Essence: Accept One Another (Romans 15:7)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Acceptance (A Soft Place to Fall - chapter 3 pg. 41-42)

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

(Romans 15:7 NLT)

We have shared some deep pain with each other. Why?

We have created a safe environment; we are a soft place to fall. 

Are you a safe person for hurting people to be around? 

Or, do you have all the answers and just make them feel worse?

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 15:5-6 NLT)

Accept people just as they are, trusting that God will change them in time. Accepting them as people doesn’t mean you condone their behavior or beliefs. It simply means you respect their humanity enough to let them work through the process. People open their lives to those that accept them the way they are and run from those who are always trying to change them into what they think they should be. (pg. 42-43)

How could we be an even softer place to fall?

Wrap Up:  Origins is a community inspired and created by God to be a soft place to fall. Acceptance is a fundamental element of who we are. We are not here to change each other. We are here to live life together and celebrate the divine moments when we are touched by God and transformed to be more like Christ.

 Next Week: Bearing With One Another (A Soft Place to Fall – Chapter 3 p. 43)
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 

(Ephesians 4:2 NLT)

Essence: Forgive One Another (Ephesians 4:31-32)

a discussion series from the pages of -
Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen
ISBN 978-0-8010-6451-7

Lesson Focus: Forgiveness (A Soft Place to Fall - chapter 3)

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

(Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)

Not forgiving is like taking rat poison and waiting for the rat to die. - Anne Lamott

Forgiving and accepting are the detergents of body life that allow us to live free of the past. (p. 37)

Then he says, [The Holy Spirit] “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.  And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water.

(Hebrews 10:17-22 NLT)

Being a soft place to fall doesn’t mean we become a doormat for everyone who wants to walk over us, nor that we ignore people’s actions. Forgiving and accepting others simply means that we won’t hold them accountable to us for their failures but will continue to respond to them with love and grace. [grace is the receiving of something we did not deserve] Forgiveness frees us from the destruction others cause. It does not make us a further victim of it.

We can forgive someone who is abusive without continuing to subject ourselves to the abuse. And our forgiveness does not mean that we should keep silent if that person seeks to hurt others.  . . . Forgiveness does not mean that we will forget what happened or pretend it didn’t happen. 

We are a soft place to fall when we love people through their failures and hurts as God draws them closer to Himself and transforms them from within. We will still speak the truth firmly but will do so with gentleness and patience.  (p. 39)

Many people confuse forgiveness with reconciliation, which are two entirely different processes. Forgiveness is a unilateral act.  . . . While it’s always worth the effort to see if reconciliation is possible, we are still free to forgive whether or not the offender ever acknowledges his failure. (p. 40-41)

Wrap Up:  Don’t get discouraged when forgiveness doesn’t come easily. Forgiveness itself is less a choice than it is a process. Yes, we do choose to forgive, [Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.] but often it takes a work of God in our heart to lead us into the full depth and freedom of no longer holding something against someone else. (p. 41)

 Next Week: Accepting One Another (A Soft Place to Fall – Chapter 3)

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. 6 Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. (Romans 15:5-7 NLT)

Parent and Baby Dedication

Saturday, September 25, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Francis Villa. Dwyane and Rebecca Hyman, along with Mackenzie and  Levi, will pledge their dedication to raising Caleb with the loving Biblical principles of grace. Matthew and Megan Bates will also vow to pass on their love for Jesus Christ and their passion for His Way. These Origins families would love to celebrate this event with all of you. Please come and pledge your intention to encourage and pray for them as they honor God through parenting. Isn't it great to live abundant life together.

Essence: Love One Another (John 13:34-35)

Authentic Relationships: Discover the lost art of “one anothering”
by Wayne and Clay Jacobsen

“Wittingly or unwittingly, many of us protect ourselves from the kind of relationships that connect us deeply with others.”(p.16)

“Jesus’ followers were not focused on liturgy, tradition, or growth strategies, but on the power of simple God-centered friendships, both with believers and with those still trapped in the world.” (p.20)

[True] “friends find their origin in God’s heart. No one can love so freely whom God has not first loved deeply.” (p.22)

Lesson Focus: Loving others like God loves you (chapter 2)

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

(John 13:34,35 ESV)

One at a time:

The kind of love Jesus modeled was relational and intimate; one on one. He didn’t tell his small band of disciples to love everyone, serve everyone, and share with everyone. That would be overwhelming.

