THE JOY OF BELONGING (8 OF 20)
by Roger Thomas
Scripture: Philippians 2:1
This content is part of a series.
The Joy of Belonging (8 of 20)
Series: Forever Living in a Whatever World
Roger Thomas
Philippians 2:1
Introduction: A schoolteacher friend had a plaque in her kitchen that every teacher should have. In fact, I'll bet some of our school teachers do. Underneath a desk with a big red teacher's apple were emblazoned the words: the top three reasons for being a teacher--June, July, and August. I've heard many a college professor say, "Teaching would be the perfect occupation except for one thing--students." Similar claims could be made of most places including church. Dealing with people wherever you are can be your biggest joy and your biggest frustration, often at the same time. Which brings me to today's big question.
Why bother? Why should a person bother getting involved with a church? Why not stay on the outside? Why not stay as detached and uninvolved as possible? Or at most, why not come and go, mind your own business, do your own thing, and keep people and the problems that come with them at arms length?
Honestly, there are some pretty good arguments for adopting such a philosophy. For one thing, you'll have to deal with all kinds of people--old people, young people, sick people, broke and broken people. Life is a lot simpler when you don't have to deal with people who think differently than you. They like things you don't like and don't like what you like. It could be music. It might be food. It might be fashion or even politics. Life is so much easier when you can screen the people you get involved with. That's hard to do at church. Churches have a way of letting most anybody show up. It's like Al said to Grace the other day. "Grace, sometimes I think we're the only two sane people in this world and sometimes I'm not so sure about you!"
So, I ask my question again, "Why bother?" Why should a person bother getting up close and personal with other people--especially at church? Our text answers that question. Let's read ...
Series: Forever Living in a Whatever World
Roger Thomas
Philippians 2:1
Introduction: A schoolteacher friend had a plaque in her kitchen that every teacher should have. In fact, I'll bet some of our school teachers do. Underneath a desk with a big red teacher's apple were emblazoned the words: the top three reasons for being a teacher--June, July, and August. I've heard many a college professor say, "Teaching would be the perfect occupation except for one thing--students." Similar claims could be made of most places including church. Dealing with people wherever you are can be your biggest joy and your biggest frustration, often at the same time. Which brings me to today's big question.
Why bother? Why should a person bother getting involved with a church? Why not stay on the outside? Why not stay as detached and uninvolved as possible? Or at most, why not come and go, mind your own business, do your own thing, and keep people and the problems that come with them at arms length?
Honestly, there are some pretty good arguments for adopting such a philosophy. For one thing, you'll have to deal with all kinds of people--old people, young people, sick people, broke and broken people. Life is a lot simpler when you don't have to deal with people who think differently than you. They like things you don't like and don't like what you like. It could be music. It might be food. It might be fashion or even politics. Life is so much easier when you can screen the people you get involved with. That's hard to do at church. Churches have a way of letting most anybody show up. It's like Al said to Grace the other day. "Grace, sometimes I think we're the only two sane people in this world and sometimes I'm not so sure about you!"
So, I ask my question again, "Why bother?" Why should a person bother getting up close and personal with other people--especially at church? Our text answers that question. Let's read ...
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