Pastor Andy Adams

Jesus’ prayer for his followers was that they would be one so the world would know the truth of God’s love (see John 17:20-23). Unity in the Church was of utmost importance to Jesus. That’s why at Quest we believe unity is worth fighting for.

Unity is easy when everyone agrees and when everyone gets along. However, unity is oftentimes elusive in the church especially in the midst of vast diversity, difference, and even conflict. Therefore, the way we treat one another when we disagree becomes a pivotal factor in determining whether unity within the body will be preserved. This Sunday at Quest I shared a biblical principle which I believe, if we all learn to practice, will not only preserve unity in the midst of conflict, but will lessen the intensity of conflict before it even arises. That principle? Honor.

When you honor someone you are speaking heaven’s language – you’re treating that person with respect and giving them value. You’re elevating them – lifting them up. Dishonor conversely is our culture’s language. When you dishonor someone you are devaluing them. You’re lowering them in an attempt to raise yourself up. In short, Honor = Love + Humility.

A pastor friend of mine summarizes the Bible’s teaching on this subject calling it 360° honor. 360° honor is all encompassing.

• It begins with honoring God – humbling yourself to follow his ways rather than your own
• It also includes honoring those above you – your parents, authorities, elected officials, church leaders, etc.
• 360° honor also requires honoring those beside you – your spouse, coworkers, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.
• Finally, 360° honor involves honoring those you perceive to be below you – the less skilled, your subordinates, the least, last and lost.

If you dishonor those above you, beside you or below you, you ultimately dishonor God.

Of course the question always comes up, “What about the person who is dishonorable? Should I honor them too? What if they’re clearly wrong or they disobey and dishonor God?” David gives us a compelling example of honoring the dishonorable in both 1 Samuel 24 and 26 when he refuses to kill King Saul. I believe it is God’s way to honor even the dishonorable. Of course honoring someone does not mean agreeing or submitting to abuse or allowing yourself to be victimized, but rather giving respect, dignity and value to people in the midst of disagreement.

And yet oftentimes we will choose the dishonorable route. We’re tempted to:

• Slander and gossip – tear people down behind their back
• Use sarcasm or “snark” as a passive aggressive attack
• Hold onto an overly critical spirit – second guessing other’s actions and regularly thinking “how you would do things differently if you were in charge.”

These actions are dishonorable and they undermine the unity of the church and therefore the mission Jesus gave us.

The truth is, we’re all dishonorable people. Our only hope is in Jesus Christ – the honorable one who out of love humbled himself unto death in order to lift up the dishonorable, you and me. And when we receive the grace Jesus offers, he not only washes us clean of dishonor, he gives us the power of his Spirit to reflect his honor through our lives. And to the extent that we do, the Church will be one, and the world will know of God’s love and want the Jesus we profess.

This Sunday at Quest we experienced a powerful story of Christian community at its best. It was a story of a Quest home group coming around one of its own to not only meet several very practical needs, but to love, support and encourage her through the tough work of healing from past shame, guilt and fear. It was a beautiful story. It was a redemptive story. It was a story that caused me to fall more deeply in love with The Church.

What’s more, this story was eerily similar to the experience of the Acts 2 church: They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. Everyone around was in awe—all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved. (Acts 2:42-47 – The Message)

At Quest we believe in the power of Christian community. Here are three reasons I shared on Sunday why Christian community is so important for any follower of Jesus Christ:

1. So you’re not alone. God’s Word is clear – It is not right for man to be alone (Genesis 2:19). You were created to do life together with others. You were created for dependency. You were created for relationships. Practically speaking, this life is full of joys and sorrows, and your Christian community surrounds you in both to support you and celebrate with you. However, if you’re seeking out community simply so you’re not alone, it will fall short of “Christian community.” That leads us to #2 and #3
2. So you become more like Jesus. It’s in Christian community where you best experience sustained life-transformation – transformation from your old life to your new life in Christ. You and I need others to help us grow to know, love and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. In Sunday’s testimony we heard how the home group lovingly encouraged their member to face her fears and to deal with her feelings with guilt and shame rather than run away from them. The group didn’t do the work for her, but they came alongside her to help her become more like Christ. You can call it accountability, support, or encouragement, but whatever you call it, it’s powerful.
3. So the world can see Jesus. Most of us are plagued with a self-centered, individualistic view of things. So most times when we consider our Christian witness in the world around us, we think individually. But the truth is, in the early church, it was the witness of the Christian community that compelled those on the outside to WANT Jesus. If you don’t believe me, re-read Acts 2:42-47. If you still don’t believe me, read Jesus’ prayer in John 17 (especially vs. 20-23). Christian community done right draws people to Jesus. And isn’t that what our mission from Jesus is all about?

Maybe it’s time for you to step into Christian community. Or, if you already are, maybe it’s time to make your Christian community reflective of the earliest Christian community. And if you do, then watch out world. You’re about to encounter Jesus.

Every year at our Annual Conference (a gathering of representatives from nearly 900 United Methodist Churches in the southern 2/3rds of Illinois), we have the unfortunate responsibility to vote to close one or more churches. Although couched in language of “having fulfilled its mission,” and “leaving a legacy” through the sale or donation of church property, I can never help my heart from breaking. This year we voted to close two churches whose ministry had slowly dwindled and died out over the years. The vote is always a formality and the moment could easily be missed, but I always find myself grieving. I love the Church.

As a pastor of a church, I oftentimes hear about people’s previous encounters with the church. Most of the time, I hear painful stories of conflict leading to disillusionment or irrelevancy leading to apathy. It’s been my experience that every congregation is filled with people who have felt wounded by another congregation. Of course, many people who have been hurt simply leave the church altogether. This too breaks my heart because I love the Church.

• I love the Church as God envisioned it because all people are welcome.
• I love the Church because it’s made up of messed up people who have witnessed the miraculous.
• I love the Church because it’s a community that does life together – the highs and the lows.
• I love the Church because despite our differences we’re united in Christ.
(In fact, Quest is experiencing this first hand through the graciousness and hospitality of Grace United Methodist Church who is now sharing their home with us. We’re stronger together!)
• I love the Church because we’re all equal at the foot of the cross.
• I love the Church because Jesus loved the Church enough to lay down his life for her.
• I love the Church because even the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

But more than any other reason, I love the Church because the Church is the body of Jesus entrusted with the mission of proclaiming and living out the hope of the gospel. As Christ’s body, the Church is called to be broken for one another and the world, but in turn will be resurrected to new life both now and eternally. You see, in the end, no matter what way you slice it, The Church is ALL about Jesus. That’s why I love The Church.

Yes, I love the Church, but truth be told, I also love my church, Quest. I love the welcoming nature of our church. I love the commitment to sacrifice in order that people will encounter Jesus. I love that we’re united around the purpose of sharing the extravagant love of God with all people – in our community and around the world. I love that we have fun together, but we also challenge one another daily to become more like Jesus. I love that even when there is conflict, we honor and respect one another. Oh there are countless reasons why I love Quest, but most of all I love that YOU are a part of Quest. The Church after all is people, and you make my church special.

I flat out love the church and my church. Throughout this month, it’s my prayer that you will fall more and more in love with your church, the Church of Jesus Christ, too.