This morning going to talk to the church
Romans 12:9-21
Not members of a building- but of a body
The body of Christ- not an organization- but an organism
Something that’s alive- and moving
God’s church has been changed, thwarted, and twisted
Changed into Rules and regulations- do’s and don’ts
If it was up to “the religious” nobody would get to serve God
I have switched from religion to a relationship
Church, if you haven’t switched yet, then switch
You’re either serving out of RELIGION or RELATIONSHIP
You give somebody rules and they’ll find out how break them w/o getting caught
Give somebody your heart and time, they’ll run to you and not from you
The same Goes for you
When you see that you have God’s heart and not His rules
You’ll quit running from God and start running to Him
So how do we show this heart?
How do we exhibit the heart of God?
From this scripture we will learn how to live for relationships
READ
Paul gives us a beautiful outline of how to live as the church
1. Don’t be a hypocrite
Hypocrites have one of two natures
1. They either truly think they are holy and the standard for God
2. Or they know they’re the same as all of us, trying to fake you out
In the church, if you don’t act fake, people judge you
But if we’re going to touch the world for Christ, need to be real
Why are we so afraid of people knowing WHO we really are?
The only way to have a true relationship is know somebody
WARTS AND ALL
Christians aren’t perfect
They have marital problems
They have job problems
They have kid problems
They have moral problems
They have lust problems
They have financial problems
Christians are real people
BUT, When people who have the same problems come into a church
They want to confess their sins, seek a haven with REAL PEOPLE
Not the church they’ll say
“OH I can’t believe they did that”, “thought that”,
We judge- When the world needs a pardon, all they find is a judge
Church if we’re gonna be different, WERE GONNA HAVE TO BE REAL
Let’s not be hypocrites
Not so real that you overlook all your problems- like they’re OK
But real enough to remember- People are hurting, They need a pardon, not a judge
2. Pay back evil with good VS. 4- VS.17-18 VS.21
We know this one by heart—
but returning evil w/good & cussing about it- That doesn’t help
It has to be in our hearts to forgive, love and pursue peace
Romans 14:19 “Let us pursue the things that make peace.”
You might be asking someone to come to Church- worried about their soul
What about you? Someone in your life- you haven’t forgiven
Well I’ll show him- That’ll teach her- I never forget that
Pay back evil with good-
Peace is a good seed- and you’ll reap that Harvest
If you’re sowing unforgiveness- you’ll reap that too
3. Listen to people- VS. 15- If they’re hurting – hurt with them
If they’re rejoicing- shout and be happy
When I tell other people or preachers that our church has one heart and unity
They’ll get mad- You walk off “It’s a cult” “I knew it”
When someone wins, we all win- When someone loses, we all lose.
4. Lighten up- VS. 16- Not everybody is like you, and we’re glad
Some guys see other guys and say-
He’s got an earring- tattoo, nose ring, - Why do they have to do that
But they guy that has tattoo, nose rings, earrings could say
“Hey man, You’re wearing cowboy boots, wranglers, hat, dip.”
YOU AINT A COWBOY_ WHY DO YOU HAVE TO DO THAT
The cultural barriers in Lubbock are ridiculous
I thought getting Baptists and Pentecosts to talk was tough
Try Getting some white people to talk to some black people
White people will eat in mexican food restaurants- but they can’t talk to one
The bigotry that exists in this city is sickening-
Some preachers “in the name of Jesus” try to justify – You cant reach them- BULL
Not here- not me- There is no good in any of us- except Jesus Christ
If you can look at someone, think you’re better- U don’t know Jesus at all
LIGHTEN UP! - We’re different- and it’s beautiful
Right before this passage Paul tells How to help people even more
5. Be Real VS. 3-8
Don’t think more highly of yourself, that you should
Use the gifts that God has given each of us
Many want a gift- They get it – Won’t use it
The way church works isn’t through programs
Knocking of doors, Loud Music- Fancy preaching
Church works when everybody is using their gifts
One more scripture 2 Corinthians 10:12-13
Let’s read VS. 12- expound
Boast in what the Lord has done, but don’t think you’re more that you are
You are righteous, holy, sanctified, justified- instead of bragging about that
Let’s go tell somebody that thinks they’re nothing-
Jesus can make them that
1. Don’t be a hypocrite
2. Pay back evil with GOOD
3. Listen to people
4. Lighten up
5. Be Real
Then we can be the church
