Life Together

Well, good morning. I'm Rob Aulis. Um Brian. Um Is letting me pitch it for him again today. And though he's not sick this time, Praise the Lord.

He's been out of town all week and has just gotten back. And glad to be with you all. And we, as an elder team, had decided that when he is going to be out for the entire week, we don't want him to have a pressure on still trying to come up with a message and stuff that when he is ministering elsewhere, that is our church ministering elsewhere. And so we are excited for our associate staff to take advantage of that and have opportunities to open the word to you. And that's what I get to do today.

I'm very excited to do it. And we're going to actually talk about what it means to have life together in a community and how. All of us. are important in that community. And I want to talk a little bit about One of the biggest challenges that people have, particularly when they're coming to a new Community or a new set of relationships.

And that is one of expectations. It's one of expectations. Interesting, they've for years done studies on who are the happiest people in the world? Right? What country has the happiest people in the world?

And without fail, it seems like almost every time they do this, Denmark is in like the top three if they're not the very top. And so experts have figured out what in the world's going on in Denmark. I mean, that place is kinda. You know, all those things that we're told shouldn't be inspiring to people to find just joy as they walk out their doors. Whereas they started digging into that, what they found is that one of the reasons why the people in Denmark are so content and happy is because they have very little expectations.

They they just Life is going to give us a whole bunch of stuff, and we'll be okay, and away they go. And then, when blessings which come, and there are always blessings that come. If you just watch for them, then they're super excited to receive them and they live in a more constant state of joy because of that. And this is a big challenge because, particularly, there are many positive things about the American dream, but one of the negatives is that we are constantly. Using expectations and ambition to drive us forward, only to set us up for disappointment.

And a lot of times when we enter into our relationships, whether it's going to a new church or even looking to relationships at school or work or things like that, we come into them setting up a lot of expectations. On what we should get, and when our expectations aren't met. We want to throw up our hands and I'm out of here. And we want to blame. We start playing that blame game and throwing things around.

And unfortunately, in the evangelical American church today, There is a lot. Of disappointment and a lot of people unhappy in their church relationships. And that's not what we want here at Lifeline. And it's not what the Lord wants in his church. Jesus talked about this in Matthew 24 when he said, And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another, and many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.

And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. Jesus is talking about a period of time, as far as we can see exegetically, that went all the way from the cross to present. This wasn't something that's out there in the future. And if you watch through church history, and if you even look at what's going on today among many Christians, there's a lot of this going on. And that's really sad.

And Jesus warned about this, and we're not supposed to be dealing with this. And this is why in the Sermon on the Mount, very early on in his ministry, he says, But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do you not, even the tax collectors, do the same?

And if you greet only your brothers, what more? What more are you doing? Than others do not, even the Gentiles do the same. What's his point here? He's saying that if you actually go through life and you have a loving attitude that's not built on your expectations and what you're gonna get from others, but is about what you can give to others.

That's where real God-following love comes from because that's the way God loves people. He lets it rain on a lot of people that curse His name. over and over again. And yet that's the example. That Jesus gives us for our love.

And Paul gets in on this when he talks in Galatians 6. He says, Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh from the flesh reaps corruption.

But the one who sows from the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good. For in the Due season we will reap. If we do not give up, so then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone. and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

What Paul is doing is he's linking this idea of reap what you sow, but he's doing it in this idea that when we do good, Towards others. We're sowing to the Holy Spirit. And so the reaping that comes... Is not dependent on the people that are receiving, but depending on the Holy Spirit. And this is why this is an incredible understanding of how we live when it comes to our relationships, especially.

The household of faith. And so this is why we get a lot of teachings just in the New Testament itself, but through the whole Bible, the things we call like the golden rule, right? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Or the second great commandment, love one another. Right?

Love your neighbor as yourself. And then Jesus gives this third commandment: love one another as I have loved you. This idea that our love should never be seeded in expectations. Our doing good should never be seeded in expectations. It should be seeded in God's own character and the way He shows us how to love.

