2020 0712 Associate with Everyone

Action So far

Action Plan 1 = Serve the Lord = never grow tired of doing good

Action Plan 2 = Everyday Habits = joyful in hope, Patient in affliction, Faithful in prayer

Action Plan 3 = Real Genuine Love = true love from Jesus through us to Others

Action Plan 4 = Practice Hospitality = sharing yourself with others

Action Plan 5 - Forgiveness = the start of blessing

Action Plan 6 - Live in Peace

Action Plan 7 - Living in Harmony and Accepting of All

Romans 12:16 16  Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Personal Habits to Have

Live in Harmony with One Another

Definition

If people are living in harmony with each other, they are living together peacefully rather than fighting or arguing.

harmony is a peaceful existence leading to a pleasant arrangements of parts

The harmony of something is the way in which its parts are combined into a pleasant arrangement.

Liberty

there are many parts here in this auditorium

there are many gifts and talents and capabilities

there is ONE ATTRIBUTE common to all of us

we are connected to the Lord Jesus Christ through his blood by confession or by curiosity or by conviction

the Holy Spirit has brought us together and he will blend us to suit the purposes and will of Christ

let us work with the Spirit to achieve this oneness

put aside the things that entangles and hinders

put on all that encourages and build

Romans 15:5 NIV

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,

we can have differing opinions

we all have different giftings

there is a divine imperative that we think and act out of Jesus Christ

we study and obey scripture, we pray to Jesus, we spend time with our fellow saints

WHY? to become like minded, to be Christ like together

Personal Qualities Not to Have

1. Do not be proud

pride is contrasted with association with other people, of low position

maybe Paul is telling us not to social climbers

maybe Paul is telling us not to consider ourselves higher or more important than we should

maybe Paul is telling us that we judge people on their social standing, or riches, or skin colour or whatever

we must stay true what Jesus has created us to be, to be a person of peace

for all have fallen short of the glory of God

we are no better or no worse than the person next to you

let us reflect this status with a proper attitude toward others

2. Do not be Conceited

this is worse than just pride

it is having or showing an excessively high opinion of oneself

an opinion above the saved and redeemed nature of one brought by Christ with his blood

a conceited person is completely opposite the humility that Jesus displayed

Romans 12:3 NIV

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

2. Be Willing to Associate with People of Low Position

Jesus associated with many people of low position

tax collectors

women

Samaritans, even Samaritan women

children

lepers

fishermen

Acts 10:34 NIV

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism

Jesus had strong attitudes towards

religious bigots and hypocrites

the rich who valued their money more than people

those who ignore the things of the kingdom

Our Opportunities

always look to help others out with dignity

always give the benefit of the doubt first time

do not put conditions onto your first gift

consider the person to be your future best friend - especially after they have accepted Christ

we never know the special talents and gifts that a stranger has from their creator

Acts 10:2 NIV

He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.