This weekend we are going to begin looking at the first of thirteen of Jesus' teachings on how we relate to others! As I said on Sunday, these commands are not intended to bring us into a mindset of judgement, but rather to bring us into a life of freedom and abundant joy!
"You shall love your neighbour as yourself." - Jesus
When it comes to how I intentionally go about relating to others in my life, few concepts have impacted me more than the one below that emerges from the biblical idea of all humans being made in the imago dei (latin for, "image of God").
In my early 30's my mentor recommended a short book called I and Thou by Martin Buber (1878-1965). Martin was an Austrian Jewish and Israeli philosopher. He came to a strong conviction that there were two main methods to address the people around us: (a) as objects to experience and utilise, or (b) as other persons to encounter and relate to. In (a) you are the subject and everyone else is an object. In (b) you and those around you are both subjects of equal value and importance to each other and to God.
If that was too complicated (it's heady stuff!), put in the language that Jesus offers us, we are born only truly loving our selves, living as though we are the star of our own hollywood movie. Jesus invites us to enter a life where we treat every man and woman around us (our "neighbours") as co-stars in God's great story.
How do you think about others? Is it only in reference to yourself? How can they help you, harm or hear you? Or do you wonder, how can I help, hear and protect them? How might we help, hear and protect each other?
When we begin to love those around us in the same ways we instinctively love our selves, we are not only beginning to live like Jesus, we are learning what a life of true relationships is like. This is the life we are designed for. This is the abundance, rich, blessed, joyous life Jesus Christ calls us to. This is a life of community and relationship and intimacy that all of us truly seek.
And it's this life that starts with being willing to, "love our neighbours as ourselves".
Would you join us this weekend to not only explore what loving others looks like, but to share what God may be teaching you, blessing you or growing you!
Cheers and God Bless!
Dan
Prayer
As we shared last week, we want to be asking God to speak to us on a number of topics:
- Rhythms: how will we foster our simple rhythms (know, invite, gather)?
- Elders: how will we structure our long-term leadership and who will be on the team.
- Generosity: how would God have us become the generous individuals and church he's called us to.
- Future: how and where will we continue to gather.
Church Family
- Gary and Julie's granddaughter Harper is now back in the ward after surgery on Monday. Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray she recovers well and her mum Laura's surgery is also a success!
- Pray for God to show us if we are to secure a new venue or not.
Coming Up
Sun 25 June 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 02 July 3pm Worship + Prayer Gathering. Location TBC
Sun 09 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 16 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Sun 23 July 3pm Moffat Gathering
Our Mission
To help people find and follow Jesus
Our Rhythms
Know Jesus: how are you getting to know Jesus this week?
Invite people into your life: who can you bless this week?
Gather and get involved: How can you connect, listen, share or pray with others this week?
Our Giving
If there is someone in need around you we'd encourage you to team up with another Christian friend and ask God to show you how to meet their need directly. You can also get started with giving to Open Road or get in touch with any questions you may have.
Last mths giving: $9,260
Last mths expenses: $5,778
Bank Balance: $15,862
"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." - Proverbs 19:17
Bonus: Worship
A song that Martine and I came across early this year is "Tend" by Upperroom. The lyrics remind us that some of the hardest parts of faith are actually God's "pruning" of our lives. This is because he is faithful to us and sees us as his garden to tend that we might grow into who he designed us to be. Is there a song you have been encouraged by lately? Hit REPLY and let me know!
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