“Many Members, One Body, One Mission”

Text: Mark 9:38-41
Sermon:

• This is such an important message for the Christian community. It seems that I can’t open any social media app without seeing various videos and posts on the expectations of Christian men and Christian women. There are a variety of groups and celebrity pastors that tries to enforce a framework of Christianity. It seems that many of these groups and pastors want monolith of Christianity, and if you do not fit in that monolith, you are not allowed in the Christian community.
• I experienced this firsthand when I first started going to church. I found that I did not fit the framework of Christianity; I did not dress like most Christian leaders, I didn’t engage in the same entertainment, and I didn’t understand that culture that I was stepping into.
• While everything that I experienced was superficial, I realize that many people are stripped of their identity and the culture that they were raised to fit into the Christian culture.
• I believe this is the underline message of today’s passage. In the scripture for today, we see Jesus’ disciples becoming jealous and uncomfortable because they saw other people helping people in need; in this case, they were freeing people from demons.
• In our society culture, we are not making people jealous by helping people fight demons, but we are separating for helping people fight their own demons through mental health practices and correct medication.
• Jesus understands that his followers will not all resemble each other or belong to the same groups. People who are not Jesus’ side have the same goal of building up the kingdom of God, and they should not let their differences interfere with this goal.
• Jesus understands the cultures that we grow up in and I believe that the traditions that we choose to hang on to, Jesus is still honored. Christian communities do not need to strip away religious practices and traditions to be Christians. We need to honor God with our actions and our faith.
•  At times, church members are more concerned about their own position than helping people. At times, we do not participate in worthy causes because 1.) they are not affiliated with our denomination. 2.) they do not involve the kind of people with whom we feel most comfortable. 3.) they don’t do things the way they are used to. 4.) our efforts won’t receive enough recognition.
• The church is meant to be a representation of real life. We have differences and we should celebrate our differences and learn from them instead of trying to clone those who hold the authority.
• Correct Theology is important, but it should not be an excuse to avoid helping those in need.
• Those who share a common faith in Christ should cooperate. People don’t have to be just like us to be following Jesus with us.
• The purpose of ministry to improve the lives of those that we are helping; not to making our church look good or stoke the ego of church members and leaders. If other people or corporations are also helping heal people or feed them; then the mission remains the same. In those acts, God is still honored. 

Conclusion: Let us be people who celebrate diversity and help the community around us.