Embracing Community: Sharing Christ Beyond Church Walls
Summary
The discourse begins with an emphasis on the imperative for individuals to actively share their faith and not merely wait for others to seek them out. It draws from the parable in Luke 14, where a master instructs his servant to invite the marginalized to a great banquet, illustrating the need to reach out to all, including those who may not typically come to a church. This outreach extends beyond the church walls, with the establishment of Bible study groups in homes and other venues to accommodate those who may be hesitant to enter a traditional church setting.
The message further underscores the importance of inclusivity, highlighting that all people, regardless of their differences, need to know God. It references the account of Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners in Matthew 9, demonstrating that Jesus did not endorse their sins but offered them a way out. This narrative serves as a reminder that every person is valuable and worthy of God's love.
The discourse also touches on the dangers of judging by appearances and the potential to overlook individuals who may not fit a certain mold. It recounts the story of the rich young ruler from the Gospels, who was unable to give up his wealth to follow Jesus, contrasting it with Jesus' teaching that greatness in the kingdom of heaven is like that of a child. This serves as a call to look beyond superficial attributes when sharing the message of Christ.
The central theme revolves around the purpose of the church, which is to share the light of Christ so that all people can know Him. It emphasizes that the church's role is not to promote itself but to point people to Jesus. The message cautions against equating inviting someone to church with fulfilling the duty of evangelism, instead encouraging direct invitations to know Jesus.
The discourse also addresses the foundation of faith, which should be built on Jesus Christ, not on the wisdom of men or the institution of the church. It cites Paul's approach to ministry, focusing solely on Jesus Christ and Him crucified, as the model for building a vibrant church community.
The message concludes with a call to prioritize the gospel above all church activities. It stresses the urgency of sharing the gospel with those who do not know God, as there will come a time when it is too late for them to choose Christ. The goal is to help people know God personally and to continue growing in their relationship with Him.
The narrative is interspersed with personal stories, such as the testimony of missionaries in Spain who encountered individuals searching for truth and meaning, illustrating the transformative power of the gospel in people's lives.
Finally, the discourse challenges individuals to examine their motives for serving God, asking whether they are true lovers of God or serving Him for personal gain. It calls for a love and service to God that is genuine and not conditional on His blessings.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of sharing one's faith is not just a responsibility but a privilege that reflects the heart of God, who desires that all people come to know Him. This sharing should be done with a spirit of generosity and kindness, recognizing the equality and worth of every person. [34:27]
- The light of Christ is not just a metaphor but a transformative power that reveals truth, corrects wrongs, dispels fear, and brings life. As followers of Christ, individuals are called to reflect this light in a world that often promotes falsehood, fear, and death. [38:31]
- The church's primary purpose is to point people to Jesus, not to its own programs or achievements. While church activities are important, they must always serve to direct people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. [42:29]
- The urgency of sharing the gospel cannot be overstated. There is a real consequence for those who do not know God, and the church must be diligent in reaching out to them before it is too late. This urgency should fuel the church's mission and outreach efforts. [01:01:22]
- Spiritual growth is a continuous journey, not a destination. Even the most seasoned believers are called to press on, to keep learning, serving, and growing in Christ. This growth is a sign of a vibrant and living faith. [01:04:47]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
2. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NIV)
"And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power."
3. Philippians 3:7-8 (NIV)
"But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ."
Observation Questions:
1. In Matthew 5:13-16, what are the two metaphors Jesus uses to describe His followers, and what characteristics do these metaphors suggest about their role in the world?
2. According to 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, what did Paul deliberately avoid when he was sharing the message with the Corinthians, and what was the purpose of this approach?
3. Reflecting on Philippians 3:7-8, what does Paul consider as loss compared to the worth of knowing Christ, and what does this imply about his values?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the metaphor of salt losing its saltiness relate to the idea of a faith community maintaining its distinctiveness and influence in society?
2. Considering Paul's approach in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, what does it suggest about the source of true transformation and the foundation of faith?
3. In light of Philippians 3:7-8, what does it mean to consider all things as loss compared to knowing Christ, and how should this perspective affect a believer's priorities?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your daily interactions. Can you identify a situation where you could be more intentional about being "salt and light" to those around you this week?
