1. the church You’ve always wanted: Groove is in the Heart

2. Rather than bargaining with God, let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no,” “no” Review- Rather than bargaining with God, let our “yes” be “yes” and our “no,” “no” “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed”

3. Love- is not an emotion, but a decision of the will to seek what’s best for the other person, whether they deserve it or not, and even if it costs me something Love- is not an emotion, but a decision of the will to seek what’s best for the other person, whether they deserve it or not, and even if it costs me something My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins- James 5:19-20 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins- James 5:19-20

4. “Wander”- sheep wandering away from the flock, into danger “Wander”- sheep wandering away from the flock, into danger Epistrepho- “bring back,” “turns” Epistrepho- “bring back,” “turns” Psychen- soul (can refer to the whole person) Psychen- soul (can refer to the whole person) What’s the main point? What’s the main point?

5. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing- I Corinthians 13:1-3 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing- I Corinthians 13:1-3

6. Without the motive of love, nothing we do matters Without the motive of love, nothing we do matters How should that change how we live? How should that change how we live?

7. Unity- God’s people uniting for God’s purposes while respecting each other’s different plans Unity- God’s people uniting for God’s purposes while respecting each other’s different plans What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? …You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures- James 4:1-3 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? …You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures- James 4:1-3

8. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness- James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness- James 3:17-18 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace- Ephesians 4:3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace- Ephesians 4:3

9. BToL: We can only be unified around something greater than ourselves and our desires BToL: We can only be unified around something greater than ourselves and our desires How does it change how we approach church? Relationships? How does it change how we approach church? Relationships?

10. Faith- is taking God at his Word and trusting him for the results Faith- is taking God at his Word and trusting him for the results …faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead….As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead- James 2:17, 26 …faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead….As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead- James 2:17, 26 What does that tell us about faith? How does that change how we do church? What does that tell us about faith? How does that change how we do church?

11. Commitment- is a decision of the will backed by the integrity to carry it out over a sustained period of time Commitment- is a decision of the will backed by the integrity to carry it out over a sustained period of time Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains- James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains- James 5:7

12. Commitment- sees beyond what someone is to what they can become Commitment- sees beyond what someone is to what they can become Commitment- sees beyond what a church is to what it can become Commitment- sees beyond what a church is to what it can become And then works for those things And then works for those things What would greater commitment look like at Layman? What would greater commitment look like at Layman?

13. Freedom- the ability to be exactly who God made you to be, in all your uniqueness and individuality, and to make your own decisions in areas of conviction Freedom- the ability to be exactly who God made you to be, in all your uniqueness and individuality, and to make your own decisions in areas of conviction There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-- who are you to judge your neighbor?- James 4:12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-- who are you to judge your neighbor?- James 4:12

14. What’s the difference between helping someone who has wandered from the truth and judging? What’s the difference between helping someone who has wandered from the truth and judging?

15. Change- is the willingness to follow God even when doing so involves adjustment and sacrifice Change- is the willingness to follow God even when doing so involves adjustment and sacrifice If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him- James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him- James 1:5

16. Takeaways: Does the motive of love permeate everything I do: placing the needs of others first, seeking what is in their best interest, not giving them what they want but what they need? What’s my default? Looking for areas of disagreement or points of agreement? When’s the last time I stepped out on faith, trusting God for the results? Does my faith have action- does it change how I live?

17. Takeaways: What things am I absolutely committed to? What things would God want me to be committed to? What are the differences between the two? Do I use my freedom in Christ responsibly? Do I give other people freedom to the same degree that God does? If not, what do I need to do to get rid of my “legalism?” If I look back over the past few months, can I honestly say I’m in the process of change- growing closer to Christ and Christ-likeness? If not, why not?