Belonging to Christ: Embracing Our Community Identity

Over the last several months, we have journeyed through the Psalms, learning to pray honestly, worship deeply, and trust God fully. These lessons have shaped our personal walk with the Lord, but now we turn to 1 Corinthians, where the focus shifts from the individual to the community. In a world marked by division, loneliness, and fractured relationships, God calls us not just to believe, but to belong—to be a family united in Christ. Paul’s opening words to the Corinthian church remind us of our shared identity: we are sanctified in Christ, called to be saints together, and recipients of God’s grace. This identity is not something we achieve, but a gift we receive, rooted in God’s faithfulness.

Paul begins his letter not by addressing the church’s problems, but by affirming who they are in Christ. He reminds them—and us—that the church is not a building, but a people set apart for God’s purposes, called to reflect Christ’s character in a world that desperately needs to see something different. Even in a city as challenging as Corinth, believers are called to be holy, unified, and Christ-centered. Paul’s gratitude for the Corinthians is not based on their perfection, but on the evidence of God’s grace at work among them. He sees their gifts, their growth, and the glimpses of Christ in their lives, and he encourages us to develop spiritual eyes that see grace before flaws.

We are reminded that God has equipped us with everything we need to be faithful and fruitful. Each of us has been given gifts for the good of the whole body, and we are sustained by God’s grace as we await Christ’s return. Our calling is not to isolation, but to fellowship—a shared life in Christ. We belong to one another, walking together, bearing each other’s burdens, forgiving, encouraging, and stirring one another up to love and good works. Our unity is not just for our own benefit, but as a witness to the world. When we love one another as Christ commands, the world sees a glimpse of the kingdom and is drawn to the hope we have.

As we gather at the Lord’s table, we proclaim together that Christ’s body was broken and His blood was shed to make us one family. We are not alone, but part of a redeemed community, anchored in grace and empowered by the Spirit. Let us go out, not as isolated individuals, but as a family living and serving together, so that our community may see Christ in us and be drawn to Him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Our Identity Is a Gift, Not an Achievement The foundation of who we are is not built on our accomplishments or efforts, but on what we have received from God in Christ. Our sanctification and calling as saints are gifts of grace, not badges we earn. This truth humbles us and frees us from striving for approval, inviting us to rest in God’s faithfulness and to live out of the security of our identity in Him. [50:54]
• 2. See Grace Before Imperfection in Others Paul models a posture of gratitude by first recognizing the evidence of God’s grace in the lives of fellow believers, even when there are real issues to address. We are challenged to develop spiritual eyesight that looks for growth, gifts, and glimpses of Christ in one another before focusing on flaws. This practice builds up the body, fosters encouragement, and reflects the heart of Christ to our community. [64:25]
• 3. We Are Fully Equipped for Faithfulness God’s grace not only saves us but also equips and sustains us. Every believer is given what is needed—spiritual gifts, the Word, prayer, the Spirit, and the support of the church—to be faithful and fruitful, even in seasons of struggle or weakness. We are not lacking; we are enriched and empowered to persevere until Christ returns. [65:47]
• 4. Community Is Essential, Not Optional The Christian life is not meant to be lived in isolation. We are called into fellowship—a shared life in Christ—where we belong to one another, walk together, forgive, encourage, and bear each other’s burdens. This is not just for our benefit, but so the world may see the reality of Christ’s love and be drawn to Him. [73:24]
• 5. Our Unity Is a Witness to the World The way we love and serve one another is meant to be a living testimony to those outside the church. When we live as a true family—united, sacrificial, and Christ-centered—the world sees a glimpse of the kingdom and is confronted with the reality of Jesus. Our unity is not just for us; it is part of our mission to make Christ known. [76:32]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [41:52] - From Psalms to 1 Corinthians: A New Journey
• [44:02] - Called to Be a Christ-Rooted Community
• [45:15] - Corinth’s Culture and the Church’s Calling
• [48:14] - Paul’s Credentials and the Meaning of “Church”
• [50:54] - Identity: Set Apart by Grace
• [53:21] - The Challenge of Holiness and Unity
• [54:24] - Growth Through Struggle
• [55:56] - Thankful for Grace at Work
• [57:54] - Equipped for Every Season
• [58:55] - Seeing Grace in One Another
• [64:25] - Practicing Encouragement in Community
• [65:47] - Not Lacking Any Gift
• [67:39] - Sustained by God’s Faithfulness
• [73:24] - Living as a Family: The Call to Community
• [74:58] - Our Identity Shapes Our Mission
• [76:32] - Loving One Another as Witness
• [77:29] - Living Out Our Family Identity
• [79:24] - Communion: Remembering Our Unity
• [82:57] - The Bread: Christ’s Body Given
• [85:12] - The Cup: The New Covenant
• [88:13] - Proclaiming Christ’s Death and Our Hope
• [89:41] - Sent Out as a Family on Mission

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 1:1-9 (ESV) —
> Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
> To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
> Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
> I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus,
> that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge—
> even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you—
> so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ,
> who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
> God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Observation Questions

1. According to Paul in verses 1-3, how does he describe the identity of the church in Corinth? What words or phrases does he use to talk about who they are? [48:14]
2. In verses 4-6, what specific things does Paul thank God for when he thinks about the Corinthian church? [55:56]
3. What does Paul say the believers are “not lacking” in, and what does he say will sustain them until Christ returns? [57:54]
4. In verse 9, what does Paul say God has called believers into? How does he describe this calling? [01:07:39]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul starts his letter by reminding the Corinthians of their identity in Christ before addressing any of their problems? What effect might this have on how they hear the rest of his letter? [50:54]
2. The sermon mentioned that our identity as Christians is a gift, not something we achieve. How does this truth challenge the way people often think about their worth or standing before God? [50:54]
3. Paul sees evidence of God’s grace at work in the Corinthians, even though he knows they have issues. What does it mean to “see grace before imperfection” in others, and why is this important for church life? [58:55]
4. The passage says God has given every believer what they need to be faithful and fruitful. How might this change the way someone views their own role or contribution in the church? [01:05:47]

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to “see grace before flaws” in others. Think of someone in our church or your life who is difficult for you. What is one way you could look for and encourage the evidence of God’s grace in them this week? [58:55]
2. Paul says we are “not lacking in any gift.” Do you ever feel like you don’t have much to offer in the church? What is one gift or ability you have that you could use to serve others in our church family? [57:54]
3. The Christian life is described as a “shared life” and not meant to be lived in isolation. Are there ways you tend to isolate yourself from others in the church? What is one step you could take to move toward deeper fellowship or community? [01:13:24]
4. The sermon talked about bearing each other’s burdens, forgiving, and encouraging one another. Is there someone you need to forgive, encourage, or help carry a burden for this week? What would that look like in a practical way? [01:13:24]
5. Our unity as a church is meant to be a witness to the world. How do you think our community sees our church? Is there something specific we could do as a group to show Christ’s love more clearly to those outside? [01:16:32]
6. When you think about your identity in Christ as a gift, not an achievement, does it change how you approach God or others? Is there an area where you need to stop striving for approval and rest in God’s faithfulness? [50:54]
7. Communion was described as a “family meal” that proclaims our unity in Christ. How does this picture of communion challenge or encourage you in your relationships with others in the church? [01:19:24]