Um So, in other words, when we are sowing to the Spirit. We're sowing a love that won't return void. It will have impact, and we will gain and reap. From that, I love John Bever's quote here. If more Christians recognize this, they wouldn't give up and become offended.

Usually, this is not the type of love we walk in. We walk in a selfish love that is easily disappointed when our expectations are not met. If I have expectations about certain persons, those people can let me down. They will disappoint me to the degree that they fall short of my expectations. But if I have no expectations about someone, anything given is a blessing and not something owed.

We set ourselves up for offense when we require certain behaviors from those with whom we have relationships. The more we expect, the greater the potential offense.

Okay. Um I use this kind of Talk when I do premarital counseling, or even marital counseling a lot, where in premarital counseling, one of the things I like to do early on is I have them write down a list of all the things they expect to see in their marriage that's coming up. And then after they do that, and boy, they can go to town, right? We can all do that, right? Then I tell him, go ahead and wad that sucker up now.

and throw it away. Throw it away.

Now, I want you to write down every way that you hope to bless your new spouse. in your relationship coming. You do that. And they do that. It's a lifetime of blessing.

But unfortunately, the world tells us not to think that way. We should always be thinking about what we can get. What are the expectations? And let me tell you, you may not say, hon. At the altar there.

Yeah, I'll go ahead and say I do just as long as you understand I don't ever want a meal late on the table. Or, I don't want ever anything broken to stay broken more than a day. Right? You don't do that. And yet we Think that.

And then when the expectations don't happen. I'm outta here. And that doesn't work. That doesn't work.

Now, it may be Very unnatural in the world for people to live and relate to each other with. without expectations, but as a recreation through the gospel. It should become natural for us to live with each other without these expectations, but live rather. in an attitude of doing. of blessing, of loving.

Period. And that's what this message is today. You see, we're going to be going into. Colossians, and Colossians is a book. Paul wrote to a church that he hadn't been to.

He didn't plant this church. One of his disciples had gone off and planted this church, Epaphras. And as Paul was um In prison, actually, Epaphras comes and says, This is what's going on in the church, and it looks like they have some kind of preform of Gnosticism going on in. In Colossi. And Paul writes this letter of Colossians to counter that.

And as he's writing it, he's talking about. That he gets into the here and now, particularly in what the new life looks like in our relationships. Gnosticism. in a lot of ways taught that there were lots of spiritual levels and they're good, but somehow the world got messed up when it was created and it's bad and Jesus is just one of these lower guys, but he really can't do a lot for you. And then just so many variations came into play.

You've got to purge yourself of this flesh because it's evil and wicked, but you can't really do that unless you can get my special secret knowledge to tell you how to get up to the spiritual realm and then you can start working in some really good stuff. And Paul writes, Colossians says, no, no, no, no, no. First and foremost, everything is about Jesus Christ. And that's where he goes in.

So you have in Colossians, you have a book about Christ's. preeminence. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell.

There's none of this level stuff. You're in Christ, you're in all the way to the top. That's what Paul is getting at in his teachings here in this book. Not only that, you have complete victory already when you're in Christ. And you who were dead in your trespasses and your uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses by canceling the record of the debt that stood against us with its legal commands.

This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and the authorities and put them to open shame by triumphing over them in him. One of the themes you see in Colossians is this anti-spiritual realm-level nonsense. And he goes, and you see a lot of these things, rulers and authorities and stuff throughout the book. And when he's doing that, that's what he's saying.

He's like, He's like, that's nonsense. You got Jesus. He trumps anything that would even be there. And through Jesus, we have complete and total victory. This is where we've been at in our Ephesians study.

We were dead.

Now we're made alive and seating. Seated. In the very heavenly places where God dwells through Jesus Christ. And not only is this victory complete, but it is true life-changing in the here and now. Paul says in the middle of chapter 3, where he's talking about get rid of the old life, put on the new life, because this is where we live.

He says there's not Greek and Jew and circumcised and uncircumcised and barbarian and Ascythian slave-free, but Christ is all and in all.

