Building a Healthy Community Through Christ-Centered Relationships
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the concept of community and its importance in our spiritual lives, using the evolution of fashion as a metaphor for how trends come and go, but timeless truths remain. We began with a humorous anecdote about a young adult who considered the 2010s "vintage," which led to a reflection on how each generation often believes it is superior to the previous ones—a notion C.S. Lewis called "chronological snobbery." This set the stage for discussing how newer isn't always better, especially when it comes to relationships and community.
We examined how Jesus modeled community by immediately inviting people to follow Him and form relationships. Jesus accumulated people, not possessions, emphasizing that the only thing we can take into eternity is other people. The early church in Acts 2 serves as a blueprint for us, showing how they devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. They met in both large gatherings (temple courts) and small groups (homes), which is a model we aim to follow at Elan Church.
Our focus should be on health rather than growth, as healthy things naturally grow. We discussed three mindset shifts essential for building a healthy community: from "me" to "God," from "me" to "we," and from "get" to "give." These shifts help us devote ourselves to God, contribute to the community, and be a blessing to others. The sermon concluded with a call to action: join a community group, as this is the biblical model for living out our faith in a meaningful and impactful way.
### Key Takeaways
1. From "Me" to "God": The first mindset shift is to focus on God rather than ourselves. Devotion to God is a personal responsibility; no one else can worship, read the Bible, or pray for you. This shift helps us understand that our relationship with God is foundational for all other relationships. When we surrender our lives to God, we find true life in Him. [14:17]
2. From "Me" to "We": The second mindset shift is to prioritize the community over individual needs. Church is not a retail business where we are customers; it is a place where we are contributors. This shift encourages us to be co-laborers in Christ, focusing on the collective well-being of the church community. True fellowship, or "koinonia," involves sharing, contributing, and caring for one another deeply. [18:31]
3. From "Get" to "Give": The third mindset shift is to focus on giving rather than getting. Just as God blesses those who are generous with their resources, He also blesses those who are generous in their relationships. Being a good friend leads to having good friends. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our spiritual community. [27:28]
4. Healthy Community: A healthy community is built on eternal truths found in God's Word, not on chasing new trends. The early church's model of meeting in large gatherings and small groups is essential for spiritual growth and relational health. This dual approach allows for both corporate worship and intimate fellowship, ensuring that everyone is cared for and spiritually nourished. [10:41]
5. Practical Application: Joining a community group is not just a suggestion but a biblical mandate for living out our faith. It involves shifting our focus from ourselves to God and others, and from receiving to giving. This commitment to community helps us grow spiritually and relationally, fulfilling God's design for His church. [29:38]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:59] - Fashion Through the Decades
[01:46] - The Evolution of Trends
[02:47] - Chronological Snobbery
[03:32] - Examples of Misguided Trends
[04:20] - The Swing Back to Organic
[05:03] - The Relational Breakdown
[06:06] - Jesus' Relational Ministry
[06:55] - The Only Thing Jesus Accumulated
[08:02] - The Early Church Model
[08:52] - Growth vs. Health
[09:42] - The Importance of Healthy Growth
[10:41] - Temple Courts and Homes
[11:37] - The Dual Model of Church
[12:24] - The Role of Community Groups
[12:53] - Simple Yet Difficult Message
[13:33] - Three Mindset Shifts
[14:17] - From "Me" to "God"
[18:31] - From "Me" to "We"
[22:04] - The Meaning of Koinonia
[23:12] - Breaking the 200 Barrier
[24:44] - Shared Responsibility
[25:50] - Equipping the Saints
[26:54] - From "Get" to "Give"
[27:28] - The Blessing of Generosity
[29:07] - Jesus is Still Using His Church
[29:38] - Join a Community Group
[30:22] - The Challenge of Relationships
[31:36] - Personal Testimony
[33:05] - Living in Constant Community
[33:59] - Final Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Acts 2:41-47: "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 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."
2. Matthew 4:18-20: "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him."
3. 2 Timothy 4:3-4: "For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."
