Building Christ's Church: A Community of Love and Truth
Summary
In reflecting on the Great Commission, it's essential to understand that it is not merely about individual conversions but about Christ building His church. Jesus promised that He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. This promise assures us that we are not alone in our mission; we go with Jesus, confident in His strength and wisdom. Throughout history, there have been times of both great spiritual awakening and apparent retreat. Yet, in all times, Christ is accomplishing His purpose, and His church will advance.
The early church, as described in Acts 2, provides a model for us. It was a community devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This community was marked by a shared life, where believers had all things in common and cared for one another's needs. The church is fundamentally a community, a fellowship rooted in commonness and shared life. In our modern context, where individualism and isolation are prevalent, the church must stand as a beacon of community and connection.
The church must be a community of truth, devoted to the apostolic teaching and the Word of God. This commitment to truth is foundational, as it guides us in understanding God's world and His will. Moreover, the church should be a community that is alive and caring, where members know and support one another. This care is not just spiritual but also practical, meeting the physical needs of the community.
Worship is central to the life of the church, a time of meeting with God, where He speaks to us through His Word, and we respond in prayer and praise. Worship shapes and frames us, providing a counterbalance to the world's influence. It is crucial that our worship is genuine and that it fosters a sense of joy and love within the community.
Ultimately, the church should be a community of love and joy, reflecting the light of Christ to the world. In a time when anger and division are common, the church must be a place of joy, rooted in the assurance that Christ is building His church. By living as a true community of Christ, we can be a light in the world, drawing others to explore the truth and love found in Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
1. Christ's Promise and Our Mission: The Great Commission is not just about individual conversions but about Christ building His church. We go with Jesus, confident in His strength and wisdom, assured that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. This promise gives us courage and purpose in our mission. [01:15]
2. The Early Church as a Model: Acts 2 provides a picture of the early church as a community devoted to teaching, fellowship, and prayer. This shared life is a model for us, emphasizing the importance of community and connection in a world that often values individualism. [07:17]
3. A Community of Truth: The church must be committed to the apostolic teaching and the Word of God. This foundation of truth guides us in understanding God's world and His will, challenging the notion that we can create our own truth. [19:10]
4. Caring and Alive Community: The church should be a place where members know and support one another, meeting both spiritual and practical needs. This care fosters a sense of belonging and reflects the love of Christ to the world. [29:32]
5. Worship and Joy: Worship is central to the church's life, a time of meeting with God and responding in prayer and praise. It shapes us and provides a counterbalance to the world's influence. The church should be a community of joy, reflecting the light of Christ and drawing others to Him. [39:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:09] - Introduction to the Great Commission
- [01:02] - Christ's Promise to Build His Church
- [02:31] - Confidence in Jesus' Strength
- [03:52] - The Church as a Fortress
- [05:27] - The Early Church in Acts 2
- [07:34] - The Church as a Community
- [09:03] - Marks of the True Church
- [11:39] - The Importance of Real Community
- [13:28] - The Church as Light in the World
- [17:29] - A Community of Truth
- [25:14] - A Caring and Alive Community
- [31:42] - Devotion to Worship
- [38:05] - Love and Joy in the Church
- [41:00] - Reflecting Christ's Kingdom
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 16:18
- Acts 2:41-47
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Acts 2:42, what were the four main activities the early church devoted themselves to? How did these activities contribute to their sense of community?
2. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus makes a promise about building His church. What does He say about the gates of hell in relation to His church? [01:02]
3. How does the description of the early church in Acts 2:44-45 illustrate their commitment to caring for one another's needs?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of worship in the life of the church? How is worship described as a counterbalance to the world's influence? [32:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise in Matthew 16:18 provide assurance and confidence for believers in their mission? What implications does this have for the church's role in the world today? [01:15]
2. The early church in Acts 2 is described as having "all things in common." What might this look like in a modern church context, and what challenges could arise from this model of community? [06:49]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of a "community of truth." How does this concept challenge the modern notion of creating one's own truth, and why is it crucial for the church? [19:10]
4. Reflecting on the sermon, how does the idea of the church as a "light in the world" align with Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:14-16 about believers being the light of the world? [12:57]
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Application Questions:
1. In what ways can you personally contribute to building a sense of community within your church, similar to the early church's model in Acts 2? What specific actions can you take this week? [07:17]
2. How can you ensure that your participation in church activities is not just routine but genuinely contributes to a community of truth and love? What changes might you need to make in your approach to church involvement? [19:10]
3. The sermon highlights the importance of worship as a time of meeting with God. How can you prepare your heart and mind to engage more deeply in worship each week? [32:55]
4. Consider the idea of the church as a "community of joy." How can you cultivate joy in your interactions with fellow believers, especially in times of disagreement or division? [39:15]
5. Reflect on a time when you felt isolated or disconnected from your church community. What steps can you take to reach out and reconnect with others, fostering a sense of belonging and support? [13:43]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of caring for both spiritual and practical needs within the church. Identify one practical need within your church community that you can help address this month. [29:32]
7. How can you be a light in your broader community, reflecting the love and truth of Christ in your daily interactions? What specific opportunities do you have to share your faith with others this week? [13:28]
Devotional
Day 1: Christ's Promise and Our Mission
The Great Commission is not solely about individual conversions but about the collective building of Christ's church. Jesus assured His followers that He would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail against it. This promise provides believers with courage and purpose, knowing that they are not alone in their mission. They go with Jesus, confident in His strength and wisdom. Throughout history, the church has experienced both spiritual awakenings and times of retreat, yet Christ's purpose continues to be accomplished. His church will advance, and believers are called to participate in this divine mission with confidence and assurance. [01:15]
Matthew 16:18 (ESV): "And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Reflection: In what ways can you actively participate in the mission of building Christ's church this week, trusting in His promise and strength?
