Growing Together in Christ: Community and Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Community and Fellowship

In the life of a church, community and fellowship are not just activities but essential elements that bind believers together. The church is a place where individuals gather, grow, and go forth in service, both within the congregation and in the broader community. Events like the cookie fellowship are more than social gatherings; they are opportunities to build and strengthen relationships, reminding us of the importance of being connected and supportive of one another. These gatherings foster a sense of belonging and unity, encouraging members to share their lives and faith journeys with each other. [16:35]

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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 10:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week to encourage or support? How can you actively participate in fostering fellowship within your congregation?

Day 2: Praying for the Persecuted Church

Prayer is a powerful tool that connects us with God and with each other, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries. As believers, we are called to pray for our brothers and sisters facing persecution, as well as for those who persecute them. God's love extends to all, and our prayers should reflect a desire for strength, courage, and softened hearts. This practice not only supports those in need but also reminds us of the transformative power of God's love and grace, which can change hearts and situations. [23:06]

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a specific country or group of persecuted Christians. How can you commit to praying for them this week, and what specific prayers can you offer for their strength and for the hearts of their persecutors?

Day 3: Our Identity as Bond Slaves of Christ

As believers, our identity is rooted in being bond slaves of Jesus, meaning our will is surrendered to Him. This identity calls us to live according to His will, recognizing that we have been bought with a price. The concept of being a bond slave, whether from a Jewish or Roman perspective, signifies a complete surrender to the will of the master, which in our case, is Christ. This surrender is not a loss of freedom but a commitment to live under the lordship of Christ, allowing His will to guide our actions and decisions. [57:14]

"For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise, he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men." (1 Corinthians 7:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?

Day 4: Discipleship and Maturity in Faith

True discipleship involves living life together and growing in Christ. It's not about following a list of do's and don'ts but about walking alongside others and showing them what it means to follow Jesus. This relational approach to discipleship fosters genuine growth and maturity in faith, encouraging believers to support and learn from one another. By engaging in life-on-life discipleship, we create an environment where faith is nurtured, and spiritual maturity is cultivated through shared experiences and mutual encouragement. [47:08]

"And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can intentionally disciple or mentor in their faith journey? How can you begin to walk alongside them this week in a meaningful way?

Day 5: Living Out Grace and Peace in Christ

The grace and peace Paul speaks of are gifts from God, available only through a relationship with Jesus. As believers, we are called to live out this grace and peace, sharing it with others and proclaiming the good news of Jesus. This is a reminder of the transformative power of the gospel in our lives, which not only changes us but also empowers us to impact the world around us. By embodying grace and peace, we become living testimonies of God's love and the hope found in Christ. [01:10:31]

"May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it." (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally share the grace and peace of Christ with someone in your life today? What practical steps can you take to be a living testimony of the gospel in your daily interactions?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering at Mountain Vista Baptist Church, we focused on the profound themes of community, discipleship, and our identity in Christ. We began by welcoming guests and sharing upcoming events, emphasizing the importance of fellowship and community within the church. Our church is committed to gathering, growing, and going together in service, both within our congregation and in the broader community. We are excited about our upcoming events, including our cookie fellowship and annual meeting, which provide opportunities for connection and involvement.

As we transitioned into worship, we reflected on the grace and friendship we have in Jesus. We prayed for the persecuted church, remembering that God's love extends to both the persecuted and their persecutors. We prayed for strength, courage, and softened hearts, recognizing that God's peace and salvation are available to all.

Our study of Philippians 1:1-2 highlighted the themes of joy and maturity in Christ. Paul writes to the Philippians, a mature church, encouraging them to continue growing in their faith. He reminds them of their identity as bond slaves of Christ, emphasizing that their will is not their own but belongs to Jesus. This concept of being a bond slave, whether from a Jewish or Roman perspective, signifies a complete surrender to the will of the master, which in our case, is Christ.

Paul's introduction in Philippians serves as a reminder of who we are as believers—holy people set apart by God. He addresses the entire church, including overseers and deacons, underscoring the importance of unity and shared leadership. The grace and peace Paul speaks of are gifts from God, available only through a relationship with Jesus.

