STRONG COMMUNITIES COME FROM GOOD NEIGHBORS THAT ARE FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS

STRONG COMMUNITIES COME FROM GOOD NEIGHBORS THAT ARE FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS

We are called to be Good Neighbors that influence our communities. Jesus made that illustration in His parable on the Good Samaritan. (Luke 10:25-37)

[Main Point of Sermon]:

Because The Word of God teaches community, Christians are called to live with encouragement,  unity, and humility as they serve Jesus well.

I. A Community Rooted in The Encouragement of Christ

Phil. 2:1 “Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,”

Community begins with Christ, where encouragement, love, and fellowship are truly found.

Therefore, if community is to exist it must exist on the foundation of the gospel. The gospel shows us how to do community.

Community thrives when each believer looks to the encouragement of Christ.

Community flourishes when each believer looks to the love of Christ.

Community increases when each believer looks to fellowship with the Spirit.

Community prospers when each believer understands their need of mercy.

Therefore, let’s be a community that is rooted in the encouragement of Christ.

II. A Community Marked By The Unity of Christ

Phil. 2:2 “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

A community marked by unity will have joy.

Why?

“like minded” resemblance, unity, no division in direction.

“same love” Love same things.

“one accord” Harmony in the same way.

“one mind” Thinking the same thoughts.

Joy will never come from being divided. Division brings hostility, spiritual stagnation, weak evangelism, and quenching the Spirit.

Divisions fosters internal strife, causing emotional and relational strain, hindering spiritual growth, and causes the church to lose her credibility.

1 Cor. 1:10 “10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

When the church displays unity, they will be a community marked with joy.

When the church displays unity, they will be able to reach more people in the community by their accountability.

When the church displays unity, they will be a community that walks in the Way for the Lord’s glory.

Therefore, let’s be a community that is marked by the unity of Christ.

III. A Community That Lives In The Humility of Christ

Phil.  2:3-4 “3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

The root of division is often pride, but the remedy for pride is humility.

“in lowliness of mind”<humbleness, the implication is modesty, living ok with not being recognized or having your way.

How was the community of Philippian church to live humility?

1. Live free of pride. Verse 3a “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit”

a. Humility keeps our motives pointed to God’s glory not our own.

2. Live selflessly. Verse 3b “let each esteem others better than himself.”

a. Humility keeps our attention on Christlike living that values others.

3. Live focused on others also: Verse 4 “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”

a. Humility allows community to prosper because it meets needs of others.

John 13:12-15 “12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”

Therefore, let’s be a community that lives in the humility of Christ.

Challenge yourself with these questions?

1. Ask, “How can my faith in Christ make my community better this week?” Maybe it means speaking encouragement instead of criticism, or showing patience when others fall short.

2. Ask, “How can I do one unseen act of service in my community this week?—help a neighbor, send a note of encouragement, cook a meal—without seeking recognition.

3. Ask, “How can I help someone hurting in my community this week?” Identify one person in the community who might be struggling—someone lonely, sick, grieving, or in need—and commit to helping them this week.

A strong community is built on three pillars—

Encouragement rooted in Christ,

Marked by unity in Christ,

Living by humility in Christ.

John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

STRONG COMMUNITIES COME FROM GOOD NEIGHBORS THAT ARE FAITHFUL CHRISTIANS