Poems, Prayers, and Promises from a Country Parson

I wrote a manuscript for the third sermon in this series; however, I didn't feel like it was what needed to be preached from the pulpit.  Instead, I used a simple outline to answer the question "Who are we together?"

The third of the Three Simple Questions is a question about community and relationship.  It calls us to ponder our relationship with God and our relationship with each other.  They way we answer this question shapes how we form and function in community. 

BIshop Rueben Job addresses this relationship in his book Three Simple Questions.  Bishop Job offers this insight:

"Our destiny is to live in confidence and loving and trust in loving relationship with this God and with our neighbors--with all God’s children--who are just like you and me.  When we begin to live this way, we begin to love as God loves; we begin to love our neighbors as ourselves.  This is the way of love.  This is what it means to live in community."

The way of love isn't an easy road to travel.  The Bible shows us how difficult it is to live well and to live well in community.  Story after story in the Bible retell how we are quick to focus on ourselves instead of living for others.  Thankfully the Bible isn't all bad news, for we do find a word of hope.  The Bible tells us how the God of Love wants to take up residence in our hearts through the endwelling of the Holy Spirit. 

It is only by Spirit-filled living that we can love God, know and love ourselves, and truly love others in community.  It is only by Spirit-filled living that we can live out the virtues of Godly community in Ephesians 4:1-4.

Are we willing to make it happen?  Do we want to grow in Christ?  Are we willing to put others first?  Do we want others to have know the love of God?  It wont just happen.  We must work for it and allow God to work in us.  Amen.