difference. When you support these ministries, it is not simply a gift of money. It is a gift of hope, a gift of changed lives, a gift of vision for the future.
Over the years, our church has demonstrated our commitment not only to local ministry but also to ministries around the world. We have contributed for (number) consecutive years and made gifts of over (amount). (Call Church of God Ministries at 800-848-2464 and ask for World Ministry Advance. We can supply giving information to insert in this section of your sermon.)
But when you hear this amount, I don't want you to think only of dollars. Think of people--people who have heard of Jesus Christ, people who have received spiritual support, people who have been educated and have received medical help, food, and disaster relief. Think of the people who are doing these ministries in the name of Jesus Christ because of the gifts we have given. We have made a difference to many people around the world.
Church of God Ministries is one way that we come together as a family of faith. We are not independent; we are voluntarily interdependent. We are family, connected to and supportive of one another.
We do ministries together that we could never do alone. You make a difference in lives.
And there is more to do--in our local church, in state work, and in other ministries too, including this family of churches connected around the world. We are the Church of God.
In the early 1400s, the Portuguese were known as some of the best sailors in the world. The Portuguese flag had this Latin phrase on it: Non Plus Ultra, which means "no more beyond." These proud sailors believed they had gone as far as anyone could go. Then came Columbus. The Portuguese had to rethink their flag. Finally, it was changed to Plus Ultra, which means "more beyond."
As people of vision for the local church and the church around the world, you can join us in this great dream. For there is always more beyond!