So even in our relationships, there's nothing that sits here. that can affect them from the outside. That the new life and the new life in our relationships. Is set from the inside with Jesus Christ who's in all of us.

So, this new identity categories that are in the broader passage here, Brian actually taught through this passage back in, I think, September. But we get this new perspective on living. Paul tells us to look up instead of looking out. He says we get better relationships in our church family and how to do that, and then better relationships in our homes, and then a new life of worship. And it's a beautiful laid-out passage, but we're going to really focus right here.

This is where I was just. burden to get to. And for this message, and that's what I want to do. And so, in here, we have this outline. If you haven't yet, you can grab your Bibles.

We're going to be now in Colossians. 3, 12 to 17. If you don't have a Bible, there's some in the seats in front of you. But we're going to be referring just in this passage here. But I want to give you the outline.

I'm going to give it to you right up front. In this passage, you have, it starts off with who y'all are. And I put y'all there because in the South we actually take into account plural and single second person.

Okay, the rest of the world, or American English speakers, don't know how to do that, but we do in the South.

So, y'all. Right? You need to remember who you are. And then he lays it out because, and he gives three imperatives in the passage: you need to put on love, and there's a list of things there, and then you need to let the peace of Christ rule, and you need to let the word of Christ dwell. And then you need to be remembering who he is.

And so let's go ahead and read through this passage real quick, and then we're going to start unpacking it. Put on then as God's chosen ones. Colossians 3.12, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other. As the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thanksgiveness, thankfulness in your hearts to God. In whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Now, I thought about this as I was wanting to prepare it, and one of the things that came to me that's easy to Mix up in our own bents toward legalistic thinking was that starting off with the application on putting all these love things seems like it's weighing a lot on us. We belong to Jesus, so we should start looking like Jesus.

So let's roll up our sleeves and then somehow we're going to generate all these realities. And so what I want to do today to help us out is I'm gonna do Okay. Let's get back there. I'm gonna I'm going to actually go backwards. I'm sure if we ask Brian, he has some kind of homiletical style to do this.

What I want to do is actually walk through the passage backwards. Because I want to start with Jesus Christ. And I want to show how what we have in Jesus Christ. as we work through it. makes actually applying These aspects of love in our lives towards each other.

something that should be built to be natural. For us. And so, in working backwards, we're starting at Colossians 3:17. And whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through. Through him.

Remember, this is Jesus we're talking about, the one who is preeminent. Right? Acting in someone's name, N.T. Wright tells us, means both representing him and being empowered. to do so.

That's really important here. We are to be in our relationships as this new creature. Representing Jesus and we are empowered to do so. By Jesus. One of the passages I think of all the time when I think of that phrase, the name of Jesus, and there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

This name of Jesus, it is through the very new creature salvation piece that we have the power to live well in our relationships. He is, I'm expanding on that passage I read earlier. Just think of who Jesus is. Paul tells us at the beginning of the book: He is the image of the invisible God. The firstborn of all creation, for by him all things were created.

In heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, there's that reference to the spiritual realm again. All things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent, for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

So this is the name. That we have placed everything following. This is also the name of the one who has come in and saved us, who is empowering us to live. representing This name. And he gives us three categories to do so: in our words.

Speaking what we say should be done with his name up here. In our deeds, the same thing. We're doing in his name. We're representing him in what we do. And then in our thanks.

Because guess what? That. Jesus who had it all. decided to come down here. When we said no, we don't want it.

so that we could have it anyway. Yeah. Thankfulness. In His name, because our every breath we take. is because of him, and we should celebrate that all the time.

He is preeminent. He is preeminent. He's above all.

Okay. And now What are we going to do with that? As we're working backwards, we're going to hit that third imperative: let the word of Christ dwell.

Okay. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your heart to God. Three things that come from letting the Word of Christ dwell on you richly. But what is that? The Word of Christ.

Is that the same as the Word of God? Is that the Bible?

