February 12-13, 2005, Selected

BETTER TOGETHER - 40 DAYS OF COMMUNITY
SERVING BETTER TOGETHER!

USING OUR LIVES TO BLESS ANOTHER IN THE NAME OF JESUS IS: MINISTRY!

*** John 13:14-15-17 “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other's feet. I did this as an example so that you should do as I have done for you. If you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.” [NCV]

MANDATE! MINISTRY! MODEL!

*** Acts 2:44-45 “All the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need.” [Living Bible]
*** Acts 4:32 “All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had.” [New Living Translation]
*** Phil. 2:2 “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one heart and purpose.” [NLT]

REASONS WE NEED TO SERVE TOGETHER:

A. WE’RE PARTNERS IN THE LORD’S WORK!
*** 3 John 1:8 “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such men so that we may work together for the truth.” [New International Version]

B. WE NEED EACH OTHER IN THE LORD’S WORK!
*** Romans 12:5b “Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body….” [Message Bible]

C. WE ACCOMPLISH MORE TOGETHER IN THE LORDS’ WORK!
*** Ecc. 4:9 “Two people are better than one, because they get more done by working together.” [New Century Version]

HOW TO SERVE TOGETHER AS GOD’S TEAM!

TRUST!

*** 1 Cor. 3:8a-9a “The one who plants and the one who waters work as a team with the same purpose. We work together as partners who belong to God.” [NLT]

ALONG WITH TRUST COMES TRUSTWORTHINESS!

*** Proverbs 20:6 “There are many who say, "You can trust me!" But can they be trusted?” [Contemporary English Version]

CHARACTERISTICS OF A TRUSTWORTHY TEAM MATE!

A. THEY ARE CONSISTENT!
*** Luke 16:10a “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” [NIV]

B. THEY ARE CONFIDENTIAL!
*** Proverbs 11:13b “A trustworthy man keeps a secret.” [NIV]

WHAT’S SAID IN OUR GROUP STAYS IN OUR GROUP!

C. THEY ARE CLOSE!
*** Proverbs 17:17 “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.” [MSG]

TRUST TAKES SEASONS TO BUILD AND SECONDS TO BREAK!

EMPATHY!

*** 1 Peter 3:8 “All of you should agree and have concern and love for each other. You should also be kind and humble.” [CEV]

EMPATHY REQUIRES INVOLVEMENT!

HOW DO WE BUILD EMPATHY?

A. WE SLOW DOWN!

RELATIONALLY SKIMMING THROUGH LIFE!
***James 1:19a “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak….” [NIV]

B. WE SEEK INFORMATION!
*** Proverbs 20:5 “A person's thoughts are like water in a deep well, but someone with insight can draw them out.” [Today’s English Version]

C. WE SHOW EMOTIONS!
*** Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” [New American Standard Version]

ACCOMMODATION!

*** 2 Tim. 2:22b “Always do the right thing. Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.” [CEV]
*** Ephes. 4:2-3 “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.” [NIV]

EXTRA GRACE REQUIRED!

· MAKE ROOM FOR OTHER’S NEEDS!
· MAKE ROOM FOR OTHER’S IDEAS!
· MAKE ROOM FOR OTHER’S PERSONALITIES!
· MAKE ROOM FOR OTHER’S WEAKNESSES!

MISSION!

*** Phil. 2:2 “Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” [NASV]

“To help everyone find an ever-deepening relationship with Christ!”

“Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ… standing strong with one purpose, that you work together as one for the faith of the Good News….”
Phil. 1:27 [NCV]