2013-11
2013-11
Sunday Nov 17, 2013
Sunday Nov 17, 2013
“The Potter and the Clay” - Genesis 2:4-7 –
(Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/Nov. 17, 2013)
4 This is the account of the heavens and the
earth when they were created, when the LORD God made the earth and the heavens.
(Gen. 2:4, NIV)
5 Now no shrub had yet appeared on the earth and
no plant had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and
there was no one to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the
earth and watered the whole surface of the ground. (Gen. 2:5-6, NIV)
7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of
the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man
became a living being. (Gen. 2:7, NIV)
1. Every human being is a unique, personal creation by
God.
2. Every human being owes his life’s breath to the
Creator God.
3. Every human being is a unified, living being created
by God.
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples
of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not
your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with
your bodies.
(1 Co. 6:19-20, NIV)
Main Idea: Human beings are living, physical, spiritual beings that owe their lives to
God because they are his unique, personal creation.
Sunday Nov 17, 2013
Sunday Nov 17, 2013
“What Is a Healthy Church Member? An Active Team Player”
(Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/Nov. 17, 2013)
A healthy church member?
Ø Is
a genuine believer in Christ
Ø Is
a growing disciple, seeking to make other disciples
Ø Is
a worshiper of God
Ø Strives
for unity in the body
Ø Uses
their spiritual gifts to build up the body
Main Idea: A healthy church member is
not a spectator, but an active team player.
1. Regular Attendance
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42, NIV)
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple
courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord
added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46–47, NIV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit
of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day
approaching. (Heb. 10:24–25, NIV)
2. Active Service
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become
in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From
him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament,
grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:15–16,
NIV)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to
serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. If anyone
speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone
serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things
God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for
ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:10–11, NIV)
3. Cheerful,
Sacrificial Giving
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap
sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you
should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or
under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you
abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you
will abound in every good work. (2 Co. 9:6–8, NIV)
4. Joyful
Submission to Leadership
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their
authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.
Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no
benefit to you. (Heb. 13:17, NIV)
5. Building
Healthy Relationships in the Church
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another."
(Jn. 13:34-35, NIV)
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple
courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere
hearts, (Acts 2:46, NIV)
6. Praying for the
Church
Brothers and sisters, pray for us. (1 Thess. 5:25, NIV)
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our
message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in
chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
(Col. 4:3-4, NIV)
With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God
may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to
fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
(2 Thess. 1:11, NIV)
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each
other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful
and effective. (Jas. 5:16, NIV)
Main Idea: A healthy church member is
not a spectator, but an active team player.
Wednesday Nov 13, 2013
Psalm 102 - Cameron Jungles - Wed PM, Nov. 13, 2013
Wednesday Nov 13, 2013
Wednesday Nov 13, 2013
“Prayer of the
Afflicted”
Psalm 102
(Eastside Baptist/Wed PM/Nov. 13, 2013)
A prayer of an
afflicted person who has grown weak and pours out a lament before the LORD.
1. A Cry for Help (vv. 1–2).
1 Hear my prayer, LORD; let my cry for help come to
you. 2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn
your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.
2. The Distressful Situation (vv. 3–11).
3 For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like
glowing embers. 4 My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I
forget to eat my food. 5 In my distress I groan aloud and am reduced
to skin and bones. 6 I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the
ruins. 7 I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof. 8
All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a
curse. 9 For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears 10
because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside. 11
My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.
3. Confidence in the Lord in the Midst of a
Distressful Situation (vv. 12–17).
12 But you, LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown
endures through all generations. 13 You will arise and have
compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has
come. 14 For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust
moves them to pity. 15 The nations will fear the name of the LORD,
all the kings of the earth will revere your glory. 16 For the LORD
will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory. 17 He will respond to the
prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.
4. God’s Concern for His Distressed People (vv.
18–22).
18 Let this be written for a future generation, that
a people not yet created may praise the LORD: 19 "The LORD looked
down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, 20
to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."
21 So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise
in Jerusalem 22 when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to
worship the LORD.
5. Hope for the Future, because God is Eternal (vv.
23–28).
23 In the course of my life he broke my strength; he
cut short my days. 24 So I said: "Do not take me away, my God,
in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations. 25
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the
work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you remain; they will
all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will
be discarded. 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never
end. 28 The children of your servants will live in your presence;
their descendants will be established before you."
Sunday Nov 10, 2013
“What Is a Healthy Church Member?” (Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/Nov. 10, 2013)
Sunday Nov 10, 2013
Sunday Nov 10, 2013
“What Is a Healthy Church Member?” (Eastside Baptist/Sun
AM/Nov. 10, 2013)
Main Idea: A healthy church member uses
their gifts for building and strengthening the body of Christ.
What are Spiritual Gifts? A spiritual
gift is any talent or ability given or enhanced by the indwelling Holy Spirit
for the benefit of the body of Christ.
1. The Lord Jesus
Christ sovereignly bestows the gifts through the Holy Spirit.