As the old man walked the beach at dawn, he noticed a young man picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. Catching up to the youth, he asked why he was doing this. The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if left until the morning sun. "But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish," countered the other. "How can your effort make any difference?" The young man looked at the starfish in his hand and threw it to safety in the waves. "It makes a difference to this one," he said.

(Loren C. Eiseley "The Star Thrower." Harcourt Brace. 1979)

How would it change your day to look for individuals to love in the moment rather than try to act like you love everybody?

Not Getting, but Giving:

It is quite natural to think; “Where could I find a friend who knows how to “one another”.

The answer is to be one of these people.

“Perhaps the greatest freedom of one anothering is the freedom God gives us not to be focused on ourselves all the time.” (p.29)

Living Loved:

“just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” – verse 34

“You cannot forgive others if you are experiencing God’s forgiveness for you. You cannot serve others unless you know that God is providing everything you need. You cannot live in kindness to others until you see God’s kindness toward you.” (p.29)

In what ways have you treated others that reflect how you thought about God?

 Or - how have you been treated?. . . (if you need it)

Christ’s love frees us to live loved.

“Living in God’s love is the first step to one anothering. If you don’t discover that first, this process will wear you out with self-generated good works that will not bear the fruit of His kingdom.” (p.30)

The Fruits of One Anothering:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” - verse 35

“There is no greater tool for touching the world than simple demonstrations of love. In fact, Jesus invited the world to judge the authenticity of the gospel we proclaim by the way we show love for others.” (p.31)

“A self-centered life is its own punishment. When our relationships with others are filled with expectations and demands that they do what we want, the result is stress, disappointment, and despair.” (p.31)

The Greatest is Love:

“Love on another” is the ultimate one anothering Scripture. All the others are expressions of how we let God’s love live out through us.” (p.31)

“This is the best of what the Christian life has to offer. Jump in and discover just how transforming a life lived in love can truly be.” (p.32)

Coming Soon!

Clarity: In Me, Around Me Colossians 4:7-18

This is our final life lesson from Colossians. I hope and pray you have received "Clarity" from this series.


Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions--if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, "See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord."   I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

(Colossians 4:7-18 ESV)

In Christian Service (Col. 4:7-18)
While we honor Paul as the great apostle, we must never forget the many dedicated Christians who assisted Paul in his ministry. No pastor, evangelist, or missionary can do the Lord’s work alone. “We are laborers together with God” (1Co. 3:9).

• Tychicus (Col. 4:7-8) had been with Paul for several years. He accompanied Paul from Ephesus (Act_20:4) as he returned to Jerusalem and possibly was a citizen of Ephesus. He had labored there with Paul for those three years. Tychicus was to carry the letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians (Eph. 6:21-22). This man had a long and dangerous journey ahead of him. How thankful we are that he was faithful to deliver the Word, otherwise we could not study it today! See also 2Ti_4:12.
• Onesimus (Col. 4:9) was the runaway slave of Philemon, whom Paul had won to Christ. The apostle was now sending Onesimus back home to Colosse. (Read the letter to Philemon.) He and Tychicus traveled together, with Onesimus carrying the precious letter to his master, Philemon.
• Aristarchus (Col. 4:10) is seen during the Ephesian riot (Act. 19:29), where he was singled out as a leading Christian. He also accompanied Paul (Act. 20:4) and was with him during that terrible storm en route to Rome (Act. 27:2). What a faithful Christian he was, to “stick by” Paul through thick and thin!
• Marcus (Col. 4:10) is John Mark, cousin to Barnabas. Mark had “fallen out” with Paul years before (Act. 13:13 and Act. 15:36-41). It is possible that the Colossians knew about Mark’s failure, but Paul wanted them to receive this young man and show him love. When he wrote his last letter, Paul admitted that Mark was “profitable” in the ministry (2Ti. 4:11). We need to forgive the failures of others and give believers the opportunity to “make good” in the Lord’s work.
• Jesus-Justus (Col. 4:11) was a Jewish believer. His Hebrew name was Joshua, which is translated “Jesus” in the Greek. His other name signifies one who obeys the Law (Justus). He worked with Paul and comforted (encouraged) him. What a help he was to the apostle during those days in prison!
• Epaphras (Col. 4:12-13) was a Gentile and probably the founder-pastor of the church at Colosse. This godly man believed in the ministry of the Word of God and prayer (Col. 1:7 and Col. 4:12). What a prayer warrior he was! He did not simply “say prayers”; “he labored [agonized] in prayer.” It is the same word that is used for the struggles of athletes in contests. Epaphras prayed that the Colossians might stand “mature and full” in God’s will (see Col. 1:28-29). He wanted them to live up to their “fullness” in Christ. Yet his prayers were not for the Colossians only; he was zealous for the saints in the neighboring cities as well. What Christian love!
• Luke (Col. 4:14) was the Gentile physician who joined Paul at Troas (Act. 16:10) and later wrote the books of Luke and Acts. Luke and Demas are linked again in 2Ti. 4:10-11, “Only Luke is with me...Demas has forsaken me” (NKJV). You can summarize the life of Demas in three verses: “Demas, my fellow laborer” (Phm. 1:24); “Demas...” (Col. 4:14); “Demas has forsaken me” (2Ti. 4:10 4, NKJV). Since Colossians and Philemon were written during the same time, Demas’ backsliding must have been rapid. What a tragedy!

