Community: The Church (Alternate)

Introduction

Welcome

Invitation to ask questions

Introduce series: Life Together

We’ve been looking at some different aspects of what it means to live in community

Two weeks ago: Travis shared on why community is difficult and how we are to overcome some of these difficulties by the grace of God

Last week: I shared on the building blocks of community: Friendship

What makes a community special is not the fact that we all gather in the same space but that we all have unique relationships with each other

And this week we are taking a step back to look at the bigger picture: The Church

This is our community

What we think of the Church is extremely important

What does the Bible have to say about the Church?

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 2:17–22 (CSB)

He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.

We are Saved to a Community

We tend to have a shortened or incomplete gospel in our day and age

Jesus died so that my sins can be forgiven

But the gospel doesn’t end there

We have to ask:

What am I saved from?

What am I saved for?

We are saved from:

Judgement, wrath, hell

We are saved for:

Heaven… but not only heaven

A living relationship with God

Eternal life - beginning now

A community of believers here and now

Listen to Paul in Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:17–22 (CSB)

He came and proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.

A result of the gospel is becoming a member of God’s household

Being a part of the Church is actually a benefit we receive from the Gospel

So how could that be?

To understand this we have to understand what the Church is supposed to be

And the Bible tells us

The Church is not a building

The Church is not just a meeting a bunch of Christians have on a weekly basis

But the Church is a community of people

You, me, your friends, your parents

Here, throughout OC, California, USA, and the World

From this generation going into the future

And all the way into the past for over 2000 years

The Church is a community of God’s people

But what we do here Sundays is something special…

Its a place and time where we all gather

To be built up

And to be sent out

So this morning I’ll spend some time talking about both of these

Built Up

Ephesians 4:11–13 (CSB)

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

The Church is a place we all gather to be built up in Christ

We all spend the week in our daily lives

We face hardships and tragedies

We face temptation and sin

The Church is a place we go to, to build us up and strengthen us, week by week.

Paul says here that Jesus has given us gifted people to build us up:

Ephesians 4:11–12 (CSB)

And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ

Apostles

Sent Ones

Prophets

Speaking God’s Word

Encouraging Faithfulness to God

Evangelists

Storytellers—Sharing the story of Jesus

Calling people to believe the gospel

Pastors (Shepherds)

Shepherd and point us in the right direction

Teachers

Teach us the truth of Scripture/God

But notice: God gives us these people:

Ephesians 4:12 (CSB)

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ

That the work of the ministry isn’t just for pastors and people who work at churches

But all of you

Our goal here is to build you up and equip you to be able to do the work of ministry in your own schools, sports teams, jobs, families.

So what does this look like:

Caring for you

Healing broken-hearts

Encouraging the discouraged

So that you might care for others

Teaching you

Showing you the truth of who God is

Teaching you what God’s word says

And how we should live accordingly

So that you can teach others

Building community

Fostering what a Jesus following community looks like

Healthy relationships

Love, forgiveness, care, respect

So that you might invite others into this community

All of this so that you might grow in your walk with Jesus

That you would continue to grow as a mature Christian

And this doesn’t just happen naturally

We need a community of Jesus followers around us to keep us on track

But it doesn’t end there…

You are built up here to be sent out

Sent Out

2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB)

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”

Matthew 5:14–16 CSB

“You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

You are uniquely wired and gifted

You are uniquely placed

Conclusion