West Side Church of Christ
Gospel What?! (By Nick)

  • The Big Idea

    Living out community in everyday lives means letting Christ’s love shape our daily rhythms —-in how we treat one another, how we serve, how we respond to the world around us. - This morning is going to be different, different order to things
    (Insert Song Here)

    Introduction

    We have used an orchestra before, so let’s use one again, turning before a concert, violins, brass, percussion — all playing at once. It’s noise. But when the conductor raises the baton, every instrument aligns to a common rhythm and melody.
    The same instruments that once clashed now blend in harmony.
    Our Christian life is like that. Each of us brings our unique gifts, personalities, and struggles. On our own, it can sound messy, it can look messy. But when we follow Christ, follow our Conductor, we begin to live in rhythm — loving, serving, forgiving, and growing together.
    This morning we will be looking at Rom12:9-21 to see what Paul’s words about rhythm sounds and the practical rhythms of life together sounds like under our conductor Jesus, so let’s pause and lift our voices in adoration and praise to him now
    (insert Song here) followed by
    Prayer
    (Transition) We have talked in this series about living in community, what community is, why community matters, why unity matters, how we are to be witnesses to the power of the gospel. Now in our final week, Paul shows us how to live it out, not just on Sunday but day by day, in real relationships.

    Love Sincerely, Serve Faithfully

    Romans 12:9–13 “9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; 11 not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, 13 contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
    Genuine Love, Not Pretend
    Paul begins with the heartbeat of community — love that is real.
    Not with public niceness, but deep, authentic care
    Love without hypocrisy means our words and actions align — we truly desire others’ good
    Honor Others Above Yourself
    Outdo one another in showing honor.
    In community, we are not competing for recognition - we are competing to lift each other up.
    True humility transforms how we serve.
    Keep a Zeal for Serving the Lord Together
    Never be lacking in Zeal, but keep your spiritual Fervor.
    Our service flows from worship. When our hearts grow cold, so does our community and our unity.
    Staying connected to Christ keeps us passionate about serving others.
    Application point for this: Practice intention love. Write someone a note of encouragement or a text of encouragement. Visit someone who is lonely. Honor someone quietly. Community flourishes when love is sincere and service is joyful
    Insert Song before the next Point

    Live Peaceably and Compassionately

    Romans 12:14–16 “14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”
    Respond with Grace, Not Retaliation
    Our world teaches get even; Paul teaches bless instead.
    When hut, choose kindness over bitterness — that’s how Christ responded to us.
    Share in Each Other’s Joys and Sorrows
    Genuine community celebrates together and grieves together.
    It means showing up — not only in crisis, but in life’s daily moments.
    Rejoicing and weeping together creates deep bonds that reflect the heart of Jesus.
    Pursue Humility and Unity
    Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
    The church is strongest when no one is above serving and no one is beneath being loved.
    Application point: Find someone this week to come along side of, to celebrate with, or to comfort. Look for ways to embody Christ’s compassion in ordinary moments.
    Insert Song before next Point Here

    Overcome Evil with God

    Romans 12:17–21 “17 Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. 19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 “But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
    Live differently from the world
    Paul calls us to break the cycle of vengeance
    When others wrong us, our instinct is to defend or retaliate — but love takes the higher road.
    If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
    Trust God with Justice
    Leave room for God’s wrath
    This does not mean ignoring sin, but entrusting ultimate justice to the Lord.
    When we forgive, we free ourselves to love again.
    Conquer Evil through Active Goodness
    If your enemy is hungry, feed him
    Evil looses its power when met with unexpected grace.
    The cross itself is the ultimate example — Jesus overcame sin not by force, but by love.
    Application Point: This one may call for you to come out of your comfort zone: Think of a difficult relationship in your live, pray for that person, then look for one small way to repay good for evil this week.
    Prepare our hearts for the Lord’s supper (Song)
    The Lords Supper
    The Offering

    Conclusion

    Living in community is not about perfection, but practice. It is the daily rhythm of love, daily rhythm of service, of compassion, the daily rhythm of forgiveness, and peace — all flowing from the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation.
    When we live this way, our community becomes a testimony — a melody of grace that points others to Christ
    Let’s commit to:
    Love Sincerely
    Serve Faithfully
    Live Peaceably
    Overcome Evil with Good
    The world does not need a perfect church; it needs a Christ-shaped community.
    So may we take these rhythms from this series — and live them out in our homes, our workplaces and everywhere God sends us.

    Encouragement/invitation

    God’s word, God’s community begins right where you are, if it be in your home at the breakfast table, dinner table, at your job, in the store or in a church building or a park or neighborhood.
    Listen for Christ’s rhythm of life daily, and do your part in his symphony of love that has been made known through His word. Has made Him known, Has made Jesus known, the way of salvation known and the way of a sanctified life known.
    Do you prayer, do you need to be clothed in Christ today? Do not wait, today is the day of salvation.
    (Song of Invitation)
    (Prayer)
    (Exit)
West Side Church of Christ
jrogers@caprock-spur.com
515 955 3737 or cell 712 297 4349
http://wscochrist.com
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