[Recording failed] Phil 2:2-3 -- ...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

When Randy was little, he and a friend dared each other one Halloween to knock on the door of a dark and creepy house down the street. While walking to the house they were cocky and talking about what they'd do if the other lost. They had courage to face the formidable dark force--the creepy neighbor that might just eat them for soup and no one would know. They made it to the door, knocked, freaked out and ran away—not waiting to see if it were answered. Although funny, the illustration relates to us as a church. How many times have you sacrificed the heart of someone else for your own? What about times when you're too sensitive and get upset about the smallest things people say? Or how about for some of us when our whole lives are set on pleasing others to the point that we miss the whole element of what community really is? What about when the other person isn't as cool as 'me', or when their problems are 'fortunately' larger than 'my' own?

Having courage is the first point of three in Randy's sermon. Facing challenges in life together helps bring courage. But running away from each other or a friend or giving up early in a confrontation robs us of the blessing of restoration, strength, and reward when we stand in for love. This is different than letting yourself be a doormat. God knows that we need each other and having the courage to walk through hard times often leads us to blessing we would never have experienced.

Randy's second point was for us to take comfort in God's love. The word propitiation means to do whatever is needed to satisfy. God saw no price too great to bring us back into relationship with Him. Many of us experience love relationships--whether that is in a romantic relationship or with family. When we are in a love relationship, the person we love has a beautiful and strong power over us. But we must first trust and receive their love to give that power. Their words can lift us up high and easily crush us as well--more deeply than any other relationship. Christ, in a passionate, powerful love relationship, is drawing us close with the comfort of His love--urging us to relax and rest in it.

Randy's final point relates to having fellowship in the Spirit. In college, Randy had a roommate who was a friend before and after Randy chose to believe in Christ. That made things tough between them. They had many tough conversations and anger--even to the point where they considered stopping the roommate situation. But the two stuck it through--walking through the hard and good times--and experienced a rich and powerful friendship through it. Community is about having courage to hang in there with each other even when the friendship isn't so good. We often let discomfort or differences stay as boundaries or obstacles in a friendship instead of pushing through and fighting through fellowship and confronting the issues. Through hanging in, we experience the beauty and wonder of true community with one another in love.