Active Faith: Embracing Community and Discipleship
Summary
In today's sermon, we concluded our series on "Family Matters," emphasizing the role of the church not just as a gathering place but as a vibrant, active community of faith. We explored how the church is fundamentally an organism, alive and growing, tasked with the mission of reaching out to a world in need of salvation. This mission is not confined to the walls of a building but extends into every aspect of our lives, making disciples and pouring into others as Christ did.
We began by reflecting on the early church as described in Acts, a community that lived out the gospel with boldness and compassion, reaching out across social and ethnic divides. This model of church challenges us to not only receive but also to give, to not merely attend but to participate actively in the mission of God. The church is called to be a family, a body with many parts working together, each member contributing to the whole.
Throughout the sermon, we addressed the common misconceptions of church as merely a service provider, where members consume religious goods and services. Instead, we are called to be contributors, actively engaging in the life of the church through service, discipleship, and community. This shift from consumerism to contribution is crucial for personal growth and the health of the entire body of Christ.
We delved into the practical aspects of discipleship, emphasizing that it doesn't require extraordinary qualifications but willingness and commitment to walk with others towards Christ. Discipleship is about relationship and consistency, sharing life and learning in community. This is how we grow in maturity and faith—by investing in others and allowing others to invest in us.
The sermon also tackled the issue of spiritual apathy, challenging the congregation to view church not as an event to be consumed but as a community to be actively part of. We compared the church to a battleship rather than a cruise ship, focused on mission and purpose rather than entertainment and personal satisfaction.
In conclusion, we called for a personal commitment to full-time discipleship, urging everyone to go beyond part-time Christianity. This involves a wholehearted surrender to God's will and a commitment to live out our faith in every aspect of life, not just within the comfort of church settings but in our daily interactions and decisions.
### Key Takeaways:
1. The Church as a Living Organism
The church is not a static building or a weekly event but a living organism, vibrant and growing. It is composed of individuals who are not just attendees but active participants in God's mission. This perspective shifts our approach from passive attendance to active engagement, where every member is vital to the health and growth of the whole. [09:52]
2. Discipleship as Relationship
True discipleship is not about programs or knowledge but about relationships. It involves walking alongside others in their spiritual journey, just as Christ walked with His disciples. This relational approach fosters deep, lasting spiritual growth and equips believers to disciple others, perpetuating a cycle of growth and multiplication. [41:59]
3. From Consumers to Contributors
Shifting from seeing the church as a provider of spiritual services to a mission field where every member is a contributor changes everything. When we engage as contributors, we fulfill our role in the body of Christ, leading to a healthier, more dynamic church community. This shift is essential for personal growth and the effective spread of the gospel. [37:46]
4. The Importance of Community in Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth occurs most effectively within the context of community. As we interact, share, and learn together, we are sharpened and strengthened. The church must foster a strong sense of community, where members feel connected and supported in their spiritual journeys. [44:35]
5. Full-time Discipleship Commitment
The call to discipleship is a call to full-time commitment. It is about giving all of ourselves to God, not just parts. This commitment is what distinguishes genuine followers of Christ from mere admirers. As we commit fully, we experience the fullness of life that Christ offers. [45:06]
### Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [05:44] - Introduction to Family Matters
- [07:15] - The Early Church Model
- [09:52] - Church as an Organism
- [11:17] - Understanding Church as Family
- [12:35] - The Familial Bond of the Church
- [14:11] - The Role of Each Member
- [18:21] - The Irony of Spiritual Growth
- [19:38] - Misconceptions of Faith
- [21:03] - The Sovereign Design of God
- [25:09] - Maslow's Hierarchy and Spiritual Needs
- [26:19] - Transcendence in Christian Life
- [27:47] - The Call to Discipleship
- [30:41] - Living According to God's Design
- [32:01] - The Temptation of Self-Centeredness
- [33:19] - The Challenge of Comfortable Christianity
- [34:51] - The Narrow Path of True Discipleship
- [36:25] - Self-Denial and Following Christ
- [37:46] - Church as a Battleship, Not a Cruise Ship
- [39:13] - Unity and Mission in the Church
- [40:31] - The Role of Church Leaders
- [41:59] - Simplifying Discipleship
- [43:17] - Proximity and Purpose in Discipleship
- [44:04] - Growth Happens in Small Groups
- [44:35] - Community as the Venue for Growth
- [45:06] - Call to Full-time Discipleship
- [45:36] - Invitation to New Believers
- [46:06] - Prayer of Salvation
- [46:37] - Celebrating New Commitments
- [47:07] - Affirmation of New Faith Journeys
- [01:06:35] - Encountering God's Presence
- [01:07:31] - Intercession and Support in Faith
- [01:08:09] - Receiving God's Gifts and Strength
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 3:10 - "God's purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places."
