Living Grace Foursquare Church

The church is not a building, or a denomination centered around similar beliefs, not just a meeting held on Sundays; the Church is people from all over the world, Called-out from the World into relationship with Jesus Christ and with each other!

1. A Family
2. People from all tribes
3. Young and old
4. Different socio-economic backgrounds
5. Messed-up people in a messed-up world who all have been redeemed by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
6. One Church

The church has the amazing opportunity to display the love of Jesus and the unity of the Spirit.

The Basis: “One God and Father of us all who is [sovereign] over all and [working] through all and [living] in all”.

The Holy Spirit binds us together, beyond our personal differences

Not uniformity but harmony

Unity is the evidence that Jesus reigns among us

1. Where do you need to “make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace”?

2. Encouragement

a. Hebrews 10:24 and let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds, 25 not forsaking our meeting together [as believers for worship and instruction], as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more [faithfully] as you see the day [of Christ’s return] approaching.

b. Thoughtfully consider how we can encourage others

c. Our words matter.

Do your words build-up others or tear them down?
The closer we get to the return of Jesus, the more encouragement we will need.

3. Serving One Another With Humility

a. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility],

b. Paul highlights their generosity in 2 Corinthians 8:1–3 (ESV):

i. “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord.”

ii. The Macedonian churches--Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea — believers who, despite facing hardship and persecution, gave sacrificially to support other believers in need.

In God’s Kingdom, the way up is down.

4. Forgive and Bear with one another

Colossians 3 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper]; 13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.

How does God forgive:

i. God takes the first step to bring forgiveness to us
ii. God forgives knowing that we will sin again
iii. God keeps reaching out when people keep rejecting Him
iv. With God, there is no probationary period
v. God’s forgiveness is complete

1. Whom might you need to forgive just as the Lord has forgiven you?

5. Speak Truth, Show Hospitality

a. Ephesians 4:25 Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ].

b. 1 Peter 4:7-10 “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”

6. Correction and Accountability

a. James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offenses], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored.

b. Confessing sins to one another adds another layer of accountability

7. Love One Another

At the center of all the “One Another” commands is love — the foundation upon which every other action stands.

From love flows unity and peace; encouragement; serving one another with humility; forgiving and bearing with one another; and correction and accountability.

a. The New Testament instructs the church to love one another 20 times
b. The most repeated and foundational command

John 13:31 So when Judas had left, Jesus said, “Now is [the time for] the Son of Man [to be] glorified, and God is glorified in Him; 32 [e][if God is glorified in Him,] God will also glorify Him (the Son) in Himself, and will glorify Him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you [only] a little longer. You will look for Me and, as I told the Jews, so I tell you now, ‘Where I am going, you are not able to come.’ 34 I am giving you a new commandment, that you [f]love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.”

People will know that we are the disciples of Jesus by our love and unselfish concern for one another