How We Live

Missional Community in Everyday Life

Vision Series — Week 3 September 27, 2026 Primary texts: Hebrews 10:19–25; 1 Peter 2:9–10 Big idea: Because Jesus has made us his people, we gather to receive his grace, strengthen one another, and show his goodness in everyday life.

Congregational refrain: Jesus makes us a people.

Introduction: Can One Brick Build a House?

[Hold up one LEGO brick.]

Children, I need your help this morning.

What is this?

It is a LEGO brick.

Can this one brick become a whole house by itself?

No. It might be a very important brick. It might be bright, strong, and perfectly shaped. But one brick by itself cannot become a house.

[Hold up the completed LEGO structure.]

For this to be built, many bricks have to be joined together. They are different colours, shapes, and sizes. Some are easy to see. Others are hidden inside. But every brick has a place.

The Bible uses a picture like this to describe the church. Just before today’s passage, Peter calls Christians “living stones.” God takes people who were separated and joins them together into a spiritual house.

That brings us to the third question in our vision series.

In Week 1, we asked, “Who are we?”

We are disciples of Jesus who make disciples of Jesus.

In Week 2, we asked, “What do we do?”

We bring the gospel into every relationship, neighbourhood, and sphere of life.

Today, we ask, “How do we live?”

The answer is: We live as a missional community in everyday life.

That phrase has two important words.

Community means that Jesus has joined us to one another. We do not follow him alone.

Missional means that Jesus has placed us among our neighbours so that they can see and hear his good news through us.

Christian community is not merely a group of friends who enjoy the same things. It is a people created by Jesus, gathered around Jesus, and sent to make Jesus known.

Here is our big idea:

Because Jesus has made us his people, we gather to receive his grace, strengthen one another, and show his goodness in everyday life.

I want to teach you a sentence this morning. Whenever I say, “We were alone,” I want everyone, especially the children, to answer:

“Jesus makes us a people!”

Let us try it.

Preacher: We were alone.

Congregation: Jesus makes us a people!

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 10:19–25

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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.

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 marvellous 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.

1. Jesus Brings Us Near to God

Hebrews begins with what Jesus has done:

“We have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.”

To understand that sentence, we need to remember the Old Testament temple.

The temple taught God’s people two truths at the same time.

First, God is holy and desires to dwell among his people.

Second, sinful people cannot casually enter the presence of a holy God.

A curtain separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple. Only the high priest could enter, only once each year, and only with sacrificial blood.

The curtain said, “God is here, but sin has separated you from him.”

Then Jesus came.

Jesus is the true and final High Priest. But he did not enter God’s presence carrying the blood of an animal. He gave his own blood.

At the cross, Jesus carried our guilt.

He received the judgment our sins deserved.

He satisfied God’s justice.

He removed the barrier between God and his people.

When Jesus died, the curtain in the temple was torn from top to bottom. Through the blood of Jesus, everyone who trusts him may draw near to God.

That is where Christian community begins.

The church does not begin with people deciding that they like one another.

The church begins with Jesus bringing sinners near to God.

We do not create the church through our friendliness, organization, or shared interests. Jesus creates his church through his Word and Spirit.

The Heidelberg Catechism expresses this Reformed conviction beautifully: the Son of God gathers, protects, and preserves a church for himself by his Spirit and Word.

The church belongs to Jesus.

He purchased it with his blood.

He gathers it through the gospel.

He rules it through his Word.

He sustains it by his Spirit.

Grace changes the way we see one another

If I believe I entered God’s family because I was better than other people, I will become proud.

If I believe I earned my place, I will look down on those who appear weaker.

But if I know that I entered only through the blood of Jesus, there is no room for pride.

The person beside me came through the same blood.

The child in front of me came through the same mercy.

The senior behind me came through the same grace.

The believer whose culture, personality, preferences, or history differ from mine came through the same Saviour.

At the foot of the cross, no one can say, “I deserve to be here more than you.”

We are all sinners saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

Our community is not built on our natural similarity. It is built on our common Saviour.

Preacher: We were far from God.

Congregation: Jesus makes us a people!

2. Jesus Gives Us a New Identity

Peter writes to Christians who were scattered and often treated as outsiders.

He reminds them who they are:

“You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession.”

These titles originally described Israel, God’s covenant people. Peter now applies them to everyone united to Christ.

This does not mean the church has replaced Israel because Israel failed and the church succeeded. The church exists because the promised Messiah of Israel has come. Through union with Christ, believing Jews and Gentiles are gathered into one covenant people.

Our identity rests in God’s gracious choice and Christ’s finished work.

Peter does not say, “If you work hard enough, perhaps you can become God’s people.”

