Practicing Pursuit
Principles for Pursuing Joy in Community
1. Honesty
2. Affection
3. Fellowship
4. Purity of Motive
5. Humility
6. Forgivness
7. Loyalty
8. Trust
9. Praise
10. Joy
Review the list often as you strive to practice these things in the rhythm of daily life. Below are practical examples and suggestions for how you might carry these out. Start TODAY!!
1. Honesty (6:11)
Be honest about who God is and what His word commands us.
Be ready to correct.
Even more so - be ready to receive correction
2. Affection (6:12)
You must both love and like others.
Express love in tangible ways as well as saying “I love you” to others.
Be sure people know that you love them.
3. Fellowship (6:13, 7:2a)
Give your time to others.
invite others into the rhythm & routines of your life.
Spend time outside of official church times with others.
4. Purity of Motive (7:2b)
Make it a goal to not sin against others.
Don’t be manipulative. No hidden agendas.
Genuinely love and care for others with a deep desire to help them in their pursuit of sanctification.
5. Humility (7:2c)
Be humble.
Prioritize the preferences of others.
6. Forgivness (7:3b)
Stand ready to forgive always.
Don’t be easily offended.
Love… does not take into account a wrong suffered;
7. Loyalty (7:3b)
We live together and die together.
Because we will one day live together forever!!
8. Trust (7:4a)
Believe the best of people even when they’ve failed in the past.
Don’t let past failures be the lens you see people through.
You want that from others, extend it to them as well.
9. Praise (7:4b)
Be intentional to praise others.
Talk positively about our church.
Talk positively about those in our church.
Do it both behind their back and in front of them.
(Both praise and encouragement)
10. Joy (7:4c)
The net result will be joy.
As you practice these things, not only will you contribute to joy in the community of believers, but you will also experience a deepening, growing joy in your own life.
Watch the sermon here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lGkpkA6DTc
May we all grow in our love for Christ and His Bride every day!!
Grace & Peace
Pastor Rob