Community // People are Messy

Community // People are MessyProverbs 14:4 NASB4 Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much revenue comes by the strength of the ox.1) WHY? - Why engage in community even when people are messy?Answer: The POWERMatthew 18:12-14 NASB12 “What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? 13 If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray.14 So it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NIV9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.2) HOW? How can I really walk in community when people are messy?Answer: The Biblical PROCESSMatthew 18:15-17 NASB15 “If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private;  if he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every fact may be confirmed. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.Ephesians 4:14-15 NASB14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even ChristJames 5:16 NASB16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.Matthew 18:18-20 NASB18 Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. 19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. 20 For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”3) WHAT?  What is community all about if people are still messy?Answer: The PICTUREJohn 13:34-35 NIV34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”Galatians 6:2 NIV2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.Questions:1. Is there something keeping you from engaging in genuine community? If so, what? What might you be able to do to help change that?2. What is the Biblical outline for the process of dealing with a brother or sister that has hurt you? Is this something you practice? Why or why not?3. How does living in healthy Christian community show people who Jesus is?