Embracing Authentic Community Through Christ's Love

Devotional

Day 1: Created for Connection

We are inherently designed for relationships, and this truth applies to everyone, regardless of personality type. Authentic community provides a sense of belonging, but it can also be a source of pain when it falls short. Our desire to be known and loved is universal, yet we often fear being truly known and not loved. This duality of joy and heartache in community reflects our deep-seated need for connection and the vulnerability it requires. In a world where individualism is often celebrated, the Christian call to community challenges us to embrace both the beauty and the messiness of relationships. [29:23]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that needs nurturing. What is one step you can take today to invest in that relationship, even if it requires vulnerability?

Day 2: Transformation Through Christ

Ephesians 2:11-12 highlights our past separation from God, but through Christ, we have been brought near. This transformation is not based on external markers but on the sacrificial work of Jesus. He broke down the dividing walls of hostility, creating a new community where differences are transcended through a shared identity in Him. This new identity as insiders in God's family is a profound shift from being spiritual outsiders. It is a reminder that our worth and belonging are not determined by societal standards but by the reconciling work of Christ. [37:28]

"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How does knowing you are an insider in Christ change your perspective on belonging and identity today?

Day 3: Intentional Cultivation of Community

Authentic community requires intentional cultivation. It is not a passive experience but an active engagement where we invest in relationships. This involves personal sacrifice, vulnerability, and a willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of others. Building community is a deliberate act of love that mirrors the selflessness of Christ. It calls us to step out of our comfort zones and prioritize the needs of others, fostering an environment where genuine connections can flourish. [01:01:53]

"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one way you can actively engage in your community this week. What personal sacrifice might this require, and how can you prepare your heart for it?

Day 4: Pointing to Jesus

As a church, we exist to point people to Jesus, not to make an idol out of community. Our deepest longings can only be satisfied by God, and while relationships are vital, they should not replace our ultimate reliance on Him. The church's mission is to direct hearts towards Christ, ensuring that community serves as a means to deepen our relationship with Him rather than becoming an end in itself. This perspective keeps our focus on the eternal and guards against the temptation to idolize human connections. [01:05:08]

"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: Consider an area where you might be placing community above your relationship with God. How can you realign your priorities to ensure Christ remains at the center?

Day 5: Practical Steps to Cultivate Community

To cultivate community, regularly show up, serve, and pursue relationships. It requires effort but is ultimately rewarding. In Christ, you are fully accepted and loved, and you are an insider in the spiritual family. This journey of building community is marked by consistent presence and active participation, reflecting the love and acceptance we have received in Christ. By taking practical steps to engage with others, we embody the grace and hospitality of the gospel. [01:07:44]

"Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another." (Romans 12:13, 15-16a, ESV)

Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to show up and serve in your community? How can this action reflect the love and acceptance you have in Christ?

Sermon Summary

Experiencing authentic community is a profound journey that reflects the heart of Christian fellowship. We are created for relationships, and this truth transcends our individual personalities, whether introverted or extroverted. The beauty of Christian community lies in its ability to provide a sense of belonging, yet it can also be a source of pain when it falls short. We all have experienced both the joy and the heartache that come with pursuing community. At its core, Christian community is not just about friendship; it is about being part of a spiritual family bound by the reconciling work of Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-12 reminds us of our past separation from God, highlighting the reality of being spiritual outsiders. However, through Christ, we have been brought near, transforming us into insiders. This transformation is not based on external markers or societal distinctions but on the sacrificial work of Jesus. He broke down the dividing walls of hostility, creating a new community where differences are transcended through a shared identity in Him.

The pursuit of authentic community requires intentional cultivation. It is not a passive experience but an active engagement where we roll up our sleeves and invest in relationships. This involves personal sacrifice, vulnerability, and a willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of others. As a church, we exist to point people to Jesus, not to make an idol out of community. Our deepest longings can only be satisfied by God, and while relationships are vital, they should not replace our ultimate reliance on Him.

To those who feel like outsiders, know that in Christ, you are an insider. You are fully accepted and loved. For those longing for deeper connections, remember that community is cultivated through showing up, serving, and pursuing relationships. It is a journey that requires effort but is ultimately rewarding. May we live our lives pointing others to Jesus by cultivating authentic community.

Key Takeaways

1. 12 highlights our past separation from God, but through Christ, we have been brought near. This transformation is not based on external markers but on the sacrificial work of Jesus. He broke down the dividing walls of hostility, creating a new community where differences are transcended through a shared identity in Him. [37:28]
3. Cultivating Community: Authentic community requires intentional cultivation. It is not a passive experience but an active engagement where we invest in relationships. This involves personal sacrifice, vulnerability, and a willingness to be inconvenienced for the sake of others.

4. Pointing to Jesus: As a church, we exist to point people to Jesus, not to make an idol out of community. Our deepest longings can only be satisfied by God, and while relationships are vital, they should not replace our ultimate reliance on Him.

5. Practical Steps: To cultivate community, regularly show up, serve, and pursue relationships. It requires effort but is ultimately rewarding. In Christ, you are fully accepted and loved, and you are an insider in the spiritual family.

** [37:28]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:43] - The Beauty and Pain of Community
[29:23] - Created for Relationships
[30:04] - Defining Christian Community
[34:02] - Once Upon a Time: Separation from God
[35:57] - Spiritual Insiders and Outsiders
[37:28] - Transformation Through Christ
[39:02] - A New Community in Christ
[40:02] - The Inner Ring Concept
[42:19] - Relational Realities
[44:17] - The Longing for Belonging
[45:46] - How Outsiders Become Insiders
[48:02] - Breaking Down Dividing Walls
[50:09] - Unity in Diversity
[52:07] - The Foundation of Christian Community
[54:17] - The Role of Jesus in Community
[56:07] - The Richness of Christian Community
[57:27] - Addressing Loneliness
[59:20] - Cultivating Community
[63:22] - Personal Pursuit of Community
[65:08] - Avoiding the Idolization of Community
[67:44] - Practical Steps to Cultivate Community
[69:09] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to Ephesians 2:11-12, what was the state of the Gentiles before Christ's reconciling work? How does this passage describe their relationship with God? [34:02]
What does the sermon suggest about the nature of Christian community and its connection to the work of Christ? [56:07]
How does the sermon describe the transition from being spiritual outsiders to insiders? What role does Jesus play in this transformation? [37:28]

Interpretation Questions

How does the sermon explain the concept of "dividing walls of hostility" mentioned in Ephesians 2:14? What are some modern examples of these dividing walls in our communities? [48:02]
The sermon emphasizes that Christian community is not just about friendship but being part of a spiritual family. How does this understanding challenge or affirm your current view of community? [56:07]
In what ways does the sermon suggest that cultivating community requires personal sacrifice and vulnerability? How might this look in practical terms? [01:01:53]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider. How does the message of being brought near through Christ change your perspective on that experience? [45:46]
The sermon mentions the importance of showing up and serving to cultivate community. What is one specific way you can commit to being more present in your church community this month? [01:07:44]
Consider the idea that our deepest longings can only be satisfied by God, not by community. How can you ensure that your pursuit of relationships does not replace your reliance on God? [01:05:08]
The sermon talks about the fear of being truly known and not loved. How can you practice vulnerability in your relationships while trusting in God's acceptance of you? [29:23]
Identify a "dividing wall" in your life that separates you from others. What steps can you take to break down this wall and foster unity in your community? [48:02]
How can you actively pursue relationships within your church that transcend societal distinctions and focus on a shared identity in Christ? [39:02]
The sermon encourages us to point others to Jesus through our community. What is one way you can intentionally share the love of Christ with someone in your community this week? [01:05:08]

Sermon Clips

Christian community can be one of the most beautiful realities and experiences in all of life when it works. And it can be one of the most painful when it doesn't. Chances are you have felt the joy of belonging, belonging to a church body, belonging to a people. [00:27:43]

I know that you and I were created for relationships. And this is true. True both of introverts and extroverts. I know that it is not good for us to be alone. And I know that all of us have felt alone. And I know that all of us have had friends. [00:29:23]

As a church body, we often say that we exist to point people to Jesus. We believe that hope and life and joy are found in a relationship with Christ. As Billy mentioned this morning, there are practical ways that we pursue that together as a church family. [00:34:02]

Paul says, once upon a time, or back in the day, you and me, we were separated from Christ. There was a time when we did not have a relationship with Jesus. There was a pre-Jesus portion to our story. This was a time when we were relationally separated from Christ. [00:34:57]

Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Another way of thinking about this is spiritual insiders and spiritual outsiders. [00:35:57]

But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Dear outsider, in Christ, you're an insider. This is a spiritual reality and this is true of God's people. This isn't true of all people, this is true of God's people. [00:38:11]

Jesus took two very distinct and different groups of people, the Jews and the Gentiles, and he brought them. He brought them together. He made the outsiders insiders. Those who were far, spiritually speaking, have been brought near. God created a new community. [00:39:02]

Unity in Christian community does not come from rooting for the same team or liking the same books or even being on the same page politically. It doesn't come from our appearance or from our preferences. It doesn't come from our sense of fashion or the cars we drive. [00:52:07]

Community is cultivated more than it's experienced. Maybe this is just a me thing, but often times, it's just a me thing. But often times, when I think about an experience, I think of something that I do where I go somewhere and something happens to me. [01:00:03]

Because community is cultivated more than it's experienced, personally pursue it and work toward it. Christian community is not a commodity that's packaged, that's produced, that's delivered by the local church. We're not like a hamburger shop where you come and you order it. [01:01:53]

At Christ's point, we exist to point people to Jesus. We don't exist to point people to people. Let me explain what I mean by that. Community is biblical. Desire for relationships is God-given. It's ingrained in the fabric of who we are, the very core of our being. [01:05:08]

If you're looking for another human being to satisfy your deepest longings and the hole or the vacuum in your heart, they will disappoint you time and time again. It's not because they're a bad person. It's because they're a person. So Christ's point, do not make an idol out of community. [01:05:51]

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