Together: Responsibility
Notes
Transcript
Together: Responsibility
INTRODUCTION
ILL- Difference between a cruise ship and an aircraft carrier
Everyone has a responsibility
The church is not an institution that exists for its members. The church is the body of Christ.
READ: Philippians 2:1-4
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
PRAY
Last week- verse 1- if there are blessings from being a follower of Christ...
This week- then, you have some responsibilities.
3 Responsibilities
Unity (2)
Unity (2)
More than just not fighting.
Think of the church as a team
A team is not a group of people that get along. It is a group of people doing their part to accomplish a goal.
ILL- 11 men on the football field- everyone has a job.
Unity is everyone doing their part to the best of their ability.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
"complete my joy"= this is Paul's goal of their sanctification.- the proof of their sanctification.
Paul’s Description of Unity
Same Mind= intellect, will, emotions= same outlook - going the same direction
Same Love= Love the same things/people- love like Christ
Having different affections creates tension in the church.
Full Accord= harmonious affection - a chord- different notes that work well together.
One mind= same values-
Humility (3)
Humility (3)
“selfish ambition or conceit”
This was expected of elite and people of position.
Humility was a virtue expected of slaves.
Jesus reversed culture- first will be last.
Beatitudes in Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5:3-5
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
This was modeled by Jesus- humbled self to point of death.
Accountability (4)
Accountability (4)
“look”= help each other
We do not accidently help others.
Word means to continually acquire information regarding a matter.
ILL- when a kid is sick- you don’t check temperature one time and then ignore them for 3 days. Continually check on their condition.
Not for the purpose of gossip but for the purpose of helping them obtain sanctification.
Ephesians 4:16-17
from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
Truly caring about the spiritual welfare of those around you.
Accountability is what was missing for 2 months as we worshiped in our homes. It is why it is so important for us to meet together.
Hebrews 10:24-25
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
CONCLUSION
These responsibilities are impossible to do on our own.
Next week we will see the solution to this problem.
But know, that because of sin these are impossible to live up to.
But because of Jesus they can be overcome.
Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:8
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 10:9
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Are you ready to experience “Together”?
Are you ready to experience “Together”?