In his closing instructions, Paul sends a greeting to some of the saints and tells the Colossians and Laodiceans to share their respective letters with each other. It may be that the epistle to the Laodiceans is our Ephesians. “All Scripture is profitable” (2Ti. 3:16), so we must not neglect any of God’s Word. He closes by warning Archippus not to faint but to fulfill his ministry in the Lord. Perhaps he was the son of Philemon, since he is mentioned in that letter too (Phm. 1:2).

Paul’s usual salutation of grace closes the letter, marking it as authentic. (This was obvious by the markedly larger and irregular handwriting that resulted from Paul's poor eyesight)

 “I’m Glad That’s Cleared Up!”  The story of God’s plan is written on your heart and on the hearts of all those saints the Lord sends to fight the revolution with you. Learn and appreciate their stories.

(Outline from Warren Weirsbe's Expository Outlines)

Clarity: In Me As Me - Colossians 4:2-6

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.  At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-- that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

(Colossians 4:2-6 NCV)

I. In Christian Witness (Col. 4:2-6)
Paul was a prisoner in Rome, but this did not stop him from bearing witness for Christ. He tells believers how to be effective witnesses for Christ.

• A. Watch and pray.
  “Watch” carries the idea of being alert, praying with your eyes open. This truth first appears in Neh. 4:9, when the enemy threatened the Jews as they tried to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. “We made our prayer...and set a watch,” was Nehemiah’s solution; and it worked! Prayer is never a substitute for our own alertness. Christ teaches us that to watch and pray is the way to victory over temptation (Mar. 14:38). We should watch and pray for opportunities to witness and serve. Certainly Paul had his eyes open as he prayed for that Philippian jailer; when the apostle saw the man reaching for his sword, he cried out and stopped him (Acts 16:27-28). If each believer would pray for the lost, and watch for God’s open doors of opportunity for witness, we would win more people to the Savior.

• B. Walk in wisdom.
  “Them that are without” refers, of course, to the lost who do not belong to the Christian family. What a sad thing to be “without” — without Christ, without hope, without peace, without forgiveness! It is important that we Christians live wisely when among the lost, for unsaved people look at our lives and try to find things to criticize. 1Th. 4:12 admonishes us to walk honestly toward them that are without. What a terrible testimony it is for a Christian to be dishonest with an unbeliever! Far better for believers to suffer loss than to ruin their testimony and bring reproach on the name of Christ. We wonder what unsaved people think of Christ and the Gospel when the Christians they do business with fail to pay their bills or keep their promises.

• C. Have godly speech.
  The salt of holiness must always flavor our speech. Old Testament Jews used salt in their sacrifices, symbolizing purity and the preservation of that which is good. The Greeks called salt charitas — grace — because it gave flavor to things. Our speech must not be corrupt (Eph. 4:29); salt (God’s grace) holds back corruption. A thoughtless word of criticism, a questionable remark, an angry word — any of these could tear down in a minute whatever Christian testimony others have tried to build up. “Redeeming the time” (Col. 4:5) means “buying up the opportunity.” As Christians, we must be alert to seize every opportunity to witness for Christ and win others.

 “I’m Glad That’s Cleared Up!”  When you reconcile the reality that Jesus lives in you with the reality that Jesus works through you, it makes sense that people see Jesus as you.

(Outline from Warren Weirsbe's Expository Outlines)