It’s OK If You Step On My Toes -RJ

Nathan Jones

Created for Community Living • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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It’s OK If You Step On My Toes - Making unity the goal, through Grace.

Making unity the goal, through Grace.

Created for community Living - it’s ok if you step on my toes

Trinity - Gods perfect unity -Ps John

John 17:21 NLT

21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

Perichoresis - picture of dance (Shane Willard & Bible College)

A beautiful picture of grace, honour, respect Waltz - always wanted to dance - strictly ballroom fans

John 17:21 The Message

21 The goal is for all of them to become one heart and mind— Just as you, Father, are in me and I in you, So they might be one heart and mind with us. Then the world might believe that you, in fact, sent me.

a beaut Waltz - always wanted to dance

The church is God’s plan for community - Ps John

God desire is that the church community would function the way He dreamed it to be

Reality : He breathed on me She touched me He’s looking at me He farted on me Milo story

Reality - Kids growing up - He breathed on me She touched me He’s looking at me He farted on me Milo story We come into the church community expecting it to be perfect and are shocked when it’s not. Get waltzers up - how did that go? Did they step on your toes Reality is we are a group of imperfect people doing life as a huge family - a community of believers, disciples of Jesus Christ, living, learning and sometimes getting it very wrong...together She looked at me weird They got more attention than me I think I’m right and he disagreed with me And we pick up our stock with the handkerchief attached and run away Paul encountered the same things in the early church - research & add example scriptures Jesus communing for a bride without spot or wrinkle - I feel a bit wrinkly We have a perception that we have to be perfect and others have to be perfect. Jesus sees us perfect through His eyes of grace and His gift of redemption & life. Back to the dance of the trinity - not stepping on toes, in rhythms, grace, mutual understanding. Live in a way and maybe stay away from things that would bring discredit to the community of people that He loves so much. People wanting to join the dance floor - all in or hovering on the edges (wanting in, but unsure) the party is on the dance floor Where there is envy & bickering there is every evil thing among you -Scripture Nothing good comes from jealousy, envy & bickering https://deeptruths.com/bible-topics/jealousy_envy.html Early church was marked by its defining shift from cultural Roman society norms

God desire is that the church community would function the way He dreamed it to be

John 17:21 The Message

Goal is unity, through grace. Finding the rhythms of harmony, through the working of the Holy Spirit (cause its Him who unites us)

Reality - It’s easy to see community living as this perfect thing. When Nathan & I got married we’d dream about having the house, white picket fence, perfect kids, 2 dogs and a cat

Reality : He breathed on me She touched me He’s looking at me

x Picture on screen

We come into the church community expecting it to be perfect and are shocked when it’s not.

Milo story

We come into the church community expecting it to be perfect and are shocked when it’s not.

Reality is we are a group of imperfect people doing life as a huge family - a community of believers, disciples of Jesus Christ, living, learning and sometimes getting it very wrong...together

She looked at me weird They got more attention than me I think I’m right and he disagreed with me And we pick up our stock with the handkerchief attached and run away

She looked at me weird They got more attention than me I think I’m right and he disagreed with me

Reality is I’m still learning to dance and most prob will step on your toes from time to time!

And the challenge is not to give up, pick up our stick with the handkerchief attached and run away.

Reality is we are a group of imperfect people doing life as a huge family - a community of believers, disciples of Jesus Christ, living, learning and sometimes getting it very wrong...together She looked at me weird They got more attention than me I think I’m right and he disagreed with me And we pick up our stock with the handkerchief attached and run away Paul encountered the same things in the early church - research & add example scriptures Jesus communing for a bride without spot or wrinkle - I feel a bit wrinkly We have a perception that we have to be perfect and others have to be perfect. Jesus sees us perfect through His eyes of grace and His gift of redemption & life. Back to the dance of the trinity - not stepping on toes, in rhythms, grace, mutual understanding. Live in a way and maybe stay away from things that would bring discredit to the community of people that He loves so much. People wanting to join the dance floor - all in or hovering on the edges (wanting in, but unsure) the party is on the dance floor Where there is envy & bickering there is every evil thing among you -Scripture Nothing good comes from jealousy, envy & bickering https://deeptruths.com/bible-topics/jealousy_envy.html Early church was marked by its defining shift from cultural Roman society norms

And we pick up our stock with the handkerchief attached and run away Paul encountered the same things in the early church - research & add example scriptures Jesus communing for a bride without spot or wrinkle - I feel a bit wrinkly We have a perception that we have to be perfect and others have to be perfect. Jesus sees us perfect through His eyes of grace and His gift of redemption & life. Back to the dance of the trinity - not stepping on toes, in rhythms, grace, mutual understanding. Live in a way and maybe stay away from things that would bring discredit to the community of people that He loves so much. People wanting to join the dance floor - all in or hovering on the edges (wanting in, but unsure) the party is on the dance floor Where there is envy & bickering there is every evil thing among you -Scripture Nothing good comes from jealousy, envy & bickering https://deeptruths.com/bible-topics/jealousy_envy.html Early church was marked by its defining shift from cultural Roman society norms

Welcome one another. Be willing to embrace people as they really are, rather than as you wish they would be. Remember that God doesn’t play favorites; He generously loves all people, and hopes that you will, too. Don’t reserve your love only for those who love you back, or who are similar to you in personality, religious conviction, interests, background, social status, economic level, race, culture, etc. Ask God to help you accept all people as equally important because they’ve been made in His image. When you interact with people, acknowledge them, show appreciation for their accomplishments, express affection for them, and say something that blesses them. Look for the best in people and overlook the worst whenever you can.

