WELCOME
Good morning First Baptist. We welcome you to worship this morning. Be sure to remember your brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the week as you pray for them, and as the Holy Spirit brings their faces to your mind. Be sure to also connect with them in the ways that are possible. And if you have any questions or would like to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to contact the church through the church telephone and leave a message. (519-733-4144)
Songs
Call to Worship
We are God’s church:
We come together to worship.He has given us his Word:
We come together to learn from him.He has filled us with his power:
We go out to bring others to him.He has called us into his family:
We come together to share our lives.He has put his words on our lips:
We go out to tell the world about him.He has given us his Spirit:
We come together to celebrate.He has showered us with his riches:
We go out to share his goodness with others.He has freed us from our past:
We come together to move forwards.He has planned for us a glorious future:
We go out to live our lives to please him.
We are God’s church.
Songs
Prayer
Prayer of Confession & Assurance
Confession:
Generous God, you send us the Spirit of courage, but we have been afraid. You send us the Spirit of truth, but we cling to our illusions. You send us the Spirit of healing, but we cannot let go of our hurts. Holy Spirit of forgiveness, come to us again: shake our hearts, set our souls on fire with your love: send us out into the world rejoicing in your power. We hold out to you all our particular burdens of guilt and sin, and we ask for your help to live the way of your justice and love. Amen.
Assurance of Forgiveness:
The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. The Lord upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down. Your sins are forgiven!
Lop*sid*ed
Lopsided Family
Today's Message: Pastor Laura Gaffan
I want you to remember with me this morning.
What was your first introduction to Jesus like? How old were you? If you are brave, shut your eyes and try to remember how you felt. I was perhaps 4 or 5 years old. I remember a large room and a large flannel graph board. Jesus was seated on the ground on the board. On His lap was a small child, like me, and a little lamb. My very sweet, soft spoken Sunday school teacher explained that the big people thought that the children were too noisy and needed to be shoed away, but Jesus snuggled them close and told the big people that He loved the children very much and that they were very important. I fell in love with the man balancing a child on one knee and a lamb on the other. I remember the Kool-Aid and maple cookies that went along with this lesson. The potluck dinners and special events. Dressing up like an angel or shepherd for Christmas pageants. A deacon who thought I would be a great Sunday school teacher when I turned 16 gave me the Grade 3 & 4 boys. Even though that situation did not turn out well, (seriously, don’t give a 16-year-old a group of very precocious boys!) I never did stop teaching children about a God who loved them, a Saviour who came to give His very life for them and a Spirit alive and working in them. I was encouraged and loved. I joined the choir when I was 17 and even though the median age was about 65, they made me feel like a very important part of the team. In this atmosphere, I felt the protection and nurture of more extended family than I could imagine. This is the strong foundation of my faith story.
Statistically, 94% of us will be introduced to Jesus by the age of 18. 94%. I was not aware of this statistic until this past June at Assembly. Our CBOQ Next Gen team, led by Matt Wilkinson, Alvin Lau and our Tanya Yuen brought our attention to the need of our children and youth. Unfortunately, the church has lost almost an entire generation. When we look around these pews, we need to feel incredibly blessed that we do have families still with us. Many churches do not. I have spoken with fellow children’s leaders who lost 90 to 100% of their families over the past 4 years. They are grieving a great loss. Our Next Gen team has done much research with many other leaders and professionals to examine what has shifted and what we can do about it. These are Matt’s words from the Create and Cultivate manifesto that resulted from their work, “We need to get honest with ourselves as the Church, we can no longer simply go along playing the church and hoping things will get better – this kind of hope is NOT ENOUGH. We must begin to Create and cultivate a better reality.”
“There are 8.2 million kids and youth in Canada who are overwhelmed with loneliness, abandonment, isolation and fear of judgment. The next generation is being shaped more and more through subversive strategic algorithms and screens, unaware of how they are the product that is being created. In that context, the church must shift its ways.”
As I sat through their presentation, my heart was beating so fiercely and yet breaking at the same time. In a few short years, how could it have gotten this dire?! As God’s Gospel people, there is good news; there is something we can do. I believe it is never too late.
