Growing Together: The Power of Community in Faith
Summary
In my sermon, I began by welcoming everyone back to our Connect Class series, emphasizing the importance of continual spiritual growth and avoiding stagnation in our walk with God. I highlighted the mission of Fierce Church, which is to develop prevailing followers of Jesus Christ, taking spiritual growth steps that are visibly outlined in the Fierce Pathway in our church lobby. This pathway serves as a guide for those seeking direction in their spiritual journey.
I then discussed the concept of the church, explaining that it represents the called-out ones by God, a global assembly with diverse expressions. At Fierce Church, we focus on a non-celebrity, community-centric model where every member, including myself and other pastors, are approachable and dedicated to spotlighting Jesus Christ alone. This structure supports a healthy spiritual environment where leadership is accountable and the focus remains on spiritual growth and community.
The sermon moved into a deeper exploration of biblical Christianity, which I stressed is not a solitary practice but a communal one. I used the example of the early church in Acts, where believers devoted themselves to fellowship and communal living, emphasizing that our faith grows and manifests most powerfully in community settings. This led to a discussion on the dangers of "do-it-yourself" Christianity, which can lead to isolation and spiritual pride, detracting from the communal and interconnected nature of the faith.
I shared insights on the importance of spending time with fellow believers, not just in structured church settings but in everyday life. This includes participating in church groups like Fierce Men and Fierce Women, and engaging in community activities like summer suppers and in-home groups. These interactions are crucial for building strong, supportive relationships that reflect the love and teachings of Jesus.
Towards the end of the sermon, I addressed the concept of waiting and supporting each other through life's challenges, particularly the pain of losing loved ones. I reassured the congregation that our separation from departed believers is temporary, as we await the glorious return of Jesus Christ, who will reunite us with every believer in a triumphant, eternal community.
Key Takeaways:
1. Spiritual Growth is Continuous: Just as our church's mission statement emphasizes, spiritual growth requires continual steps and engagement. It's not a static state but a dynamic journey that we undertake with the support of our church community. This ongoing process is vital for deepening our relationship with God and each other. [01:04]
2. Church as a Community: Understanding the church as a global community of believers, rather than a place, shifts our perspective towards unity and collective action. This view aligns with the biblical depiction of the church and enhances our engagement with the faith community, fostering a supportive and interconnected environment. [02:20]
3. Dangers of Isolated Faith: Isolation can lead to a skewed perception of faith, where individualism overshadows communal teachings of Christianity. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of togetherness in our walk with Christ, highlighting that true spiritual growth occurs in the company of fellow believers. [06:10]
4. Value of Time in Community: Investing time in community activities is not just beneficial but essential for spiritual growth. Through regular interaction and shared experiences, we forge deeper relationships that mirror the early church's communal nature, enhancing our collective faith journey. [13:57]
5. Eternal Hope in Christ: The promise of eternal life and reunion with loved ones through Christ's return offers profound comfort and hope. This future event encourages us to support each other through life's temporary trials, reinforcing our hope and commitment to the faith. [19:15]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. John 13:34-35 (NIV)
> "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
2. Ephesians 2:19 (NIV)
> "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household."
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 (NIV)
> "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to John 13:34-35, what is the new command Jesus gives to His disciples?
2. In Ephesians 2:19, how does Paul describe the believers' relationship to God's household?
3. What event is described in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, and what are believers encouraged to do with this information?
4. In the sermon, what are some of the community activities mentioned that help build strong, supportive relationships? ([15:05])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus emphasize loving one another as a sign of discipleship in John 13:34-35? How does this relate to the concept of community in the church? ([06:10])
2. How does understanding ourselves as "members of God's household" in Ephesians 2:19 impact our view of church community and our role within it?
3. What comfort and hope does 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 offer to believers, especially in the context of losing loved ones? How does this shape our perspective on life's challenges? ([19:15])
4. The sermon discusses the dangers of "do-it-yourself" Christianity. How does this concept contrast with the biblical model of community? ([04:57])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current spiritual growth. What steps can you take to ensure you are continually growing and not stagnating in your faith? ([01:04])
2. How can you actively contribute to fostering a community-centric model in your church, where every member is approachable and focused on spotlighting Jesus Christ? ([02:20])
3. Have you experienced the negative effects of isolated faith? What practical steps can you take to integrate more deeply into your church community? ([06:10])
4. Think about your weekly schedule. How can you prioritize spending time with fellow believers in both structured and informal settings? ([13:57])
5. How does the promise of eternal life and reunion with loved ones through Christ's return influence your daily life and interactions with others? ([19:15])
6. Identify one church group or community activity you are not currently involved in. What steps can you take to join and actively participate in it? ([15:05])
7. Share a time when the faith of someone else inspired and lifted you up during a difficult period. How can you be that source of encouragement for someone else in your community? ([23:41])
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Growth as a Dynamic Journey
Spiritual growth is not a static achievement but a continuous journey that requires active participation and commitment. The church's mission to develop prevailing followers of Jesus Christ emphasizes the necessity of taking visible steps on this path. These steps, outlined in the Fierce Pathway, are not just markers but invitations to deeper engagement with God and the community. This ongoing process is vital for deepening one's relationship with God and with fellow believers, fostering a dynamic spiritual life that evolves and grows over time. [01:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppU7d0op3YE&t=49s)
Ephesians 4:15-16: "Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Reflection: What are specific steps you can take this week to actively engage in your spiritual growth?
