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We Belong to One Another

A Consideration of Romans 12. We Belong to One Another. Inward -- Our Life together in Christ A Sharing, Caring, Christ Centered, Biblically Guided, Community of Believers. Caution: Cultural Challenge Ahead!. Current culture: radical individualism

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We Belong to One Another

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  1. A Consideration of Romans 12 We Belong to One Another Inward -- Our Life together in Christ A Sharing, Caring, Christ Centered, Biblically Guided, Community of Believers

  2. Caution: Cultural Challenge Ahead! • Current culture: radical individualism • We don’t need anyone but ourselves “Have it your way.” • “It’s all about ME!” • Nation built on the motif: “I can built this – now get out of my way!” • “The radical individualism of the late 20th century severed the reciprocal social bond that once joined the group to the individual.” Joseph Marglies, professor of Law and Government, Cornell • The world desperately needs a better story! Endless list of non-religious experts traumatized by implications of radical individualism. • We were not made for this! • God intends the church to be a vision of what the world could be!

  3. Church: A Covenant Community of Love • God has always called a people to represent life for the world. • Humankind has continually rebelled against the purposes of God for life • Jesus came to gather “renewed Israel” – described in Jeremiah 31:31-34 • A people with God’s law written in their hearts, a holy people for God. • “Jesus is my personal Savior” misses the point of Jesus’ incarnation. • What happened after kingdom gates opened? Acts 2:42-46 Community! • What is God’s purpose for the church? • If heaven for each of us – church serves only to get me there. • If God desires a people to save all – to live as a proleptic people (to show how life could be lived if under God’s direction) then the church is an essential community! • Great commission? AS YOU GO TEACH THE WORLD HOW TO LIVE!

  4. Romans 12: If Only We Lived It! • “Therefore…” Because of this grand narrative of redemptive love: • Great apologetics text in Scripture (my opinion): Romans 12:1-2 • v 3: demolishes the possibility of selfish focus (radical individualism) – think of self with “sober judgment according to faith.” • v 4: As a body is diverse in function – so, too, are we different (by design) • v 5: in Christ we form ONE body, each member BELONGS to all the others. • There can be no competition, no rancor, no ill will, nothing but cooperative collaborative love and gratitude. • Different gifts by design! Find who truly are in loving, supportive, honest community! • DISCOVER GOD’S HIDDEN GIFTS IN YOUR MIDST!

  5. The Church as Love in Action… • Scot McKnight: A Fellowship of Differents • Love is a rugged commitment: With, For, and only then “Unto…” • Romans 12:9 – the identity markers of the church – as holy community • Sincere love – hating evil, clinging to good – devoted to one another in love • Honor one another above yourselves… • Never lacking in zeal, keep spiritual fervor – through serving the Lord! • Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. • Share with your sisters and brothers in need – PRACTICE HOSPITALITY! • Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn – harmonious living • Do not be proud – live in peace with all. • Do not take revenge – repay evil with good. • We can’t live like this without the help of a faithful community! • WE BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE GOD CREATED US FOR THIS!

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