Building Community Through Christ's Resurrection and Guidance

Devotional

Day 1: Community and Guidance by the Holy Spirit

Christianity is fundamentally a faith of community. Jesus did not leave a detailed manual for the church; instead, He left us with the Holy Spirit to guide us. This emphasizes the importance of communal support and divine guidance in our faith journey. The early church thrived on the sense of community and mutual support, relying on the Holy Spirit to navigate the complexities of their new faith. This reliance on the Holy Spirit is a reminder that we are not alone in our spiritual journey; we have divine guidance and a community of believers to support us.

In our modern context, this means actively participating in church activities, grow groups, and other communal gatherings. It is through these interactions that we can experience the Holy Spirit's guidance and support each other in our faith journeys. As we engage with our community, we should remain open to the Holy Spirit's leading, trusting that God will guide us through the challenges and joys of life. [22:51]

John 14:26 (ESV): "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."

Reflection: How can you actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily interactions within your faith community this week?

Day 2: The Cornerstone of Christ's Resurrection

The early church was built on the message of Christ's resurrection. This was the unifying story that brought the first believers together. It reminds us that the core of our faith is the belief in Jesus' death and resurrection, which offers us eternal life. The resurrection is not just a historical event but the foundation of our hope and faith. It is the cornerstone that unites us as believers and gives us the assurance of eternal life.

Reflecting on the resurrection helps us to understand the depth of God's love and the power of His promise. It is a call to live in the light of this truth, letting it shape our actions, decisions, and interactions with others. As we gather in our grow groups and church activities, let us continually remind ourselves of the resurrection's significance and allow it to inspire and strengthen our faith. [24:29]

1 Peter 1:3 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."

Reflection: How does the resurrection of Jesus Christ influence your daily life and interactions with others?

Day 3: Development of Church Practices

Baptism and communion were the foundational practices of the early church. These rituals were not just symbolic but were essential in showing one's dedication to Jesus and being part of the Christian family. They remind us of the importance of outward expressions of our inward faith. Baptism signifies our new life in Christ, while communion is a continual reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our unity as His body.

These practices are more than mere traditions; they are profound expressions of our faith and commitment to Jesus. Participating in them helps us to remember and celebrate our identity in Christ and our connection to the broader Christian community. As we engage in these practices, let us do so with a deep sense of reverence and gratitude, recognizing their significance in our spiritual journey. [27:15]

Romans 6:4 (ESV): "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

Reflection: How can you approach the practices of baptism and communion with a renewed sense of reverence and gratitude?

Day 4: The Role of Theological Development

As the church grew, it had to address complex theological questions, such as the nature of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity. This development of theology was crucial in helping believers understand and articulate their faith. It shows the importance of continually seeking deeper understanding in our spiritual lives. Theological development is not just for scholars; it is a journey for every believer to deepen their understanding of God and His ways.

Engaging with theology helps us to grow in our faith and equips us to share it with others. It challenges us to think critically and seek truth, fostering a more profound and robust faith. As we participate in grow groups and church activities, let us embrace the opportunity to explore theological questions and seek a deeper understanding of our faith. [31:48]

Colossians 2:2-3 (ESV): "That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

Reflection: What theological question or topic would you like to explore more deeply, and how can you begin that journey this week?

Day 5: Institutional Power and Human Influence

Over time, the church developed structures and practices that sometimes prioritized institutional power over the message of Christ. Practices like indulgences exploited people's fears and insecurities. This serves as a cautionary tale to ensure that our focus remains on Jesus' teachings rather than human institutions. The history of the church shows both the enduring message of Christ's resurrection and the ways in which human institutions have shaped the church.

As we reflect on this, it is essential to remain vigilant in keeping our focus on Jesus and His teachings. We must be wary of allowing human institutions and practices to overshadow the core message of the gospel. Let us commit to living out our faith authentically, prioritizing Jesus' teachings and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in all aspects of our lives. [47:38]

Matthew 23:11-12 (ESV): "The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."

Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that your focus remains on Jesus' teachings rather than getting caught up in institutional practices or power dynamics?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to Suamico Church! Today marks the launch of our fall grow groups, a time for us to come together and deepen our understanding of Jesus. We have classes and activities for all ages, and we are excited to see what God has in store for us this fall. As we gather, we are reminded that Christianity is a faith of community. Jesus left no instruction manual for the church; instead, He left us with the Holy Spirit to guide us. The early church was built on the cornerstone of Christ's resurrection, a message that united the first believers.

The early Christians had the Old Testament and the Apocrypha as their holy texts. They also developed practices like baptism and communion, which were essential in showing their dedication to Jesus. Initially, the early church believed Jesus would return soon, but as time passed, they had to address new theological questions, such as the final judgment and the nature of Jesus' divinity.

As the church grew, it developed a structure with bishops and eventually a pope to maintain order. Traditions and sacraments like ordination, marriage, confession, and confirmation became integral parts of church life, solidifying the church's role in every aspect of believers' lives. The church also emphasized the importance of saints and relics, which provided a sense of holiness and connection to God.

Despite these developments, there were moments when the church seemed more focused on its own power and wealth rather than the message of Christ. This led to practices like indulgences, which exploited people's fears and insecurities. As we reflect on the history of the church, we see both the enduring message of Christ's resurrection and the ways in which human institutions have shaped the church.

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Key Takeaways

1. Community and Guidance by the Holy Spirit: Christianity is fundamentally a faith of community. Jesus did not leave a detailed manual for the church; instead, He left us with the Holy Spirit to guide us. This emphasizes the importance of communal support and divine guidance in our faith journey. [22:51]
2. The Cornerstone of Christ's Resurrection: The early church was built on the message of Christ's resurrection. This was the unifying story that brought the first believers together. It reminds us that the core of our faith is the belief in Jesus' death and resurrection, which offers us eternal life. [24:29]
3. Development of Church Practices: Baptism and communion were the foundational practices of the early church. These rituals were not just symbolic but were essential in showing one's dedication to Jesus and being part of the Christian family. They remind us of the importance of outward expressions of our inward faith. [27:15]
4. The Role of Theological Development: As the church grew, it had to address complex theological questions, such as the nature of Jesus and the concept of the Trinity. This development of theology was crucial in helping believers understand and articulate their faith. It shows the importance of continually seeking deeper understanding in our spiritual lives. [31:48]
5. Institutional Power and Human Influence: Over time, the church developed structures and practices that sometimes prioritized institutional power over the message of Christ. Practices like indulgences exploited people's fears and insecurities. This serves as a cautionary tale to ensure that our focus remains on Jesus' teachings rather than human institutions. [47:38]
### [47:38]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[18:39] - Introduction to Pew Binder
[20:56] - Two-Week Series on the Church
[21:33] - Christianity as a Community Faith
[22:51] - No Instruction Manual from Jesus
[24:29] - Christ's Resurrection as the Cornerstone
[25:55] - Holy Texts: Old Testament and Apocrypha
[27:15] - Early Church Practices: Baptism and Communion
[28:46] - The Urgency of Jesus' Return
[30:19] - Spread of Christianity and Early Writings
[31:48] - Development of Theology: Incarnation and Trinity
[33:27] - Establishment of Church Leadership
[35:01] - Translation of the Bible into Latin
[36:43] - Monastic Orders and Social Services
[38:14] - Additional Sacraments and Church Authority
[41:22] - Celibacy and Clergy
[42:57] - Reverence for Mary and Saints
[44:30] - Purgatory and Limbo
[46:04] - Indulgences and Church Wealth
[47:38] - Reflection on Church History
[50:39] - World Methodist Church Creed
[53:04] - Community Prayer
[55:08] - The Lord's Prayer
[55:26] - Communion
[63:54] - Faith in Action: Praying for Teachers
[66:50] - Announcements and Offering
[68:07] - Final Song and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the key practices of the early church as described in Acts 2:42-47?
According to Matthew 28:19-20, what are the two main actions Jesus commands His followers to do?
In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, what are the core elements of the gospel message that Paul emphasizes?

