The Gospel: How We Live

OOS

I. Welcome — P. Dustin

II. Opening Prayer —

III. Worship —

A. Songs

a. The River Is Here

b. Our God is Holy

c. Graves to Gardens

d. Raise a Hallelujah

e. Shout to the LORD

IV. Announcements

A. Release Kids

B. Right Now Media (mental health)

C. Tough Questions

D. Annual Business Meeting 2/21

a. Members: Report will be in ur box Sunday 2/14 so u’ll have ample time to look it over before meeting

b. Both Zoom & in-person

If at all possible, please attend in person

If attending via zoom please enter the meeting 30min b4 meeting start time 2 work out any tech issues that may arise so we don’t take up meeting time for tech support

V. Sermon

VI. Offering: Revelation

SERMON

INTRO

I. Where We’ve Been

A. A few weeks ago we asked a simple question:

a. What r the things that should make Jesus Followers unique frm the rest o the world?

1. Paul correctly encourages Titus, the pastor o a church in Crete, that the uniqueness o a Jesus follower is GOD’s work in us & how that work practically affects how we live our life

i. Based upon the redemptive work o God the Son

ii. God the Father forgives &

iii. sends God the H.S. 2 wash away our sins & continually renew us.

iv. Based on that work we've been made heirs o an eternal life spent in rel. w/ God as this new creation

2. Paul doesn’t stop at WHAT we believe…He is certain that what we BELIEVE should affect what we DO

i. Last week we talked about the work God does in a Jesus follower has practical implications 4 how we live our life in relation 2 the unchurched

II. Where We’re Going

A. This week we’re going 2 finish up our discussion by focusing on living out our new life 2gether

a. 2 that end We r going back 2 the text we’ve focused on over the last 2 weeks:

& I’d like 2 invite John. L. 2 read

III. Main Text — John L.

Titus 3:1–11 ESV

1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. 3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. 4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

IV. Prayer — John L.

BODY

I. Living out our new life together

Titus 3:9 ESV

9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.

A. avoid arguing about trivial things

a. Paul is saying that silly controversies & genealogies are trivial

People were slipping in2 the congregation & gaining traction by leading people 2 focus on

i. extra-biblical myths which created…u guessed it… controversies

ii. & some were suggesting that folks should worship angels & would encourage folks 2 trace angelic genealogies

- biblical myths & genealogies aren’t so much our trouble...

b. 2day we struggle with personal convictions that r side issues

1. some ex. o controversies btwn Christians 2day

i. worship styles

ii. time tables on end times

iii. denominational differences

iv. which pastor is right over this / that topic

-recent issue: Pastors Andy Stanley vs John Macarther

*Andy Stanley: not ready to open the church

*Pastor Maccarther: U can’t make me shut down

-What if both pastors are hearing & being lead by the H.S.

-What if the need o 1 church is different than the need o another church

-& more 2 the point…why r Jesus followers that go 2 neither church weighing in on the topic

*SO…

v. If some1 in the church tries to draw u in2 a trivial argument; avoid it!

B. avoid arguing about rules & regs.

a. we are not people under the law

Galatians 5:1–3 ESV

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

This includes the 10 cmndmnts

i. When we say, hay, u gotta follow the law we’re saying u r saved by Jesus & the law

ii. Paul is saying that anytime we say or act as though we are saved by Jesus & we nullify Jesus

2. But, does that mean we just live however we want??

Galatians 5:13 ESV

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

b. some ex. o rules & regs btwn Christinas 2day:

1. you gotta dress this way

2. no dying hair purple

3. no tattoos / piercings

i. We r set free from the law…stop it!!

ii. Our faith isn’t about do’s & don’ts -it’s about fellowshipping w/ & following the promptings, wisdom, & guidance o the H.S.

-Paul goes on to say...

C. avoid dissension

a. dissension: strife; heated, bitter conflict

b. I found a list o some issues that caused heated bitter conflict btwn Christinas 2day:

1. A deacon accusing another deacon of sending an anonymous letter

2. A church argument & vote 2 decide if a clock in the sanctuary should b removed

3. A dispute in the church because communion had cran/grape instead o grape juice

4. Major conflict when the youth borrowed a crockpot that had not been used 4 yrs

5. A disagreement over using the term “potluck” instead of “pot blessing”

6. argument over the appropriate length o the pastor’s beard

i. These r actually arguments in churches

D. Foolish trivial matters, arguments about rules & regs, & dissension r unprofitable & worthless

a. they have 0 value & achieve nothing

b. The person who focuses on these valueless, pointless things stir up division

1. tell me how dissension, controversies, & quarrelling over the law is going 2 help us reach the lost

i. Tell me how these things look anything like humility / Jesus’ character??

ii. Here is how Paul describes the attitude o Jesus

Philippians 2:5–8 ESV

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

-Jesus didn’t clutch at his rights as God’s son…he grabbed hold o his responsibility

*r we clawing at our rights or concerned w/our responsibilities as a Jesus follower

-Jesus emptied himself & served others

*2 what degree or level r we emptying our self?

*whom r u serving w/out regard 2 self?

-Jesus humbled himself & followed God’s plan o death

*R we following God’s plan, or our plan?

*Who is really calling the shots in our life?

iii. Chasing foolish trivial matters, arguments about rules & regs, divisiveness r indicators that we do not have the mindset o Jesus

-2 help us act graciously w/the unchurched & live in harmony w/other Jesus Followers, lets look at some...

II. Practical Advise

A. Engage in church discipline

Titus 3:10–11 ESV

10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

a. if u find a person stirring up division talk w/’em

1. if that doesn’t work, bring in the pastor & elders

i. remember that Paul is writing 2 a pastor.

ii. He’s telling Titus to engage in church discipline

-the elders & I will bring forth gracious correction

b. If ur approached for stirring up division be teachable & submit to correction

if defensiveness is ur “knee-jerk” reaction:

i. take a moment b4 u react

ii. humbly seek Jesus & ask God 2 reveal any wicked way w/in u

iii. apply the correction 2 ur life

iv. Don’t let it get 2 the 2nd / 3rd time o correction

c. Paul is (actually) advocating grace over immediate removal

1. He recommends discipleship (warning 2x)

2. If a person is un-teachable & stiff-necked they have a serious sin problem & it has 2b dealt w/

i. next practical advise:

B. Repent

1 John 1:9 ESV

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

a. If we r not gracious 2 those outside the church / living in harmony w/those following Jesus, we gotta we gotta turn frm our sin 2 God

C. Listen before we speak or act

James 1:19–20 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

OFFERING

I. Invite worship team up

II. Thank u 4 ur generous gifts

A. It’s by your giving that:

a. keep the lights on

b. continue to stream live

c. help those in need

d. continue renovations even through the pandemic

1. God has called us to move forward not hunker down / stall out

III. 3 ways to give

A. online: greenmtn.org

B. text the word “give” to [phone]

a. already gave via text: just text the amount to that same #

C. mail a check to 440 Main St. in Bennington

IV. A continued need above ur tithe & Offering:

A. Building Fund!

a. lots o maintenance & renovation to b done

1. Can select when u fill out the web based form

2. Or put Building fund in the memo line of ur check

V. Close in Prayer

A. Song: Revelation