2. Think of a recent conversation about faith you had. How can you focus more on the power of God rather than relying on your own wisdom or persuasive skills in future discussions?
3. Identify something in your life that you value highly. How can you ensure that this does not become more important than your relationship with Christ?
4. Consider your current involvement in your faith community. What is one specific way you can contribute to ensuring that the community remains distinctive and influential in your local area?
5. Recall a time when you felt weak or inadequate in sharing your faith. How can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power in similar situations moving forward?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Proactive Outreach
Outreach is not confined to the church's walls but is a call to meet people in their everyday lives, addressing their spiritual needs where they are most comfortable. This approach is about being hands-on and intentional, ensuring that no one is overlooked or left behind. It's about embodying the love and inclusivity that Jesus demonstrated, making faith accessible to all. [49:54]
Hebrews 13:1-2 - "Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."
Reflection: Who in your community could benefit from your hospitality and an introduction to the message of Christ?
Day 2: Valuing Diversity as God's Design
The kingdom of God is a tapestry of diverse backgrounds, and embracing this diversity is central to the Christian mission. It is a reflection of God's love for all of His creation, transcending societal barriers to form a community united in Christ. This value challenges us to see the image of God in everyone we encounter. [50:38]
Revelation 7:9 - "After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."
Reflection: How can you actively seek to understand and appreciate the diverse backgrounds of those in your community?
Day 3: Christ as the Foundation of Faith
The church is a vessel for connection, but the true foundation of faith is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All church activities and ministries should point to Him, ensuring that the community's purpose aligns with the transformative power of the gospel. This focus keeps the mission clear and the path to spiritual growth direct. [45:16]
1 Corinthians 2:2 - "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus, making Him the cornerstone of your daily life?
Day 4: Prioritizing the Gospel in Community
The primary objective of the community is to lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. This focus ensures that all ministries and activities are not ends in themselves but avenues to share the transformative message of the gospel. It is a reminder to keep the main thing the main thing. [58:21]
Colossians 1:28-29 - "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ."
Reflection: What is one way you can share the gospel with someone in your circle of influence this week?
Day 5: Growing in Love and Service
Spiritual growth is an ongoing journey that equips believers to serve and love more effectively. This growth stems from a genuine relationship with Christ and is reflected in acts of love and service that are not obligatory but a natural overflow of the believer's heart. It is about becoming more like Jesus every day. [01:07:43]
Ephesians 4:15-16 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate Christ's love through service in your community today?
Quotes
1) "Our world doesn't want to reveal truth, it wants to gloss over what's false... our world doesn't take away fear, it contributes to fear... our world doesn't give life, Jesus gives life... we are here to share the light." [38:31] (Download)
2) "Our purpose is to share the Light of Christ so all people can know him and grow in love and service... we wanted this to be something that was concise enough to remember." [32:59] (Download)
3) "The action of sharing means that we're giving away something that we have... the attitude behind sharing is important... it's showing kindness, it's having a caring concern for other people." [34:27] (Download)
4) "We need to remember that's our purpose not just for people to know about God but to truly know God in a personal relationship by grace through faith." [56:52] (Download)
5) "We want people to be drawn to know Christ... if it doesn't point people to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we've missed the main purpose for it all." [57:39] (Download)
6) "I want people's faith to be built on Jesus Christ... Paul's priority was very clearly Christ... he is the one foundation that's been laid." [45:16] (Download)
7) "We need to not confuse our purpose to be making people join the church or to do the good things or to serve in Ministry if they don't know Jesus that has to be first and foremost." [58:21] (Download)
8) "There's an urgency to get the message out to people who don't know God... there will come a point in time when it will be too late either because they come to the end of their Earthly life or Jesus returns." [01:01:22] (Download)
9) "We're all called to press on... to keep growing, to keep learning, to keep serving... that's the call for us as a church body." [01:04:47] (Download)
10) "Are we lovers or are we prostitutes?... I want more than anything else to be a true lover of God... do we love him because of what we get out of it or do we love him because he first loved us?" [01:15:41] (Download)
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