Embracing Community: The Heart of Jesus' Ministry
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound significance of community in the life of a believer, drawing from Acts 2:42-47. We often focus on why Jesus came, but today we delved into how He came—through community, by eating and drinking with others. Jesus' ministry was marked by His presence among people, sharing meals, and building relationships. This was not just a cultural practice but a divine strategy to connect with humanity on a deeper level. Jesus was accused of being a glutton and a drunkard because He spent so much time eating and drinking with people, emphasizing the importance of community and fellowship.
In our modern context, we face challenges that hinder genuine connection, such as the illusion of connection through social media. Yet, the early church modeled a life of togetherness, sharing meals, and meeting each other's needs. This is a call for us to return to that model, to prioritize community and fellowship as essential components of our faith journey. The church is not just a place we attend; it is a community we belong to, where we grow, learn, and support one another.
We are reminded that our presence matters. Gathering together, whether in large groups or small, is vital for spiritual growth and encouragement. The writer of Hebrews urges us not to neglect meeting together, highlighting the power of presence. In our gatherings, we experience the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, which cannot be replicated by solitary practices or digital interactions.
As we reflect on our lives, we must ask ourselves if we are living in true community, as depicted in Acts 2. Are we devoted to fellowship, breaking bread, and meeting the needs of others? If not, we are challenged to take steps toward building and participating in authentic community. This is where life change happens, where we experience the fullness of God's love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus' method of ministry was deeply rooted in community, emphasizing the importance of presence and shared experiences. He came eating and drinking, building relationships that transcended cultural and social barriers. This model challenges us to prioritize genuine connections in our faith journey. [05:44]
- The early church in Acts 2 exemplified a life of togetherness, where believers shared meals, supported one another, and experienced God's power collectively. This communal lifestyle is a blueprint for us to follow, reminding us that we are not meant to do life alone. [12:35]
- Presence matters. Gathering with other believers, whether in large groups or small, is essential for spiritual growth and encouragement. The power of the Holy Spirit is magnified in community, where we can pray with and for one another, experiencing God's transformative work. [19:23]
- Our modern society often hinders genuine connection, but we are called to push back against this trend. True community requires intentionality and commitment, moving beyond superficial interactions to deep, meaningful relationships that reflect the love of Christ. [28:42]
- Life change happens in the context of relationships. As we engage in community, we experience the fullness of God's love and grace, growing in our faith and becoming more like Jesus. This is where we find support, accountability, and the opportunity to live out our faith in tangible ways. [31:16]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:28] - Why Jesus Came
[04:40] - How Jesus Came
[05:44] - The Importance of Community
[07:48] - Breaking Bread Together
[09:16] - The Role of Meals in Ministry
[10:35] - Cultural Connections Through Food
[12:35] - The Early Church's Example
[14:21] - Living in Community
[16:42] - The Power of Presence
[19:23] - Gathering Together
[20:44] - Prioritizing Faith in Family
[22:25] - The Transformative Power of the Holy Spirit
[24:45] - Building Relationships in Small Groups
[26:17] - Spiritual Growth Through Community
[28:42] - Pushing Back Against Isolation
[30:22] - The Importance of Shared Experiences
[31:16] - Life Change in Relationships
[32:26] - Preparing for Communion
[34:11] - Jesus' Invitation to the Table
[35:52] - The Cost of Our Seat at the Table
[36:27] - Knowing Jesus Through Community
[37:16] - Closing Remarks
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Importance of Community
Bible Reading:
- Acts 2:42-47 (ESV)
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Acts 2:42-47, what were the key activities that the early church devoted themselves to? How did these activities foster a sense of community among the believers? [10:35]
2. In the sermon, it was mentioned that Jesus was often found eating and drinking with others. Why was this significant in the context of His ministry? [05:44]
3. How did the early church in Acts 2 demonstrate their commitment to meeting each other's needs? What does this reveal about their understanding of community? [12:35]
4. The sermon highlighted the power of presence in gatherings. How does the writer of Hebrews emphasize this in Hebrews 10:24-25? [19:23]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. The sermon suggests that Jesus' method of ministry was deeply rooted in community. How does this challenge modern perceptions of individualism in faith practices? [05:44]
2. Reflecting on Acts 2:42-47, what might be the spiritual and practical benefits of living in a community that shares resources and supports one another?
3. The sermon mentioned the illusion of connection through social media. How does this compare to the genuine connection experienced by the early church? [09:16]
4. How does the concept of "presence matters" in the sermon relate to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in community settings? [19:23]
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Application Questions:
1. The sermon challenges us to prioritize genuine connections in our faith journey. What steps can you take this week to build or strengthen relationships within your church community? [28:42]
2. Reflect on your current involvement in community activities. Are there areas where you can be more intentional in participating and contributing to the needs of others? [12:35]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of gathering together. How can you make attending church or small group meetings a more consistent priority in your life? [20:44]
4. Consider the role of meals in building relationships, as highlighted in the sermon. Is there someone you can invite to share a meal with this week to foster deeper connection? [05:44]
5. The sermon mentioned that life change happens in the context of relationships. Can you identify a relationship in your life that has significantly impacted your spiritual growth? How can you nurture that relationship further? [31:16]
6. How can you push back against the trend of isolation in modern society and actively seek out opportunities for fellowship and community? [28:42]
7. Reflect on the idea that presence matters. How can you be more present and engaged in your interactions with others, both in church and in your daily life? [19:23]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus' Ministry Through Community
Jesus' ministry was characterized by His intentional presence among people, often sharing meals and building relationships that transcended cultural and social barriers. This approach was not merely a cultural practice but a divine strategy to connect with humanity on a deeper level. Jesus was often criticized for spending time eating and drinking with others, yet this was a testament to the importance He placed on community and fellowship. In our faith journey, we are challenged to prioritize genuine connections, following Jesus' example of ministry through community. [05:44]
Luke 7:34-35 (ESV): "The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' Yet wisdom is justified by all her children."
