Embracing Our Role as a Living Church Community

 

Summary

The theme for this year is "Being the Church," a call to move beyond the notion of church as a mere building or a club and embrace it as a vibrant, living community of believers. Reflecting on the past year, we celebrated significant growth, both in numbers and in spiritual depth, with new life groups, baptisms, and ministries. This growth is a testament to God's work in individual lives, and it sets the stage for our journey this year.

The church is not a physical structure but a community of believers, a movement that began with Jesus and continues through us. Jesus' ministry was about shifting focus from the temple as the sole place of God's presence to understanding that God is with us wherever we go. This realization should transform our lives, making our faith a daily, life-changing experience. Just as the early disciples experienced a profound shift after Jesus' resurrection, we too are called to live out our faith actively and passionately.

The church's purpose is to be Jesus in the world, to learn, grow, and become strong in faith. It is a place for fellowship, community, and seeking God, where we encourage and support one another. Our mission is to share Christ with others, to be missional in our daily lives, and to engage with the world around us. This year, we aim to be intentional in our actions, to be a movement that reflects Christ's love and purpose.

As we embark on this journey, we are reminded that being the church requires a commitment to self-giving love, to sharing and connecting with others, and to being available for God's work. It is a personal journey that begins with each of us, and together, we can create a movement that impacts our community and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Church as a Community: The church is not a building but a community of believers called to live out their faith daily. This understanding transforms our perception of church from a place we go to a movement we are part of, reflecting Christ's presence in the world. [32:03]

2. Life-Changing Faith: Accepting Christ should be a life-changing experience that affects every aspect of our lives, from how we treat others to how we manage our resources. This transformation is a testament to the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. [37:25]

3. Purpose of the Church: The church's purpose is to be Jesus in the world, to learn, grow, and become strong in faith. It is a place for fellowship, community, and seeking God, where we encourage and support one another in our spiritual journey. [54:38]

4. Being Missional: Our mission is to share Christ with others, to be missional in our daily lives, and to engage with the world around us. This requires intentionality and a commitment to living out our faith in every interaction and relationship. [57:38]

5. Personal Commitment: Being the church is a personal journey that begins with each of us. It requires a commitment to self-giving love, to sharing and connecting with others, and to being available for God's work. Together, we can create a movement that impacts our community and beyond. [01:03:49]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [26:44] - Introduction and Theme for the Year
- [29:38] - Childhood Clubs and Church Perception
- [32:03] - Church as a Community
- [35:24] - Life-Changing Faith
- [37:25] - Impact of Accepting Christ
- [46:28] - Jesus as the Foundation
- [47:59] - Invitation to Join the Movement
- [49:24] - Mindset and Purpose of the Church
- [50:30] - Acts of the Early Church
- [51:33] - Being Missional
- [54:38] - Purpose of the Church
- [55:58] - Fellowship and Community
- [56:43] - Seeking God Together
- [57:38] - Sharing Christ Daily
- [58:51] - Upcoming Series: Experiencing God
- [01:03:49] - Personal Commitment and Growth
- [01:05:13] - Goals for the Year
- [01:07:39] - Invitation to Respond

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: "Being the Church"

Bible Reading:
1. Acts 2:1-3
2. Matthew 16:16-18
3. Acts 4:32-35

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Observation Questions:

1. In Acts 2:1-3, what significant event marked the beginning of the church, and how did it impact the early believers?
2. According to Matthew 16:16-18, what foundational truth did Jesus declare about the church, and how does this shape our understanding of its purpose?
3. How did the early church in Acts 4:32-35 demonstrate a sense of community and shared purpose? What actions did they take to support one another?
4. Reflecting on the sermon, what examples were given of how the church is more than just a building? [32:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the event of Pentecost in Acts 2:1-3 illustrate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer and the church community?
2. In Matthew 16:16-18, Jesus refers to the church as being built on a "rock." What does this metaphor suggest about the stability and mission of the church? [46:28]
3. The early church in Acts 4:32-35 shared everything they had. What does this level of generosity and unity reveal about their understanding of being the church?
4. The sermon emphasized the church as a movement rather than a building. How does this perspective challenge traditional views of church participation and engagement? [32:03]

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Application Questions:

