In a Greater One

In a Greater One

Good Morning Friends,

When one begins to develop a Christ-like character, in one’s spirit and flesh, a by-product of this process is that one stops having selfish ambition…one stops having a selfish conceit…one begins to increase consideration of others and yes one increases humility as well. Then rather surprisingly and as a transformational gift from God one experiences the joy of being joined together In a Greater One.

Scripture: If then there is any encouragement in Christ, any consolation from love, any sharing in the Spirit, any compassion and sympathy, make my joy complete: be of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death — even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:1-11 (NRSV)

One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.” 

Luke 14:15-24 (NRSV)

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.

Hebrews 13:7 (NRSV)

Message: Being in the community of the Spirit should teach us to have a heart…to put ourselves aside and to help others get ahead. We need to forget ourselves long enough to remember to lend a helping hand. Like Christ we are to set aside what we think is status and privilege. We are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to heal the hurting church by having the same mind and attitude that Christ had. Brothers and sisters, if the church team of believers is going to be healthy, then each one of us must be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We need to reflect the mind of Christ. We are to take seriously His example. We need to remember the good in us all and we need to look for that good. We need to praise that good. We need to realize that the good in others may be better than the good in us. We need to win the battle for our mind. We need to see His reflection in us. Friends, we have been given a purpose. It is to glorify God in unity through love. Do not be afraid of God’s generosity.

Pray that we have a humility that leads to obedience. Pray we actively worship as we learn to love God with all our heart and mind and soul. Pray in ministry we learn to meet the real needs of others…physical, mental, emotional and spiritual as we learn to love our neighbors as ourselves. Pray we understand the interaction between the larger community, the crowds that come to events, and the congregation of those who meet each week providing support for our places of worship. Pray we as disciples…. the core of believers, are committed to the intimate ministry of the church in community. Pray we fit into the purpose of the church through our purpose. Pray our cup of joy spill over into our culture. Pray we do more than just follow. Pray we learn to apply the teachings of Jesus, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the love of the Father in our lives so that we might glorify God in changing the world. Pray we immerse ourselves daily to build up and equip the fellowship. Pray we be in awe of Jesus but get to know him in and through the lives of others. Pray we have the courage to meet Jesus, the extraordinary in the ordinary. Pray we realize that we can selfishly reject Jesus or humbly receive him in our daily walk. Pray we realize that what we do in the lives of others is reflected in the life of Jesus in heaven. Pray we realize that what we choose to do today makes a difference.

Blessings,

John Lawson