Overcoming Individualism
Romans 12:3-5 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
But we are not JUST individuals, we are Body
You be you.
Be true to yourself.
Follow your heart.
Find yourself.
But independent individualism is NOT the model of the Bible.
Example 1 Church as NOT Christian Country
Example 2 Church as NOT Restaurant
Example 3 Church as NOT Sporting Event or Concert
the dominant image is a BODY
#1 Sober Up
Romans 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
Philippians 2:3–7 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in
humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. (Philippians 2:3–7 ESV)
#2 Connect with Community
Romans 12:4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,
Acts 2:44–47 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were
being saved.
#3 Reciprocate the Relationship
Romans 12:5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