He says:

“Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people.”

God has acted.

God has shown mercy.

God has given us a new identity.

Children, you might sometimes feel that the most important thing about you is whether you are good at school, good at sports, funny, popular, or talented.

Adults may build their identity on their careers, families, accomplishments, money, or reputation.

But if you belong to Jesus, the most important thing about you is something God has done.

You belong to him.

You have received mercy.

You are part of his people.

A family we receive

We often choose our friends, but we do not usually choose our brothers and sisters.

God gives us a church family.

That family contains people we naturally enjoy and people we find difficult. It includes those who encourage us and those who require patience from us.

That is not a mistake in God’s plan.

God uses the differences, weaknesses, and even occasional frustrations within the church to make us more like Jesus.

If church only included people who agreed with us about everything, enjoyed everything we enjoyed, and never inconvenienced us, we might feel comfortable—but we would not necessarily grow in love.

Christian love becomes visible when we remain committed even when relationships become difficult.

It forgives.

It carries burdens.

It speaks truth with gentleness.

It refuses gossip.

It welcomes the lonely.

It notices the overlooked.

It honours the elderly.

It makes room for children.

It bears patiently with weakness.

LEGO illustration

[Hold up the loose brick again.]

One LEGO brick can look clean and impressive by itself. Once it joins the structure, another brick might sit on top of it. It might not be visible anymore. It may have to support pieces that look completely different.

But that is how a house is built.

The church is not a display case where individual bricks compete to be admired. God is building us together into a dwelling place for his presence.

Some members preach.

Some teach children.

Some prepare food.

Some visit the lonely.

Some pray quietly.

Some serve where almost no one sees them.

Some are young and full of energy.

Some have walked with Jesus for many decades.

Every gift comes from God, and every member belongs to the body.

The Westminster Confession teaches that those who are united to Christ are also united to one another. Therefore, we share in each other’s gifts and graces and seek one another’s spiritual and practical good.

Union with Christ produces communion with his people.

Preacher: Once we were not a people.

Congregation: Jesus makes us a people!

3. Jesus Keeps Us Through One Another

Hebrews says:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”

Notice the reason we can hold fast:

“He who promised is faithful.”

Our confidence rests in God’s faithfulness, not the strength of our grip.

The Reformed faith teaches the perseverance of the saints. God preserves everyone he has truly united to Christ. Jesus does not save his people temporarily and then abandon them. The Shepherd keeps his sheep.

But how does God ordinarily preserve his people?

He uses means.

He gives us his Word.

He gives us prayer.

He gives us baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

He gives us pastors and elders.

And he gives us one another.

God does not preserve us by encouraging us to live as isolated Christians. He keeps us within the life of his covenant community.

The God who ordains the end also ordains the means. He plans to keep his people, and one of the ways he keeps them is through the encouragement of the church.

Video Illustration: The Penguin Huddle

Before showing the video, say:

“Children, watch what happens when one penguin faces the cold alone and what happens when the penguins move together. Pay attention to how they make room for one another.”

[Show a short excerpt from the official BBC Earth video: How Does Huddling Help Penguins Stay Warm?.]

After the video, ask:

What would happen if every penguin said, “I do not need the others”?

Why do the penguins keep changing places?

What happens to those on the outside when they move toward the centre?

The centre of a penguin huddle can become dramatically warmer because the penguins remain close and continually change positions so that the same animals are not always exposed to the cold. BBC Earth

The church is not a penguin huddle, of course. We have something far greater than shared body heat. Christ is among us by his Spirit.

But the picture helps us remember something.

Life in a fallen world can become very cold.

Suffering comes.

Temptation comes.

Discouragement comes.

Doubt comes.

If we isolate ourselves, those pressures can become much harder to withstand.

God gives us his people so that we can help one another remain warm in faith, hope, and love.

Sometimes you will be strong enough to encourage someone else.

Sometimes you will be the one who needs encouragement.

Sometimes you will stand near the edge to protect someone who is struggling.

Sometimes the community will surround you.

That is why Hebrews says:

“Encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

We gather because Christ has promised to keep his people and has chosen to use his people in that work.

Preacher: When life becomes cold—

Congregation: Jesus makes us a people!

4. Christian Community Requires Intention

Hebrews gives us a surprising command:

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.”

The word “consider” means we must give careful thought to one another.

Christian community does not happen merely because people occupy the same room.

We can attend the same service, sit in the same row, and leave without knowing what anyone else is carrying.

Hebrews does not simply say, “Be present in the building.”

It says, “Consider one another.”

Think about one another.

Pay attention.

Ask questions.

Learn names.

