(This sermon contains much information that is specific to my congregation. I shared it because there seems to be very few resources on this subject. And there may be some pastor out there who is looking for a way to show his love, gratitude and appreciation to his flock. It is my prayer that you will be blessed by this very special message to my faith family.)
A Church Appreciation Sermon
Philippians 1:1-8
A new preacher moves his things into his new office. In his desk he finds a letter from the former pastor. The letter says that there are 3 sealed envelopes in the file cabinet.If you run into any trouble while pastoring this church, open them." Well, of course the new preacher thinks he will never have to use them… But in his youthful enthusiasm, he tries to change the order the kids march in during Vacation Bible School. Well, this makes the workers absolutely furious and there is a lot of ugly talk about the new pastor. He remembers the envelopes and opens the first one. It says, "You haven't been here long, but you decided to make a change in the Vacation Bible School; now everyone is mad. Tell everyone that the former preacher had told you this was how you preferred to do it." So the young preacher did that and it worked well.
He had been there about a year and a half when he tried to change the deacon position from being a life-long job to a position that rotated annually. Well, this made the deacons really mad, and they were the ones who made his salary recommendation. So he went back to the drawer and got the second envelope: "You did something to make the deacons mad and there's talk of replacing you. Tell them this is the official denominational policy; that you thought they wanted to comply, but it doesn't make you any difference what they do." He tried this, and again it worked great.
Then… after three years, he told the women's organization that they were going to have to open the kitchen so that it could be used without a representative from the women's group being present. This put the women's organization in open revolt. So he went back to that third and final envelope: "You've been here about three years and you finally got the women's organization mad. My suggestion for you is to prepare three envelopes for your replacement... "
I am glad that Bro. Cliff didn’t have to leave me any envelopes in the office. And I am thankful that if he had, there has not been any reason for me to open them!
Each year in October you are so kind to show us your appreciation for “Pastor Appreciation Month”. Furthermore, you show us love and appreciation throughout the entire year. I would like to take some time today and show my appreciation for you.
6 ½ Years ago you asked me to be your Pastor. And at the time I did not want to be the Pastor of this church. Don’t take offense to that, at the time I didn’t want to be the Pastor of any church.I liked preaching in a different church every week. I figured if the folks didn’t like what I had to say, they didn’t have to invite me back, but God had other plans. I didn’t really realize until last Sunday, how much things have changed. As we traveled to Greenville, all I could think about was Stockdale.
- At 9:00 I said to myself “Well, Brother Blake is about to unlock the church”
- At 9:35 I thought “Well, the men are about to go to the prayer room”
- At 9:50 I said “Sister Maxine has everyone laughing in the Sunday School assembly”
- At 10:10 I figured Jim had already begun to aggravate Sylvia.
- All morning I kept thinking about our church.
The Apostle Paul traveled and ministered to many different groups of people. He was instrumental in establishing many churches. One such church was the church at Philippi. In Acts 16:9 we read where Paul received the Macedonian call - Acts 16:9 and a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Paul answered that call and went to that region.Some notable events occurred while Paul was there:
1. a seller of purple named Lydia was converted.
2. Paul cast a demon out of a woman and he and Silas were persecuted as a result.
3. They were scourged, put in prison and fastened into the stocks.
4. While in this Philippian jail Paul and Silas prayed and sang praises at midnight and the earthquake came and loosed their bonds.
5. As a result of this a jailor (and his household) was converted
The Philippians believers loved the Apostle Paul dearly. They cared for him not in word only but also in deed. They even sent him supplies even while he was laboring for other churches. Philippians 4:15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
Here, in the beginning of his epistle Paul, speaks of his love and appreciation for the church at Philippi, he also reveals his desire to visit this church and he tells them that he prays for them regularly. Furthermore, he shares with them exactly what his prayer for them is. I want to walk through these verses and preach “A Church Appreciation Sermon”
There are 3 things that I would like to share with you today:
1) I Would Like To Share My Gratitude With You
2) I Would Like To Share My Love For You
3) I Would Like To Share My Prayer For You
As we look to verses 1-6…
I. I Would Like To Share My Gratitude With You v1-6
Stockdale is an amazing church. God has done, is doing and will continue to do some great things in this assembly. I am so thankful to be a part of this church! There are many…many reasons that I am grateful. These verses here in Philippians illustrate just a few of them.
A. LIKE PAUL, I AM THANKFUL FOR THE LEADERS IN THIS CHURCH- v1 " to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi with the bishops and deacons"
Paul was with Timothy and Silvanus as he penned this letter. But the letter was also addressed to the “Bishops and Deacons” of this church. Paul praised the leaders of this church for their faithfulness.