### Observation Questions
1. What were the four main activities the early church devoted themselves to according to Acts 2:42? [08:02]
2. How did Jesus begin His public ministry in Matthew 4:18-20, and what was His first action? [06:06]
3. According to 2 Timothy 4:3-4, what will people do when they no longer want to listen to sound doctrine? [17:01]
4. What mindset shifts were discussed in the sermon, and how do they relate to building a healthy community? [13:33]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the early church's model of meeting in both large gatherings and small groups was effective for spiritual growth and relational health? [10:41]
2. How does the concept of "chronological snobbery" affect our view of community and relationships today? [03:32]
3. What does it mean to shift from "me" to "God" in the context of personal devotion and community life? [14:17]
4. How can the principle of moving from "get" to "give" transform our relationships within the church community? [27:28]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. Are there areas where you need to shift your focus from "me" to "God"? What steps can you take this week to deepen your personal devotion? [14:17]
2. Think about your involvement in the church. How can you move from being a consumer to a contributor? What specific actions can you take to prioritize the community over individual needs? [18:31]
3. Identify one way you can be more generous in your relationships this week. How can you practice the principle of "from get to give" in your interactions with others? [27:28]
4. Are you currently part of a community group? If not, what is holding you back from joining one? How can you overcome these barriers to experience the benefits of small group fellowship? [29:38]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt disconnected from the church community. What changes can you make to ensure you are living in a constant state of community, as described in the sermon? [33:05]
6. How can you apply the early church's model of meeting in both large gatherings and small groups in your own life? What practical steps can you take to balance corporate worship and intimate fellowship? [10:41]
7. Consider the relationships in your life that need healing or reconciliation. How can you take the first step towards mending these relationships, following the example of prioritizing "we" over "me"? [20:43]
Devotional
Day 1: Shifting Focus from "Me" to "God"
Description: The first mindset shift is to focus on God rather than ourselves. Devotion to God is a personal responsibility; no one else can worship, read the Bible, or pray for you. This shift helps us understand that our relationship with God is foundational for all other relationships. When we surrender our lives to God, we find true life in Him. This shift is crucial because it reorients our priorities and helps us see that our ultimate purpose is to glorify God. By focusing on God, we align our lives with His will and experience the fullness of life that He promises. [14:17]
Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV): "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."
Reflection: What is one specific way you can shift your focus from yourself to God today? Consider setting aside dedicated time for prayer or Bible reading.
Day 2: Prioritizing Community Over Individual Needs
Description: The second mindset shift is to prioritize the community over individual needs. Church is not a retail business where we are customers; it is a place where we are contributors. This shift encourages us to be co-laborers in Christ, focusing on the collective well-being of the church community. True fellowship, or "koinonia," involves sharing, contributing, and caring for one another deeply. This shift helps us understand that we are part of a larger body and that our actions impact the entire community. By prioritizing the community, we build stronger, more supportive relationships that reflect the love of Christ. [18:31]
1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (ESV): "That there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the well-being of your church community this week? Think of a specific action you can take to support or encourage someone in your church.
Day 3: Embracing a Generous Spirit
Description: The third mindset shift is to focus on giving rather than getting. Just as God blesses those who are generous with their resources, He also blesses those who are generous in their relationships. Being a good friend leads to having good friends. This principle applies to all areas of life, including our spiritual community. Generosity is not just about material possessions; it also includes our time, attention, and love. By embracing a generous spirit, we reflect God's character and create a culture of generosity within our community. [27:28]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life to whom you can show generosity today. How can you bless them with your time, resources, or encouragement?
Day 4: Building a Healthy Community
Description: A healthy community is built on eternal truths found in God's Word, not on chasing new trends. The early church's model of meeting in large gatherings and small groups is essential for spiritual growth and relational health. This dual approach allows for both corporate worship and intimate fellowship, ensuring that everyone is cared for and spiritually nourished. By focusing on health rather than growth, we create an environment where people can thrive and grow naturally. A healthy community is marked by love, support, and a commitment to living out biblical principles. [10:41]
Acts 2:46-47 (ESV): "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the health of your community group? Think of a specific way you can support or encourage your group members this week.
Day 5: Committing to Community
Description: Joining a community group is not just a suggestion but a biblical mandate for living out our faith. It involves shifting our focus from ourselves to God and others, and from receiving to giving. This commitment to community helps us grow spiritually and relationally, fulfilling God's design for His church. By being part of a community group, we experience the support, accountability, and encouragement that are essential for spiritual growth. This commitment requires intentionality and a willingness to invest in the lives of others. [29:38]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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: Are you currently part of a community group? If not, what steps can you take to join one? If you are, how can you deepen your commitment to your group and its members?