Well, I think there's a little play on here. I think Colossians being all about Christ's preeminence. There is an equation with this word of Christ being the word of God. But it goes even deeper than that. This word of Christ, this link that takes every one of us through into Him, is that gospel that we get that's found in Scripture.

The very scripture Jesus says is written all about. Him.

So in this gospel, as we let this word of Christ, the gospel and all the facets of it dwell in us on a regular basis. We intersect with each other. In our Christian relationships, three ways. The first one, wisdom. We're to use this wisely.

James tells us: if anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God who gives generously to all without approach, and it will be given him. There's obviously a lot more that can be talked about in this passage, but the point is that when you are going to intersect with someone else, In your church family, sometimes you need to do exactly that. Lord, we've been going through a rough spot. I need wisdom in how to act. in your name here.

or how to speak in your name in this relationship. Right? Do it. Like prayer. right in front of what's going on.

as you're acting. Use it worshipfully. I love this. I was talking to Brad and he said that passage like this in the one in Ephesians that we'll get to at some point in the Ephesians series about worshiping together in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, it has more to do with like having a vocabulary sitting right there that is of natural praise that is excited and invites the ones you're with to join in. Yeah, it's so exciting when you think in that way.

It's where, like this passage here: I waited patiently for the Lord. He inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see in fear and put their trust in the Lord.

This is this when we think of who God is, who Jesus is, and what he's done for us, how can we not have this? Celebratory excitement together with our brothers and sisters, whom we will spend eternity with. In celebration with Jesus. Kind of that idea where two and three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them. And that's something to be celebrated.

And then finally, use it thankfully. I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart. In the company of the upright, in the congregation. There is a special thanks. And you'll see if you hadn't already, like three times here where thankfulness is tied into this passage.

And that's because when brothers and sisters, When people in a relationship have something to celebrate together, when they have something to be thankful together, there is a growth that happens in that relationship. There's a linking, there's something that makes it even extra special good. And we have that all the time because of Jesus. And so we need to practice thanking the Lord for what He has done. Together.

together. And then that brings us to what sits underneath that, the next imperative here: let the peace of Christ rule.

Okay. So Paul says, imperative, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, and be thankful. If we're going to be able. to have this This one another stuff coming up, this teaching and admonishing one another in the world, this representing Christ Himself in our relationships. We need to have this one body.

United mentality. Together. Okay? One of the things that Satan, the great deceiver, is very good at, and that's dividing and conquering. And he goes at.

our relationships like you can't believe. What he does And I think I've mentioned this before up here: is he sneaks up behind one of you and Hold your hand. and whispers in your ear all the negative things about the other one. How they haven't met your expectations, they're not worthy, they're this, they're that. But then he...

goes and grabs the hand Of the other person in the relationship and whispers and does the same thing, and then the next thing you know, you two are at each other's throats. And he's holding both your hands, just spurring you on. to do that. James 4 talks a lot about that. And That's the method of the en enemy.

But we can go in eyes wide open and say no. It's about unity. Anything that's going to break the unity. of Christ And our representation of Christ. That's off the table.

We don't consider it. We stop. We put our heels in the sand and say, no more. Whether it means to zip it. or whether it means to go off and Reorient.

Whether it means to sit down and write all the good things about the person that you want to be so mad about.

so that you can recognize and see how does Christ work through them. But in our relationships, peace is to rule. That word rule, fascinating word there. It means to referee. I think I keep hitting this thing and it keeps going backwards.

Um Do do do do There we go. And and It is a privilege. It is a privilege. To have this peace of Christ ruling in our lives, and it's something that is his very nature to do. We see this in Isaiah 9:6.

For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called wonderful. Counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, and what's that last one? The Prince of Peace. the Prince of Peace. This is who he was meant to be.

the Prince of Peace. And it's one of our privileges Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. We can do that as life is tough and know that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. When we have things in life that want to. break up our relationships.

