Summer At Connect 2018_pt1

[HAVE YOU EVER] - had someone imitate you? - you know as a kid… they copy your every move.

Or, have you ever played follow the leader.

How about later in life, were you ever attempting to teach someone and they just couldn’t grasp the concept, so you said something like - look, just do what I do!

[STORY] - I remember teaching Jackson to play catch with a baseball.

The first few times, I went outside with only his glove. I had lost mine.

He was only 3 or 4 years old, so it’s not like I needed a glove for myself to catch his tosses.

But, I soon learned that he needed me to have a glove.

Once I did put the glove on my own hand, he started catching better himself.

That’s because he could now imitate me.

Ephesians 5:1–2 NKJV

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

ephesians

“Therefore” - what’s it there for?

Ephesians 4:32 NIV

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Therefore do it, because He did it and showed you how to do it.

Be an imitator!

[PAY OFF] - So, what are we imitating? Be kind...

Seems so elementary. Seems so “Sunday School”

But, it’s the vehicle or action for which love is expressed...

[LOOK AT THIS]...

Ephesians 2:6–7 NIV

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:

Kindness is the vehicle or expression of His love!

[WHAT’S AT STAKE] - We need to take a breather here...

Let’s not get too high on what we think this whole Christian-thing might be.

Let’s not forget the simplicity of what this is all about.

Let’s remember how we got here.

[PAYOFF] - Because that is the start of us growing here.

Titus 3:3–8 NIV

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

[STORY] - While Dr Marin Luther King, Jr. was marching in Chicago, a woman stepped out in front of him. She spit in his face and said “why don’t you just go home?!”

Dr. King looked at her and said, “you are much to beautiful to be behaving that way.”

Later in the march, this woman caught up with Dr. King. She stood in front of him again. This time she said “please accept my apology. I should never have been so rude to you.”

What had happened in the woman’s heart?

In turn, what do you suppose happened in Dr. King in that moment, seeing his own expression of kindness impact that hateful woman?

Life-giving kindness

Let’s examine this passage in Titus a bit more....

Life-giving kindness interrupts!

Titus 3:4–5 NIV

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

It appears. Out of nowhere!

Not because of us! We were headed somewhere else, and He interrupted...

Ephesians 2:4–5 NIV

But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

He showed up for you our of nowhere.

So can you. You don’t need to wait for any special reason or opportunity!

Life-giving kindness isn’t earned!

Titus 3:5 NIV

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

He saved us! Not because we earned it. Because He loved us!

So, He earned it! - That’s how kindness works!

Ephesians 2:8–9 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Life-giving kindness births hope!

Titus 3:5–7 NIV

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

[PAYOFF] - Kindness lifts peoples’ heads, from looking down into the mess they perceive as their own life.

It shows them that there can be an alternative to darkness in their life

That there is love in this world, and it comes from our Heavenly Father.

There is LIFE!

Be life-giving!

Titus 3:8 NIV

This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

[ASK] - Who here trusts God? Raise your hands, let me see you!

Then, what good have we devoted ourselves to?

This kindness we have recieved should compel us to some act of kindness.

…compel us to devoting ourselves to doing what is good!

Romans 11:22 NIV

Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Wow, that go real, fast!

Would you like me to expound on that? No need.

How do we continue in His doing?...

Remember how you got here!

Ephesians 2:8–10 NIV

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

[WHAT’S AT STAKE?] - If you forget what got you here...

You start to rely on the things YOU’VE done.

This breeds self-righteousness and pride.

Your good is God’s good in you.

[STORY] - I tell my children, now, to go DO good.

I used to tell them to go “BE” good.

But the only good in us is God. So, us doing good is obeying Him.

Remain separate from the world!

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

“Living sacrifice” = You are no longer your own. It’s not about you, anymore.

You now live to obey

“Do not conform” = We don’t see life the way the world does.

From here, you can know His will… see life His way!

Reflect His kindness to this world!

Colossians 3:12–14 NIV

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

“Clothe yourselves” - You can’t muster it up. You just put on His garments.

Take Away

Galatians 2:20–21 NIV

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

His life-giving kindness continues through me!