Body Life: Being in the Body of Christ
Body Life • Sermon • Submitted
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Not many wise, not many noble...
Dopamine hits - pain vs pleasure
Friendships can be tough because of hidden demands.
Leadership Journey - wrestling with the passage
Who is he? Who is he to other people?
Big Idea: Within Christ’s body, we reflect His heart to one another.
Big Idea: Within Christ’s body, we reflect His heart to one another.
He is gentle. We can share gentleness.
He is gentle. We can share gentleness.
Space for grace. Few demands? Compassionate with weakness and not divisional over unexpected differences.
Shame ? Judson with Cereal
Does gentleness mean no punishment for sin?
5 And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” 6 And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
He does defend His Father’s honor. God has shown us grace in various ways . If we reject that, Jesus shows the defense of His family. If we take our identity in being “wise and understanding” about sin and not repentant, there is surely only wrath waiting for us. But notice Jesus even implies a mix of gentleness on Judgment Day in vs. 20-24.
What does gentleness look like?
We want compassionate treatment of one another. But you also are compassionate when it doesn’t happen.
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.
Not only is Jesus gentle here. He is also lowly.
He is lowly. We can share lowliness.
He is lowly. We can share lowliness.
Gentle and Lowly
6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Accessibility - No “I can’t deal with minor/unimportant/unstatus things.” I have time for all people. No “you don’t fit my paradigm for a friend” so...
RIch vs Poor - The struggle of the classes
Jeremiah Burroughs - The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment - Every status has struggle enough that people want out of it. Find Jesus in it.
Getting ahead vs Getting to help vs Enjoying the struggle of the process
Over 40 vs Under 40
His yoke is easy. We can rest together.
His yoke is easy. We can rest together.
What is his yoke? Believing his claim to be the Messiah. Submitting to his rule. Becoming dependent on Him.
What about taking up your cross and following Him?
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What about mistakes I make as a parent? He rules. Rest in Him.
What about productivity? He rules. Rest in Him.
What if the body of Christ is more about finding the commonness of grace and less about the commonness of activity? Can you accept that?
Are you looking for God’s rule of grace in your life? Are you willing to wait?
We’re scripture-driven, Gospel-focused, family care, …sharing grace.
When do you enjoy being gentle? When is it hard?
What have you experienced Christ's gentleness in your life?
When you hear "associate with the lowly" what do you hear? How do you communicate your desire to do this to others?
When is this hard? (often when people talk disrespectfully of others)
How do you encourage the attitude when others don't?
What does it look like in your life to rest in Christ?
How can you cultivate this joy in yourself and others?