7 Habits Of A Healthy Community
Community Health Check
Justin Thomas
February 26, 2023

Ephesians 4:1-24

Paul and the Lord (Bride and Groom) says this:
• Don’t walk in futility of mind; Excluded from the life of God; Hardness of Heart; Callous; Giving oneself over to Sensuality; Every kind of Impurity and Greed.
• That’s not You! This is your old life!
• Be renewed, put on the new self/man. Which was created in Righteousness and Holiness of truth.


Ephesians 4:25 - 32


1. Be

with Others / No ! (v. 25)
OLD SELF - Falsehood / Masks

  • Will the Real You Stand Up? Are you being honest and open and vulnerable with OTHERS?
  • You will never know true love unless you are vulnerable.
  • The church is a “lab to practice unselfish, sympathetic love.”
  • When was the last time you shared your faults with someone?
  • Telling on Yourself VS Being Real and Authentic

HEALTH CHECK - Lay aside the mask, speak heart-truth with someone; We are one family.


2.

with Issues! (v. 26,27). We all have our story.
OLD SELF - Close up or Blow-Up

  • Anger/Resentment is usually the strong root of being upset that something won’t change or didn’t change.
  • Red Flags and Green Flags - Good to know why, so you can bring change, or repeat.
  • Don’t let the sun go down on your anger. Presence, Power, Process - Consider outside help.
  • Unresolved issues can open the door to demonic oppression.

HEALTH CHECK - Own and deal with your heart. And be that friend to others…


3. Giver &

(v. 28)
OLD SELF - Taker, Useless, Relationally Lazy

  • Why so strong Paul?
  • Christianity is about Giving. Acts 20:32 - 35
  • At some point in your natural life in relationships, you stop being the son or daughter and become the father and mother.
  • Stop taking AND start contributing, working, serving, giving.
  • In your family, in your church, in your tribe, where can you give of what you have…money, time, energy and bless others?

HEALTH CHECK - Live the Otherness Principle. Serve, Give, Help. Community is mutuality, a two-way street. Where is Jesus calling you to serve/give?


4.

, Edifying, Vocally Helpful (v. 29)
OLD SELF - Complainer, Negative, Don’t Care

  • Be gracious with words, generous with compliments and consideration. Build others up.
  • People don’t care what you know, until they know that you care.
  • Your words are life, solutions, redemption.
  • Compliment, encourage, reassure.

HEALTH CHECK - I am a Good News speaker. Highlight what is good. Who can you encourage this week?


5. Compassionate &

(v. 29, 32)
OLD SELF - Callous Hard Heart & Rude

  • Empathy - Understanding, Compassion, Responsive.
  • “Your safe here” - Does anyone care for me?
  • The church is Jesus’ people. It’s Jesus with skin on…
  • Coaching Culture is Curious Listening and actually allows the other person to become safe/secure & free to bring to surface their own wellness and solutions.

HEALTH CHECK - Be there for someone. Listen curiously and empathetically, ask some good questions. (Jesus asked over two hundred questions…connecting!)


6.

(v. 31, 32)
OLD SELF - Bitterness & Ledger Principle (grinchy)

  • We will fall short and so will others. We all struggle with common problems. Don’t be so judgy.
  • We must walk in forgiveness. Christ has forgiven us.
  • Stop judging the world, if you judge the body, judge yourself first.
  • Embrace the cross. “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

HEALTH CHECK - Let it go. Forgive others. Keep a Clean heart. Give God room.


7. Holy Spirit

(v. 30)
OLD SELF - Me-Centered VS Spirit Centered.

  • What is He saying? We must not grieve Him, or quench him.
  • Are you walking like you have a Dove on your shoulder?
  • Where are you violating your conscience?
  • Where has the Holy Spirit convicted you to do something, and you haven’t done it?
  • We lose our peace in the Holy Spirit and open ourselves up to anxiety when we don’t live in sensitive obedience to HS.

HEALTH CHECK - Holy Spirit Sensitivity. Where are you grieving yourself and Holy Spirit?