Embracing the Awkward Week 3
Sharable notes for the January 19, 2020 message. You can post these notes on your social platform!
Scriptures used: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; 1 Peter 2:15; Ephesians 2:11-22; Acts 15:19; John 17:11, 20-23; Ephesians 5:21
The church is a group of people who share the same life, who belong to the same Lord, who are filled with the same Spirit, who are given gifts by that same Spirit, and who are intended to work together despite their many differences to change the world.
Arguing yourself into a sense of uselessness in the body of Christ is invalid arguing. You are not useless. You are unique and you bring a uniqueness to the body of Christ and the work of the church.
Only together do we become the house of God. It can not happen isolated and a part from others.
God accepts us despite our mistakes and that should influence how we accept one another.
“The church is faulty, but that is no excuse for your not joining it, if you are the Lord’s. Nor need your own faults keep you back, for the church is not an institution for perfect people, but a sanctuary for sinners saved by grace, who, though they are saved, are sinners still, and need all the help they can derive from the sympathy and guidance of their fellow believers. The church is the nursery for God’s weak children, where they are nourished and grow strong. It is the fold for Christ’s sheep; the home for Christ’s family.” Charles Spurgeon
Embracing the tension and awkwardness of being part of a church community teaches us how to love others and love God.
Pray for oneness - "Heavenly Father give us unity so we can make a difference."
Reflect or meet with someone to discuss:
What’s the most awkward thing you've had happen in church?
How is being a part of the church difficult for you?
How does plugging into the church require us to form relationships with people we wouldn’t normally form relationships with?
Why should you seek out relationships with people who are different from you? Who is someone different than you that you can spend some time with?
Click the image to start a new 5 day devotion in YouVersion:
Unity has the ability to transform both personal relationships and the body of Christ. This reading plan explores the 4 attributes in Ephesians 4 that lead to unity and how you can cultivate each, leading to transformational growth in your life and in the church.