CHURCH THE COMMUNITY OF CHRIST

 LUKE 6:12-35

“TO BE CONNECTED WITH THE CHURCH IS TO BE CONNECTED WITH SCOUNDRELS, WARMONGERS, FAKES, CHILD MOLESTERS, MURDERS AND HYPOCRITES OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. IT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME IDENTIFIES YOU WITH SAINTS AND THE FINEST PERSONS OF HEROIC SOULS WITHIN EVERY TIME AND COUNTRY AND RACE AND GENDER. TO BE A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH IS TO CARRY A MANTLE FOR BOTH THE WORST SIN AND THE FINEST HEROISM OF THE SOUL BECAUSE THE CHURCH ALWAYS LOOKS EXACTLY AS IT LOOKED AT THE ORIGINAL CRUCIFIXION, GOD HUNG AMONG THIEVES.”

THE HOLY CALLING

THE VISION OF COMMUNITY, Vv.12-13

THE VALUES OF COMMUNITY

   UNDERSTANDING RELATIONSHIPS:

      THOSE WITHIN COMMUNITY …

Vv. 20-23, WEAKNESS, SACRIFICE, GRIEF AND EXCLUSION

      THOSE WITHOUT COMMUNITY …

Vv.24-26, POWER, COMFORT, LAUGH OR GLOAT, RECOGNITION

“IN GOD’S PEOPLE THERE WILL BE SEEN FIRST OF ALL A REMARKABLE REVERSAL OF VALUES. THE PEOPLE OF GOD WILL PRIZE WHAT THE WORLD CALLS PITIABLE AND SUSPECT WHAT THE WORLD THINKS DESIRABLE.”

MICHAEL WILCOX

   UNIQUE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS,

 Vv.27-31

THE VICTORY OF COMMUNITY,

   REVOLUTION OF SIN AND EVIL … Vv.32-34

   RECEIVED BY GRACE … Vv.35

NO OTHER RELIGION SAYS YOU ARE EVIL AND UTTERLY LOVED AT THE SAME TIME!