Here at Stockdale, we have some amazing leaders. Godly people who are in leadership roles but possess servants hearts. I am thankful for each and every deacon and yokefellow that we have here at Stockdale. I have never had anything but 100% support from each of these men. If there is ever an issue that needs attention, we can count on these men to be faithful to ensure that it is taken care of!
Not only am I grateful for the leaders of this church…
B. LIKE PAUL, I AM THANKFUL FOR THE LAITY OF THIS CHURCH- v1 " to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi"
The term “Laity” refers to lay people, those distinct from the clergy. Notice that Paul addresses this letter to “all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi.”
- A father was describing the laity to his daughter. He said the leaders are the pastoral staff and the laity is the other members. She said “I get it, the leaders get paid to be good and the laity is good for nothing!
The laity of our church may not receive wages but they are extremely valuable. Each member adds something to this assembly. In turn when you are not here, your absence is very apparent. I am so thankful for each person who walks through those doors each week and is faithful in their attendance.
I am also thankful for:
• Those who clean
• Those who take care of the building
• Those who work on the grounds
• Those who teach
• Those who sing
• Those who play an instrument
• Those who give faithfully
• Those who do the bulletin
• Those who do the prayer list
• Those that serve on committees
• And many others that I have failed to mention.
Whatever you do, it does not go unnoticed, and even though you may not get much recognition, GOD SEES EVERYTHING YOU DO!!! And though I may not tell you enough, I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOU!
- As we move further, let me say that:
C. LIKE PAUL, I AM THANKFUL FOR THE LABOR OF THIS CHURCH- v3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Paul says that they had been his partners in spreading the good news from the time of their conversion until the present time. The people of Philippi were actively involved in Paul’s ministry. They were “fellow-laborers” They worked with him and they supported him financially.
I am far from a one man show! You and I are partners together in the ministry of this church. You have always supported me very well financially, but we are also linked up shoulder to shoulder in the Kingdom work and for that I am eternally grateful!!
Earlier I mentioned many jobs here in the church that require physical effort.But what I am referring to now is the SPIRITUAL LABOR that many of you perform.
-You visit
-You make calls
-You write letters
-You invite others
-You pray for others
-You pray with others
Many of you take the opportunity to witness to others. You share the good news of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. On top of all that, you are so faithful to give to missions in order to support the spreading of the gospel. I am proud to say that this is a Gospel centered church and our focus is on Jesus Christ. And in many different ways you work together to promote the gospel
Whether through the local ministry of this church or the global impact as a result of missions support COUNTLESS LIVES HAVE BEEN REACHED AS A RESULT OF YOUR LABOR!!! ...And for that, I AM GRATEFUL!!!
Let me also say that:
D. LIKE PAUL, I AM THANKFUL FOR THE LEGACY OF THIS CHURCH- v6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
- Webster’s defines the word “Legacy” as “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past”
Paul states that God began a great work in those at Philippi. God had performed a work in the individual lives of those believers. He had also begun a great work in the ministry of that church.
Stockdale has a rich history and a lasting legacy. 103 years ago, God began a great work here in the Stockdale community. He led a group of believers to start a church. Over the past century Satan has tried time and time again to stop what God was doing through this ministry. Some might say that he came close a time or two. But God has seen us through tough times and is still using this assembly to glorify His name. I was looking over the membership information and found that we have several members who have been members here since the 40’s. Sister Louise has been a faithful member of this church for 75 years!
Whether you have been here for decades or for months, it is God who has begun a great work in you. And through your faithfulness, God is doing a great work among this assembly. I want each and every one of you to know that I am so grateful for you!
Not only would I like to share my gratitude with you…
II. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY LOVE FOR YOU- v7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
Paul states that the church at Philippi has a special place in his heart. He says that he has great love for them and he desires to come and visit with them again.
I echo Paul’s sentiment. Stockdale does and always will have a special place in my heart. In the past few years I have made some friendships that will last a lifetime. Our family has inherited a whole new family. We have been through so much together. I have been with you during some difficult times in your lives. You have been there beside me through some difficult times in mine. We have rejoiced together as your children and grandchildren were born. We have cried and grieved together as you have has to say goodbye to loved ones who have passed on. I have baptized many of you... Done a few of your weddings...Officiated many funerals.
We have fellowshipped around the table in your homes. You have watched my girls grow up. (And we look forward to our new baby having the opportunity to grow up with you as well)
- We have praised together
- We have worshiped together
- We have prayed together
And you have endured over 800 sermons that I have preached (At an average of 30 minutes per sermon that is over 400 hours you have spent listening to me ramble!) There is no way for me to put into words just how much I love you. So you will have to take my word for it when I say “I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!”
