Embracing God's Design for Christian Community
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the concept of Christian community, starting from the very beginning of time when God existed in perfect communal relationship as the Trinity. I emphasized that God, in His wisdom, created light, darkness, land, vegetation, stars, sun, moon, birds, fish, and animals, and declared them all good. However, when He created man, He declared that it was not good for man to be alone, highlighting the importance of companionship and community. I further delved into the idea of intentional Christian communities living around and in God's word together, and how this was God's design and intention for us.
In the second part of the sermon, I discussed the importance of Christian community in supporting and encouraging each other. I highlighted that when we are in Christian community around God's word, we should be inviting our Christian brothers and sisters to be involved in word and sacrament ministries, to have a missional focus, to serve our neighbors, and to pray for each other. I emphasized that God's design for community is that we are constantly in relationship together, supporting and working as one body with many members.
Key Takeaways:
- God's design for community is rooted in the Trinity, which has been living in perfect communal relationship since forever. This is a model for us to emulate in our Christian communities. ([28:09])
- The importance of companionship and community was highlighted by God when He declared that it was not good for man to be alone. This underscores the devastating impact of isolation on the human soul. ([31:08])
- Christian community should always aim to build each other up and spur each other on to live ethical and moral lifestyles. This is achieved through accountability and mutual support. ([38:14])
- The study of scriptures in a community setting is crucial for encouragement and support. It is through this that we can find hope in the darkest times. ([41:17])
- Despite our imperfections and failures, Jesus Christ is our center and focus in Christian community. He reveals to us what a perfect example of a Christian community can look like and steps in to fill the gap when we fail. ([43:40])
Study Guide
Takeaways from the sermon:
1. Christian community is designed to be a place of encouragement, unity, and hope. We are called to build each other up, spur each other on to live ethical and moral lifestyles, and hold each other accountable. This is done best when we focus on the betterment of those around us rather than ourselves. #!!40:32!!#
2. The study of scripture is a crucial part of Christian community. It is through the scriptures that we find encouragement, support, and hope. We are called to open the scriptures together, to search them together, so that we might have hope. #!!41:17!!#
Bible reading:
1. Romans 15:2-7
2. Psalm 69:9
Observation questions:
1. What does Romans 15:2-7 say about the role of individuals in a Christian community?
2. How does Psalm 69:9 relate to the idea of focusing on the betterment of others rather than ourselves?
Interpretation questions:
1. How does Romans 15:2-7 instruct us to build up and encourage each other in our Christian community?
2. What does Psalm 69:9 teach us about the passion and zeal of Christ for God and for the betterment of his neighbors?
Application questions:
1. How can you encourage and build up someone in your Christian community this week?
2. When was the last time you opened the scriptures with someone else to find hope? How can you make this a regular practice?
3. How can you focus more on the betterment of others rather than yourself in your daily life?
4. How can you demonstrate the passion and zeal of Christ in your interactions with others?
5. How can you welcome others into your Christian community as Christ has welcomed you?
Devotional
Day 1: The Importance of Christian Community
Christian community is not just a nice-to-have, it's a God-designed necessity. From the beginning, God intended for us to live in community, reflecting the perfect relationship within the Trinity. In community, we support, encourage, and build each other up, just as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit do. [45:00]
1 Corinthians 12:12 - "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on your current involvement in Christian community. How are you actively participating in building up others?
Day 2: The Role of Scripture in Community
In Christian community, we are called to study and live out the scriptures together. The scriptures are our guide, providing us with hope and instruction. They are the foundation upon which our community is built. [40:32]
Romans 15:4 - "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
Reflection: How are you currently engaging with the scriptures within your community? How can you deepen this engagement?
Day 3: The Call to Virtuous Living
Christian community is not just about mutual support, it's also about mutual accountability. We are called to spur each other on towards ethical and moral lifestyles, holding each other accountable in love. [38:14]
Hebrews 10:24 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Reflection: How are you currently holding others accountable in your community, and how are they holding you accountable?
Day 4: The Imperfection of Community
Christian community is not perfect because it is made up of imperfect people. Yet, in our imperfection, we find our need for a Savior. When we fail, Christ steps in to redeem and restore our relationships. [43:40]
2 Corinthians 12:9 - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced failure or conflict within your community. How did you see Christ's power at work in that situation?
Day 5: The Call to Serve
Christian community is not just about receiving, it's also about giving. We are called to serve our neighbors, to look out for their betterment rather than our own. This is the heart of Christian community. [44:22]
Galatians 5:13 - "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
Reflection: How are you currently serving within your community? How can you increase your service to others?
Quotes
1. "I hope you have someone that you can call who will open the scriptures for you and with you and search them so that you might have hope which is Paul's and God's design for our Christian Community." - 40:39
2. "Our God has been living in a perfect communal relationship as a trinity which we as humans cannot physically understand but in his wisdom he decided to utter from his mouth let there be light and there was light." - 27:38
3. "Paul was writing to all of the Christians in Rome about how important it is to connect with each other he talks about how we should encourage each other build each other up accept each other even when we met even even if we don't know how we're supposed to be in fellowship with each other because it glorifies God." - 23:00
4. "If you are lonely you are 29 more likely to have heart disease. If you are lonely you are 32 percent more likely to have a stroke. If you're older and you're lonely you have a 50 higher chance of having dementia and overall if you're lonely you have a 60 percent higher chance of premature death which is equivalent to about smoking 15 cigarettes a day." - 31:52
5. "It is clear it is written into our very Fabric and DNA that we need to be in a community and since the beginning of time God has always established that Community to be first and foremost the family and then those families gather together in a public social setting known as the church." - 31:52
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