Reflection: Who in your life can you invite to share a meal with this week, following Jesus' example of building relationships through community?
Day 2: The Early Church's Communal Life
The early church, as depicted in Acts 2, exemplified a life of togetherness where believers shared meals, supported one another, and experienced God's power collectively. This communal lifestyle serves as a blueprint for us, reminding us that we are not meant to do life alone. In a world where individualism often prevails, the early church's model calls us back to a life of shared experiences and mutual support. By embracing this model, we can experience the fullness of God's love and grace in our lives. [12:35]
Acts 4:32-33 (ESV): "Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can contribute to the needs of your community this week, following the example of the early church?
Day 3: The Power of Presence
Gathering with other believers, whether in large groups or small, is essential for spiritual growth and encouragement. The writer of Hebrews urges us not to neglect meeting together, highlighting the power of presence. In our gatherings, we experience the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, which cannot be replicated by solitary practices or digital interactions. The presence of others in our faith journey magnifies the work of the Holy Spirit, allowing us to pray with and for one another and experience God's transformative power. [19:23]
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: How can you prioritize gathering with other believers this week, and what steps can you take to ensure these gatherings are meaningful and encouraging?
Day 4: Intentional Community in a Digital Age
In our modern society, the illusion of connection through social media often hinders genuine relationships. We are called to push back against this trend, moving beyond superficial interactions to deep, meaningful relationships that reflect the love of Christ. True community requires intentionality and commitment, challenging us to invest time and effort into building authentic connections. By doing so, we can create spaces where life change happens, and we experience the fullness of God's love and grace. [28:42]
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV): "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."
Reflection: What is one step you can take today to deepen a relationship that has been primarily digital or superficial?
Day 5: Life Change Through Relationships
Life change happens in the context of relationships. As we engage in community, we experience the fullness of God's love and grace, growing in our faith and becoming more like Jesus. This is where we find support, accountability, and the opportunity to live out our faith in tangible ways. By investing in relationships, we open ourselves to the transformative work of God, allowing Him to shape us through the love and support of others. [31:16]
Colossians 3:12-14 (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. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to for support or accountability in your faith journey, and how can you offer the same to them?
Quotes
"Because we talk a lot about why he came. He came that we might have life to the full. Another great answer. All these things are true. But sometimes we miss this really, really important detail. Because we don't talk as much about how he came. How he came to us. And how we came to know him as Messiah and Savior and Lord." [00:04:11] (24 seconds)
"There's something that we're missing today in the church when it surrounds those two ideas, breaking bread with one another. There's a lot of challenges that we face today in our society. There's a lot of challenges that we face today in our society. That weren't around 20 years ago, social media, the most antisocial thing that ever existed. This thing that makes you feel like you're connected to other people, but you're really not." [00:08:25] (23 seconds)
"It said, because they were in in community together, but they knew where the needs were. And then what they did was they all chipped in together to say, hey, we can help this person. And they all sold something that they had if they needed to, to provide for that need. It doesn't say they sold everything they had, but it says every time there was a need, that that's what they did. And that's what community looks like." [00:12:50] (26 seconds)
"Now, does that look like your daily life, though? Devoted to community, being an answer to prayer, God using you to be a part of meeting needs, growing in Christ, growing in your relationship with God, not just on your own, unless you're doing my own thing, but with people that are challenging you, that are helping you get better, helping you learn more." [00:14:21] (22 seconds)
"See, we were made for community. We're made for community. We weren't made to do life alone. So the question then comes up, so then where do we experience this kind of community, this kind of breaking bread? Well, let me give you the obvious answer first, and then we'll drill down a little bit more. The obvious answer is with other believers at church." [00:16:42] (21 seconds)
"And all the more as you... Now, this verse was not written to say don't stop coming to church. No, the writer of Hebrews was observing that the believers, the Christians, when they gathered in the large group in the temple courts, that they stopped going back to each other's houses and having a meal and having fellowship and prayer together. And so the writer of Hebrews said, don't stop doing that." [00:18:04] (26 seconds)
"Presence matters. Let me illustrate that briefly, okay? Presence is powerful. Like, I'll pray for you. That's, you know, that's a good thing. I'll pray for you. That's a good thing. If you're going to pray for somebody, it's a very good thing. But this is how you can see how powerful presence is. What's better? I'll pray for you, or hey, I'll pray with you right now. Now," [00:19:23] (24 seconds)
"Because the Bible says this. It says that faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. It does not matter about your eloquence. It does not matter about your parenting skills. It doesn't matter how good you are at anything that you do. When you put your child in an intersection with the word of God and they hear it, it does something to them. You know why?" [00:21:20] (21 seconds)
"There's things, there's challenges that we have that don't necessarily come to us naturally, that requires a step of faith. And this just might be one of them. Society, the way it's working right now, does everything to keep us from connecting in community. And this pushes back against this stuff, man. And when we, when we decide that social media is social, that is like watching a P90X or a body bootcamp burn infomercial, thinking that you got healthier and lost weight because you watched an infomercial." [00:27:22] (29 seconds)
"Jesus bought you a seat at his table, and the cost was his life. That's the price he paid for you. Knowing your name, knowing your life, knowing that you mattered. He stepped out of eternity and into a body like ours. Suffered and died to be the. payment for your sin and mine." [00:35:52] (30 seconds)
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