The challenge is not to give up, pick up our stick with the handkerchief attached and run away.

Paul had the same dynamics and challenges happening in the early church. They had all sorts of quarrels and selfishness going on, as they learnt to live in community.

Ephesians 4:1–7 NLT

Ephesians 4:11–16 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians 4:1–16 NLT

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all. 7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Ephesians

In Paul urges Euodia & Syntyche (odour and stinky, because their attitudes stunk) to be of the same mind..work on unity, through grace and the Holy Spirit....and stop quarrelling.

I think if he could he probably would’ve made them hug it out and slow dance till they were friends!

Ephesians 4 Jesus communing for a bride without spot or wrinkle - I feel a bit wrinkly

So the goal is unity, ultimately so the World (as it says in ) will believe in Jesus. To be the best version of you within your community.

Tonights main scripture, to help us toward this goal:

It’s kind of like the Jones family goals…God’s family goals:

Romans 12:9–21 NLT

9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. 11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Romans Jesus communing for a bride without spot or wrinkle - I feel a bit wrinkly

1. Don’t pretend - Really Love!

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.

say its ok if yo

We have a perception that we have to be perfect and others have to be perfect. Jesus sees us perfect through His eyes of grace and His gift of redemption & life.

2. Everybody chips in!

Be subject to one another. Surrender yourself to God and ask Him to show you how to do His will in circumstances that are less than ideal. Instead of waiting for people and situations to conform to your wishes (which is futile), invite God to use difficult people and situations to transform you according to His wishes – into someone who’s more like Christ. Rather than insisting on pursuing your own agenda or protecting your own rights, trust God to do what’s best for you in challenging circumstances.

Unity takes all hands on deck! Getting in the trenches and getting your hands dirty, shows your commitment to others.

Unity takes all hands on deck! Getting in the trenches and getting your hands dirty, shows your commitment to others. Nobody appreciates a freeloader.

I love when we all work together - story of when we first came to Oasis.

3. Be helpful and have a few BBQ’s!

Recognise where you can help and do it! No token prayers....make it a goal!

Be hospitable and go out of your way to connect. BBQ, park day, coffee catch up…not just with your crew, but expand your scope!

4. Bless, even when you feel like cursing

a picture of

ever had someone stand on your toes? When someone makes a wrong move and crunches them?

Pray for each other and ask that God will bless them…hard to stay offended with someone if you are praying for them.

Back to the dance of the trinity - not stepping on toes, in rhythms, grace, mutual understanding.

Julia Abell - “Work on me, pray for you”

5. Stand side by side, move in harmony

Be present in life’s ups and downs, adjust your pace to the seasons of life.

Do life together.

6. Don’t be a know all! Treat everyone with equal respect!

ryone with rspect

7. Pursue Peace!

Be a peacemaker, not a peace keeper. Don’t avoid healthy conflict, do it well!

Be a

Live in a way and maybe stay away from things that would bring discredit to the community of people that God loves so much.

Live in a way and maybe stay away from things that would bring discredit to the community of people that He loves so much.

Close

People wanting to join the dance floor - all in or hovering on the edges (wanting in, but unsure) the party is on the dance floor

Forbear one another. Let your gratitude for how often God has shown forbearance to you – loving you despite your many sins, mistakes, and weaknesses – motivate you to give other people the room to be who they are, despite all their imperfections. Remember that we’re all works in progress. Ask God to give you the humility, patience, grace, and humor you need to accept people without judging them, and to encourage them to be themselves around you. Keep in mind that, while Christians need to stand for essential beliefs such as Christ’s divinity, there’s plenty of room for different ways of expressing faith. Rather than trying to change people who bother you, pray for them and trust God to change them in the best ways and at the best times. Don’t deny people opportunities to serve simply because they have flaws. Accept and affirm the valuable contributions that imperfect people make through Christian service. Be willing to listen respectfully to people who don’t share your point of view on an issue, yet still share faith in Christ. Allow yourself to learn from their perspectives.

The goal is UNITY…its ok if you step on my toes, I’m still going to love you…and there’s a good chance i’ll still step on yours from time to time. Let’s have grace for the journey, Pursue and fight for UNITY, by the Spirit of God, so that we can show the world who Jesus is.

Forgive one another. Since God has forgiven you, He expects you to forgive others, with His help. Don’t wait until you feel like forgiving people who’ve hurt you; you likely never will. Instead, decide to forgive, and your feelings will eventually follow as God changes your heart through the forgiveness process. Understand that forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing wrong behavior. It simply means that you’re entrusting the situation to God. Even if the people who’ve wronged you don’t apologize and repent, choose to forgive them anyway, knowing that by doing so you’ll be giving God the gift of your obedience and freeing yourself from the poison of bitterness.