Love each other 16)

Can I get a show of hands, How many of you guys have been on team? Being on a team can sometimes be the best times of your life, you win together, you bond together and it can sometimes be the worst parts of your life, you run together, you get yelled out together. The best teams are often the ones, with the most talent, but sometimes you take a team that has some talent but not maybe not the best but they have some phenomenal chemistry together, they spend time together, they can go up against any team and give them a run for there money. Any of them, I remember playing baseball as a kid, and being the pitcher and we were absolutely terrible, but what felt the worst, is that I felt like my coach didn’t care about me, and I felt like players didnt really want to talk me. I can remember playing football as a kid, the team that I was apart of, didn’t lose that year, and I remember my coach getting on to me because he cared, I can remember as a 4th grader 6th graders calling my name, and talking to me, and then having this team dinner at the end, it was a blast. For a second, right now, I want you to take a look around you and look at the people around you. Man we have group that has just moved up from AWANA, we have a senior here that will eventually move on, and then we have all then we have all of these adults here, this, right here, is a team. And its a team in the since of our goal, and that is to love one another as Christ has loved us. Loving one another, we ought to love the ones around us, because honestly we step into invorments where we feel loved, it is the best feeling ever. Some of yall of heard me speak about going to my grandparents house before, but man I would give anything, to be young and to walk into her house with with my 8 autns and my 5 uncles and 30 of the rowdiest cousins, all saying Joshhhhh!!!! he is here lets go play football, lets go outside. But see there is nothing stopping us from having the same reaction when we see one another, here, or when we see our friends at school. Just to spread the love of Christ.

We are going to look at Romans in the scripture and look at what Paul says is livng to please others, I

Paul says this in Romans 15:2 2 We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord

The first point I have for yall tonight is that God will give you what you need, if you give in to what he wants,

Romans 15:5 NLT

New Living Translation Chapter 15

5 May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.

Sometimes it can be really difficult to live amongst each other, because we all fall short of the glory of God, you haven’t seen people being difficult with each other until youve been at game night with wade, brice miranda and dani. But for real because of my imperfections I know that I can be hard guy to love, and because of others imperfections and differences it can be challenging to love them. But if I say I believe in Jesus, then I should rely on God to love the people around me,

speaking to them, praying for them, being with them. God helps us live in harmony with each other.

my second point today is this winning with God looks like worshiping God together

verse 6 says: Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ

God desires us together to worship, when you worship you ought to not care about how you look, or even how you sound,you think God wants you to mumble worship songs, when he asks for our best

he picked me up turned me around, placed my feet on solid ground i thank the master I thank the savior I thank God,

does that really sound like you thank God.

If worship does not change us it has not been worship.

John F. MacArthur

man we ought to worship him and give praise to him for all that he has done for us, all of it, Those storms that came yesterday, praise God that it didn't touch one of your houses or one of your friends houses, it can start with little things like that.

my last point is this God is Glorified, when we accept Each other,

English Standard Version Chapter 15

7 Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.

It’s not about being okay with a friend who goes against what God’s word says, but when someone believes in who christ is, you should do all you can to love them, I can’t love you well, if i don’t know you well enough. I can’t pray for you if I don’t know your problems, I cant spend time with you if I don’t seek you out,

My challenge to you is this, as we enter in summer, outside of here, show your friends the love that christ has shown you. Show the people that get on your nerves the love love that Christ showed you. Because that is what makes life better.

I would have nothing to offer you if I didn’t have christ in my heart. I want to invite you today, maybe you haven’t fully accepted that Christ is Lord and savior, the bible says because if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart you will be saved, we can have a conversation and I can walk with you through what salvation looks like. And maybe you know christ but have been acting up, today you can get on the right path,

wherever your at there is always room to grow, lets pray.

How can you actively pursue harmony and unity with others, especially those with whom you may have differences?

Reflecting on Romans 15:5, how can you actively seek to encourage others in their faith and journey, fostering an environment of spiritual growth and mutual support within your community

how can you cultivate a mindset of humility and servanthood in your interactions with others, particularly in moments of disagreement or conflict?

How does it feel to know that God accepts you? How can you extend that same acceptance to others?

How can you actively engage in building bridges of reconciliation and peace within your circles, following the model of Christ's love and acceptance?