Now that I have shared my gratitude with you, and my love for you… finally:
III. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE MY PRAYER FOR YOU v9-11
Paul told the church a Philippi back in verse 3 that he prayed for them daily. v3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
Now here in these next few verses Paul tells them what it is that he prays for on their behalf.
1. He prays that their love would grow
2. He prayed that their knowledge and understanding would increase.
3. He desired that they lived Holy lives until Christ’s return
4. He wanted them to be fruitful
5. And ultimately he prayed that their lives would glorify the Father.
I want you to know that Amber and I pray for you regularly. We pray for the church as a whole and we pray for individuals as well. And I know that many of you do the same for us. Like Paul, I want to share with you what my prayer is for you.
A. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE FOCUSED- v9 ¶And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Paul’s desire was that their love would abound and that they would keep on growing in knowledge and wisdom. I pray the same for you. We have one of the most loving congregations you will find. It is my prayer is that …that love will continue to increase!
- I pray that your love for love for one another will increase!
- I pray that your love for love for the un-churched will increase!
- I pray that your love for love for lost will increase!
- I pray that your love for love for the backslidden will increase!
- I pray that your love for love for Jesus will increase!
I also pray that your knowledge of the scriptures will continue to grow. Not only your knowledge but your wisdom as well. We have some very wise and knowledgeable believers in this church. We also have some who are hungry and searching the scriptures daily. One of the greatest things I see in our church right now is people growing and maturing spiritually. I pray that continues!
- Not only do I pray that you will be focused…
B. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE FAITHFUL- v10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
It was Paul’s desire for the believers at Philippi to live pure and blameless lives until Christ’s return. I pray that each and every one of you will be what God would have you to be. I pray that you would do what He has called you to do! If you have a job in this church, I pray that you will be faithful and devoted. If you have a calling outside this church, I pray that you will be faithful. We all have a responsibility to share the good news, I pray that we are faithful .We have an obligation to be holy and I pray that we are faithful to do just that!
Remember what Paul said in Colossians 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord...
Not only is it my prayer that you are focused and faithful...
C. I PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE FRUITFUL- v11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Paul prayed that the Philippian believers were filled with the fruits of righteousness. I too pray that you live lives that are fruitful! In this verse Paul is referring to the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ. The result of living fruitful & righteous lives is that God will receive honor, glory and praise.
With all of the good things that we could say about this church... none of it matters if it is about us! Everything we do is vain unless Christ is the focus! The ultimate goal and sole purpose of Stockdale Baptist Church must be to bring honor and glory to our Lord! And I believe that that is the case. Let, us not lose sight...Let us continue to move forward for Him.
Conclusion: Maybe you are here and you feel that you are just someone who attends this church and that you have no impact. Let me assure you "YOU ARE WORNG"! Every person here has an impact on this assembly. In your own way you add something special to this assembly. Maybe some of you are concerned that you are just not having much of an eternal impact. Let me remind you that there are often results in the ministry that are not visible. There is no way for you to know just how large of an impact you are having.
1) In this life you will never see the result of that money you gave to missions.
2) You may not see the impact that your prayer for your Sunday School teacher had.
3) You may never know the seed that was planted in the lives of those children in the nursery, children's church or VBS.
4) You may not know what that visit, call or letter means to those you have reached out to.
5) You may not see the growth in the life of those who attend the class that you teach.
6) You may not realize the blessing you are to other with how you sing or play that instrument.
Yes, often the results in ministry are not immediate and they are often not visible....But they are ETERNAL!!
- Remember what Jesus said in - Matthew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
I would like to close with the words of a song written by Rodney Griffith of Greater vision:
"I dreamed my life was done. I stood before God's son."
"It was time to see what my reward would be"
"With love he reviewed my life to count what was done for Christ".
"For that is what will last eternally"
"See I'd done my best to share that Jesus really cares"
"And He would save if they just believe"
"Oh, but seldom did harvest come and so few did I see won"
"Until the lord said, "turn around and see."
"Then He showed me the faces of the ones who'd come because of me."
"So many faces that my life had led to Calvary"
"All those years I thought nobody saw as I labored in lowly places"
"That's when Jesus smiled and showed me all the faces."
"He said though you did not see the yield, you were faithful to plow the field"
"At other times you helped me plant the seed"
"No matter how small the task, you did just as I asked"
"And thanks to you these souls have been set free."
"All those years I thought nobody saw as I labored in lowly places"
"That's when Jesus smiled and showed me all the faces."
Folks, you are having an eternal impact on many "Faces". And I want you to know that I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO!!
