Intentional Community
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Vision sermons. Values: Intentional Community, Joyful Generosity, Engaging Missions, Deploying Leaders. Focusing on Intentional Community. Discipleship groups. Currently 6 groups. I’ve been in groups for years.
Here’s what I’ve learned about groups: They’re hard, messy, but rewarding.
Need: We want to bolt when things get hard. Lasting community requires hard things. If nothing else, community is obedience to God.
Main Idea: Intentional community is rooted in obedience which brings glory to God
At the last supper. Feast of the Passover.
John 13:31-35
Truth #1: Intentional obedience brings glory to God (31-32)
Exp. We all agree that obedience is intentional. Judas was called out. The plan was put into motion. Verse 31. Jesus talks about glory. What is glory?
Glory = exultation. Could say honor or excellent reputation.
Just talked about betrayal. He will die. Jesus doesn’t mention he’ll die. He mentions glory. Bigger picture.
Ill. Making cookies. You ask what I’m doing. I could say, “I’m mixing eggs, flour, and baking soda.” Or I could say, “I’m making cookies.” I’m giving you the bigger picture. Jesus is giving a bigger picture.
Exp. Now, he reiterates with a cause and effect in verse 32. If God is exalted in the Son, then God will exalt the Son in himself. Not only is this the bigger picture, but it’s counter-intuitive. If he is to die, how is that exultation?
Jesus taught this = The first shall be last. The exalted will be humbled.
The cross is where we learn the most about the excellence and glory of God. Pinnacle of redemptive plan to defeat sin.
Christ - Sin plagued humanity from the Garden. Rebellion and disobedience attempted to take away the glory of God. Jesus is the expression of God’s glory. Why? His Obedience.
18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.
Christ - God is glorified because of his obedience, Jesus is glorified, and we are made righteous.
App. What do we do?
Obey the Father. You can do this because of Jesus.
Glorify him. Exalt him. Not yourself.
Truth #2: Intentional community is rooted in obedience (33-35)
Exp. This is the beginning of his farewell dialogue. Knowing he has moments left with his disciples. Verse 33. He will later say that he will come back and get them. Focused on the new commandment. Verse 34.
The new command is simple enough for a toddler to memorize and appreciate, and profound enough that the most mature believers are repeatedly embarrassed at how poorly they comprehend it and put it into practice. - D.A. Carson
Exp. Why is this a new commandment?
It’s source is Christ’s love for them.
It defines a community that is just beginning.
Exp. The outcome is important. Verse 35. He’s the source and that’s how others know we’re his. Evangelistic when others see it. Do you do it?
App. What must biblical community have?
Bear one another’s burdens. Bear burdens and share burdens.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Speak truth. Gracefully.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Ill. Relationships can’t thrive without truth. Robert’s phone call. “Tell me I’m being dumb.”
Tender hearts. Not to enable.
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
App. What do we do? Love one another as Christ as loved you.
Join a D-Group.
Experience the joy of community.
Christ - Jesus modeled this love for us. He is the source of it. We can only have this community because of his love for us.
Conclusion
As missional as we are, we have to remember that people will know we’re his by the way we are with each other. Let’s display that.
