Embracing Communal Faith: Bringing Back the Wandering
Summary
### Summary
At Brookside, we recognize the importance of building Jesus-centered homes through healthy relationships. Our vision is to ensure that no one is left behind, fostering a community where everyone feels connected and known. Today, we concluded our series on the book of James, focusing on the final verses of chapter 5, which emphasize the responsibility of the church to bring back those who have wandered from the faith.
James challenges us to move beyond a faith that is solely personal and to embrace a communal responsibility. Faith is not just about our individual relationship with Jesus but also about helping others stay close to Him. This involves recognizing the sinful nature within us that constantly tries to lure us away from Jesus and understanding that we must actively work against it, both in our lives and in the lives of our fellow believers.
We explored the concept of the "bystander effect," where the presence of many people can lead to a diffusion of responsibility, making individuals less likely to intervene. This is a dangerous mentality in the church, as it can lead to neglecting our duty to help those who are straying. James calls us to be proactive, to intervene, and to bring back those who are wandering, much like a shepherd who leaves the 99 to find the one lost sheep.
The church is both a haven for the saints and a hospital for the sick. We are called to be a place of refuge and healing, not just for ourselves but for those who are spiritually sick and in need of restoration. This dual role requires us to be vigilant, compassionate, and willing to carry each other's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Communal Responsibility in Faith: Faith extends beyond personal belief to include a communal responsibility. We are called to help our brothers and sisters in Christ stay close to Jesus, intervening when they begin to stray. This communal aspect of faith is crucial for the spiritual health of the entire church. [19:03]
2. The Sinful Nature and Sanctification: Every believer has a sinful nature that tries to lure them away from Jesus. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus over time, but it requires vigilance and the support of the church community to resist the pull of sin. [21:55]
3. The Bystander Effect in the Church: The bystander effect can lead to a dangerous diffusion of responsibility within the church. When many people are present, individuals may feel less responsible to intervene. James calls us to reject this mentality and take personal responsibility for bringing back those who wander. [28:42]
4. The Church as a Haven and Hospital: The church serves a dual role as a haven for the saints and a hospital for the sick. We must be a place of refuge and healing, welcoming those who are spiritually sick and helping them find restoration in Jesus. [34:42]
5. Carrying Each Other's Burdens: We are called to carry each other's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. This involves being patient, loving, and forgiving, even when it is difficult. Building spiritual muscles like patience and love is essential for supporting our fellow believers. [49:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[14:50] - Building Jesus-Centered Homes
[16:30] - Introduction to James Chapter 5
[17:46] - Personal Stories of Intervention
[19:03] - The Call to Bring Back Wanderers
[20:26] - Faith Beyond Personal Responsibility
[21:55] - The Sinful Nature and Sanctification
[23:22] - Cultural Challenges to Intervention
[26:01] - The Emphasis on Church Responsibility
[27:27] - The Bystander Effect
[30:12] - Diffusion of Responsibility in the Church
[34:42] - Haven for the Saints vs. Hospital for the Sick
[39:02] - Practical Steps for Intervention
[43:36] - The Danger of Wandering from Faith
[46:12] - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
[49:32] - Carrying Each Other's Burdens
[51:20] - Personal Story of Carrying Burdens
[54:35] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. James 5:19-20 (NIV): "My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
2. Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV): "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
### Observation Questions
1. According to James 5:19-20, what is the responsibility of the church when someone wanders from the truth?
2. In Galatians 6:1-2, what instructions does Paul give for restoring someone caught in sin?
3. What does the sermon suggest about the "bystander effect" and its impact on church responsibility? [28:42]
4. How does the sermon describe the dual role of the church as both a haven for the saints and a hospital for the sick? [34:42]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the communal responsibility of faith in the church? How does this challenge the idea of faith being solely personal? [19:03]
2. What does the concept of "carrying each other's burdens" mean in practical terms within a church community? [49:32]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the dangers of the "bystander effect" in the context of spiritual intervention? [28:42]
4. What are the implications of viewing the church as both a haven for the saints and a hospital for the sick? How does this dual role affect the way we interact with others in the church? [34:42]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you noticed someone in your church community beginning to stray from their faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of James 5:19-20? [19:03]
2. Think about your own sinful nature and the process of sanctification. What steps can you take to be more vigilant against the pull of sin in your life, and how can your church community support you in this? [21:55]
3. Have you ever experienced the "bystander effect" in your church? How can you personally take responsibility to intervene when you see someone wandering from their faith? [28:42]
4. In what ways can you contribute to your church being both a haven for the saints and a hospital for the sick? Identify specific actions you can take to support and restore others. [34:42]
5. How can you build your "spiritual muscles" of patience, love, and forgiveness to better carry each other's burdens? Think of a specific person in your church who might need your support right now. [49:32]
6. Consider the cultural challenges to intervention mentioned in the sermon. How can you overcome the mentality of "you do you" and take a more active role in helping others stay close to Jesus? [23:22]
7. Reflect on the story of the lost sheep from Luke 15. How can you apply the principles of seeking and restoring the lost in your daily interactions with fellow believers? [46:12]
Devotional
### Day 1: Communal Responsibility in Faith
Faith is not just a personal journey but a communal responsibility. As believers, we are called to help our brothers and sisters in Christ stay close to Jesus, intervening when they begin to stray. This communal aspect of faith is crucial for the spiritual health of the entire church. When we see someone drifting away from their faith, it is our duty to reach out and guide them back. This is not about judgment but about love and care for one another's spiritual well-being.
James emphasizes that faith should move beyond being solely personal and embrace a communal responsibility. This means recognizing that our actions and support can significantly impact the spiritual journey of others. We must be proactive in our faith, ensuring that no one is left behind and that everyone feels connected and known within the community. [19:03]
James 5:19-20 (ESV): "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church community who may be drifting away from their faith. How can you reach out to them this week to offer support and encouragement?