But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ
apportioned it. This is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he took
many captives and gave gifts to his people." (What does "he
ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly
regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens,
in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the
prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for
works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach
unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,
attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:7–13, NIV)
This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was
confirmed to us by those who heard him. God also testified to it by signs,
wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed
according to his will. (Heb. 2:3-4, NIV)
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit
distributes them. (1 Co. 12:4, NIV)
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he
distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Co. 12:11, NIV)
2. Every believer
possesses spiritual gifts, but not all have the same gifts.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for
the common good. (1 Co. 12:7, NIV)
All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he
distributes them to each one, just as he determines. (1 Co. 12:11, NIV)
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many
parts form one body, so it is with Christ. (1 Co. 12:12, NIV)
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one
of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would
the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. (1 Co. 12:18-20,
NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not
think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with
sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of
you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members
do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according
to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching,
then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving,
then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show
mercy, do it cheerfully. (Rom. 12:3–8, NIV)
3. Spiritual gifts
are given for use within the body of Christ, in order to build and strengthen
it.
But God has put the body together... so that there should be
no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each
other. (1 Co. 12:24-25, NIV)
When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of
instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be
done so that the church may be built up. (1 Co. 14:26, NIV)
Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in
those that build up the church. (1 Co. 14:12, NIV)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the
evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in
the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining
to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. (Eph. 4:11–13, NIV)
4. Spiritual gifts
should be developed and used with a motivation of love for others and the glory
of God.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not
have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift
of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a
faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give
all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,
but do not have love, I gain nothing. (1 Co. 13:1–3, NIV)
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the
greatest of these is love. (1 Co. 13:13, NIV)
And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the
beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might
have the supremacy. (Col. 1:18, NIV)
Main Idea: A healthy church member uses
their gifts for building and strengthening the body of Christ.
Sunday Nov 10, 2013
Genesis 2:1-3 - Cameron Jungles - Sun PM, Nov. 10, 2013
Sunday Nov 10, 2013
Sunday Nov 10, 2013
“God Finishes His Creation” - Genesis 2:1-3 –
(Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/Nov. 10, 2013)
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you
first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to
complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it,
everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, 'This person began to build and
wasn't able to finish.' (Lk. 14:28–30, NIV)
Main Idea: God always finishes what he
starts.
1. The universe is
a completed project.
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their
vast array. (Gen. 2:1, NIV)
2. God completed
the creation of the universe in six days.
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been
doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. (Gen. 2:2, NIV)
"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days
you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the
LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or
daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner
residing in your towns. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the
earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day.
Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. (Exod. 20:8–11,
NIV)
3. God stopped his creative activity on the sixth day.
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been
doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. (Gen. 2:2, NIV)
In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always
at his work to this very day, and I too am working." (Jn. 5:17, NIV)
He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you
will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor
sleep. (Ps. 121:3–4, NIV)
4. Because God ceased from his creative work on the
seventh day, God blessed the seventh day and set it aside as holy.
Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because
on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. (Gen. 2:3, NIV)
* The seventh day has cosmological significance.
He built his sanctuary like the heights, like the earth that
he established forever. (Ps. 78:69, NIV)
This is what the LORD says: "Heaven is my throne, and
the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will
my resting place be? (Isa. 66:1, NIV)
* The seventh day has redemptive significance.
"Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the
LORD your God has commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
but the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do
any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female
servant, nor your ox, your donkey or any of your animals, nor any foreigner
residing in your towns, so that your male and female servants may rest, as you
do. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and that the LORD your God brought
you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD
your God has commanded you to observe the Sabbath day. (Deut. 5:12–15, NIV)
* The seventh day has covenantal significance.
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Say to the Israelites,
'You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the
generations to come, so you may know that I am the LORD, who makes you holy.
"'Observe the Sabbath, because it is holy to you. Anyone who desecrates it
is to be put to death; those who do any work on that day must be cut off from
their people. For six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is a day of sabbath
rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day is to be put
to death. The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the
generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the
Israelites forever, for in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth,
and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed. '" (Exod. 31:12–17,
NIV)
* The seventh day has eschatological significance.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in
you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Phil. 1:6,
NIV)
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle
and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy
and my burden is light." (Matt. 11:28–30, NIV)
Wednesday Nov 06, 2013
Psalm 14 - Cameron Jungles - Wed PM, Nov. 6, 2013
Wednesday Nov 06, 2013
Wednesday Nov 06, 2013
“Fools at Heart” - Psalm 14 – (Eastside Baptist/Wed
PM/Nov. 6, 2013)
1. The
irrationality of those who deny God (verse 1a).
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."
(Ps. 14:1, NIV)
2. The evil
practices of those who deny God (verses 1b-4).
They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who
does good. (Ps. 14:1, NIV)
The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if
there are any who understand, any who seek God. (Ps. 14:2, NIV)
All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no
one who does good, not even one. (Ps. 14:3, NIV)
Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people
as though eating bread; they never call on the LORD. (Ps. 14:4, NIV)
3. The destiny of
those who deny God vs. the destiny of the righteous (verses 5-7).
