Building The Ultimate Community Requires Acceptance

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God (Romans 15:7).

Right at the heart of the ultimate community is a culture of acceptance.

1. WHO IS ACCEPTED IN THE UTLIMATE COMMUNITY?

“Accept one another” (Romans 15:7a)

Everyone is acceptable in the ultimate community.

a) Accepting one another in our homes

Jesus was eating at the house of a prominent teacher once and he said this … "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich

neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the

poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid

at the resurrection of the righteous" (Luke 14:12-14)

He’s saying that Christians ought to be hospitable people.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9).

Hospitality doesn’t try to impress people, it tries to serve them. Whereas entertaining always puts things before

people.

b) Accepting one another in our church

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow

Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).

2. HOW ARE PEOPLE ACCEPTED IN THE ULTIMATE COMMUNITY?

We are to welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed us, warts and all.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you … (Romans 15:7a).

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us(Romans 5:8).

It isn’t our job to judge outsiders (1 Corinthians 5:12)

This doesn’t mean we accept or condone sin. The ultimate community is a place of full acceptance but no compromise. Remember the old saying, “love the sinner hate the sin.” Christ accepts us but he does not accept our sin.

3. WHY ARE PEOPLE ACCEPTED IN THE ULTIMATE COMMUNITY?

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you …in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:7)

You are a walking advertisement of the wonderful love and acceptance of Jesus Christ.

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples (John 13:35)

WHAT NOW?

Jesus said this … Those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them (John 6:37)

God wants you to accept others just like Jesus accepted you.

Maybe you have never experienced God’s acceptance before. If you come to him today he will not reject you.