4 For just as we have many parts in one body—and all the parts do not have the same function— 5 so we, who are many, are one body in Messiah and everyone parts of one another. (Romans 12:4-5, TLV)
Worship is loving God back, and it’s the
primary purpose of our lives. God’s design for your life isn’t just that you
love Him. It’s that you love Him by loving one another. Life changes in the
context of community.
Respect everyone. Love the
community of believers. Reverence God. Honor your ruler. (1 Peter 2:17, VOICE)
There are three ways God is calling us to
love Him by loving one another:
1.
Choose
to belong to God’s people.
21 The eye cannot tell the
hand, “I don’t need you!” or in turn the head to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On
the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be less important are
indispensable. 23 Those parts of the body that we think to be less
honorable, we clothe with greater honor; and our unpresentable parts are
treated with greater modesty; 24 but our presentable parts have no such
need. Rather God assembled the body, giving more honor to those who are
lacking, 25 so that there may be no division in the body, but so that the
parts may have the same care for one another. 26 If one part suffers, all
the parts suffer together. If one part is honored, all the parts rejoice
together. 27 Now you are the body of Messiah, and members individually. (1 Corinthians 12:21-27, TLV)
2.
Share friendship with God’s people by using…
42 They were devoting themselves to the teaching of the emissaries
and to fellowship, to breaking bread and to prayers. 43 Fear lay upon
every soul, and many wonders and signs were happening through the emissaries. 44 And
all who believed were together, having everything in common. 45 They began
selling their property and possessions and sharing them with all, as any had
need. 46 Day by day they continued with one mind, spending time at the
Temple and breaking bread from house to house. They were sharing meals with
gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all
the people. And every day the Lord was adding to their number those being
saved. (Acts 2:42-47, TLV)
·
Our homes
8 Above all, keep your love for one another constant, for “love
covers a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable one to another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:8-9, TLV)
·
Our resources
Now the whole group of those who believed was one in heart and mind. No
one would say anything he owned was his own, but they had everything in common.
(Acts 4:32, TLV)
·
Our joys and sorrows
9 Love others well, and don’t hide behind a mask;
love authentically. Despise evil; pursue what is good as if your life depends on it. 10 Live in true devotion to
one another, loving each other as sisters and brothers. Be first to honor
others by putting them first. (Romans 12:9-10, VOICE)
3.
Be family
Help each other with your troubles. When you do this, you are obeying the
law of Christ. (Galatians,
6:2 ERV)
“You will find that it is necessary
to let things go; simply for the reason that they are heavy. So let them go,
let go of them. I tie no weights to my ankles.” (C. JoyBell
C.)[i]
[i] Inspired by the sermon “Living by Design: Living
by Design” (Installment three), Sunday May 12, 2019, Pastor
Dave Jansen, CenterPoint Gahanna Church Gahanna, OH.
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