Notice absences.

Remember needs.

Think about what might help another person love Jesus and serve others.

A question for the children

Children, suppose someone new comes into the room and does not know anyone.

What could you do?

You could smile.

You could introduce yourself.

You could invite them to sit with you.

You could show them where things are.

You could include them in your game.

You do not have to wait until you are an adult to help build Christian community.

You are part of the church now.

Adults, children learn what the church is by watching us.

If they see adults rushing past one another, speaking only to close friends, or leaving needs unnoticed, they will learn that church is a weekly event.

But if they see us welcome strangers, pray together, confess sin, forgive offences, share meals, and care for those who suffer, they will learn that the church is a family formed by grace.

“Stir up” does not mean “stir trouble”

Children may know what it means when someone “stirs up trouble.” That is not what Hebrews means.

The word carries the idea of provoking a response.

When you stir hot chocolate, everything that has settled at the bottom begins moving.

God calls us to get love and good works moving in one another’s lives.

A simple question can do that:

“How are you really doing?”

A Scripture can do that:

“God has promised never to leave you.”

An invitation can do that:

“Would you like to eat with us?”

A challenge can do that:

“You have been given a gift. How might you use it?”

An offer can do that:

“I will go with you.”

Christian encouragement does more than make people feel better. It helps them trust and obey Jesus.

5. Gathering Is a Gift, Not a Burden

Hebrews continues:

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some…”

God commands his people to gather.

But this command should not sound like God saying, “Attend a meeting so I can mark your name on a list.”

God calls us to gather because he intends to give us something.

In the gathered church, God serves us through the ordinary means of grace.

He speaks through his Word.

He hears the prayers of his people.

He strengthens faith through baptism and the Lord’s Supper.

He places us under the loving care of shepherds.

He joins our voices in praise.

He gives us brothers and sisters who encourage us.

The weekly gathering is not valuable because everyone is always entertaining, the music always matches our preference, or every sermon feels immediately relevant.

It is valuable because Christ has promised to meet and nourish his people through the means he appointed.

6. We Are Gathered and Sent

Peter tells us why God made us his people:

“That you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”

God gathers us, and then he sends us.

Christian community is not a holy huddle that keeps everyone else out.

It is a people whose shared life displays the goodness of God.

This connects Week 3 to the rest of our vision.

We are disciples who make disciples.

We pursue gospel saturation.

We live as missional communities.

And we go from Brampton to the world.

Our life together supports our witness.

When neighbours see Christians from different generations and cultures loving one another, they see evidence of the reconciling power of Jesus.

When they see us forgive, they receive a picture of grace.

When they see us welcome the lonely, they receive a picture of God’s hospitality.

When they see us share with those in need, they receive a picture of God’s generosity.

When they see us remain with suffering people, they receive a picture of God’s faithfulness.

Then, with our words, we explain the source of that life:

Jesus called us out of darkness.

Jesus showed us mercy.

Jesus made us his people.

Community throughout the week

Missional community cannot be limited to Sunday morning.

It enters everyday life.

It can look like:

Families eating together and making room for a neighbour

Older believers encouraging younger believers

Children praying for classmates

Teenagers reading Scripture together

Small groups caring for a struggling family

Church members serving their neighbourhood

Believers sharing their faith at work with wisdom and courage

People celebrating birthdays, grieving losses, and carrying burdens together

Christians opening their homes to those who are curious about Jesus

This does not require every person to attend an event every night.

Healthy community respects seasons, responsibilities, and limitations.

But it does require intentionality.

We have to make room in our calendars, homes, conversations, and hearts.

Hospitality will sometimes be inconvenient.

Forgiveness will sometimes be costly.

Bearing burdens will sometimes be heavy.

Remaining committed will sometimes test our patience.

But Jesus did not love us only when it was convenient.

He gave himself for us.

Our love for one another flows from his love for us.

7. Mercy Is the Foundation

Peter finishes with these words:

“Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

That is the foundation of everything.

The church is not a community of people who have successfully fixed themselves.

It is a community of people who have received mercy.

We have sinned against God.

We have failed to love him and one another.

We have often been selfish, impatient, proud, and unforgiving.

But Jesus took our sin to the cross.

He bore God’s judgment in our place.

He rose from the grave.

Through faith, we are united to him.

His righteousness becomes ours.

His Father becomes our Father.

His people become our people.

That is why we can draw near to God.

That is why we can hold fast to hope.

That is why we can forgive.

That is why we can welcome people who are different from us.

That is why we can admit weakness.

That is why we can remain when relationships become difficult.

We have received mercy.

Preacher: Once we had not received mercy.

