Love. Host. Share.

Sunday we looked at one of my favorite chapters in the bible: Romans 12
(Read the message or listen at http://www.connectionschurch.ca/sermons/ )
There is SO MUCH in there, so I had to focus on just three things.

Love sincerely.
Practice hospitality.
Share with the saints.

So this is just a little pastoral follow-up for whoever needs it...

God spoke to you on Sunday, because His word is awesome!
You know you need to move out of Pseudo Community and into Sincere Community with someone.  It's a couple you've been avoiding.  A co-worker you used to talk to all the time.  Maybe it's your spouse- you've only been going through the motions of a marriage for the past few weeks/months/ years!?!  Isn't it time you stepped into that Tunnel of Chaos?  Yes, it is scary.  You don't know for sure how things will end up.  But can it end up any worse than Pseudo Community?
Have faith.  Take that step.  They are feeling it too.  And God can do AMAZING things in one conversation.  He can revive a marriage; restore a relationship; even save a life.

To someone else,
You know you need to put Hospitality into practice.  After all, God is the Lord of Hosts, and he welcomes us into His home, His Kingdom.  So go ahead- sign up for that Connection Group and get into community.  Invite those neighbor over for a cook out before you can use the weather as an excuse.  Your kids teacher will say yes if you invite her to dinner.  That guy from work would LOVE to go to a movie and feel like one of the boys.  Have faith that God can do something when people just gather around a table, or in a room, or at a coffee shop.  It maybe be awkward at first, but the moment will come when Hospitality will change a life.

To yet another,
It's time to share.  No more excuses.  Don't just give away what you don't want or need.  Share what you value the most.  Re-work your budget so you can share more!  God has blessed you to bless others.  When you horde it, you lose the joy of it.  When you share from it, it continues to grow.  You know it's true.  You've held tightly to wealth, and now it's lost it's luster.  But once you gave, and it released something in you!  So share.  And when you do, know that you share with the saints.  God's people are saints!  You get to give to the blessed saints!

Love Sincerely.  Practice Hospitality.  Share with the Saints.
These are just some of the marks of true Christianity.
You can't say you're really a Christ-follower and not pursue these things.
But why wouldn't you want to, when you know how they can change the world, and transform your life?