Me or We?

1. Me or We? Romans 12:10 Sunday, February 6, 2011 Jim Beasley

2. Romans 12:10 • Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

3. Me or We? Romans 12:10 Sunday, February 6, 2011 Jim Beasley

4. This Is Not A Suggestion! • God’s plan for interdependence began with Adam and Eve and continues from the beginning to you and me today. • Genesis 2:23 • “Finally! Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh! Name her Woman for she was made from Man.”

5. We Need Each Other! • Well known biblical friendships • Jonathan and David • Abraham and Lot • Moses and Aaron • Ruth and Naomi • Peter, James and John • Mary and Martha • Paul with Barnabas, and Silas • “It makes you want to go where everybody know your name, and they’re always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where everybody knows your name.”

6. The Communion of Saints • “You can’t go to church as some people say, the common terminology that we use everyday. You can go to a chapel, you can sit in a pew. But you can’t go to church, ‘cuz the church is you.”

7. Me vs We • “ME FIRST” thinking will look like this: • Looks more for what they can receive from God rather than what they can share with others. • Comes and goes without connecting relationally with anyone. If you aren’t here would anyone miss you? • Cautious to share personal needs for fear of being vulnerable. • Refuse to get involved when others are struggling with an issue because it might require your time and attention. • Is often “too tired” or makes other excuses for not participating with the mission and vision of the church. • Quick to criticize others when your needs aren’t met. • Participates primarily in the worship service; avoids “small groups” and Sunday School.

8. Me vs We • “WE” thinking is very different. • Generous with time, talent and treasure. • Connects relationally with other people, is loved and known by many. • Willing to be transparent, open and honest with others. • Reaches out to others in prayer and in deeds. • Joins in small groups and Sunday School, relating with others in the group. • Seldom misses an opportunity to be together with the church knowing they have something to share and receive. • Connects with people throughout the week through prayer, cards, phone calls, and visits.

9. In The Church, There Is No Room For “Me”, But Lots of Room For “We” • Romans 12:10 • “Honor one another above yourselves.” • Mark 10:45 • the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

10. We Belong To Each Other! • Romans 12:5 • “So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” • Philippians 2:3-5 • “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourself. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

11. Let’s Commit To Living For “We.” • Ephesians 2:19-22 • “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. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” • Ephesians 4:16 • “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.”