Interpretation Questions

How does the communal life of the early church in Acts 2:42-47 reflect the idea that Christianity is a faith of community? [21:33]
Why do you think Jesus emphasized baptism and teaching in His Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? How do these actions contribute to the growth of the church? [27:15]
What is the significance of Christ's resurrection being the cornerstone of the early church's message, as highlighted in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4? [24:29]

Application Questions

Reflecting on Acts 2:42-47, how can our small group better emulate the early church's commitment to fellowship, prayer, and communal support? What specific steps can we take this week? [21:33]
Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 calls us to make disciples. Who in your life can you reach out to this week to share the message of Jesus? How can you start that conversation? [27:15]
The early church was built on the message of Christ's resurrection. How can you make the resurrection a more central part of your daily faith and conversations with others? [24:29]
The sermon mentioned the development of church practices like baptism and communion. How do these practices help you feel connected to the larger Christian community? [27:15]
The sermon highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding the church. How can you be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your personal faith journey? [22:51]
Reflect on the cautionary tale of the church's focus on power and wealth. Are there areas in your life where you might be prioritizing personal gain over spiritual growth? How can you realign your focus? [47:38]
Considering the importance of saints and relics in church history, how do you find inspiration in the lives of past believers? Is there a particular saint or historical figure whose story encourages you in your faith? [42:57]

Sermon Clips

1. "Christianity is a faith of community. There are a number of religious traditions in the world, and some of them have a tradition where the holy person in their tradition shared wisdom, and knowledge with a particular person who then was able to share that with others. In our tradition, God has spoken to many people over thousands of years at this point, and all of that has been collected into our holy scriptures and into the traditions that bind our faith community together." [21:33] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Christ's resurrection. No Christmas stories, no babes in mangers. Every single story was about Jesus coming down from heaven, dying for our sake, and coming back to give us eternal life. This is the core stone that starts the entire church, the cornerstone, that is the first story that brought all of the early believers together." [23:33] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When Jesus returned to heaven, you know, he said, I'm going to come back, but I'm going to send an advocate, the Holy Spirit, to help you until I come back. The thing is, everyone thought he was coming back, like, next week or next month. Like, he was just going for, like, a little bit, and he was going to be right back. Now, for us, it's been 2,000 years, and my guess is most of us don't feel the urgency that Jesus is coming tomorrow. But they did." [28:46] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So, we start developing some theologies. Another one is the whole Trinity thing. So, Christians claim that we are monotheistic, we believe in one God, but some of the other people, like the Jews, were like, no, you believe in God and Jesus, and we're like, no, they're the same, but different, and then there's the Holy Spirit, but that's just part of God, too. We had to come up with a theology that explained why we baptize in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit." [31:48] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Monastic orders started coming together where people tried to live more simply they tried to live together like we read in the book of acts where they would eat together and they would share the possessions they would make sure that everyone had enough and this is where we started getting our hospitals we got hospices as kind places for people to go through their final days we started getting educational institutions we started getting food programs that helped people who were hungry so monastic orders was a way to renew the church and bring it back to the foundations of Jesus." [38:14] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "The thing about all these sacraments if you think about what's going on with all of them they've actually solidified the power of the church in people's lives you have to go to the church to do all of this stuff there is a layer between you and God you have to go through a priest for every part of your life from infant baptism to last rite the church is now completely entwined in your life this means they need a lot of priests and they need a large structure to be able to provide all of these sacraments to everyone." [41:22] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "There are moments in here where we can still see where the message of Christ's resurrection is coming through and the message of the bible but it also seems like sometimes we've kind of become more about making the church the way we want the church and maybe not quite as much about how Jesus had something in mind for the church." [47:38] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Let us go in peace to love and serve the Lord and our neighbors. Amen." [01:08:07] (4 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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