November 09th, 2022

Step Out Anyway

Sermon by: Aimee Wolfram
Summarized by: Kelsey Bodnar
 
Have you ever seen a fun craft or recipe on Pinterest but found that once you tried it for yourself, it turned out nothing like you had pictured? You then find yourself becoming frustrated, disappointed and embarrassed that you couldn't create that picture perfect result. This happens to the best of us, we can fall into this trap of comparing what we see on social media to our reality. How can God help us through the feeling of comparison?
 
We had a very special guest join us to preach part 6 of our Untangling Emotions series. Our incredible worship leader, Aimee Wolfram brought us a message dealing with the comparison trap we all face. Aimee started by reminding us that our emotions shouldn’t drive us in our reactions, but rather should be used to learn and grow from. 

 1 Corinthians 12:12
The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

The church is often described as a body, with the idea that everything is connected. Being a part of the body of Christ isn’t optional. We are all connected by what unites us, Jesus.  If we are the body, what’s our purpose? The purpose of the body is to serve. We are called to serve one another, but sometimes there is something within us that keeps us from using our gifts to serve. 

1 Corinthians 12:18-20
But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts but one body.

The answer, Comparison. Comparison leads us to three different places: insecurity, pride, or humility. We move back and forth between these three different places and compare where we are and what we feel we can offer, instantly declaring ourselves inadequate before we even get started.

1 Corinthians 12:14-15
Even so the body is not made up of one part, but of many. 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.

Insecurity is deeply rooted in lies. Every emotion is rooted in a thought, leading into our feelings, which then lead to an action. Let's start with the idea that I don’t belong as much as. The truth is that we belong because Christ made a place for us. We belong because of what Christ has done for us.
 
Another lie we discussed was I should be more like, which traps us in comparison. You can’t serve someone you’re trying to prove something to. Service is not about you, it’s about the other person. By placing the focus on you, you miss what God is trying to do. We need to replace the “I should be more like” rhetoric with the truth that I am responsible for my calling.
 
When we measure based on external circumstances, we miss what God is doing in our hearts. How much you are seen is not a measure of your importance. God is looking for those who serve him, whether we are seen or not. Our callings may not be obvious but we need to trust God and  walk forward into our purpose.

1 Corinthians 12:22-24
On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 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, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it.

Pride says that I have to do this on my own. We need help sometimes. There is a body that can work with us. These feelings of insecurity and pride are opportunities for us to surrender. Our insecurities may not go away, but God uses us despite our insecurities and pride. How do we step forward knowing these feelings won’t go away? We have to learn how to be humble.

Philippians 2:6-7
Who, being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped, instead he made himself nothing…

Christ is the ultimate example of humility. Humility teaches us two things: to celebrate and learn from others, and to recognize it’s bigger than you. When the team does well, everyone on the team is responsible for that. There is room at the table for everyone. Our value comes from what we belong to, not by what we do.

Galatians 6:4-5
Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load.

We are all responsible for our own callings. When we step forward despite our insecurities, it’s an opportunity for God to move in our lives. The body works together to build the church.

​Thank you for being here! If this message resonates with you and you want to see more, here’s our YouTube channel, where we post live sermons every Sunday. 
 
Listen to the sermon podcast on Spotify here.
 
Join us IN PERSON every Sunday at 175 Carleton Dr #170, St. Albert, AB
Doors Open at 9:30 a.m.
Service starts at 10 a.m.