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Devoted to One Another in Love

Shawn Hillman
Plainfield Congregational United Church of Christ

17 August 2008

Romans 12: 3-18 (NIV)

… I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

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Introduction

Key phrases

Focus; Symbols of a Still Speaking God

Reflections

1. Conversations on Religion; “Christians” are all over quoting the bible, but using it to divide not teach love

Everyday People (The 1^st Symbol)
Spiritual  “Leaders”

Politicians

2. Love: The Theme that is Missing

The 2^nd Symbol

Acceptance and Tolerance

3. What and HOW do we change all this?!

The Quiz

Tolerating it from our leaders or in our community will get us nowhere.

Working together making the pool safe

Conclusion

We must work on our Christianity and living out our faith as much as we can. We must be examples of how strong our faith is, and devoted to one another in LOVE

Key phrases

“… In one body we have many members…”

“…Be devoted to one another in brotherly love…”

“… Share with God’s people who are in need…”

“… Live in harmony with one another…”

Leading By Example

Guest Worship Leader - Shawn Hillman

Scripture - James 2: 14 - 24

¹⁴What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? ¹⁵Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.

¹⁹You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.

²⁰You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless^[a]? ²¹Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²²You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,"^[b] and he was called God's friend. ²⁴You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.

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"You see that a person is justified by what he DOES, and not by faith alone."

Okay - so right off the bat I concede that today's scripture is a bit of what we may call "extreme" as far as illustrating the point of good deeds! I mean - we ARE in the 21^st century now and well, using examples of how a father offers his son for sacrifice as a show of his faith is, well, perhaps a bit outdated.

However, the concept and teaching ring true to this day: Faith, if not accompanied by a call to action, is ineffective.

As a developing Christian - and especially now as a parent - I struggle with faith vs. action. I know I have "faith" - but how do I SHOW my children EVERYDAY through my actions that it is real? I guarantee this is harder than it sounds. The struggles with this can come in the tiniest of events: