Embracing Belonging: The Jesus Model in Community
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of belonging, emphasizing its significance in our spiritual journey and community life. We began by acknowledging our identity as God's chosen people, a royal priesthood, and His special possession. This identity calls us to live in humility and vulnerability, seeking the place where we truly belong. As we worship, we are reminded that we belong to God and are called to hear His voice.
We continued our series on the concept of belonging, focusing on the "Jesus model" of belonging, believing, and becoming. Unlike the cultural norm where one must first become and believe before belonging, Jesus invites us to belong first. This model is evident in His interactions with people, where He first affirms their belonging before anything else. This approach challenges us to have open hearts, minds, and doors, creating a welcoming environment for all.
Belonging is not just about being part of a group; it is about being loved, accepted, and feeling part of something greater. We discussed how people often find belonging in various areas, such as sports, and how this passion can be translated into our church community. The church should be a place where people feel the same enthusiasm and commitment as they do for their favorite sports teams.
We also explored the idea of belonging to Christ, who is our chief foundation and cornerstone. Through Christ, we have access to God and are reconciled to Him. Our belonging is centered on the humanity and divinity of Christ, who preached peace and provided us with a firm foundation. This belonging empowers us to walk in the power of Christ, knowing that we are standing on solid ground.
In the corporate world, belonging is a crucial value, and we can learn from this by creating an environment where people feel safe to express themselves and know they have the necessary support. In the church, this means welcoming people just as they are, without judgment, and fostering a sense of experiential belonging.
As we go forth this week, let us exercise actions of belonging, welcoming others as Jesus did. Our world is hurting and in need of places where people can feel they belong. Let us be that place, offering love, acceptance, and the assurance that we all belong to God and to one another.
Key Takeaways:
1. Belonging in the Jesus Model: The Jesus model of belonging, believing, and becoming challenges us to first affirm our belonging in God's family before anything else. This approach fosters a welcoming environment where everyone feels accepted and loved, reflecting the heart of Christ. [22:30]
2. Passion for Belonging: Just as people passionately support their sports teams, we are called to bring that same enthusiasm to our church community. This passion for belonging can transform our church into a vibrant and welcoming place where everyone feels they are part of something greater. [32:00]
3. Christ as Our Foundation: Our belonging is centered on Christ, who is our chief cornerstone. Through Him, we have access to God and are reconciled to Him. This firm foundation empowers us to walk in the power of Christ, knowing that we are standing on solid ground. [42:00]
4. Experiential Belonging: In both the corporate world and the church, creating an environment where people feel safe to express themselves and know they have support is crucial. In the church, this means welcoming people just as they are, fostering a sense of experiential belonging. [50:00]
5. Actions of Belonging: As we go forth, let us exercise actions of belonging, welcoming others as Jesus did. Our world is in need of places where people can feel they belong, and we are called to be that place, offering love, acceptance, and the assurance that we all belong to God and to one another. [54:30]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [11:05] - Prayers of Thanksgiving and Healing
- [22:30] - The Jesus Model of Belonging
- [32:00] - Passion for Belonging in the Church
- [42:00] - Christ as Our Foundation
- [50:00] - Experiential Belonging in the Church
- [54:30] - Actions of Belonging and Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Theme of Belonging
Bible Reading:
1. 1 Peter 2:9 - "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."
2. Ephesians 2:19-22 - "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."
3. John 3:17 - "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Observation Questions:
1. According to 1 Peter 2:9, what are the characteristics of our identity as God's people?
2. How does Ephesians 2:19-22 describe our relationship with God and each other in the context of belonging?
3. In the sermon, what is the "Jesus model" of belonging, believing, and becoming, and how does it differ from cultural norms? [22:30]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the passion people have for belonging in areas like sports, and how can this be applied to the church community? [32:00]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to be part of a "royal priesthood" and "God’s special possession" as described in 1 Peter 2:9, and how does this influence our sense of belonging?
2. How does the concept of Christ as the "chief cornerstone" in Ephesians 2:20 impact our understanding of belonging to the church and to God? [42:00]
3. The sermon mentions "experiential belonging" in the corporate world. How can this concept be applied to create a welcoming environment in the church? [50:00]
4. How does the idea of belonging to Christ, as mentioned in John 3:17, provide a foundation for our spiritual journey and community life?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own experience of belonging in the church. What steps can you take to foster a more welcoming environment for others, following the "Jesus model"? [22:30]
2. Think about a time when you felt a strong sense of belonging in a non-church setting, such as a sports team or club. How can you bring that same enthusiasm and commitment to your church community? [32:00]
3. In what ways can you actively contribute to making your church a place where people feel safe to express themselves and know they have support, as described in the sermon? [50:00]
4. Identify one person in your church or community who may feel like an outsider. What specific actions can you take this week to help them feel they belong?
5. How can you personally embody the message of John 3:17 in your interactions with others, ensuring they feel loved and accepted rather than judged?
6. Consider the idea of Christ as your foundation. What practical steps can you take to strengthen your relationship with Him and ensure you are standing on solid ground? [42:00]
7. As you go about your week, what small actions can you take to demonstrate belonging and acceptance to those around you, following the example of Jesus? [54:30]
Devotional
Day 1: Belonging Precedes Believing and Becoming
In the Jesus model, belonging comes before believing and becoming. This approach is countercultural, as it invites individuals to first find their place within a community before they are expected to conform to beliefs or behaviors. Jesus exemplified this by welcoming people into His circle, affirming their worth and identity as part of God's family. This model encourages us to create spaces where people feel accepted and loved, reflecting the heart of Christ. By prioritizing belonging, we foster an environment where individuals can grow in faith and transformation naturally follows. [22:30]
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to feel a sense of belonging today? How can you extend an invitation to them to be part of your community, just as Jesus would?
Day 2: Passionate Belonging Transforms Community
Just as people passionately support their sports teams, we are called to bring that same enthusiasm to our church community. This passion for belonging can transform our church into a vibrant and welcoming place where everyone feels they are part of something greater. When we channel our enthusiasm into our faith community, we create an environment that is alive with energy and commitment. This passion not only draws others in but also deepens our own sense of connection and purpose within the body of Christ. [32:00]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: What is one way you can bring the same passion you have for your favorite hobby or interest into your church community this week?
Day 3: Christ as the Cornerstone of Our Belonging
Our belonging is centered on Christ, who is our chief cornerstone. Through Him, we have access to God and are reconciled to Him. This firm foundation empowers us to walk in the power of Christ, knowing that we are standing on solid ground. Christ's humanity and divinity provide us with a model of peace and reconciliation, offering us a secure place to anchor our faith and identity. As we build our lives on this foundation, we are strengthened to face challenges and extend the same peace to others. [42:00]
Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV): "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."
Reflection: In what ways can you ensure that Christ remains the cornerstone of your life, especially in times of uncertainty or change?
Day 4: Creating Safe Spaces for Experiential Belonging
In both the corporate world and the church, creating an environment where people feel safe to express themselves and know they have support is crucial. In the church, this means welcoming people just as they are, fostering a sense of experiential belonging. When individuals feel safe and supported, they are more likely to engage deeply and authentically with the community. This sense of belonging is not just about being part of a group but about being loved and accepted for who they are. [50:00]
Romans 15:7 (ESV): "Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God."
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church or community a safe space where people feel they can be themselves without fear of judgment?
Day 5: Practicing Actions of Belonging
As we go forth, let us exercise actions of belonging, welcoming others as Jesus did. Our world is in need of places where people can feel they belong, and we are called to be that place, offering love, acceptance, and the assurance that we all belong to God and to one another. By actively practicing belonging, we become conduits of God's love and grace, creating a ripple effect that extends beyond our immediate circles. This week, let us be intentional in our actions, ensuring that everyone we encounter feels valued and included. [54:30]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to make someone feel they belong, whether in your church, workplace, or community?
Quotes
"In humility and vulnerability, we come searching for the place where we belong. You are God's chosen people, a royal priesthood, God's special possession. As we worship today, may we hear the voice of God. We belong to God and want Him. Amen." [00:08:24] (33 seconds)
"like we do every morning every sunday morning we want to come before god with our prayers of thanksgiving thanking god for our families our loved ones our friends and community our places of work thanking god for being with us through the week and his hand that is upon us thank you god for church family as well and i pray this morning we want to pray for healing and recovery for our own emily emily morals we're going to pray for her that may the lord heal her and that she will be she will recover fully and come back to us we also want to pray lift up carlin carlin frienderson who is a sister of karen um she's due for a surgery again on her hip so we want to lift up carlin before god in our prayers as well we lift up her we pray that the lord will be with her even through this time difficult time of her of going through the procedure" [00:11:05] (89 seconds)
"i want us to lift up special prayer also for our high students in leonia um this past week we've been having a call from from some of them um high students that's we have some high students who want to volunteer in our church and so want to pray that the lord will make it happen for us and touch their hearts in different ways that they can find a place they can find something to do this it was just a privilege to hear that the students want to do something with church so let's pray for the students as well we want to lift up prayers for our sunday school children um and the ministry of milling she's doing amazing work she was here about 7 30 in the morning this morning um just always getting ready for anyone any child that shows up for service and so i want to pray god's for the blessing of our ministry and for the lord to keep them and that they will grow as disciples of jesus christ hallelujah i want to pray for the safety of our family safety of everyone especially in these times i want to pray that may the lord have mercy on all of us and keep us safe lift up continuous prayer for the nation for the nation as well may the lord be with us as in the season" [00:12:37] (104 seconds)
"everyone worshiping with online please make them feel welcome i know there are a lot of people that will be worshiping online as well we see you we love you amen um and please stay safe and stay warm as well come with me let us pray lord of our worried years god of our silent tears thou that has brought us father the words of our mouth the meditations of all of our hearts let it be acceptable in thy sight in jesus name amen so we continuing on our series belong belong i think it's very very important that we always remind ourselves about the foundations that keep us together amen and we saw that in the ministry of jesus the jesus model who remembers the jesus model let me see my note stickers who remembers the jesus model from last week no" [00:21:46] (74 seconds)
"consequently you are no longer no longer foreigners and strangers but fellow fellow citizens with god's people and members of his household verse 20 says that built on the foundation everybody say built on the foundation the foundation of the apostles and prophets with christ himself so we are built on the solid foundation with christ himself as the chief cornerstone and that will bring us to the next part if we are able to get there but we are built on the foundation of christ the anointed one of god through him that we have all access to the to become members of the household of god you know in our prayer time on friday i was sharing about how when we are part of the members of the household of god we are part of the blessing of the house amen if you are part of the member if you are part of the household of god you are part of every blessing the blessings of peace that jesus came to give our world we become a part of it so christ is is our belong he is the one to whom we belong to christ is the one to whom our life is hidden" [00:54:15] (94 seconds)
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