Membership Is Caring

Ephesians 4:1-7

A Sermon by Dr. Neil Chadwick


About ten days following the terrorist attack on New York and Washington, a "talking head" on a popular news show was asked if passengers would now begin to be told what to do if confronted with a situation such as took place on the four hijacked flights on September 11. The fact is, at least one pilot has already done that.

It happened on United's Flight 564 out of Denver International Airport. When the doors were locked, and the plane was ready to taxi to the end of the runway, the pilot spoke to the passengers on the plane's public address system. Among other things, he told them if someone let it be known that they intended to take over the plane, all the passengers should immediately "stand up and immediately throw things at that person - pillows, books, magazines, eyeglasses, shoes - anything that will throw him off balance and distract his attention." Then they should rush him and engulf him in a blanket and hold him down until the plane could land at the nearest airport where the authorities would take over.

For me, that was interesting, but what really caught my attention was what he said next, "Now, since we're a family for the next few hours, I'll ask you to turn to the person next to you, introduce yourself, tell them a little about yourself and ask them to do the same."

We have been told that since this tragic event at the World Trade Center, New York City has suddenly ceased to be a "city of strangers". It's somewhat sad to realize that only in crisis do we seem ready to allow the barriers to drop and begin to truly caring for one another.

It occurs to me that many churches could profit from being talked to in the same way as the passengers on Flight #564. "Since we're a family for the [next hour and a half], I'll ask you to turn to the person next to you, introduce yourself, tell them a little about yourself and ask them to do the same." Do you agree? Well then, do it right now!

Today's message is the second in a series of four on the subject of "Membership" - we hope to make the point that "Membership is Caring."

In our language, there are many definitions of "love"; we use a great variety of words to express different facets of this wonderful experience we call love. A short list of synonyms might include such words as: affection, concern, support, empathy, sensitivity, compassion; love is present when there are warm or deep feelings, personal interest, understanding, intimacy, and sometimes confrontation.

For this second message on Membership, we have chosen "Caring".

When the church gathers, it loves, and provokes love - it cares, it provokes caring. ". . . provoke one another to love and good works. Forsake not the gathering of yourselves together . . . ." (Hebrews 10:24,25)

First, notice that in Ephesians 4:2, four virtues of Love are named: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

The Four Virtues of Love are:

Humility -

    We have the great example of Jesus noted in Philippians 2:2,3;
    We love to quote, "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you", but often fail to notice that this is preceded by the directive "humble yourselves".(I Peter 5:6); and
    When Paul met with the Ephesian elders he reminded them, "I served the Lord with great humility and with tears. . . ." (Acts 20:19)

Gentleness -

    This has to do with courtesy and considerateness as seen in I Corinthians 13:5 ("love is not rude"), and the "Beatitude" of Matthew 5:5, "Blessed are the meek". Some would rather say, "Cursed are the meek, for they shall inherit nothing" - but this certainly is not the way of love.

Patience -
    This is steadfastness - don't give up easily on people you care about, for love perseveres (I Corinthians 13:4).

Forbearance -

    This requires putting up with one another, discerning and avoiding battles over surface issues while not ignoring what is truly harmful.

Note also Colossians 3:12-14, which is a parallel text: "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

According to this text, love is like a top-coat, there must be something underneath. Clearly, it is vain to say "I love you" when there is an air of superiority, little consideration for the needs and feelings of others, impatience, and a low threshold of aggravation.

We also want to point out that within the church today are two special spheres for caring.

First, the church provides for a mixed racial environment.

    In this regard, the church must be prepared to lead the way. While there is a noticeable contemporary increase in racial violence, the church must demonstrate an increase of love and acceptance. We must make sure our caring crosses racial boundaries. The best example of this is given by Jesus in His famous story of the Good Samaritan. The story isn't just about helping someone in distress, it's about going out of our way to show love towards those who are different from us. And this doesn't just have to do with color differences, but also with ethnic, economic, cultural, and even religious difference.

Secondly, we must target the neediest among us as the object of our care.

    It's been a while now, but many here will remember the craze over "bean babies". Some people were spending up to $2,000 for one of the out of circulation types! In the mean time, millions of people were experiencing abject poverty. How I wish I could take you all with me to India, just once. I'd like you to hear the sound of the frail child at your elbow saying "Hello, Uncle. One Rupee, Uncle; one Rupee Uncle." If you've read today's bulletin, you've seen that we want to double the wardrobes of village pastors by giving them one shirt and one pair of pants. Men, check your own closet, and if you have more than two shirts and pants, would you give one of each? And talk to your neighbors, tell them, "Our Pastor is going to India, do you have a pair of pants and a shirt he could take to give to a village pastor there?"

    We're reminded that the office we now call "Deacon" was initiated in order to give adequate leadership to the matter of helping the poor widows, and when the Christians in Jerusalem experienced a time of famine, Paul went from church to church making a collection to help their brethren in distress. In our own church, I have often been impressed because whenever a need is even hinted at, there's always someone who steps up to say they would like to help. That's what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ, to be a giver and receiver of care.

    When we seek to help the neediest, it is a practice of love with no expectation of a return.

Several years ago our denomination sponsored a multi-media campaign with the slogan, "Hurting? God Cares." There were radio spots, billboards and bumper stickers. During that time I happened to overhear a conversation in which one person, having noticed my bumper sticker, was speaking lightly of it to his friend. At first I was upset, but after a while I came to understand the point this person was making. Certainly God cares, but what is needed is a human demonstration of that care.

What can we do to see to it that caring increases? Here are some simple suggestions related to the Four Virtues of Love:

    Humility - Repent from pride.

    Gentleness - Practice small acts of kindness - smile, touch, listen.

    Patience - Don't give up, even if you feel you're the only one.

    Forbearance - Relax.

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