Elements City Church
CHANGED - changed relationships
...life with Jesus leads to a changed life. A look at 1 Peter and some key markers that are to mark the life of followers of Jesus. Peter is encouraging us to stand strong and stay faithful. To understand WHO we are before God and all we've been given in Christ. He reminding us of the change that has occurred as we trust in Jesus and the change God's still doing, so we can be influencers and agents of change in our world.
Locations & Times
Elements City Church
1825 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85712, USA
Sunday 5:00 PM
Thanks for being here...
We pray that tonight would be encouraging for you. If you're a guest here with us, we invite you to fill out our communication card in our app or at the Next Steps table in the back of the auditorium after service, we'd love to meet you and we have a free gift for you. Click the link below to see THE WEEKLY - our digital announcements/info for all things happening in and around Elements...or find everything ya need in our app.
http://elem.cc/weeklyThere are certain things that mark us – and we’re tagged as being that type or kind of person. Maybe you've been tagged a hard worker, loyal, happy-go-lucky person, smart or other label. There's some spiritual markers that are to mark our lives as we follow Jesus.
Tonight: changed relationships
Tonight: changed relationships
Truth: It is impossible to follow Jesus and NOT be changed in the process.
Peter challenged these scattered believers to see that "WE > me". The family that we're now a part of as ones who have said YES to Jesus and are following after Him. We’ve been enfolded into something greater than ourselves and are being built into something better, stronger and richer!
Though not overt, the context of what Peter is pointing to is our new identity as God’s people – being built up as a ‘spiritual house’ for others to see. Assembled together. Impacting one another.
We often struggle to see this context because in the Western world, we tend to interpret most things through the lens of individualism. "WE > me"
We often struggle to see this context because in the Western world, we tend to interpret most things through the lens of individualism. "WE > me"
God’s interested and focused on us having: CHANGED RELATIONSHIPS.
We were never designed for a solo journey through life…community is a must, even though it’s sometimes messy.
We were never designed for a solo journey through life…community is a must, even though it’s sometimes messy.
Quote:
"Christ works on us in all sorts of ways…but above all He works on us through each other."
~C. S. Lewis
"Christ works on us in all sorts of ways…but above all He works on us through each other."
~C. S. Lewis
We are exhorted to cause a stir within each other, which leads to love and Christian activity. Such stirring cannot be done from a distance. It must come within proximity! Proximity changes our perspective. And positive godly proximity with others changes us.
Quote:
“God’s aim in human history is the creation of an inclusive community of loving persons, with himself included as its primary sustainer and most glorious inhabitant.” ~Dallas Willard
Quote:
“God’s aim in human history is the creation of an inclusive community of loving persons, with himself included as its primary sustainer and most glorious inhabitant.” ~Dallas Willard
We’re called NOT to a surrounded life, but to the connected life.
Godly friendships are to be about loving each other, looking out for each other, striving to bring the best out of each other - the same way that Christ loves you, looks out for you and strives to bring out the best in you.
Godly friendships are to be about loving each other, looking out for each other, striving to bring the best out of each other - the same way that Christ loves you, looks out for you and strives to bring out the best in you.
Quote:
“There are rare Christians whose very presence incites others to be better Christians. I want to be that rare Christian.”- A.W. Tozer.
The Bible says: we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together – you are not your own anymore. While your relationship with God is personal, God never intends it to be private. Spiritual growth will happen at the intersection of your relationship with God and your relationships with others!
“There are rare Christians whose very presence incites others to be better Christians. I want to be that rare Christian.”- A.W. Tozer.
The Bible says: we are put together, joined together, built together, members together, heirs together, fitted together, and held together – you are not your own anymore. While your relationship with God is personal, God never intends it to be private. Spiritual growth will happen at the intersection of your relationship with God and your relationships with others!
Quote:
“Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful—Christian community is the final apologetic.” -Francis Schaeffer
“Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful—Christian community is the final apologetic.” -Francis Schaeffer
Bottom Line:
Relationships fueled by the deep love of Jesus run further, stronger and better.
Relationships fueled by the deep love of Jesus run further, stronger and better.
NEED PRAYER? ....we've got some of our prayer team and pastors available following service to pray with you. Or you can text the word "prayer" to our phone number: #520-300-9001 to submit your prayer request or submit one via our new app. We look forward to partnering with you in prayer.
Thanks for partnering with us...
Every gift you give enables us to move the mission of Elements and the Hope and Light of Jesus forward in our city and beyond. Thank you for financially faithfully partnering with us! You can give here or easily within our free app on your phone or tablet.
http://elem.cc/give