CollideWalk Worthy
Tension in the air…
Awkward…
Stomach in knotsAnd conflict is coming…
2= Number of Principles 1= Overarching Thought
Who owns you?
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you
have from God?
Not so that you could have God's Spirit
But because God's Spirit has you
You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body- 1 Cor. 6:19-20
ResponsibilityBased on
Ownership
“You shall be holy, for I am holy…”
…knowing that you were ransomed…not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ- 1 Peter 1:16, 18-19
The Direction contains an Expectation this is based on
Ownership
You were bought with a price…1 Cor. 7:23
Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood- Acts 20:28
Responsibility to care forBased on
Ownership
In Christ
We are not ownersBut managers with a
Remarkable responsibility
What does that change?
TimeTalents and Gifts
Relationships and SexualityWork and Money
Thought-life
Managers of What God owns for:
God's gloryOur ultimate joy
Pressure isn't on you
To figure it all out
Pressure isn't on you
To make it all work
Pressure isn't on you
To find a life that matters
Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or
‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you- Jesus, Matthew 6
Responsibility is to:
Prioritize Kingdom principlesFollow God by Faith- his rtsnessLeave the results to Him
1st Meta-Principle:
- You belong to God- You have the responsibility and privilege of managing what he owns- You are set free
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of
our trespasses…
making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ…
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in
him, things in heaven and things on earth
- Eph. 1:7, 9-10
God's ultimate goal:Unity of his creation
Every knee…every tongue…Jesus Christ is Lord!
- Phil. 2
Throne- Every tribe, every tongue, every nation…
United with voices lifted highin worship of our One King
Restoration of what was lost
Creation= unity
Fall= disunity, distance, deceit
Redemption= payment/ownership
Restoration= unity (Christ's purpose)
as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all
things in him- Eph. 1
God ownsGod's plan is unity
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…
Worthy of the calling= 3 chapters of:
"You don't deserve, but by Christ's bloody sacrifice, you are called into his family…"
Worthy= Axios
"Having the weight of another thing of like value. Having matching value"
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called…
…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another
in love…
…making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace- Eph. 4:1-3
…making every effort- Entrusted to manage
…the unity of the Spirit- What God created and owns
In Christ, God is bringing all things into unity
The church is the example to Our world of Christ's desireFor the world
Because they don't Love division, either!
The overarching purpose of God in the sacrifice of Christ on the cross: to unite all things in him
…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another
in love…
humility and gentleness
Hard to offend peopleWho have no egoBecause they crucified it
How easily am I offended?
Am I harsh or gentleWith people?
with patience
We are all at different placesIn our faith-walkGod has patience and love with usShouldn't we give the same grace?
Do I demonstrate patiencein understandingand giving grace?
bearing with one another in love
It won't be easyBut it will be worth itLove is the motivationPleasing Jesus is the goal
Do I love enoughTo bear with people
Who are harder to love?
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is
honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on
you, live peaceably with all- Romans 12:17-18
Good news!
When you hate conflictAnd torn-up relationships
You're in good company
Good news!
When gossips upset youWhen division causes you pain
You're in good company
Good news!
And when you want toMake peaceYou have a God who backs you
Blessed are the peacemakers…- Jesus
IF you have placed your faithIn Jesus
You belong to himAnd are a manager of whatHe owns- including relationships
God desires Unity among his people
Peace with all who will allow
And you are set free
From keeping accountsJudging in God's placeCausing conflict and being right
God's ownership Makes us responsible
God's love directs us toEveryone's best interests:His glory, our joy
As a church:
Unity is a core value- Around Jesus- Serving Jesus and one another- Carrying a cross
Homework:
3 People (2 non-family):
"Do I contribute to peace? Or to conflict?"
Homework:
3 People (2 non-family):
"Does Eph. 4:1-3 describe me?"
God's not done with you yet!
Does God need to StartWith you?
"He who has the Son has life.He who does not have the SonDoes not have life. These things I have written that you may KNOW you have eternal life"- I John