We have everything we need already at our disposal because we are equipped by Jesus Christ Himself to have real peace. in our relationships. Real peace in our relationships. And then this brings us to the main section where we'll spend a little more time here. And that is put on love.

In this passage, the imperative put on is only once, and it's at the very beginning of the passage. But then in the Greek structure, when you come to love, it is going back on that put on love, and it's above all else, just like the verse says, and above all these things, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And so, this putting on, this nature of the new life which we have in Christ sits underneath that great one another, love one another. And all these things come into play here that the verses started off with. And so put on love.

Well, remember, what kind of love? The question might be: Jesus Christ is where we started today.

So, what kind of love does Jesus Christ? want us to be putting on. He says, A new commandment I give to you that you love one another just as I have loved you. You also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love.

For one another, there's so much packed up just in that verse. We could preach probably three messages on it. But the point is: Jesus, who earlier said, the summary of the entire law is: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. He says, but I'm going to add one to it: love your brothers and sisters in Christ. Why?

Because this is how I've loved you and you represent me. Right? And so you're supposed to do that with each other. But there's another one. When you do that, People see Me?

People see me and know that you are doing and speaking. and thankful in my name. That's something that we need to remember when we love each other, whether it's directly visible or not directly visible. That The imminent, preeminent. Jesus Christ is always on display.

When we love like Jesus loves. Each other.

So then as we dig in To loving, put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts. Kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another. And if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. This in our application section. Of this passage, so to speak.

We need to remember that as we're doing this, Each time we do this, this is one, as Brian said last week, one of those works that God prepared beforehand, one of those things we do in our relationships that displays the name of Jesus Christ and is empowered by the name of Jesus Christ. One of those things that does not come natural. to people of the world. but should become a natural thing. of the people of Christ.

And so we're going to go ahead and break these things down. and talk a little bit more about these. The first one is compassionate hearts. Put on compassionate hearts. In the Greek, both are plural.

It's hearts of compassions. Plural. Um Romans 12, 13 tells us, contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. In compassion, someone is in need. And we have a heart inside that just naturally wants.

To help them in their need. The reason I brought this verse up. Needs of the saints and hospitality itself. That's a word where we get our word hospital from. It's a place of healing and of encouragement, of now you can get back ongoing.

To what you need to do in life, we need to have hearts. of compassions That do this. And that plural, I think compassion is plural there because it's a reminder that we don't just do one good deed. and call it quits. We don't play the game of tallying.

Good deeds. Let's see. I did. Three good th deeds for them. They've only done two for me.

So I'll wait until they catch back up and then I'll think about this again. No, the heart of Christ. Is that one that you know, going all the way back. That looks at the heart of God who rains on the ones who curse him. Right.

It's the one that loves and loves and loves. Compassionate hearts. What do they really need, even though they don't want my help? What do they need? As parents, we use that phrase: you know, I know you want this.

But my love for you says no. Um be you have to do it in the right rai uh frame. That's gonna help you.

So, I'm not gonna give you the cookie before dinner. I'm gonna wait until you have a healthy meal, and then I'll give you the cookie. Right? We do that as parents all the time. Hearts of compassion.

So, how do we do this?

Well, just thinking, I wrote up here, prayerfully do what. one act of compassion. Then another, then another. Then a rhythm of compassion begins, and it gets to become a normal part of your life. in your heart.

And we can do this because we're empowered to do it. Right. But it starts With actions. It doesn't just sits there with good wishes. But just like any good or bad habit or any good or bad rhythm of life, it has to be nurtured.

And it has to come from the heart. that Jesus Christ has come into and indwells, and that heart that's being recreated on an ongoing basis because it started in our salvation and will continue through our sanctification.

So we do it and then we do it and we do it. When I think about someone, and honestly, when you start thinking negative thoughts towards someone, this should be like a big trigger. You need to gain a rhythm of the big trigger that says, Stop. What are they needing that I'm not seeing because I'm upset? Right?

Now I'm preaching to me because I have a lot of work to do in these areas myself. But if we are going to weather the storm that is already present that Jesus promised of this life of betrayal and offense inside people that claim to follow him. We need to be putting these things on. on a regular basis. Kindness.

