5 Belong to the Community of Faith
Live the Jesus Life! • Sermon • Submitted
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· 10 viewsBig Idea: The church is people in fellowship with Jesus Christ and each other.
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Introduction
Introduction
8 Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Core Values of the BIC – moving from salvation and foundation in Word, through worship and discipleship = following Jesus. Now also finding our identity as a member of the body of Christ.
10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Core Value 5 – Belong to the Community of Faith
We value integrity in relationships and mutual accountability in an atmosphere of grace, love, and acceptance.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Talk about community and community of faith
Community is the place where the person you least want to live with always lives. Often we surround ourselves with the people we most want to live with, thus forming a club or a clique, not a community. Anyone can form a club; it takes grace, shared vision, and hard work to form a community. Henri Nouwen
7 Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
The Church As the People of God
The Church As the People of God
14 My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
The Church As the People of God
10 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction.
(and the people of God as the Church)
13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
Priority of people over place, relationships over locations.
19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that you are a prophet.
20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Samaria or Jerusalem
Samaria or Jerusalem
32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
:32Ephesians 5:21
Same as saying Mt. Rock or Mongul or Grand Point or Prince Street. No.
21 submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
Ephesians 5:21
21 Jesus told her, “Believe me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
,
John 4:23-24
23 But an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship him.
24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and in truth.”
Not on this mountain or another. Not this place or that. Spirit and truth. Father wants such people to worship Him.
Not on this mountain or another. Not this place or that. Spirit and truth. Father wants such people to worship Him.
13 bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.
Worshipers – not place oriented but people oriented.
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
4 As you come to him, a living stone—rejected by people but chosen and honored by God—
5 you yourselves, as living stones, a spiritual house, are being built to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
, so actually We are the temple. Each a stone, we all make up the temple.
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
1 Peter 2:9-10 so actually We are the temple. Each a stone, we all make up the temple.
8 Finally, all of you be like-minded and sympathetic, love one another, and be compassionate and humble,
so actually We are the temple. Each a stone, we all make up the temple.
Coming together for what purpose? Five main functions – we see these reflected in the core values
5 In the same way, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Worship, Fellowship, Discipleship, Ministry, Mission – reflected also in our leadership structure.
7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
The Church As Fellowship
The Church As Fellowship
Belong to a community of faith.
Belong to a community of faith.
Read from Bible
Belong to a community of faith.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
44 Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
45 They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
46 Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Belong to a community of faith.
Acts 2:To teaching = discipleship/spiritual development
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
To teaching = discipleship/spiritual development
To teaching = discipleship/spiritual development
to fellowship = relationship building together
breaking of bread = observing Christ’s death or continued fellowship by eating together
prayers = ministry,
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
awe = wonder, reverence, respect = worship
awe = wonder, reverence, respect = worship
Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as any had need.
ministry = together, all in common = new family, close relationship by Holy Spirit. Shared freely.
ministry = together, all in common = new family, close relationship by Holy Spirit. Shared freely.
ministry = together, all in common = new family, close relationship by Holy Spirit. Shared freely.
Example of Indonesian and Papuan cultures – egalitarian, their social security was going to the neighbor and asking for help, knowing that the neighbor can also come to them for help.
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,
Acts 4:46
Met daily for worship and discipleship, ate together in homes.
Met daily for worship and discipleship, ate together in homes.
praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Every day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Mission = Continued to grow – adding all those who were being delivered/rescued. That growth is added from the Lord. The Holy Spirit working through active and faithful Christ followers.
Mission = Continued to grow – adding all those who were being delivered/rescued. That growth is added from the Lord. The Holy Spirit working through active and faithful Christ followers.
Integrity in relationships
The New Testament is full of “One Anothers” giving us instruction in how to live with each other.
Do not owe anyone anything, except to love one another, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Therefore accept one another, just as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
My brothers and sisters, I myself am convinced about you that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another.
For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.
submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.
bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
Mutual accountability
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother.
16 But if he won’t listen, take one or two others with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established.
17 If he doesn’t pay attention to them, tell the church. If he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like a Gentile and a tax collector to you.
18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.
19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”
So frustrating that this is often called church discipline. Addressing a fault, forcing correction by taking it as far as viewing the offender as lowly filth, putting them out of the church if necessary.
No.
The whole chapter is about restoring what is lost. Forgiving and restoring a brother. See message from Parables, 17 Forgiveness in the Family.
Short recap of this to say, not about discipline so much as forgiving and helping spiritual development.
Another “One Another”
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.