But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is
present in the company of the righteous. (Ps. 14:5, NIV)
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD
is their refuge. (Ps. 14:6, NIV)
Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When
the LORD restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (Ps. 14:7,
NIV)
Main Idea: Those who foolishly reject
God and live in open rebellion before him do so to their own destruction, but
God will rescue his people.
Sunday Nov 03, 2013
Genesis 1:26-31 – Cameron Jungles - Sun PM/11/3/13
Sunday Nov 03, 2013
Sunday Nov 03, 2013
“Humanity: The Crown of God’s Creation”- Genesis 1:26-31
– (Eastside Baptist/Sun PM/11/3/13)
When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the
moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are
mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a
little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made
them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and
the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. LORD, our Lord, how
majestic is your name in all the earth!
(Ps. 8:5–9, NIV)
Main Idea: Human beings are the crown
of all of God’s creative activity because they are made in the image of God.
Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in
our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in
the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the
creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in his own
image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
(Gen. 1:27, NIV)
1. Human Beings
have dignity because they are created in the image of God.
"Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood
be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind. (Gen. 9:6, NIV)
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are
being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the
tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise
our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in
God's likeness. (Jas. 3:7–9, NIV)
2. Human beings
are intended to resemble their Creator because they are made in his image.
This is the written account of Adam's family line. When God
created mankind, he made them in the likeness of God. He created them male and
female and blessed them. And he named them "Mankind" when they were
created. When Adam had lived 130 years, he had a son in his own likeness, in
his own image; and he named him Seth. (Gen. 5:1–3, NIV)
the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son
of God. (Lk. 3:38, NIV)
'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of
your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.' (Acts 17:28, NIV)
The god of this age has
blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the
gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Co. 4:4, NIV)
The Son is the image of
the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. (Col. 1:15, NIV)
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as
these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not
lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image
of its Creator. (Col. 3:8–10, NIV)
and to put on the new self, created to
be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Eph. 4:24, NIV)
3. Human Beings have been given responsibility to rule
because they are made in the image of God.
Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in
our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in
the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the
creatures that move along the ground." (Gen. 1:26, NIV)
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God
he created them; male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27, NIV)
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and
increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea
and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the
ground." (Gen. 1:28, NIV)
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on
the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They
will be yours for food. (Gen. 1:29, NIV)
And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the
sky and all the creatures that move along the ground--everything that has the
breath of life in it--I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
(Gen. 1:30, NIV)
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And
there was evening, and there was morning--the sixth day. (Gen. 1:31, NIV)
Main Idea: As the crown of God’s
creation, every human being is made in the image of God:
·
With dignity
·
Bearing God’s resemblance
·
Ruling creation for God.
Sunday Nov 03, 2013
Sunday Nov 03, 2013
“What Is a Healthy Church Member?”
Unity (Eastside Baptist/Sun AM/Nov. 3, 2013)
Ø A
healthy church member has been truly converted by the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Ø A
healthy church member is a growing disciple who makes other disciples.
Ø A
healthy church member is a worshiper of God.
Main Idea: A healthy church member
strives for unity in the body.
1. God despises
strife and contention.
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are
detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent
blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into
evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in
the community. (Prov. 6:16–19, NIV)
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
(Prov. 10:12, NIV)
2. Jesus died to
redeem a unified church.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been
brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made
the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of
hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and
regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the
two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God
through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and
preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For
through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you
are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God's people
and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. (Eph. 2:13–20,
NIV)
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep
know me--just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my
life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must
bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock
and one shepherd. (Jn. 10:14–16, NIV)
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free,
nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you
belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the
promise. (Gal. 3:28–29, NIV)
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those
who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one,
Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that
the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that
you gave me, that they may be one as we are one–I in them and you in me--so
that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you
sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (Jn. 17:20–23, NIV)
3. A unifying
spirit is the mark of true Christianity.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have
loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn. 13:34-35, NIV)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called
children of God. (Matt. 5:9, NIV)
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life
worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be
patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity
of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:1–3, NIV)
Main Idea: A healthy church member
strives for unity in the body.
Great Enemies of Unity
Ø
Selfishness and personal preferences
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united
with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit,
if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being
like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do
nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value
others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to
the interests of the others. (Phil. 2:1–4, NIV)
Ø
Gossip and slander
A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates
close friends. (Prov. 16:28, NIV)
Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to
retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that
they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of
wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife,
deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant
and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they
have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. (Rom. 1:28–31, NIV)
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,
impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy,
fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness,
orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like
this will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal. 5:19–21, NIV)
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An unforgiving spirit
Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved,
clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance
against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues
put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of
Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to
peace. And be thankful. (Col. 3:12–15, NIV)
Main Idea: A healthy church member
strives for unity in the body.