Embodying Community: Living Out Christ's Teachings Together

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of community within the body of Christ. We began by acknowledging the omnipresence of God, whose miracles and wonders are evident in our lives. Today is a day of miracles, and we are encouraged to claim our blessings in the name of Jesus. We reflected on the life, mission, character, love, and teachings of Jesus, emphasizing that as His followers, we are called to embody these attributes in our daily lives.

The essence of community in Christ is not merely about attending church but about forming a collective of disciples who are committed to following Jesus. This community is characterized by unity, purpose, and a shared mission to spread the love and teachings of Christ. We are reminded that our identity as children of God empowers us to fulfill our purpose and impact lives positively.

We delved into the importance of discipleship, where each member of the community is both a disciple and a discipler, nurturing others in their spiritual journey. The community of Jesus is a place where love, compassion, and kindness are not just preached but practiced. It is a space where we support one another, share our gifts, and work together to uplift the community.

Furthermore, we discussed the significance of unity and the power it holds in attracting God's blessings. A united community is one where members look out for each other, ensuring that no one is in need. We are called to be lifelong learners, continually seeking to grow in our understanding and application of God's word.

Finally, we are challenged to reflect on how we contribute to our community. Are we showcasing the love of Jesus? Are we actively participating in the mission of spreading the good news? As we go forth, may our lives and actions reflect the teachings of Christ, drawing others into the fold and glorifying God in all we do.

Key Takeaways:

1. Claiming Our Miracles: Today is a day of miracles, and we are encouraged to claim our blessings in the name of Jesus. Just as Blind Bartimaeus and Lazarus claimed their miracles, we too can experience God's miraculous power in our lives. [37:43]

2. The Way of Jesus: Understanding the way of Jesus involves knowing His life, mission, character, love, and teachings. As followers, we are called to embody these attributes, living a life of giving, forgiving, and grace. [53:27]

3. Community of Disciples: A true community of Christ is formed by disciples who are committed to following Jesus. This community is characterized by unity, purpose, and a shared mission to spread the love and teachings of Christ. [01:04:07]

4. Unity and Purpose: Unity within the community attracts God's blessings. A united community is one where members look out for each other, ensuring that no one is in need. This unity is essential for fulfilling our collective mission. [01:11:54]

5. Reflecting Christ's Teachings: As members of the community, we are called to reflect the teachings of Jesus in our lives. This involves living out His love, compassion, and kindness, and actively participating in the mission of spreading the good news. [01:30:26]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [37:43] - Claiming Our Miracles
- [39:26] - God's Faithfulness and Miracles
- [50:34] - The Role of the Holy Spirit
- [51:19] - Series Conclusion and Transition
- [52:35] - The Way of Jesus
- [53:27] - Jesus' Life and Mission
- [54:19] - Identity and Purpose
- [55:07] - Character and Love
- [56:27] - Teachings of Jesus
- [57:50] - The Good Samaritan and Prodigal Son
- [01:00:40] - Community of Disciples
- [01:04:07] - Characteristics of a Christ Community
- [01:11:54] - Unity and Purpose
- [01:30:26] - Reflecting Christ's Teachings

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Ephesians 4:1-5
2. John 17:20-23
3. Acts 2:42-47

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Observation Questions:

1. According to the sermon, what are some of the miracles that Jesus performed, and how do they relate to the concept of claiming our miracles today? [37:43]

2. How does the sermon describe the way of Jesus, and what are the key attributes that followers are encouraged to embody? [53:27]

3. What characteristics define a true community of disciples according to the sermon, and how is this community different from merely attending church? [01:04:07]

4. In the sermon, what is said about the importance of unity within the community, and how does it attract God's blessings? [01:11:54]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the sermon suggest that claiming our miracles today is similar to the experiences of Blind Bartimaeus and Lazarus? What does this imply about faith and expectation? [37:43]

2. The sermon emphasizes the life, mission, character, love, and teachings of Jesus. How can these elements guide a believer's daily life and interactions with others? [53:27]

3. What does the sermon imply about the role of discipleship within the community, and how does it contribute to the growth and strength of the community? [01:04:07]