When this word, particular word in the Greek is used, most of the time it is reflecting God's goodness given towards others. That's the level we're talking about.

So, whatever you wish. That others would do to you, do also to them. For this is the law and the prophets, right? This is that golden rule from the Old Testament. This kindness is a little different than hearts of compassion because now it's not so much need-driven.

It's God's kindness driven. God is naturally kind. He gives to people above and beyond what they need. I can't wait to hear Brian preach through the end of Ephesians chapter 3. And because that's what Paul talks about: this God who is so great, he gives way more.

than we would ever expect. That kind of kindness. And so, how do we do that?

Well, prayerfully start a pay-it-forward idea. And this is like, well, I'm just going to look for something kind to do to someone. And then whatever happens, happens. I don't need to be the one to get the benefit. Did you ever think about that and the pay it forward?

Like I'm going to pay for the guy's coffee behind me and they're going to pay for the guy's coffee behind them and how that goes? You know who doesn't get the coffee back? The one that started it. Yeah, the one that started it. What's their blessing?

that the kindness keeps going. And people receive the blessing. Start it. Be kind when you get nothing back. Think out a compliment.

for someone.

Okay, sometimes that can be a challenge. Right? Especially when we have those Devil whispers coming in our ears, those fiery darts. That guy's no good. Think of something to compliment him for.

Okay, because I tell you what, if they're in Christ, they're valued. By Jesus Christ. Send them a kind note. Offer some help. Invite them to dinner.

Plan and out an unexpected blessing and just do it. That's kindness. That's kindness. Paul says in Philippians 2, put the interests of others before your own. That's what Jesus did for us when he came down here.

The interests of others before your own. And do the same thing. Do another one, and do another one, and do another one, and develop a rhythm. of kindness. A rhythm of kindness in your life, not just looking for the needs.

but looking for the opportunities. to do good. Third, humility. Embracing the reality of who you are in Christ. This is really important because this is going all the way back to where we started with the preeminence of Christ.

And to the one who does not work, but believes in Him. who justifies the ungodly as faith is counted as righteousness. This is a concept that is constantly fought against. among people that claim Christ's name because the old nature of ours, we want deep down to be just a little bit further ahead on the race of being like Christ. And let me tell you, if you're in Christ, There's no racing.

You're already at the finish line. You are counted as righteous. That means that I am equally. righteous With every single one in here who has put their faith in Jesus Christ. That's how God looks at me, and that's a good thing because God looked at me at what I sometimes visibly look like.

Okay. I would be in for it. But he doesn't. This is why I'm seated at the heavenly places. Right?

This is why I don't boast about it. Because all I can do is believe. There was nothing I could do to get me any closer to believing. Jesus Christ. Never.

goes in and tells anyone to fix their problems before they believe. Mm. Never. Instead, We get counted as righteous, and Jesus says, okay, recreation, let's get going. Let's get going.

including in our relationships. Why is this and how does this play out?

Well, first and foremost, when we're interacting with people in our relationships and our church family, we need to remind ourselves just why others are valuable. And then find honest ways to praise and build up others, right? They're valuable because they're in Christ, they're righteous. Like, when God looks at them, He's looking at Christ's righteousness, 2 Corinthians 5:21. We take off our ugliness.

And we put on his Okay. We put on his righteousness, and that's what we're wearing.

So, do you do that when you come together? Do you look out there and say, oh, wow, look, he's wearing righteousness today?

So is she?

Well, we're all wearing righteousness. Right. Wow, well when we're interacting with each other like that, it makes a lot of things kind of cool to do. Let me get back caught up here. Right?

Be excited about and value their ideas. Listen, they have something worth hearing. Oh, what are you saying? That's righteousness talking, right?

Well How do we do that? How do we encourage that? Having a right attitude about who I am and who everybody else is in Christ. Righteous. Boy, that really changes our excitement to be together.