As we partake in communion, we remember Christ's sacrifice and our commitment to live as His followers. This act of remembrance is a declaration of our faith and a call to live out the grace and peace we have received. We are reminded to walk alongside others in discipleship, not by imposing rules, but by living out the teachings of Jesus in genuine relationships.

Key Takeaways

1. Community and Fellowship: Our church is a place where we gather, grow, and go together. Fellowship events like the cookie fellowship are vital for building and strengthening relationships within the church community. These gatherings remind us of the importance of being connected and supportive of one another. [16:35]
2. Prayer for the Persecuted Church: We are called to pray for our brothers and sisters facing persecution, as well as for those who persecute them. God's love extends to all, and our prayers should reflect a desire for strength, courage, and softened hearts. This reminds us of the transformative power of God's love and grace. [23:06]
3. Identity as Bond Slaves of Christ: As believers, we are bond slaves of Jesus, meaning our will is surrendered to Him. This identity calls us to live according to His will, recognizing that we have been bought with a price. Our lives should reflect this commitment to Christ's lordship. [57:14]
4. Discipleship and Maturity: True discipleship involves living life together and growing in Christ. It's not about following a list of do's and don'ts but about walking alongside others and showing them what it means to follow Jesus. This relational approach to discipleship fosters genuine growth and maturity in faith. [47:08]
5. Grace and Peace in Christ: The grace and peace Paul speaks of are gifts from God, available only through a relationship with Jesus. As believers, we are called to live out this grace and peace, sharing it with others and proclaiming the good news of Jesus. This is a reminder of the transformative power of the gospel in our lives. [01:10:31]
** [70:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[16:35] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[23:06] - Praying for the Persecuted Church
[27:31] - Transition to Philippians Study
[40:24] - Maturity in Christ
[42:39] - Discipleship Beyond Do's and Don'ts
[44:28] - True Discipleship Explained
[47:08] - Life-on-Life Discipleship
[49:39] - Encouragement for the Church
[50:18] - Introduction to Philippians 1:1-2
[52:27] - Understanding Bond Slavery
[54:02] - Roman and Jewish Bond Slave Concepts
[57:14] - Our Identity as Bond Slaves of Christ
[70:31] - Grace and Peace in Christ
[73:58] - Communion and Reflection

Sermon Clips

And so this morning, as we pray for the persecuted church, we have things up there. We can pray for strength, courage, protection, wisdom, grace to endure, for lasting faith, but we also pray for softened hearts of those who are persecuting, those who are oppressing. We pray for salvation for those who are persecuting, those who are oppressing. We pray for God's peace. [00:23:46] (22 seconds)

Sometimes in Christianity, I would argue that in much of Western Christianity, we have packed lots of information into people's heads and thought that's discipleship. That's not discipleship. Discipleship is following Jesus. If you remember in the Great Commission, Jesus, before his ascension into heaven, as he's talking to disciples, he says, go into all the world. [00:44:31] (29 seconds)

He says, make disciples, teaching them to observe everything I've commanded you. He didn't say, go make disciples and teach them to know what I teach you, teach them to observe. Now, knowledge is part of observation, right? We can't live what we don't know. Knowledge is absolutely part of it. [00:45:00] (20 seconds)

And so as Paul is writing to the church in Philippi, a mature church, this is what's going on. They are living life together. They're growing in Christ together. They're spending time together outside the walls of the church. And they're learning what it looks like to actually follow Jesus. [00:47:28] (24 seconds)

Because if they're believers in Christ, if they're followers of Christ, they are bond slaves as well. And let's be very clear, if you're a follower of Jesus Christ, if you're a believer in Jesus Christ, today, you're a bond slave of Jesus Christ. Your will is not your own. Your will is his. Because you've been bought with a price. [00:57:53] (17 seconds)

Grace, this idea of God extending himself, God's favor being extended towards the people. And God has extended himself towards us. His favor. His favor has been poured out on us. He sent Jesus Christ to die for us. How much more could he extend himself? I sent my son to die so that you could be saved, so our relationship could be restored. [01:09:19] (27 seconds)

This is God's favor on you, his grace. God has extended himself towards you. His peace is on you. The word peace, it's a big word. It has a lot of connotations. It has a lot of connotations. Wholeness, completeness, safety, welfare, health. Completion found in the person of Jesus Christ. [01:10:31] (21 seconds)

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