Embracing Communitas: Following Jesus Beyond Respectability
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the transformative power of following Jesus and the concept of "communitas," a deeper form of community that emerges through shared experiences and missions. We began by reflecting on the story of Levi from Luke 5, where Jesus calls Levi, a tax collector, to follow Him. Levi's immediate response was to leave everything behind and host a banquet for Jesus, inviting his friends, many of whom were considered outcasts. This act of hospitality and inclusion exemplifies the heart of Jesus' mission: reaching out to those on the margins and inviting them into a life-changing relationship.
We discussed the importance of moving beyond a superficial sense of community to embrace "communitas," which is formed when we engage in significant, often challenging, experiences together. This deeper bond is not just about social gatherings but about being on a mission together, much like the disciples who faced a storm with Jesus and emerged with a stronger connection.
Our mission as a church is to reach spiritual explorers, nomads, and sojourners who are seeking truth and meaning. With 75% of people in the United States expressing spiritual openness, there is a vast field of explorers ready to discover the good news of Jesus. Our role is to create space for these individuals, following Jesus' example of going out, seeing, and inviting them into a relationship.
We also examined the potential pitfalls of respectable religion, which can sometimes overshadow the true mission of the church. Jesus' response to the Pharisees' complaints about His association with sinners reminds us that the church's mission is not about maintaining a respectable image but about reaching those who are spiritually sick and in need of healing.
As we move forward, we are called to ask ourselves two critical discipleship questions: "Am I following Jesus?" and "Who do I know?" These questions guide us in our journey of faith and mission, ensuring that we remain focused on Jesus and the people He calls us to reach.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Call to Follow Jesus: Jesus' invitation to Levi to "follow me" is a call to relationship and transformation. It challenges us to leave behind our old ways and embrace a new life centered on Jesus. This call is not about adhering to a set of rules but about entering into a dynamic, life-giving relationship with Christ. [18:09]
2. From Community to Communitas: True community, or "communitas," is formed through shared experiences and missions. It goes beyond social gatherings to create deep bonds forged in the crucible of shared challenges and victories. This is the kind of community Jesus modeled with His disciples. [09:47]
3. Mission Over Respectability: Jesus' mission was to reach the spiritually sick, not to build a respectable religion. The church must prioritize mission over maintaining a respectable image, focusing on reaching those who are spiritually open and in need of the gospel. [27:08]
4. The Importance of Going Out: Jesus' example of going out to see and invite Levi highlights the importance of being proactive in our mission. The church is called to go out into the world, see those who are marginalized, and invite them into a transformative relationship with Jesus. [16:17]
5. Discipleship Questions: The two most important questions for discipleship are "Am I following Jesus?" and "Who do I know?" These questions help us stay focused on our relationship with Jesus and our mission to reach others, ensuring that we are living out our faith authentically. [36:51]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:05] - Introduction to Levi's Story
[04:54] - Dimensions of Relationship
[07:14] - Community vs. Communitas
[09:47] - The Power of Shared Experiences
[12:49] - Spiritual Openness in Society
[13:38] - The Church's Mission
[15:14] - Following Jesus' Example
[16:17] - Going Out and Seeing
[18:09] - Invitation to Relationship
[19:25] - Levi's Response
[20:35] - The Role of Parties in Discipleship
[21:44] - Jesus' Love for the Marginalized
[24:05] - The Pharisees' Complaints
[27:08] - Mission Over Respectability
[36:51] - Key Discipleship Questions
[38:14] - Communion and Mission
[38:59] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 5:27-32: The calling of Levi and Jesus' response to the Pharisees.
#### Observation Questions
1. What was Levi's immediate response to Jesus' invitation to "follow me"? How did this reflect his understanding of Jesus' call? [03:05]
2. How did the Pharisees react to Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners, and what was Jesus' response to their complaints? [24:05]
3. What is the difference between "community" and "communitas" as described in the sermon? [07:14]
4. How does the sermon describe the mission of the church in relation to spiritual explorers and nomads? [12:49]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Levi's decision to leave everything and follow Jesus suggest about the nature of discipleship? How might this apply to modern believers? [18:09]
2. In what ways does the concept of "communitas" challenge traditional views of church community? How can this deeper bond be cultivated within a church setting? [09:47]
3. How does Jesus' mission to reach the spiritually sick contrast with the Pharisees' focus on respectable religion? What implications does this have for the church today? [27:08]
4. What do the two discipleship questions, "Am I following Jesus?" and "Who do I know?" reveal about the priorities of a disciple? How can these questions guide personal spiritual growth? [36:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you need to "leave everything" to follow Jesus more fully? What steps can you take this week to make that change? [18:09]
2. Think about your current community involvement. How can you move from a superficial sense of community to experiencing "communitas"? What shared experiences or missions could help deepen these bonds? [09:47]
3. Consider the mission of your church. How can you contribute to reaching spiritual explorers and nomads in your community? What practical actions can you take to invite others into a transformative relationship with Jesus? [12:49]
4. Evaluate your perception of church respectability. Are there ways in which you prioritize image over mission? How can you shift your focus to align more closely with Jesus' example of reaching the marginalized? [27:08]
5. Identify someone in your life who might be considered a "spiritual explorer." How can you engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith this week? What invitation can you extend to them? [16:17]
6. Reflect on the two discipleship questions: "Am I following Jesus?" and "Who do I know?" How can these questions shape your daily decisions and interactions with others? [36:51]
7. How can you incorporate the practice of hospitality, as Levi did, into your life? What is one way you can open your home or life to others this month? [19:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing the Call to Transformation
The call to follow Jesus is a profound invitation to transformation, as seen in the story of Levi, who left everything to follow Christ. This call is not about adhering to a set of rules but about entering into a dynamic, life-giving relationship with Jesus. Levi's immediate response to host a banquet for Jesus, inviting those considered outcasts, exemplifies the heart of Jesus' mission: reaching out to those on the margins and inviting them into a life-changing relationship. This transformative journey challenges us to leave behind our old ways and embrace a new life centered on Jesus. [18:09]
"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life that you feel Jesus is calling you to transform? How can you take a step today to embrace this change and follow Him more closely?
