Our focus on Summit’s core values continued yesterday. Below are snippets from Kyle’s compelling sermon on the value of biblical community. I encourage you to visit Summit’s site to hear the sermon in its entirety.
Matthew 22:34-40
His religious audience knew from Deuteronomy 6:4 that they were to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind—but others? Jesus ushers in a radical change when He commands us to love our neighbors as ourselves.
- We have little to do with who moves in next door, works in the cubicle close by, or beats us to the Target cash register after a long day at work — but that’s Jesus’ point. We’re not only to love those who look like us, smell like us, or talk like us — but everyone. God has placed us where we are for divine possibilities.
- “Jesus makes it very clear that spiritual formation is about relationships. Relationships with God and with others.” – Scott McKnight, The Jesus Creed
- Jesus would pay the price on our behalf so that selfishness could be put to death. We are empowered by God’s Spirit to live a new life with wholehearted devotion, freeing us to follow hard after God. By God’s grace, we can know Him, love Him, and love others in a way that He desires. Awaken these desires within us!
In response:
1. We need to actually live connected.
“We
think we’ve chosen our friends, and in reality, a few years of
difference and dates of our birth, a few more miles, the choice of one
school rather than another, any of these chances might have kept friends
apart. But for Christians, there’s strictly no speaking of chances. A
secret master of ceremonies has been at work in your life. Christ who
said to his disciples, “You have not chosen me but I have chosen you,”
can truly say to every group of Christian friends, “You have not chosen
one another, but I have chosen you for one another.” At this feast, it
is he who has spread the board, and it is he who has chosen the guest
list. It is he who sometimes does and always should preside. Let us not
forget our host as we eat.”
2. Resist isolation. Does our commitment to biblical community reflect God’s commitment to community? We’re not talking about church attendance but living connected to those who God will use to shape us into being more like Christ.
3. Live for one another.
“In many cases, we may, by the rules of the gospel, be
obliged to give to others when we cannot do it without suffering
ourselves…If our neighbor’s difficulties and necessities be much greater
than our own, and we see that he is not like to be otherwise relieved,
we should be willing to suffer with him, and to take part of his burden
on ourselves; else how is that rule of bearing one another’s burdens
fulfilled? If we are never obliged to relieve others’ burdens, but when we can
do it without burdening ourselves, then how do we bear our neighbor’s
burdens, when we bear no burden at all?” [Jonathan Edwards, Christian Charity, The Works of Jonathan Edwards]
Because people matter to God, they matter to us.
What “neighbor” will God place on our paths this week to love as Christ loves us? Lord, give us eyes to see and ears to hear so that we might put the Gospel on display.
Cathy, I love this post. It reminds me of the saying, "share the gospel and use words when you have to." Thanks for pointing out the biblical connection is much better than isolation. Love you!
Thanks so much for stopping by, sweet Jamie. 🙂 I'm thankful we share in community even though we're in different states. In Christ, there is no distance.
Inspirational, Cathy. Connections are hard because relationships are messy. I always think about making a cake. So much to do, so much mess, but after the heat — something fabulous and miraculous.
Thanks for starting my week with your great notes!
I love the analogy, Susan. Thanks for sharing!
What's up with the Hokies? 🙁
So very good Cathy,
We are new to the neighborhood and two weeks ago I told my back neighbor (early 60's) I would be praying for her (as she starts chemo) – I thought she was going to pass out, but she actually said, "Thank you" even though she referenced going into her Zin moment — anyhow, just today we were chatting over the fence and I mentioned again I was praying for her and she got a little emotional and gave me a hug — I'm excited to see where God will take this but I know God has us here for His purpose.
Yes, indeed . . . if people mattered to Christ, they better matter to us.
Here's a quote I will share on FB tomorrow from my pastor (he didn't reference anyone so I don't know if it was his thought??) "Jesus calls us to be fisher's of men not keepers of the aquarium." — Man, if that doesn't hit it home!
God bless you, Hester 😉
What an opportunity, Hester. I will be praying for your relationship with the neighbor.
I love the quote…talk about tweetable!
Wow! That must have been a wonderful sermon. I wish everyone could read your words…there are so many people out there who take offenses or "hear" things the wrong way, or who harbor grudges…imagine all of us loving one another enough to always give the other person the benefit of the doubt, to always assume the best, to wish the best for everyone, to love as Christ loved. I guess we'll finally experience that in heaven. Thanks Cathy!
So true, Deb! I think giving someone else the benefit of the doubt – believing the best instead of the worst – is one of the greatest gifts we can give one another, especially in the Body of Christ. Thank you for sharing!