Their call that day is the same one I bring to you now: to build an authentic faith community and disproportionately invest in the lives God’s children.
What we need to become is a lop-sided family.
Let’s turn to Acts Chapter 2 for a peek at what God has given us to model.
We are just a few weeks out from the resurrection and ascension of Jesus in this text. A great sound of wind and tongues of fire have ushered in the gift of the Holy Spirit to the believers gathered together. People begin to speak in different languages. The scene is so bewildering and amazing that some think these Spirit-filled believers to be drunk!
Peter steps forward and gives an impassioned, Spirit-filled sermon, clearly laying out the fulfillment of prophecy in the person of Jesus and we pick up his message here in verse 36:
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:36-47
36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away – all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day – about 3,000 in all.
The Believers Form a Community.
42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
“Brothers, what should we do?” Peter’s words had stirred in them the desire for action, and a response is exactly what they got. Repent of your sins, turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Then: Go to church once a week. Put something in the offering plate. You’re good to go for the week. NO? I don’t see that in the text.
One day, one sermon and 3000 are added to the believers. From a handful to 3000! The LORD had added to their numbers, this was HIS work because it is HIS church! Ultimately, church building is God’s work. You read this repeatedly in the book of Acts. And as amazing as this is on its own, it is the description of what they do with all of this, and how they chose to live this out that takes my breath away. This is the birth of the church. These signs and wonders, these powerful words; This affected their WHOLE lives, and they chose to let it shape the way they lived.
The key is in the word fellowship in Verse 42.
I need to be honest; I don’t love the word fellowship. I think it is overused and quite frankly, when you look at the word in Greek ‘koinonia,’ I wonder if we are not using it and living it incorrectly.
One commentary gave this great definition of the word: “While some are tempted to substitute the word ‘fellowship’ for koinonia, it’s far deeper. Fellowship is a more surface-level, friendly relationship, while koinonia is full, intimate unity. And it’s an important element in the New Testament particularly, as the apostles became filled with the Holy Spirit and then helped establish the first communities of new believers, who shared not only in the Spirit, but also in all aspects of life together, from meals and homes to money.
The concept of communion is exemplified in koinonia. Communion, which means sharing, also represents the communion Christ offered the disciples in sharing his body and blood during the Last Supper, a practice Christians around the world do today in remembrance of the love Jesus had for us and the sacrifice He gave.”
In the Bible, koinonia is more than friendship. It is a divinely intimate, holy unity among believers – and between believers and the Lord – involving everything from spiritual oneness in the Holy Spirit, community life, sharing contributions from money to food gifts, to our very act of communion itself and to prayer. The Book of Acts is the first place we see the word koinonia in the Bible. Here, it is translated to mean a deep community fellowship among believers.
The passage goes on to elaborate about what this koinonia looked like. The first thing we read is that they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching. They were centered around scripture. That is why we are here today, we are encouraged, challenged, course corrected and connected through our study of the Bible.
They also practiced a communal-style living, where they “had everything in common,” sold property to give to anyone in need, gathered regularly in the temple courts, and ate together joyfully in their homes. Later, when Gentiles began to hear the Good News and also became Christian, we see the concept of koinonia used to include them, too. Back then, Jews and Gentiles did not intermingle and thought poorly of each other. But Christ at work in them through the power of the Holy Spirit allowed these separate groups to dissolve their former boundaries and become as one – true koinonia.
You and I are hard-wired for relationship. We need each other. In person. There is so much that is lost online or in an Instagram post. Social media is not truly very social. It actually turns us inward. Our virtual world is hijacking our physical one. Christianity is not a personal private experience. Do we need quiet private time with God? Absolutely! However, in our North American individual rights and never-ending pursuit of prosperity culture, we have come to regard our personal relationship with Jesus as being the pinnacle. Everything in this culture fights Christian fellowship.
The first believers did life together. This is the lop-sided life.
We are blessed to be able to meet in this building, but it is not the church. We are. Our text says they were meeting ‘daily,’ twice!