4. How does the sermon explain the connection between unity and the fulfillment of the community's mission? What practical steps can be taken to foster this unity? [01:11:54]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a personal miracle or blessing. How did you claim it, and how did it impact your faith journey? [37:43]

2. Identify one attribute of Jesus' life or teachings that you find challenging to embody. What steps can you take this week to incorporate this attribute into your daily life? [53:27]

3. Consider your role within your community. Are you actively participating in discipleship, either as a disciple or a discipler? What changes can you make to enhance your involvement? [01:04:07]

4. Think about a situation where unity within a group or community led to positive outcomes. How can you contribute to fostering unity in your church or community? [01:11:54]

5. How can you ensure that your actions and words reflect the teachings of Jesus, especially in challenging situations? Identify a specific scenario where you can apply this reflection. [01:30:26]

6. In what ways can you support others in your community who may be in need, whether spiritually, emotionally, or materially? What specific action can you take this week to help someone? [01:17:43]

7. How can you be a light in your community, attracting others to the teachings of Christ? Identify one person you can reach out to this week to share the love and message of Jesus. [01:15:20]

Devotional

I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:

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Day 1: Claiming Miracles Through Faith
In the journey of faith, believers are encouraged to recognize and claim the miracles that God has in store for them. Just as Blind Bartimaeus and Lazarus experienced miraculous transformations through their faith, individuals today are invited to open their hearts to God's miraculous power. This involves a conscious decision to trust in God's promises and to actively seek His blessings in every aspect of life. By doing so, believers can witness the extraordinary in the ordinary and experience the fullness of God's grace. [37:43]

Mark 10:51-52 (ESV): "And Jesus said to him, 'What do you want me to do for you?' And the blind man said to him, 'Rabbi, let me recover my sight.' And Jesus said to him, 'Go your way; your faith has made you well.' And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way."

Reflection: What specific miracle are you trusting God for today, and how can you actively express your faith in anticipation of His response?


Day 2: Embodying the Way of Jesus
Understanding the way of Jesus involves more than just knowledge; it requires embodying His life, mission, character, love, and teachings. Followers of Christ are called to live lives marked by giving, forgiving, and grace, reflecting the heart of Jesus in their daily interactions. This means actively choosing to love others, extend grace, and live with purpose, just as Jesus did. By aligning one's life with the teachings of Jesus, believers can become living testimonies of His transformative power. [53:27]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally embody the character of Jesus in your interactions with others today?


Day 3: Building a Community of Disciples
A true community of Christ is formed by disciples who are committed to following Jesus. This community is characterized by unity, purpose, and a shared mission to spread the love and teachings of Christ. Each member is both a disciple and a discipler, nurturing others in their spiritual journey. This involves creating a space where love, compassion, and kindness are not just preached but practiced, and where members support one another and share their gifts to uplift the community. [01:04:07]

Acts 2:42-44 (ESV): "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common."

Reflection: How can you contribute to building a stronger sense of community among your fellow believers this week?


Day 4: The Power of Unity and Purpose
Unity within the community of believers is a powerful force that attracts God's blessings. A united community is one where members look out for each other, ensuring that no one is in need. This unity is essential for fulfilling the collective mission of spreading the love and teachings of Christ. By working together with a shared purpose, believers can create an environment where God's presence is felt and His blessings are abundant. [01:11:54]

Ephesians 4:3-6 (ESV): "Eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Reflection: What steps can you take to promote unity and purpose within your church community today?


Day 5: Reflecting Christ's Teachings in Daily Life
As members of the community of Christ, believers are called to reflect the teachings of Jesus in their lives. This involves living out His love, compassion, and kindness, and actively participating in the mission of spreading the good news. By doing so, believers can draw others into the fold and glorify God in all they do. This reflection of Christ's teachings is not just a personal endeavor but a communal one, where each member plays a role in showcasing the love of Jesus to the world. [01:30:26]

1 Peter 2:12 (ESV): "Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation."

Reflection: How can your actions today serve as a reflection of Christ's teachings to those around you?

