creating caring communities

---

COMMUNITY Series: Word/Care/Mission

CREATING CARING COMMUNITIES Loved By Jesus  United by Jesus  Set Free by Jesus Pastor Doug Schillinger September 29, 2013

I.

Loved By Jesus The Command: John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one

another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

How has Jesus loved you? The Command Lived Out: Acts 2:42-47: And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

This command lived out in our community groups…

II. United by the Glory of Jesus John 17:20-23: I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

True unity in our community groups and in our church is based upon Jesus.

III. Set Free by Jesus Galatians 5:13-14: 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. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:26-6:2. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The Gospel humbles us… “Don’t Provoke Each other” The Gospel emboldens us… “Don’t Envy Each other” The gospel sets us free to live in true community with each other, humbling us so that no one is above serving another, and emboldening us in that no one needs to fear rejection.

For Further Study 1. There are 59 “one another” commands in the New Testament. Here’s a list of many of these. Which of these would you humbly assess God could help you more consistently show to other believers in your life?  Be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50)  Love one another (John 13:14, 34, 35, 15:12, 17; Romans 13:8;)  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Romans 12:10)  Honor one another above yourselves (Romans 12:10)  Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)  Stop passing judgment on one another (Romans 14:13)  Accept one another, just as Christ accepted you…” (Romans 15:7)  Instruct one another (Romans 15:14)  Have equal concern for one another (I Corinthians 12:25)  Serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13)  Carry each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)  Be patient, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:2)  Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)  Forgive each other, just as God in Christ has forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32)  Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21)  In humility consider others better than yourself. (Philippians 2:3)  Do not lie to each other (Colossians 3:9)  Bear with one another (Colossians 3:13)  Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)  Encourage each other (I Thessalonians 4:18, 5:11; Hebrews 3:13, 10:25)  Spur one another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)  Do not slander one another (James 4:11)  Don’t grumble against each other (James 5:9)  Confess your sins to each other (James 5:16)  Pray for each other (James 5:16)  Live in harmony with each other (I Peter 3:8)  Love each other deeply (I Peter 3:8; 4:8)  Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (I Peter 4:9)  Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others

(I Peter 4:10)



Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (I Peter 5:5)

2. How can you replicate the love demonstrated in the early church in Acts 2:42-47 and 4:23-32 in groups that you are involved with today? 3. Linking our love for each other with the love Jesus has shown us is a prominent theme in the book of I John. Check out I John 3:16, 18; 4:9-12 Get Connected To find out information about various community groups and places to do life with others, talk with one of the volunteers at Parkview Connect in the foyer.