Yes, fellowship is gathering here on Sunday morning, or for Bible studies, or mid-week program, but there is a deeper meaning here. It is the person who shows up after a parent dies and lets you cry for an hour on their shoulder or the team who helps a new mom organize the laundry while someone rocks her colicky baby and fills the freezer with food. It is taking that teenager out for a coffee when life is less than perfect or completely fine and you just want to show her how much she is valued. There is a sense that it is not just the cleaned-up version of ourselves and our lives that we share. It is what happens when we are brave enough to let down our walls and do our lives together.
On Sunday, September 1, I began a new journey. Pastor Dave and Pastor Marlee prayed over me before I took the kids out to children’s church. What I didn’t know at the time was that there was a little group who was not happy about this announcement. They let me have it as soon as we left the sanctuary.
“Where are you going?!” “Why are you leaving us?!” I explained that I was not going anywhere and that I wouldn’t leave unless God commanded me to do so. They were unfazed in their disbelief. “Oh yeah, well why were people crying?!” Ah, the heart of the matter. There was a level of intimacy that they couldn’t fully grasp, and they were having a hard time expressing their emotions. “Sometimes people cry when they are happy too.” I explained. They feel the pull toward this church family, they are emotionally invested, even if they can’t express it and this should fill us with hope and challenge us forward. Sometimes their wiggling and loud comments during worship are distracting but thank God for them! Many churches would give anything to have that problem, and it is our privilege to help them “grow into fully devoted Christ followers who invite others to do the same.” Yes, it is right in our mission statement!
I heard the geese on that Sunday, honking together low, in formation headed toward Jack Miner’s signaling another change, this one in season. There is much about this bird that we who live in Kingsville particularly should know. Perhaps a reminder each time you see and hear them. They will also help me to explain my position and how I can help you find your place in this church family. This is what I learned about our famous feathered friends.
1. Geese Fly Further Together
The iconic Flying V is for more than just allowing the geese to see something other than the back of the bird in front of them. Each bird, as it flaps its wings, is creating lift for their fellow birds, allowing them to fly further with less effort. When a goose falls out of formation, they quickly realize that it takes a lot more energy to try to fly alone. Very quickly, they move back into formation and work as part of the group again.
We need each other! In Matthew 28:19 we read Jesus’ direction to the believers before His ascension.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
This is His great commission! We are a sent people working together toward a common goal. We each have gifts meant to work with one another.
2. Geese Support Each Other When Times are Tough (congregational care)
When a goose gets injured or sick, two other geese will fall out of formation to stay with the goose and stay with it until it is able to fly again. When they head back out, they work together to catch up with the rest of the flock. Isn’t that amazing?!
The team is only as strong as your weakest team member. Part of my new job is the help those of us in need. There are so many things that we can do to love and support those who are in need. Transportation, visitation, food, some home support, and prayer. These are vital areas that we simply can’t do without you. We have teams that will help us support one another and there is room for you to find or use your gifts in God’s family.
As many of you know, my daughter Courteney, recently had a significant surgery. A team of ladies organized meals for the weekends so her husband Tyler could concentrate on the kids and his recovering wife. As a team, I know they don’t think that was a big deal, but that kindness brought my sweet children to tears.
3. Geese Take Turns Leading (children’s ministry)
Due to the lift created in the V formation, there is no one creating any lift for the front goose. This leadership position can get tiring and exhaust even the strongest lead goose. To help avoid fatigue, the position of front goose rotates between all members of the flock.
In a group there is often one person who will take the lead, by virtue of personality or position. Leadership is hard! That is why teams are so important! We have so many opportunities in this building to teach, nurture, play, and love on our children. Even if you don’t feel qualified or trained, there is still a place for you! Children just need people who are willing to invest in them. I am a product of that investment as I am sure that many of you are! I am going to be doing some teacher training and nursery training soon. Please let me know if you are interested in learning more, I would LOVE to help you with this!
4. Geese Cheer Progress (encouragement Team)
Geese can be heard honking loudly while they fly. Scientists speculate that this honking is a way to communicate with and encourage the flock on their long flights. The geese in the back honk at the ones in the front, to encourage them to maintain their speed and keep flying towards their goal.