Quotes

"Blind Bartimaeus claimed this blessing. He claimed this miracle. Say, Lord, I claim my miracle today. Say, Lazarus claimed this miracle even in the tomb. Say, Lord, I'm claiming my miracle this morning. Miracle of healing. I claim it this morning. Miracle of spiritual depth with God. I claim it this morning in the name of Jesus. Miracle of financial breakthrough. Miracle of spiritual breakthrough. I claim it in the name of Jesus. Miracle of marital bliss. I claim this morning. Miracle of connecting me to the bone of my bones and the flesh of my flesh. Talk to God this morning." [00:37:43]

"We started by saying for us, as believers, as Christians, to understand what the way of Jesus is, we need to know his life. We know Jesus lived a very modest lifestyle. His life. He lived a life of giving. A life of forgiving. A life of mercy and grace. And that's who we are called to be." [00:53:27]

"And then of course, after his life, we talked about his mission. His mission. Each one of us, we are here on this side of eternity for a time, for a purpose. And we mentioned that when we are working in the mission of God, number one, we have an identity. Who are we? And I mentioned that we are no ordinary people. We are princes and princesses of the most high God." [00:54:19]

"In our attitude, in our behavior, in our relationships, do we demonstrate that we are a church? Do we demonstrate the character of Christ? The character of honesty? Can people take our word to the bank? Can husbands trust their wives? Can wives trust their husbands? Can the world, people who are suffering, trust the church of God to say, if I run into this church, I will find circle. I will find compassion. I will find kindness." [00:55:07]

"Come together so a community of Christ is the coming together of disciples of people who have decided out of their own volition and conviction by the Holy Spirit to follow Jesus so they show up in church not as people who have no clue of what it means to be born again they are people who have surrendered their lives to Christ they are already following Jesus and they are saying and following Jesus together with another follower of Jesus Christ praise God." [01:04:07]

"Because they are followers of Jesus, they will have the same sense of direction. There's no confusion about why they are coming together. They are not coming together to play church. You know what it means to play church? We just come on Sunday, we look good, we smile, and then we finish and then we say, uh-uh. They have pure hearts. They are all focused on Jesus. The author and the finisher of their faith. They are not divided. They know the reason why. They are together. They are united. That's something called unity." [01:11:54]

"Now, not talk, they begin to walk, they talk. So, which means when you see them, you've seen compassion in action. You've seen love in action. You've seen kindness in action you've seen people who are looking out for the interest of other people also you also quickly notice that as they bunch together and as they continue to reproduce disciples they begin to impact and teach those disciples you begin to see worship of God and reverence for God in their families and in their lifestyles." [01:12:40]

"Number two, the community of the followers of Jesus are united very united and you know even the book of Psalms spoke about unity Psalm 133 was saying it is good for brethren to dwell together in unity and then he went on to say that is where God commands his blessings praise God where there is unity you will see blessings blessings with you." [01:14:10]

"The community of Jesus is one, indivisible, united, but one. One in purpose. The purpose of spreading love, of spreading care. The purpose of spreading love. of spreading compassion of spreading healing the importance of unity the word of God says my prayer is not for them alone I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message that all of them may be one Father just as you are in me and I am in you may they also be in us so that the world may believe that you sent me." [01:15:33]

"In the community each one of us we all have gifts gifts for some it could be gift of singing for some it could be gift of praying for some it could be gift of compassion or hospitality generosity for some it could be gift of mercy for some it could be gift of counsel wise counsel for some it could be gift of teaching or preaching for some it could be the gift of prophecy and God is saying in my community you are supposed to bring those things things to bless other people in the community." [01:17:11]

"A community that prays together, intercede for members of the community and uplift them from every rot. A community that prays together it's a forgiving community. Many people have walked away from the faith because they couldn't find forgiveness in the church of God. A community of Jesus would be quick to forgive. We close the last page. We move on." [01:24:00]

"The word of God says, every day they continue to meet together in the temple courts. They were devoted, they were committed in meeting together. They were so much so in tune with God. So that coming to church, meeting together was not a burden, it was a joy. And they broke bread in their homes and they ate together with glad and sincere hearts. Praise in God." [01:26:40]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?