It really does. And then on this other side of humility, meekness. the right flavor for what the situation calls for. A common word that this Greek word is translated as is gentleness. But I put three different ways that some authors had described this.

William Barclay says this Greek word really means a harness strength. We want to think of meekness as weakness. Right? But it's not. It's not.

It's the right flavor for what the situation calls for. I love Jim Townsend, says the large trained dog who will play with toddlers but take on burglars. That that's how we interact with each other.

Okay. In other words, when I really just need some gentle, loving care. Will I get it from My church community. But what if I need someone to cover my back? Will I get that from my church community?

That's all wrapped up in here. Right? If you have someone's back, in the church community, if you're having this characteristic, guess what you don't do? You don't you don't Sit in the world of gossip. That's not having anybody's back.

You don't say, hey. They b made their bed, now they got a lie in it. You don't do that either. That's not. This horror.

Harness strength. That's not the right flavor for what the situation calls for. God is a God of mercies. When we are meek with each other. We are in a constant state of value of each other, and we're all on the team to grow like Christ together.

James tells us, Know this, my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Okay. when we intersect with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to be Eyes forward looking to see what is the right flavor for what this relational situation calls for. What's best for them? What's loving towards them?

What's Christ-like? towards them. Get to know people. Ask questions rather than make assumptions. Put yourself in their shoes.

Quit comparing themselves to you and making judgments on their shortcomings. Right. This is what it means to be gentle, to be meek with one another. And we can do this because we're under the love. of Jesus Christ.

whose name we represent and who has empowered us to do it. Finally, patience. I had an old pastor, because the Greek word is long-suffering, and so he would say it like this: he says, it's long. Long suffering. Right.

I love Brian's definition that he gave when he says it's someone who can weather life without looking weathered. Like that was great. And I loved that message. And especially this, because he said people can persevere, people can endure. But can they do it?

Like that. In patience. Patience takes it up a notch and says, I don't even look like this is troubling me. Have you ever had someone like that in your life? I have.

I've had a number of people where I can look backwards and say, man. What an idiot I was. And I would have never known it because their reaction was just one of gentle patience. Yeah. Yeah, some of you are probably looking at me.

Yep, Rob, we were patient with you. Yeah. Yeah. But thank you, Steve. This is the type of patience that sits under love.

Because you know what? Because Christ is doing such a great work in me, when I'm stupid, he's not going to let me sit there and be proud of it. He will do a work. I don't need... Cynicism or criticism negatively from someone else.

I don't need unlove. From someone else to get me fixed, I got Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit working in me. But I can have patience, and you know what?

Sometimes patience is the bigger teacher. For me. When I need to get things Kind of going. I'll use this phrase a lot of times. It's amazing how the most passive Guy around.

Can still dig their heels in hard when someone tries to tell them how they need the change. Yeah. And yet, for someone in Christ... God's not going to let them stay the same. I don't have to be the instrument of that.

Sometimes we are. particularly as we're parents. But a lot of times we don't have to.

So when I'm tempted to get upset with another, I need to remind myself that I'm set with God, I am righteous. I'm good. I am in a place where Jesus is here, way up at the top, and I'm right here. And I have my own set of things that show representing his name. And then look to their need.

Now we're not just talking about the compassionate heart type of need, but what do they really need to grow in their relationship with God? instead of my inconvenience, and then pray for them. And then help them if I'm able. But a lot of times I can't. It's not my place.

But prayer. is the number one tool to practice patience. And that's where I should go. I should go. But that prayer It works best when it starts off, oh Lord, thank you for what you've done for me.

And then, as you move through, it's a lot easier to value and accept and actually celebrate what God's done for them.

So how long, how far can you go before your patience runs out? That's where we're going to end. That's where this little section kind of ends. The first one is just, can you bear with one another? The little quirks, the idiosyncrasies, the history, maybe.

Boy, if you've been in a relationship for a while, you got history there. Can you bear with that? Can you do it?