Day 2: The Early Church as a Model
Acts 2 provides a vivid picture of the early church as a community devoted to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. This community was marked by a shared life, where believers had all things in common and cared for one another's needs. In a modern context where individualism and isolation are prevalent, the church is called to stand as a beacon of community and connection. The early church's model emphasizes the importance of community and connection, challenging believers to foster a shared life that reflects the love and unity found in Christ. [07:17]
Acts 2:44-47 (ESV): "And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 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 building a sense of community and connection within your church or small group this week?
Day 3: A Community of Truth
The church must be committed to the apostolic teaching and the Word of God. This foundation of truth guides believers in understanding God's world and His will, challenging the notion that individuals can create their own truth. In a world where subjective truth is often celebrated, the church is called to stand firm on the objective truth of God's Word. This commitment to truth is foundational, as it shapes the beliefs and actions of the community, guiding them in living out their faith authentically and effectively. [19:10]
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
Reflection: What steps can you take to deepen your understanding and commitment to the truth of God's Word this week?
Day 4: Caring and Alive Community
The church should be a place where members know and support one another, meeting both spiritual and practical needs. This care fosters a sense of belonging and reflects the love of Christ to the world. A caring and alive community is one where members are actively involved in each other's lives, providing support, encouragement, and practical assistance. This type of community not only strengthens the church but also serves as a powerful witness to the world of the transformative love of Christ. [29:32]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement, and how can you practically meet their needs?
Day 5: Worship and Joy
Worship is central to the life of the church, a time of meeting with God and responding in prayer and praise. It shapes believers and provides a counterbalance to the world's influence. The church should be a community of joy, reflecting the light of Christ and drawing others to Him. Genuine worship fosters a sense of joy and love within the community, shaping the hearts and minds of believers to live in alignment with God's will. In a world often marked by anger and division, the church is called to be a place of joy and unity, rooted in the assurance that Christ is building His church. [39:15]
Psalm 100:2-4 (ESV): "Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a heart of genuine worship and joy in your personal and communal worship experiences this week?
Quotes
"Jesus had said to his disciples earlier in Matthew's gospel as Matthew records it, he had made the promise to them I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. So this great commission is given as part of the way in which Jesus is fulfilling that promise to his disciples and to us that he would build his church." [00:57:28]
"We go not in our own strength we not we go not in our own wisdom, we go not to accomplish our own purposes but we go with Jesus we go with confidence in Jesus we go with an assurance that he is accomplishing his work." [02:29:36]
"And in those times too we have to be assured that Christ is accomplishing his purpose, Christ will build his church and the gates of hell will not stop it." [03:36:00]
"The picture of the promise of Jesus is that it's the gates of hell that are stationary the gates of hell are on the defensive the gates of hell will not withstand the advance of the church." [04:32:72]
"The early church, the earliest church, the church right after Pentecost, the church in great days when the Spirit of God was clearly doing great things." [05:36:32]
"One of the critical ways we need to think about the church is as a community. The English word community comes from a Latin word meaning common having in common living together in common and it's related to the Greek word for fellowship." [07:52:08]
"The focus of our interest and commitment to the church is always going to be in the first place to the local church and that's the place where there has to be community." [10:27:52]
"We need to have a community of truth. There's a tendency, more than a tendency I think, to say well you know each of us should have our own truth, each of us should be glad to have whatever truth we affirm." [17:37:12]
"We can't care for one another as the community of the church if we don't know one another, if we haven't learned something about one another." [25:38:40]
"Are we concerned with the physical as well as spiritual well-being of those who are in our community is there a sense of compassion there can only be compassion if we know one another." [27:44:24]
"Meeting with God is God speaking to us and we speaking to him. How does God speak to us? Through the reading and preaching of his word." [32:52:79]
"Do people come to our churches and say what a loving community, how are we going to manifest love, well if you're Dutch you manifest love by serving coffee after the service." [38:31:04]
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