Cedar Mill Christ UMC

Cedar Mill Christ UMC podcast

Message Notes

The church was not immune to PARTISANSHIP and competition.

“The others preach Christ because of their selfish ambition. They are insincere, hoping to cause me more pain while I’m in prison.” - Phil. 1:17

A focused mission was the key to Paul’s joy: “Since Christ is proclaimed in every possible way, whether from dishonest or true motives, I’m glad and I’ll continue to be glad.” - Phil. 1:18

Focused mission and singular VISION is the key to joy in the community.

The mission of the United Methodist Church: To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

A community of joy puts the community and mission above personal preferences.

Action Steps:

What does being a disciple of Christ mean to you?

Turn your “yeah, but” into “yes, and.”

Read the entirety of Philippians this week.

Cedar Mill Christ UMC podcast

Note - partial sermon recording...

1 Corinthians 12:14-26

14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Cedar Mill Christ UMC podcast

Studies increasing show that stronger neighborhood connections provide the solutions for some of our deepest hurts as a society: declining health, addiction, crime, poverty, loneliness, etc. It's as if Jesus knew that loving our actual neighbors is exactly what the world needs.

Cedar Mill Christ UMC podcast

Cedar Mill Christ UMC podcast