Building Community Through Love and Fellowship
Summary
In this sermon, I emphasized the importance of community and fellowship within the church. I encouraged everyone to find a group within the church to connect with, as this is a crucial part of our spiritual journey. I also highlighted the significance of love in fostering a strong community, drawing from the example of Jesus washing his disciples' feet, an act of humility and love. I further discussed the simple formula for a thriving community, which includes devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. I shared personal experiences of being part of a life group, emphasizing the joy and privilege of doing life together. I concluded by urging everyone to make small, daily sacrifices for the community and each other, as this is not something we have to do, but something we get to do.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of finding a group within the church to connect with for spiritual growth [ 32:43]
- Love, demonstrated through acts of humility and service, is a key factor in building a strong community [ 16:41]
- A thriving community is built on devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers [ 09:27]
- Being part of a community is a privilege and requires small, daily sacrifices [ 31:26]
- Perseverance and faithfulness are crucial in maintaining our commitment to the community [ 32:03]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Acts 2:42 [09:27]
Observation Questions:
1. What are the four elements that the disciples devoted themselves to in Acts 2:42?
2. How does the speaker describe the formation of community over time?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the term 'apostles teaching' mean in the context of Acts 2:42?
2. How does the concept of 'breaking of bread' relate to the formation of community?
Application Questions:
1. How can you devote yourself to the apostles' teaching in your daily life?
2. What is one way you can demonstrate sacrificial love in your community this week?
3. Can you think of a small, weekly sacrifice you can make to strengthen your community?
4. How can you incorporate the practice of 'breaking of bread' into your community interactions?
5. What is one way you can share more of your life with your community this week?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Christian Community
Christian community is not just a nice-to-have, but a necessity for our spiritual growth and well-being. It's a place where we can learn, grow, and support each other in our faith journey. It's also a place where we can experience the love of God through the love of our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is why it's important for us to seek out and be part of a Christian community ([32:43]).
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: How are you currently experiencing Christian community? If you're not part of one, what steps can you take to find or create one?
Day 2: The Ingredients of Community
A healthy Christian community is marked by devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayers. These are the activities that bind us together and help us grow in our faith ([09:27]).
Acts 2:42 - "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Reflection: How are these four activities present in your current Christian community? If they're not, how can you help incorporate them?
Day 3: The Joy of Doing Life Together
Doing life together is not a burden but a privilege. It's a gift that allows us to experience the richness of Christian fellowship and the joy of shared experiences ([29:28]).
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: Reflect on a recent shared experience with your Christian community. How did it enrich your faith and your relationships?
Day 4: The Sacrifice for Community
Being part of a community requires sacrifice. It requires us to make room in our schedules and give up other things. But these sacrifices are worth it because they allow us to experience the blessing of community ([30:49]).
Philippians 2:4 - "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: What sacrifices have you made for your community? How have these sacrifices enriched your experience of community?
Day 5: Love Enables Community
Ultimately, it is love that enables community. The deeper our love for each other, the stronger our community will be. This love is not just a feeling, but a commitment to serve and care for each other, just as Jesus served and cared for his disciples ([16:41]).
John 13:34 - "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Reflection: How are you currently demonstrating love in your community? How can you love more deeply and serve more faithfully?
Quotes
1. "What a privilege that we get to do life together. It's not something that we have to do, it is something that we get to do. That is the gift and blessing of community together. There is commitment, there is cost, and for us probably more of a weekly daily small sacrifices making room in our schedules, giving other things up, making priority for Community for Fellowship." - 29:20
2. "As I reflect back on that time, I think it's just the daily weekly small sacrifices of love that we kind of opened Our Lives to each other, made space for each other in that Weekly Rhythm. Jesus made the great sacrifice for us in order for us to be restored to God but often I think what he calls us to do in order to establish community and build community there are these small acts of love for each other." - 20:22
3. "It's my hope, hope of our leadership that everyone, everyone at Granville Chapel will have opportunities for regular Community, regular fellowship, and Christian friendship together as we continue to organize ourselves at Granville." - 32:09
4. "Hosts do not wash their guests feet, it's below them, it's undignified to do that because it was just kind of gross. And yet, this is what I'm doing for you, he gets down on his hands and knees and he starts to wash his disciples feet, his friend's feet, not just his friends, right his one of his enemies feet, he will betray him." - 14:33
5. "What is it that enables Community ultimately? It is love. Love and that's how our text began, it says thank you love. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. That's the kind of love he demonstrated, for that's what enables community in the end isn't it? However deep our love for each other is, that's how strong our community can and will be." - 14:33
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