### Day 2: The Sinful Nature and Sanctification
Every believer has a sinful nature that tries to lure them away from Jesus. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Jesus over time, but it requires vigilance and the support of the church community to resist the pull of sin. This journey of sanctification is not meant to be walked alone; we need the encouragement and accountability of fellow believers to stay on the right path.
Understanding our sinful nature is crucial in recognizing the constant battle we face in our spiritual lives. It is easy to be swayed by temptations and distractions, but with the help of our church community, we can stay focused on our journey towards becoming more like Jesus. This involves being honest about our struggles and seeking help when needed, knowing that we are all in this together. [21:55]
Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV): "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you struggle with sin. How can you seek support from your church community to help you in your journey of sanctification?
### Day 3: The Bystander Effect in the Church
The bystander effect can lead to a dangerous diffusion of responsibility within the church. When many people are present, individuals may feel less responsible to intervene. James calls us to reject this mentality and take personal responsibility for bringing back those who wander. It is easy to assume that someone else will step in, but this can lead to neglecting our duty to help those who are straying.
In the church, we must be proactive and intentional in our efforts to support one another. This means being aware of the needs of those around us and taking action when we see someone struggling. By rejecting the bystander effect, we can create a community where everyone feels cared for and supported. [28:42]
Ezekiel 34:6 (ESV): "My sheep were scattered; they wandered over all the mountains and on every high hill. My sheep were scattered over all the face of the earth, with none to search or seek for them."
Reflection: Think of a time when you noticed someone in your church struggling but did not intervene. How can you take personal responsibility to help someone in need this week?
### Day 4: The Church as a Haven and Hospital
The church serves a dual role as a haven for the saints and a hospital for the sick. We must be a place of refuge and healing, welcoming those who are spiritually sick and helping them find restoration in Jesus. This dual role requires us to be vigilant, compassionate, and willing to carry each other's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ.
As a haven, the church provides a safe space for believers to grow in their faith and find support. As a hospital, it offers healing and restoration for those who are struggling. This means being open and accepting of everyone, regardless of their spiritual condition, and offering the love and support they need to find their way back to Jesus. [34:42]
Isaiah 61:1 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church a place of refuge and healing for those who are spiritually sick?
### Day 5: Carrying Each Other's Burdens
We are called to carry each other's burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ. This involves being patient, loving, and forgiving, even when it is difficult. Building spiritual muscles like patience and love is essential for supporting our fellow believers. When we carry each other's burdens, we demonstrate the love of Christ and strengthen the bonds within our church community.
Carrying each other's burdens means being there for one another in times of need, offering support and encouragement, and helping each other grow in faith. It requires a selfless attitude and a willingness to put others' needs before our own. By doing so, we create a strong and supportive community where everyone feels valued and cared for. [49:32]
Colossians 3:12-13 (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."
Reflection: Think of someone in your church who is carrying a heavy burden. How can you offer your support and help them carry their burden this week?
Quotes
1. "Faith is taking your obedience or your belief in Jesus and graduating it to obedience to Jesus. We think that all that we need to consume is faith. We think that all that we need to concern ourselves with is with ourselves. James says at the very end, no, no, faith becomes real when your faith saves other Christians from walking away from Jesus." [20:26] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The good news is this. The older you get, the longer you walk with Jesus, everything about your life becomes more and more like Jesus. That's called sanctification. So even though you believe in him, even though your soul is saved, the reality is there's something inside of us that is actively and aggressively pulling us, luring us away from Jesus. If you're not careful, you'll listen to the sinful nature and you will be drawn away from him." [21:55] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So what does this mean? James says, I don't care. What San Francisco says, if you're a follower of Jesus, part of your right obligation expectation is that when a fellow brother or sister walks away, you go get them and you bring them back." [26:01] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So what does that look like in the church when somebody walks away, is lured away from Jesus in a church this size with this many people? Oh man, there's a whole lot of other people around here that should step up and do something about that. And you know, we got a lot of pastors on staff. They're trained. They've got a seminary degree. They apparently know how to do this better than I do. Can I tell you that is not true. You know who the best person to help somebody come back to Jesus is? You." [30:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So here's what James says. That's what I'm getting after. That's what I want to see. When a brother or sister walks away from Jesus, either by sin, luring them away or philosophy, corrupting a mind, start with prayer and then go get them." [27:27] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "So how can you not just build your faith, but build other people's faith. Let me pray for you. Heavenly father, as we step out of this sermon series, we recognize that we are a people called to live by faith in pure obedience. We're also people who are called to bring people back when they walk away from you." [52:56] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So what does this mean? It means that the church is not a building. The church is you. So when you get together, you're not a building. You're not a other followers of Jesus. You become a haven for each other. You encourage each other. You speak scripture over each other." [39:02] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The one who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death. What is he talking about? I don't think he's talking about physical death. I guess you can make an argument for that, but I don't think that's the death he's talking about. I do think there are multiple deaths he's referring to. One of them, watch this, is the death of something God has already breathed life into, like your marriage." [40:27] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "So build your muscle. When that person makes you impatient, build the muscle of patience. When that person is is annoying. There's no Christians that are ever annoying, are there? Build the muscle of love. When that person sins against you time and time again, what does Jesus say? Forgive them not seven times seven, but 70 times seven." [49:32] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "So build your muscle. When that person makes you impatient, build the muscle of patience. When that person is is annoying. There's no Christians that are ever annoying, are there? Build the muscle of love. When that person sins against you time and time again, what does Jesus say? Forgive them not seven times seven, but 70 times seven." [49:32] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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