2. Acts 2:42-47 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
3. Matthew 28:18-20 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Ephesians 3:10 say about God's purpose for the church? How does this align with the sermon’s description of the church as a living organism? [09:52]
2. According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the key activities of the early church? How do these activities reflect the idea of the church as a community? [07:15]
3. In Matthew 28:18-20, what are the two main actions Jesus commands his disciples to take? How does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on discipleship? [29:08]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does viewing the church as a living organism (Ephesians 3:10) change our understanding of our role within it? [09:52]
2. The early church in Acts 2:42-47 is described as having everything in common and meeting daily. What challenges and benefits might arise from trying to emulate this model in today’s context? [07:15]
3. Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18-20 to make disciples involves both going and teaching. What does this dual focus suggest about the nature of discipleship? [29:08]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on the idea that the church is a living organism, how can you move from being a passive attendee to an active participant in your church community? What specific steps can you take this week? [09:52]
2. The early church was marked by radical generosity and community (Acts 2:42-47). How can you foster a similar sense of community and generosity in your small group or church? What practical actions can you take? [07:15]
3. Jesus calls us to make disciples as we go about our daily lives (Matthew 28:18-20). Identify one person in your life who you can intentionally invest in spiritually. What is one specific way you can start this week? [29:08]
4. The sermon emphasized the shift from being consumers to contributors in the church. What are some areas in your church where you can contribute more actively? How can you start this week? [37:46]
5. Spiritual growth happens most effectively within the context of community. How can you deepen your relationships within your small group to foster mutual spiritual growth? What is one specific action you can take this week? [44:35]
6. The sermon challenged us to view church as a battleship rather than a cruise ship. How can you adopt a mission-focused mindset in your daily life? What specific changes can you make to align more with this perspective? [37:46]
7. Full-time discipleship involves a wholehearted commitment to God. What areas of your life do you need to surrender more fully to God? How can you take a step towards full-time discipleship this week? [45:06]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Living, Breathing Community
The church is not merely a location or an event but a living organism, vibrant and growing. This perspective invites each member to shift from passive attendance to active engagement. As living members of this organism, individuals are called to contribute to the health and growth of the whole body. This dynamic participation helps the church fulfill its mission to reach out and nurture both its members and the broader community. The church thrives when each part works together, fostering a community that is both spiritually alive and outward-reaching. [09:52]
1 Corinthians 12:12-14, "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many."
Reflection: How can you actively contribute to the life of your church community this week?
Day 2: Discipleship Through Relationship
True discipleship is rooted in relationships, not structured programs or mere knowledge acquisition. Walking alongside others in their spiritual journey mirrors Christ’s method with His disciples. This relational approach not only deepens individual faith but also equips believers to disciple others, creating a cycle of spiritual growth and multiplication. By investing in personal relationships within the church, discipleship becomes a natural, impactful part of the believer’s life. [41:59]
1 Thessalonians 2:8, "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from your mentorship, and how can you begin to invest more deeply in that relationship?
