Glorifying God Together in Community

Notes: Glorifying God Together in Community 
Pastor Chet Lowe
1/22/17
Coast Hills Community Church
Genesis 2:18

Genesis 2:18 NLT
[18] Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him."

What is your community?

Our God developed all the things around us. 

We need community. God has existed all of time in community of the Father, Son and Spirit.

Matthew 18:20 NLT
[20] For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."

Psalm 133:1 NLT
[1] How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!

Community is different in every culture.

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
[1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

1. Pity is the enemy and will work to keep us from community.

No one is perfect, we are all human beings that need God's mercy.

As the church we are given the opportunity to show mercy.

Romans 12:3 ESV
[3] For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

2. Another enemy is pride. Arrogance of isolation.

Romans 12:4 ESV
[4] For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,

It was said Christianity is community through Jesus Christ and with Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:18-19 ESV
[18] For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. [19] So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

Romans 12:5 ESV
[5] so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

We are members of one another.

John 15:17 ESV
[17] These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

Jesus gives us His word so that we can live in community.

Romans 12:6-8 ESV
[6] Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; [7] if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; [8] the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

3. Community has Covenants

A. Be loving
Romans 12:10 ESV
[10] Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

To be genuine you don't respond to one another as "fine." You tell each other how you are actually doing.

Hold fast to the things that are good.

In families you need to be quick to encourage, just as Jesus is.

Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV
[24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

B. Be a Servant
Romans 12:11 ESV
[11] Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV
[2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

People are hard to love and serve, that is why we must be fervent.

C. Be joyful in hope.

Romans 12:12 ESV
[12] Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Suffering is part of life, but we get to do it together.

Ecclesiastes 4:10 ESV
[10] For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

D. Be hospitable!
Romans 12:13 ESV
[13] Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

The home is not just a place to reside, but it is also a place for ministry.

E. Be Compassionate!

Romans 12:14-15 ESV
[14] Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. [15] Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

It's a commandment and clear direction that we are to bless those who persecute us.

We are told to rejoice with those who rejoice.

When Pastor Chet's father and brother passed, the two words that defined his community was, "care" and "there".

Romans 12:16-18 ESV
[16] Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. [17] Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. [18] If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

F. Be Forgiving 
Beloved
Romans 12:19 ESV
[19] Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

We have been forgiven and we need forgiveness.

Romans 12:20-21 ESV
[20] To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." [21] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Be forgiving!