Encouragement is such an overlooked area. A card, a call, a visit. Is this something you can do? At this time in our world, encouragement is something people are craving. Often people simply isolate themselves rather than admit, I am lonely and disconnected. There is a team for this incredibly important ministry, and I would love to introduce you to our encouragers!
5. Geese are Loyal to their Purpose
Geese don’t alter their migration route significantly. They always return to the same areas on each flight. Their goal remains the same, move the flock from the North to the South to protect the flock from the cold or from South to North in the spring. As the goslings grow, they learn from the older members of the flock and in doing so, maintain the purpose or goal of the flock, year after year.
Here is something to keep before us. Our purpose.
Our mission statement is “We are committed to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, and inviting others to do the same.” Fully devoted. To becoming and to sharing this message with others. It is also in our core values:
- Disciples – following Jesus Christ as revealed through Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
- Missional People – making Christ known through words and deeds and inviting others to become His fully devoted followers.
- People of Prayer – depending on our Sovereign God in all circumstances.
- Relational People – loving authentically with integrity, valuing and encouraging everyone because they too are created in the image of God.
- Repentant People – humbly acknowledging our sinfulness and freely receiving the gift of forgiveness and grace and extending the same to others.
- Servants – men and women living generously out of our giftedness as a response to God’s grace in our lives, serving God wherever and whenever He call us to join Him.
- Worshippers – authentically responding to God personally and as a church family of all ages.
Sounds a lot like the Acts 2.
What are we capable of as a church that practices koinonia?
Before I am accused of painting a perfect picture, let me assure you, this can – nope – this WILL be messy!
Here is a poem for you to remember:
The Perfect Church
If you should find the perfect church
Without one fault or smear,
For goodness sake! Don’t join that church;
You’d spoil the atmosphere.If you should find the perfect church
Where all anxieties cease,
Then pass it by, lest by joining it,
You’d mar the masterpiece.If you should find the perfect church
Then don’t you ever dare,
To tread upon such holy ground,
You’d be a misfit there.But since no perfect church exists,
Made of imperfect men,
Then let’s cease looking for that church
And love the church we’re in.Of course, it’s not a perfect church
That’s simple to discern.
But you and I, and all of us,
Could cause the tide to turn.What fools we are to flee our post,
In that unfruitful search,
To find at last where problems loom
God proudly builds His church.So lets’ keep working in our church,
Until the resurrection.
And then we each will join that church
Without an imperfection.-Mavis Williams
There are no perfect churches! My sweet friend Heather Skeates has been known to say, “Where there are people, there are problems.” It is as certain as the sun rising in the morning. That is part of the process.
A few minutes ago I asked you to remember when you were first introduced to Jesus and perhaps your memories aren’t quite as warm and fuzzy as mine or this passage. The Acts 2 church didn’t remain that picture of harmony that we just read about either. Four short chapters later, we read, “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were rumblings of discontent.” I think they were Baptist because they were arguing over food. But later in Chapter 6 we read, “So God’s message continued to spread.” As you continue to read through the book of Acts and Paul’s letters to the churches as they continue to work through their problems, you find Paul repeatedly keeping the main thing before them.
10 Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have – Jesus Christ.”
Paul knew that the key is to keep the purpose ever before us. Jesus. He is our firm foundation, and He is the hope we need. We go no further without Him.
I shared my faith history with you. It is my prayer that this was yours, but if not, I leave you with this vision. How can we, as a lopsided family, make this someone else’s testimony in 20 years time? How do we ensure that when our time is done, someone else is here building on the foundation that is Jesus.
Paul knew that the key is to keep the purpose ever before us. Jesus. He is our firm foundation, and He is the hope we need. We go no further without Him.
I heard a pastor say that the early church’s “with-ness” was their witness. God’s glory was on display in the early church because Jesus became more important than anything else. They devoted themselves to this and their lopsided lives became a model for the world in need around them and future generations – us. Will we too honour the legacy of that early church? A community of true koinonia fellowship, selflessly living out the mission Jesus has called us to. A place where our gifts are used, and we serve one another with genuine love. May they say of our generation one day, their “with-ness” was their witness.
Prayer
Song
Benediction
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word. Amen.