Day 3: From Spiritual Consumers to Kingdom Contributors
The shift from viewing the church as a provider of spiritual services to seeing it as a mission field where every member is a contributor is transformative. This change encourages believers to engage actively in the church’s life through service, discipleship, and community involvement. As contributors, members fulfill their roles in the body of Christ, leading to a healthier, more dynamic church community. This engagement is essential for personal growth and the effective spread of the gospel. [37:46]
Ephesians 4:15-16, "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: What is one way you can shift from being a consumer to a contributor in your church community?
Day 4: Community as the Catalyst for Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is most effective within the context of community. As believers share life, interact, and learn together, they are sharpened and strengthened. The church must foster a strong sense of community, where members feel connected and supported in their spiritual journeys. This environment allows for deeper relationships and more meaningful spiritual encounters, which are crucial for growth and resilience in faith. [44:35]
Hebrews 10:24-25, "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: How can you more fully engage in your church community to foster both your spiritual growth and that of others?
Day 5: Embracing Full-Time Discipleship
The call to discipleship is a call to full-time commitment, involving a wholehearted surrender to God's will. This commitment means living out faith in every aspect of life, not just within church settings but in daily interactions and decisions. Such a lifestyle distinguishes genuine followers of Christ from mere admirers and leads to experiencing the fullness of life that Christ offers. [45:06]
Luke 9:23-24, "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What does taking up your cross daily look like in your current life circumstances?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You want not just to feel love, you want esteem. People crave to be recognized that they're a value, that you're wanted, that you're needed. That the world would not be the same without you and that your family, those that you love, understand you are this contributor to it. It's not only roughly 25% of Americans feel that. And that number is on a drop. It's why suicides are on a rise because so many people are so suicidal. They go, what's it going to matter? Nobody will miss me if I'm gone. That is the greatest lie the enemy could ever put in your heart and mind. If you're not here, there is a massive void in this world. And your God called you a masterpiece, which means you were not an accident. You are beautifully and wonderfully made." [25:09]
2. "The highest form of living is not when you get to the place where you feel good about yourself and life is better. It's when you get to the point in life, when you pour your life into other people and help them climb the pyramid themselves, help them get to a place of self-actualization. He says, the highest form of living, the greatest place to be is when you live beyond yourself." [27:47]
3. "You can't get to the peak in life without Jesus. But the sad thing is, is years later, Robert Maslow came back and says, you know what? That's actually not the highest form of living. He goes, there's actually one more step higher. And he says, it's called transcendence. He says, the highest form of living is not when you get to the place where you feel good about yourself and life is better. It's when you get to the point in life, when you pour your life into other people and help them climb the pyramid themselves, help them get to a place of self-actualization." [27:47]
### Quotes for Members
1. "You will never grow if you hoard. You will only grow if you pour. And so the question is, do we believe God's word and his design is true? Do we believe the creator, the perfect sovereign God designed us perfectly and gave us the instructions in the word of God and it is only his perfect design that will actually give you peace? Will actually give you fulfillment? Will actually give you freedom in your life?" [18:21]
2. "The church is meant to be, a battleship. We're on mission together. We're on purpose together. We're battling not flesh and blood enemies, but principalities that want to not just ruin you and your family, but generations to never know the God that has called them sons and daughters and the hope that is found in him. And we are on mission together." [37:46]
3. "Disciple is very easy. It's not difficult at all. It's just proximity over an extended period of time with purpose. All it is, is you get together with a small group of people for an extended period of time, and you have one purpose in life. We want to grow closer to Jesus. That means you could do it anywhere. You could do it with a group at your work. You could do it in a life group. You could do it with your family. You could do it in your neighborhoods." [41:59]
4. "We got enough part-time Christians in this world. He's really hungry for some full-time disciples. Some of you just need to go all in. You need to make this internal personal commitment. To give him your everything." [45:06]
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