Well, you're supposed to. That's what the passage is telling us. That's what patience does. It goes all the way to bearing with each other. over and over and over again.

How about uh can you forgive each other? This is the messed up old man pieces. that Paul talks about in the first part of chapter 3. Man, can you can you because Every single one of us. Before we're ever in Christ is absolutely messed up.

And when we're in Christ, There isn't a, you're no longer messed up. It is you're declared righteous.

Now we're going to start working through and getting rid of these messed up pieces. But anybody that's been in a relationship for a while knows that you're going to get sinned against. You're gonna get hurt. No one in a marriage relationship can provide more healing and hurt. for the other one in a marriage relationship.

Both of them.

So we need to be forgiving. That's how we move forward in the healing side of relationships. And look at the standard: as Christ forgave you. Jesus himself, in commenting on the Lord's Prayer, says this: If you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses. Neither will your father forgive you yours.

I think part of what Christ is getting here, because those are harsh words. Harsh words. Is this, if you're in Christ, You have to live. In a continual thankfulness, recognition, acknowledgment. that you stand forgiven of.

Everything. Everything. This is what it means. to speak and do and be thankful in the name of Jesus Christ, and for what the Father has done. And when you sit there, And have that sitting in front?

Do you got that on your shoulder as you're getting ready to help someone else in your relationships? And you look, oh, yeah, forgiveness. There it is. then you can go and forgive. And you gotta do it.

So, how do we do that? We wear the mantle of forgiveness in our own hearts, in our own lives, all the time. All the time. It helps us in our own lives when we mess up keep moving forward because we continually have to go into that place of God's forgiveness for us. And then it helps us in our relationships represent Jesus Christ and our forgiveness there.

John Bever says this: If you are offended in an unforgiveness and refuse to repent of the sin, you have not come to the knowledge of the truth. You are deceived and you confuse others with your hyp hypocritical lifestyle.

Okay. No matter what the revelation, your fruit tells a different story. You'll become a spring spewing out bitter waters that will bring deception. Not truth.

Now, repentance, this heart of for repentance, or heart of forgiveness that we're talking about, is one that's not dependent on their repentance or reconciliation. It's one where you've put it out and you've given it to God. It doesn't mean pretend that something didn't happen. But it means you are ready to reconcile right away with no strings attached, and you're going to move forward in your relationships in all these other aspects of love. That's what it means.

How can I do this? That sounds really tough. I just laid out a lot of application here that the text gives us: compassionate hearts, kindness, all these things. We've been talking about how we might do that and develop these rhythms of it. But this is where the passage started.

Remember who y'all are, right? Put on them as God's chosen ones. Holy and beloved. Three things there. You belong to God.

You were bought and paid for. Paul tells us we were bought with a price, the precious blood of Jesus Himself.

Okay. Uh He doesn't buy junk. Not that you were somehow great in and of yourself, but when the purchase is made and here you are in Christ, you are. Valuable, you're equipped, you're empowered, you are everything you need to be. You are holy, you're set apart.

In fact, one of the reasons why he did it is because he wanted you for him. You're one of his sheep. He called you by name. He calls you by name. He doesn't ask you to do something he doesn't equip you to be able to do.

And then finally, you are beloved. His real affection and personal commitment is set on you. Guess what? When you do well, And those around you respond. poorly.

You can keep going. Because he loves you. in a bigger, better love. than anyone else will ever bestow upon you. You already have what it takes.

to live this recreated life. Of love and peace and gospel fulfillment. in the here and now as we are being sanctified heading towards glory. And so we want to live this way.

So go out. And do great deeds, create rhythms. of compassion and kindness. of meekness. Patience.

And do so humbly. in who you are, righteous before Jesus Christ your Savior. The spray. Lord, thank you. for giving us everything we need.

to represent you, our friend and our king. and the greatest lover we could ever have who gave everything for us. Pray that as we move forward here at Lifeline Community. and even broader, that we would begin more and more and more to reflect your nature and character in our relationships. With our brothers and sisters, in Jesus' name, amen.