Day 2: From Social Gatherings to Shared Missions
True community, or "communitas," is formed through shared experiences and missions. It goes beyond social gatherings to create deep bonds forged in the crucible of shared challenges and victories. This is the kind of community Jesus modeled with His disciples, who faced storms and challenges together, emerging with a stronger connection. As believers, we are called to move beyond superficial connections and engage in significant, often challenging, experiences together, forming a deeper bond that reflects the unity and purpose found in Christ. [09:47]
"And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need." (Acts 2:44-45, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a challenging experience you have faced with others. How did it strengthen your bond with them, and how can you seek out opportunities to build "communitas" in your current community?
Day 3: Prioritizing Mission Over Respectability
Jesus' mission was to reach the spiritually sick, not to build a respectable religion. The church must prioritize mission over maintaining a respectable image, focusing on reaching those who are spiritually open and in need of the gospel. Jesus' response to the Pharisees' complaints about His association with sinners reminds us that the church's mission is not about maintaining a respectable image but about reaching those who are spiritually sick and in need of healing. This calls us to examine our own priorities and ensure that we are aligned with Jesus' mission of reaching the lost. [27:08]
"For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners." (Matthew 9:13b, ESV)
Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you prioritize respectability over mission? How can you shift your focus to align more closely with Jesus' mission of reaching those in need?
Day 4: The Importance of Going Out
Jesus' example of going out to see and invite Levi highlights the importance of being proactive in our mission. The church is called to go out into the world, see those who are marginalized, and invite them into a transformative relationship with Jesus. This proactive approach requires us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with those who may be different from us, following Jesus' example of love and inclusion. By doing so, we create space for spiritual explorers, nomads, and sojourners to discover the good news of Jesus. [16:17]
"And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.'" (Luke 14:23, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life might be feeling marginalized or overlooked? How can you reach out to them today and invite them into a relationship with Jesus?
Day 5: Discipleship Through Intentional Questions
The two most important questions for discipleship are "Am I following Jesus?" and "Who do I know?" These questions help us stay focused on our relationship with Jesus and our mission to reach others, ensuring that we are living out our faith authentically. By regularly asking ourselves these questions, we can evaluate our spiritual journey and remain committed to the mission of reaching those who are spiritually open and in need of the gospel. This intentional reflection keeps us aligned with Jesus' example and purpose. [36:51]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to ask yourself, "Am I following Jesus?" and "Who do I know that needs to hear about Him?" What steps can you take today to deepen your relationship with Jesus and reach out to those around you?
Quotes
"After this Jesus went out Jesus went out and he saw he saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth follow me Jesus said to him and Levi got up left everything and followed him Jesus went out and saw made an invitation and immediately this guy left everything and followed him then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house and a large crowd of tax collectors and others some translations will say things like other notorious sinners or other kind of disreputable folks are there with them but the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belong to their sect complain and I I thought I think this is interesting too they complain not to Jesus but to the other disciples." [00:01:59] (60 seconds)
"Did you know that 75 % of people in the United States would say that they are spiritually open? 74 % want to grow spiritually. There's always, of course, nuance to those kinds of stats, but I think that's really interesting. Now, oftentimes in the vision conversation, I will talk about how, you know, church attendance is down and the fastest growing category of spirituality in the United States is called nuns. Not like, you know, nuns with a, you know, hat on or whatever, but like no affiliation to anything whatsoever." [00:12:07] (34 seconds)
"Now, Jesus, gives us a mission, right? Go share this good news with explorers. And then he organizes us into churches to accomplish the mission. We're going to get fancy with some words here for just a moment, but it should work like this. The fancy words are on the top. Okay. So Christology informs missiology, informs ecclesiology, right? Jesus gives us a mission and then organizes us into churches to accomplish that mission. But oftentimes, this gets flipped around." [00:13:38] (33 seconds)
"So what ends up happening here is we go looking for a church. We go looking for a community. We ask questions like, is the pastor cool? Is the band really good? Are there people at this church that look like me, that think like me? Do they have a great kids program? Whatever it might be, there's a long list of reasons why that people might go to a particular church, but the question that should be, that must be asked first, is does this church follow Jesus?" [00:14:18] (36 seconds)
"The two, the two most important discipleship questions we can ask are, am I following Jesus? And who do I know? Am I following Jesus? And who do I know? Who do I know? If you are consistently asking those questions, you're going to be a great disciple. I don't know if any of you guys picked up on this, but the backdrop to our relational kingdom conversation, again, that we started the year off with, is a picture from one of our October events, Davis Neighbors Night Out, also called Serve Sunday here at Discovery." [00:19:54] (42 seconds)
"And I think that Jesus's response to that is loaded with conviction, both for the Pharisees in the moment as the story is unfolding, but also for us. What does he say? He says, it's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Maybe another way of saying it is, I didn't come to build a respectable religion. I came on a mission. Will you join me? Will you join me?" [00:26:55] (41 seconds)
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