So frustrating that this is often called church discipline. Addressing a fault, forcing correction by taking it as far as viewing the offender as lowly filth, putting them out of the church if necessary.
Our relationships as witness
No.
The whole chapter is about restoring what is lost. Forgiving and restoring a brother. See message from Parables, 17 Forgiveness in the Family.
Short recap of this to say, not about discipline so much as forgiving and helping spiritual development.
Our relationships as witness
23 I am in them and you are in me, so that they may be made completely one, that the world may know you have sent me and have loved them as you have loved me.
Jesus prayed for His followers, both the apostles and all to come. Us included.
Jesus prayed for His followers, both the apostles and all to come. Us included.
Jesus prayed for unity among His followers. Through the unity of His Spirit living in each of us we are completely united as one body and the rest of the world observes and desires.
The Church As the Body of Christ
The Church As the Body of Christ
Read in the Bible
1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
3 making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
7 Now grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.
8 For it says: When he ascended on high, he took the captives captive; he gave gifts to people.
9 But what does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower parts of the earth?
10 The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, to fill all things.
11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,
12 equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,
13 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.
14 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit.
15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.
16 From him the whole body, fitted and knit together by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth of the body for building up itself in love by the proper working of each individual part.
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Unity (by the gifts of the Spirit), humility, gentleness (not harsh), patience, understanding, compassion. Peace.
Unity (by the gifts of the Spirit), humility, gentleness (not harsh), patience, understanding, compassion. Peace.
Unity (by the gifts of the Spirit), humility, gentleness (not harsh), patience, understanding, compassion. Peace.
There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all.
One body (church) Spirit (life) hope (future) Lord (Jesus) faith (salvation in Christ) baptism (identity in Christ) God/Father (power and purpose)
One body (church) Spirit (life) hope (future) Lord (Jesus) faith (salvation in Christ) baptism (identity in Christ) God/Father (power and purpose)
And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, equipping the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,
Ephesians 4:Gifts to the body in leadership = apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers. To build up the body, equip for service.
Gifts to the body in leadership = apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, teachers. To build up the body, equip for service.
Atmosphere of grace, love, acceptance
12 = all together as body of Christ and gifts of Spirit to the body, 14 = gifts of Spirit
C.13 is sandwiched between these two concepts, but more importantly with these two statements. 12:31 earnestly desire the higher gifts. 14:1 earnestly desire the spiritual gifts.
But even between those two statements – 12:31 … and I will show you a still more excellent way. 14:1 pursue love …
Love = the higher way than gifts. Not replacement, but more important. Love, compassion, heartfelt service.
13 Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.
faith, hope, love. Faith = believe and trust Jesus. Hope = future secure. Greatest is Love.
faith, hope, love. Faith = believe and trust Jesus. Hope = future secure. Greatest is Love.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Witness of relationships: as we express compassion, integrity, accountability, love in our relationships with each other, and as we relate to the world around us, God’s nature and character come through. We are the living word to others.
When it comes to inviting people to church, people are rarely drawn to a place or an activity. They are not drawn to pretenders who act like they have their act together. All of that is strange to them. What people are drawn to is authentic people who display real relationship, real community, real care, real help, and real transformation.
The world does not need to go to church. The world does not need to join a religious club. The world does not need a set of rules to follow. The world needs Jesus. The Kingdom is near. We are the Kingdom. We are the living Word. We are the reflection of God’s glory. The world needs Jesus and needs to see Jesus in us.
Big Idea: The church is people in fellowship with Jesus Christ and each other.
Big Idea: The church is people in fellowship with Jesus Christ and each other.
The Church is a people. Meaning it is about the souls making up the body, not about a building or place. So, we can’t “go to church” we can only be the church. The distinction is important.
Broken people make up the church. People who recognize their brokenness and lay it before Jesus. People who are willing to be vulnerable about their broken areas and encourage each other, pray for each other, support each other.
What About You?
What About You?
Do you follow cultural Christianity = Churchianity where you play church, or true Christianity where you be the church?
What is your perspective on church? Do you focus on a place or on people?
What aspect of church do you attempt to protect? The buildings and your rights to the space, or the relationships among the community?
What do you value most? Specific programs and traditions, or rescued and transformed souls?
IDEA: Have people stand and do two intentional acts of submission.
Open hands – Father, thank you for this beautiful facility. Forgive us for being too focused on the facility and programs. This all belongs to you for your glory and to build your Kingdom. Show us what you want us to do with it.
Hands on shoulder of people on left and right – Father, thank you for this community of faith. Please forgive us for our lack of humility and love. Please help us to be your church, glorify you, and build your Kingdom together.