Day 2: Church as a Global and Local Community
Understanding the church as a global community of believers, rather than just a physical location, shifts our perspective towards unity and collective action. This view aligns with the biblical depiction of the church as a diverse assembly called out by God, where every member is integral and leadership is approachable. Emphasizing a non-celebrity, community-centric model helps maintain focus on Jesus Christ and supports a healthy spiritual environment that fosters growth and accountability. [02:20](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppU7d0op3YE&t=125s)
1 Peter 2:9-10: "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: How can you contribute to strengthening the sense of community in your local church this week?
Day 3: The Risks of Isolated Faith
Isolation can distort one's perception of faith, leading to a skewed emphasis on individualism that overshadows the communal teachings of Christianity. The New Testament highlights the importance of togetherness in our walk with Christ, showing that true spiritual growth occurs in the company of fellow believers. This interconnectedness is crucial for avoiding the pitfalls of "do-it-yourself" Christianity, which can lead to spiritual pride and detachment from the body of Christ. [06:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppU7d0op3YE&t=355s)
Hebrews 10:24-25: "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: What are ways you can actively seek and maintain fellowship with other believers, especially those who might be drifting away?
Day 4: Investing Time in Community
Investing time in community activities is essential for spiritual growth. Engaging regularly in church groups and community activities like summer suppers and in-home groups helps forge deeper relationships that reflect the early church's communal nature. These interactions are not just beneficial but crucial for mirroring the love and teachings of Jesus, enhancing our collective faith journey and providing a support system that nurtures spiritual growth. [13:57](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppU7d0op3YE&t=822s)
Acts 2:46-47: "And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Reflection: Can you identify a community activity at your church that you can participate in more fully, or initiate if it doesn't exist?
Day 5: Eternal Hope in Christ
The promise of eternal life and the reunion with loved ones through Christ's return offers profound comfort and hope. This future event encourages us to support each other through life's temporary trials, reinforcing our hope and commitment to the faith. Understanding our separation from departed believers as temporary helps us cope with grief and fosters a resilient, hope-filled community awaiting Christ's triumphant return. [19:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppU7d0op3YE&t=1140s)
1 Thessalonians 4:17-18: "Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words."
Reflection: How can you offer support to someone in your community who is experiencing grief or hardship, reminding them of the hope we have in Christ?
Quotes
1. "Spiritual growth steps are so important that we built them into the mission statement. You remember what it is? It's the mission of Fierce Church is to develop prevailing followers of Jesus Christ to walk with him step by step. That step by step is so important. These steps are things all Christians should keep doing." [01:04]
2. "When we hear the word church, it's important to understand that that word literally means the called out ones by God or the assembly. There's one church with many expressions around the world. At Fierce, we're not doing it the best way. We're just doing it our way, the way that we see it demonstrated in the New Testament." [02:20]
3. "Biblical Christianity happens together. Think about this. When Jesus called his 12 apostles, it was a group. When he called the 70 to go into ministry, it was a group of 120 at Pentecost, praying and waiting for the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Then when Peter gets up and preaches, then there's 3,000." [04:57]
4. "Do-it-yourself Christianity, it tends to lead to pride. It tends to lead to the thing that, I mean, I've done this. I'll be fine on my own. I don't need anybody else. And it tends to make us think that other people don't have the ideas that I need and that I am the only one who can do it." [06:10]
5. "And they daily devoted themselves with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house. They were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity. How many know they didn't all just stop going to work? They didn't stop raising their kids. It was in the midst of all that happening." [13:57]
6. "God things take time. You've heard that good things take time. I would make the case to you also, God things most of the time take time. When God's trying to do something in our lives, it's going to take longer than we wish." [17:40]
7. "We're walking one another to our true home. And from time to time, just like the apostle said, remember he said, so encourage each other with these words. As we're walking home, we need to remind each other, hey, by the way, I know you know this, but just to remind you, we ain't staying here." [23:06]
8. "When Jesus comes, Jesus is going to bring all your friends. He's going to bring all the God followers who have ever lived, and they're coming back, but they're coming back in a confrontive way. They're going to confront death. They're going to confront our spiritual enemy, and they're Jesus is going to say, these are mine." [19:15]
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