1. The sermon highlighted the importance of living out our faith daily. What specific steps can you take this week to embody the church's mission in your personal life? [37:25]
2. Reflect on your current involvement in the church community. Are there areas where you feel called to deepen your connection or service? How might you take action on this? [01:03:49]
3. The early church was marked by a spirit of generosity and sharing. How can you practice self-giving love in your relationships and community this week? [50:30]
4. Consider the idea of being missional in everyday interactions. Identify one person or situation where you can intentionally share Christ's love this week. [57:38]
5. The sermon mentioned the need for personal commitment to being the church. What is one habit or mindset you need to change to align more closely with this calling? [01:08:17]
6. How can you encourage and support others in your church community to live out their faith more actively? What role can you play in fostering a sense of fellowship and unity? [55:58]
7. The sermon discussed the importance of being available for God's work. What practical steps can you take to ensure you are open and responsive to God's leading in your life? [01:03:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Church as a Living Movement
The church is not confined to a physical building; it is a dynamic community of believers who embody the presence of Christ in the world. This understanding shifts the perception of church from a place to a movement, where each member plays a vital role in living out their faith daily. The early church exemplified this by gathering in homes, sharing resources, and supporting one another in their spiritual journeys. As believers, we are called to continue this legacy, creating a vibrant community that reflects God's love and grace. [32:03]

"Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church community a living movement that reflects Christ's presence in your neighborhood?


Day 2: Transformative Power of Faith
Accepting Christ is meant to be a transformative experience that permeates every aspect of our lives. This transformation is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process where the Holy Spirit works within us to change our hearts and minds. It affects how we treat others, manage our resources, and live out our daily lives. As we grow in faith, we become more attuned to God's will and purpose, allowing His love to flow through us to those around us. [37:25]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways has your faith in Christ transformed your daily interactions and decisions? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to continue this work in you?


Day 3: Purpose of the Church
The church's purpose is to be the embodiment of Jesus in the world, a place where believers learn, grow, and strengthen their faith. It is a community of fellowship and support, where individuals seek God together and encourage one another in their spiritual journeys. This purpose extends beyond the walls of the church, as believers are called to share Christ with others and engage with the world around them. By living out this purpose, the church becomes a beacon of hope and love in the community. [54:38]

"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." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church's mission to be Jesus in the world? What steps can you take to encourage and support others in their faith journey?


Day 4: Living Missionally
Being missional means intentionally sharing Christ with others and engaging with the world around us. It requires a commitment to living out our faith in every interaction and relationship, reflecting Christ's love and purpose. This missional mindset challenges us to step out of our comfort zones and be a light in our communities, workplaces, and social circles. By living missionally, we become agents of change, bringing the hope and love of Christ to those who need it most. [57:38]

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8, ESV)

Reflection: Identify one person or group in your life who needs to experience Christ's love. How can you intentionally reach out to them this week and share the hope of the Gospel?


Day 5: Personal Commitment to Being the Church
Being the church is a personal journey that begins with each of us. It requires a commitment to self-giving love, sharing, and connecting with others, and being available for God's work. This journey is not meant to be walked alone; together, we can create a movement that impacts our community and beyond. By committing to this journey, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God's love and become vessels of His grace in the world. [01:03:49]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take to deepen your personal commitment to being the church? How can you practice self-giving love and hospitality in your daily life?

Quotes

It's good to know that God is with us wherever we go. On the flip side of that, he is with you wherever you go. And so that gives you something to really think about. How are you doing with where you carry God all the time? [00:26:20] (17 seconds)


We want this to be more than just a building. In fact, when people ask you what church that you go to, we typically associate it with a physical facility, right? I mean, typically that's what we do. People ask me, hey, where are you the pastor at? Well, I'm at Woodhaven. [00:31:42] (18 seconds)


But when you walk out of this room because of Jesus, he goes with you wherever you go. And that's the difference that there is today for you and I as believers is knowing that and being a part of it. [00:32:03] (14 seconds)


It should be something that's life-changing to the point that that day that you accept Christ, and we sometimes don't talk about all this other part of what it means to be a believer. We want the forgiveness of our sins, and we want to feel better about who we are, and we want to know that we have eternity. [00:37:25] (20 seconds)


It's life-changing for them when they became a believer. It affects their entire day. It affects how they see everybody around them. It affects how they treat others. It affects how they handle their money, how they handle their calendar, how they do everything. [00:38:03] (17 seconds)


The purpose of the church is for us to be Jesus, literally. That's the simple statement, be Jesus. The first thing is to remember that we are here to learn, to grow, and to become strong. [00:54:38] (12 seconds)


The Bible encourages Romans 12, 10, Be devoted to one another. Honor one another. Romans 15, 14, Instruct one another. Ephesians, Be kind and compassionate to one another. Thessalonians, Encourage one another. Most importantly, In 1 John, We see that we're supposed to love one another. [00:56:43] (18 seconds)


How is that going in your family? And who you're witnessing to? Who you're sharing Christ with? Think about your neighbors and who you are sharing with. How is that going? We should be on mission. It should be every part of our thought each and every day. Who doesn't know Christ? [00:57:38] (18 seconds)


We Christians are the church and whatever we do is what the church is doing. Think about that for just a second. We are the church and whatever we do is what the church is doing. [01:07:39] (12 seconds)


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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?