Quotes
1. "The truth is that we do not do relationships very well in today's day and age. There's a lot happening in breakdowns, in marriages, families, kids, friendships. And the truth is that the way of Jesus is intensely relational. Relational. The way of Jesus is intensely relational because the God that we worship is a God of community. Even within himself, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God himself has community. God created us in his image to have relationships and connection with one another. God said it's not good that man should be alone. So God is a God of community. He created us to be people of community." [05:03] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Throughout his whole life, Jesus never accumulated physical things. He did not care about accumulating money. He did not care about accumulating possessions. He didn't care about accumulating power. The only thing that Jesus accumulated in his lifetime was people. And he brought them with him. And the only thing that you can bring with you into God's kingdom, on the other side of eternity, it's not money, it's not your car, it's not your house, it's people. The only thing that we can bring with us." [06:55] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "In order to follow Jesus, you must live like Jesus. In order to live like Jesus, you must learn how to do relationships and how to do community well. And healthy community is not built by chasing after something new following the latest trends. Healthy community is built by rediscovering the eternal truth that is in God's word." [07:20] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Healthy community isn't built by chasing after something new. It's built by rediscovering the eternal truth of old that is in God's word. And the last mindset shift is from get to give. There's so many similarities between how you handle relationships and how you handle money. In the book of Proverbs, it says, one person gives freely yet gains even more. Another withholds unduly but comes to poverty." [26:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The only determining factor between those two people is the commitment level of the individual. And it's the same in church. There are Christians that have been following Jesus for decades. They've been part of a local church for decades. And they're getting frustrated because they're not seeing very much growth. You can have somebody who doesn't know Jesus at all, gives their life to Jesus, and within six months, the growth is exponential in the fruit of the Spirit that's coming out of their life. The only determining factor between those two people is their commitment level to wholeheartedly following Jesus." [15:03] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The second mindset shift is from me to we. I don't know if you know this, but church is not a retail business. Juliet and I are not here trying to make you customers. We are here trying to help you to be contributors. We're not here hoping that you'll be a church critic and give a Yelp review. We're here hoping that you'll be a co-laborer in Christ. We're not here to try to get you to be a bunch of attendees that sit around and listen to Juliet and I all day. We want to equip you to be a minister of the gospel to go into your life, into your workplace, into your families and outwork the mission of Jesus in and through your life." [18:31] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "And so at Elan Church, that's why we have community groups. Because Juliet and I cannot effectively pastor the entire church ourself. And we wouldn't want to. And so what we're doing is we're releasing, we're empowering people to be able to look after and care for after one another. The goal at Elan Church is not attenders. The goal is to equip you to be a minister of the gospel. To minister to one another. Because in a healthy church, no one person does everything, but you. But everyone does something." [25:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "2,000 years later, after Jesus lived, died, was resurrected, said wait for the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit showed up at Pentecost, thousands of people were getting added and the church was trying to figure out how do we structure for this growth. They started meeting in temple courts and from house to house. 2,000 years later, Jesus is still alive. He is still reigning on the throne. He is still alive. He is still pouring out his Holy Spirit. He is still fulfilling his promises. He is still loving us even though we don't deserve it. He is still saving, healing, restoring, redeeming and delivering. And he is still using his church to do it. And he wants to use you. And he wants to use me." [29:07] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The goal of the church of Jesus Christ is not to come on Sunday and tick a religious box. It's certainly not to come twice a year on Christmas and Easter. It's not to come on Sunday, tick a religious box, and then come on Tuesday night and tick another religious box. Yeah, yeah, I did my religious obligation for the day. The church gathered together daily in the temple courts. And so coming on the temple courts or our Sunday worship or house to house, our community groups, that's like the bare minimum, right? We should be constantly living in a constant state of community nonstop where we're meeting up with a friend from church for lunch." [33:05] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And so what's the goal for today? Join a community group. And as you do, shift your focus from me to God. Because God designed you for large group worship and small group fellowship. We worship him not to make ourselves feel good. We worship him because he's worthy as a response to who he is. And when you find him, you'll find yourself in him. The second is shift from me to we. Because there are other people in your group who need you. There's other people in your group that you need. And that happens when we get fellowship with one another. And shift your focus from trying to get to trying to give. I promise you if you show up to a community group and your whole focus is how can I bless every single person here? How can I pray for everybody? How can I serve somebody? How can I help them? What can I do to be a blessing in their life? I promise you God will bless you abundantly. Because those who are a good friend end up having good friends. You are blessed. You are blessed. Be a blessing." [33:59] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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