On Christian Community

Big Idea

Tension: How should Christians pursue friendship and community both with other Christians and non Christians?

Resolution: As those who have been redeemed by the endlessly generous love of God.

Theological Idea: As those who have been redeemed by the endlessly generous love of God, Christians should pursue friendship and community.

Text: 1 John 4:7-12;

God’s Relationship with Us

God’s Nature (Love): From eternity past to eternity future, God’s very nature is endless generosity towards himself. (8)

God’s love is generous.

God’s love initiates. God loved us before we ever loved him (11).

God’s love is sacrificial. God shows his love for us in that he sent his Son to be the propitiation/sacrifice for our sins (10)

God’s love gives life. God shows his love in sending his Son so that we might have life (vs. 9)

God’s love is relational (vs. 7, 12). It comes from abiding, knowing.

God’s love is communal. God does not just want to love us, he wants us to love us loving others.

Before we turn to apply these five ways, I think we should just say this, if you don’t know this love of God for yourself, then sharing it with others will be impossible.

Our Relationship with Others

With believers we should be generous with God’s love. The fact of the matter is that most people are selfish in regards to their relationships with others.

Initiate relationships with others (vs. 11)

Be sacrificial (vs. 10). Being the kind of person who has good relationships means that you will have to endure loss.

Do things that give life to others. (vs. 9)

Good relationships have an enduring quality.

Good relationships are communal. If you are not involved in a church, you will be a bad friend. If your friendships are not about pushing people to relationships like church and marriage and family, then your relationships will always be lackluster.

Hannah’s parents becoming grandparents.

Do not build deep relationships with others who aren’t willing to be this kind of friend to you.

With unbelievers we should be generous with God’s love.

Initiate relationships with others.

Be sacrificial.

Do things that give them life. This is both word and deed.

Don’t give up on them.

Bring them into community.