Called to Belong not just Believe
Although many forces continually seek to force individuals of our community to live in
isolation and fear or say that we have no right to claim an inheritance in the family, many
have learned the value of family in a new way. Every Sunday at Cornerstone MCC we sing
the familiar chorus, ‘I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God…’ as we offer welcome and
exchange the peace of Christ with each other. We are called to belong, not just to believe.
The writer of Hebrews said, “You should not stay away from church gatherings , as some
are doing. But you should meet together regularly and encourage each other…”Heb.10:24-
25a. Unfortunately, many people have been discouraged by churches that have misused
their roles. So, they say, “I can be Christian without going to church.” And this is true; but
it’s like saying I can be a baby without a family. Now it would be hard for a child to
survive, thrive and grow without the love and support of family members. Likewise, it’s
hard for a Christian to survive, thrive and grow without the love and support of a church
family. Paul said, “You are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s
family.” Eph.2:19b. Jesus himself described believers as being members of a family. “As
Jesus was speaking to the crowd…someone told him, ‘Your mother and brother’s are
outside, and they want to speak to you.’ Jesus asked, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my
brothers?’ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, ‘These are my mother and brothers.’
Anyone who does the will of my Divine Parent in heaven is (my family) my brother and
sister and mother!” Matt.12:46-50. His response is important because family is a powerful
shaping force. It is family that give us our identity. It is family that help us develop our
self esteem. It is family that calls forth and utilizes our abilities and best gifts. All these
things are true of any church family which is built on love. Let’s look at what the Church
really does and should do.
First: IT GIVES US OUR IDENTITY – One body with many parts, each having need of the
other. Rom 12:3b-5. Diverse, unique people, baptized into one body, by one Spirit…having
the same Spirit… with Christ as head. 1Cor. 12-19, Eph. 4:3-16. Your church should
establish your identity as a child of God. It should help you have self-respect and
confidence. It should teach you to be authentic. Our church lets us be ourselves. Our
church gives us our identity. A great poem expresses it this way.
“If this is not the place where tears are understood, where can I go to cry? If this is not
the place where spirits spread their wings, where can I go to fly? If this is not the place
where questions are ok, where can I go to seek? If this is not the place where honest
words are heard, where can I go to speak?”
Next: THE CHURCH HELPS US DEVELOP OUR SELF-ESTEEM – Paul said, “The hand
cannot say to the eye, I don’t need you. The head cannot say to the feet, I don’t need you,
No! Those parts of the body that seem weaker are really important. And the parts that
seem weaker, we give the most care to…1Cor. 12:20-23 Again the particular church you
attend may either enhance or damage your self esteem. But Scripture clearly tells us that
each member is very valuable, even those who may think they are insignificant. Your
church should emphasize your value and assure you of your right to a happy, productive
life. It should never increase your shame or guilt or anxiety. Its very purpose is to lift and
comfort and support. That’s what believers do for each other. Drive down Government
Street by Cornerstone MCC, any night of the week, you’ll see, our church keeps the light
burning. A poet said…
“I met a friend the other night, whose light had ceased to shine. I paused to let her take
her lamp and get a light from mine. A storm sprang up later on and shook the world
about, and when the wind was finally gone, I found my lamp was out. But back to me the
old friend came, her lamp was glowing fine, she reached out with that precious flame and
quickly lighted mine.” Come join the family at…
the Church which Love is Building,
Pastor Lee
Although many forces continually seek to force individuals of our community to live in
isolation and fear or say that we have no right to claim an inheritance in the family, many
have learned the value of family in a new way. Every Sunday at Cornerstone MCC we sing
the familiar chorus, ‘I’m so glad I’m a part of the family of God…’ as we offer welcome and
exchange the peace of Christ with each other. We are called to belong, not just to believe.
The writer of Hebrews said, “You should not stay away from church gatherings , as some
are doing. But you should meet together regularly and encourage each other…”Heb.10:24-
25a. Unfortunately, many people have been discouraged by churches that have misused
their roles. So, they say, “I can be Christian without going to church.” And this is true; but
it’s like saying I can be a baby without a family. Now it would be hard for a child to
survive, thrive and grow without the love and support of family members. Likewise, it’s
hard for a Christian to survive, thrive and grow without the love and support of a church
family. Paul said, “You are citizens together with God’s holy people. You belong to God’s
family.” Eph.2:19b. Jesus himself described believers as being members of a family. “As
Jesus was speaking to the crowd…someone told him, ‘Your mother and brother’s are
outside, and they want to speak to you.’ Jesus asked, ‘Who is my mother? Who are my
brothers?’ Then he pointed to his disciples and said, ‘These are my mother and brothers.’
Anyone who does the will of my Divine Parent in heaven is (my family) my brother and
sister and mother!” Matt.12:46-50. His response is important because family is a powerful
shaping force. It is family that give us our identity. It is family that help us develop our
self esteem. It is family that calls forth and utilizes our abilities and best gifts. All these
things are true of any church family which is built on love. Let’s look at what the Church
really does and should do.
First: IT GIVES US OUR IDENTITY – One body with many parts, each having need of the
other. Rom 12:3b-5. Diverse, unique people, baptized into one body, by one Spirit…having
the same Spirit… with Christ as head. 1Cor. 12-19, Eph. 4:3-16. Your church should
establish your identity as a child of God. It should help you have self-respect and
confidence. It should teach you to be authentic. Our church lets us be ourselves. Our
church gives us our identity. A great poem expresses it this way.
“If this is not the place where tears are understood, where can I go to cry? If this is not
the place where spirits spread their wings, where can I go to fly? If this is not the place
where questions are ok, where can I go to seek? If this is not the place where honest
words are heard, where can I go to speak?”
Next: THE CHURCH HELPS US DEVELOP OUR SELF-ESTEEM – Paul said, “The hand
cannot say to the eye, I don’t need you. The head cannot say to the feet, I don’t need you,
No! Those parts of the body that seem weaker are really important. And the parts that
seem weaker, we give the most care to…1Cor. 12:20-23 Again the particular church you
attend may either enhance or damage your self esteem. But Scripture clearly tells us that
each member is very valuable, even those who may think they are insignificant. Your
church should emphasize your value and assure you of your right to a happy, productive
life. It should never increase your shame or guilt or anxiety. Its very purpose is to lift and
comfort and support. That’s what believers do for each other. Drive down Government
Street by Cornerstone MCC, any night of the week, you’ll see, our church keeps the light
burning. A poet said…
“I met a friend the other night, whose light had ceased to shine. I paused to let her take
her lamp and get a light from mine. A storm sprang up later on and shook the world
about, and when the wind was finally gone, I found my lamp was out. But back to me the
old friend came, her lamp was glowing fine, she reached out with that precious flame and
quickly lighted mine.” Come join the family at…
the Church which Love is Building,
Pastor Lee
A Message from the Pastor
Rev. Lee Carlton
Senior Pastor, Cornerstone MCC
Rev. Lee Carlton
Senior Pastor, Cornerstone MCC
Click on link to the
left to hear Rev.
Carlton's sermon:
"When I Grow Up"
left to hear Rev.
Carlton's sermon:
"When I Grow Up"