Congregation: Jesus makes us a people!

Application: Four Practices for This Week

1. Gather

Make the gathered worship of God’s people a priority.

Come expecting God to serve you through his appointed means of grace. Come ready to serve someone else.

2. Notice

Look beyond your usual circle.

Learn one new name. Notice who is alone, absent, discouraged, or carrying a burden.

Children can do this too.

3. Encourage

Choose one person and encourage that person deliberately.

Send a message. Share a Scripture. Pray together. Express gratitude. Offer practical help.

4. Make Room

Open a space in your everyday life.

Invite someone for a meal, coffee, a walk, family activity, or time in Scripture.

Community grows when we make room for one another.

Conclusion: Living Stones

[Hold up the single LEGO brick and the completed structure.]

Which of these pictures does God intend his church to resemble?

God does not leave us as scattered bricks.

Jesus gathers us.

Jesus cleanses us.

Jesus joins us.

Jesus builds us.

Jesus preserves us.

Jesus sends us.

The church is not ultimately our project. It is Christ’s people, purchased by Christ’s blood and sustained by Christ’s Spirit.

Our hope does not rest in our ability to create perfect community. There is no perfect local church because every local church contains sinners.

Our hope rests in a perfect Saviour.

He is patient with us.

He forgives us.

He teaches us to forgive.

He is building his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

So let us draw near to God.

Let us hold fast to our hope.

Let us consider one another.

Let us gather faithfully.

Let us encourage one another.

And let us proclaim the goodness of the one who called us out of darkness into his marvellous light.

Preacher: We were alone.

Congregation: Jesus makes us a people!

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing us near to God through your blood.

We praise you because you do not save us and leave us alone. You gather, protect, and preserve a people for yourself through your Word and Spirit.

Forgive us for treating the church as an event to attend rather than a people to love. Forgive us for remaining inside comfortable circles, neglecting those who are lonely, and refusing the inconvenience of carrying one another’s burdens.

Teach us to draw near to you with confidence.

Help us hold firmly to our hope because you are faithful.

Open our eyes to see those who need encouragement. Give us humility to receive help when we are weak. Make our homes places of hospitality and our conversations sources of grace.

Help the adults in our church love and disciple the children. Help our children know that they belong and that you can use them now.

Make our life together a visible testimony to the gospel. Let our neighbours see your mercy in the way we welcome, forgive, serve, and remain with one another.

Build us together as living stones into a spiritual house for your glory.

Amen.

Discussion Questions

Hebrews tells us to “consider” how to stir one another toward love and good works. Who in our church might need encouragement from you this week, and what specific action could you take?

What is one way our life together could more clearly show our neighbours that Jesus has called us out of darkness and made us his people?

Child-friendly versions

Who could you encourage or include this week?

What could our church family do that would help someone see how good Jesus is?

Transition to Communion

As we come to the Lord’s Table, we remember what made us a people.

Hebrews tells us that we draw near to God through the blood of Jesus.

We did not enter God’s family because we were good enough, strong enough, or deserving enough. We entered because Jesus gave his body and shed his blood for us.

At this table, we receive one bread and one cup because we belong to one Saviour and one body.

The Lord’s Supper is a sign of our communion with Christ, but it also reminds us of our communion with one another. We do not come as isolated individuals. We come as members of Christ’s body.

Before we eat and drink, let us examine ourselves.

Have we been neglecting the community Christ purchased with his blood?

Are we holding bitterness against a brother or sister?

Have we ignored someone who needed encouragement?

Have we refused to receive help because of pride?

Let us confess our sins and receive again the mercy of Jesus.

This table is not for people who have created perfect community. It is for repentant sinners who trust the perfect Saviour.

Jesus gathers us.

Jesus cleanses us.

Jesus feeds us.

Jesus keeps us.

And Jesus sends us together to proclaim his goodness.

On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said:

“This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

In the same way, he took the cup and said:

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

The body of Christ, given for you.

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

Reformed Theological Anchors for the Preacher

The church is Christ’s work: The Son of God gathers, protects, and preserves his church through his Spirit and Word. See Heidelberg Catechism, Question 54.

Union creates communion: Those united to Christ are united to one another and share in one another’s gifts and graces. See Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 26.

Believers join and build up the visible church: Christians do not remain content by themselves but unite with the church and use their gifts to build one another up. See Belgic Confession, Article 28.

God preserves his people through appointed means: The sermon emphasizes the Word, prayer, sacraments, pastoral care, and mutual encouragement without suggesting that community itself saves.

Gospel order: God’s grace creates the community before God’s commands direct the community. The imperatives of Hebrews 10 flow from Christ’s completed priestly work.