Together: The Church is a Christ-Centered Community (Session 1)

Together: Sermons on the Church  •  Sermon  •  Submitted
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Youth Camp for FBC Vancleave, MS & FBC Yazoo City, MS

Notes
Transcript
Intro Questions:
What does it mean to be together?
What are some things “go together?”
What are some ideas or things that brings us together?
Togetherness is an interesting concept, isn’t it? When we think of being together, we think of certain ties that bind us. Maybe we think of our family. Or our friends. Maybe we think of our team or squad. We tend to think of together in terms of the groups of people we enjoy being a part of.
The opposite of being together is being apart. Much of the pain or discomfort we feel in our lives results from separation entering into relationships that are supposed to be defined by togetherness. When marriages or friendships fall apart, we hurt. When we have division on our teams or in our groups, it hurts. Division where there is supposed to be togetherness always results in frustration.
Do you ever really stop to think about the togetherness you are called to have through your common love for God?
Over the next few sessions, both in large group and small group, we’re going to take a really good look at what it means to be together as a Church. If you have come to faith in Christ and this is your church home, this is the body of people God has called you to be a part. There is something really profound about this. It’s not an accident because that’s not how God works. It’s a big deal that this is the group of people God has called you to be a part of. And so we need to make sure we know what is expected of us. That’s what Together is all about.
As we begin we need to build the foundation of our togetherness in the church. You can find unity with other people around various ideas, purposes, goals, etc. There are many different reasons that people come together, but the reason the church comes together is Jesus Christ.
1. The Church is a Christ Centered Community
The church is unique in that it has Jesus Christ at its core. In fact, if you take Jesus out of the equation then you no longer have a church. But what then is a church?
Definitions of the church:
“The church is the regenerate people of God saved by the power of God for the purposes of God in this world.” - Jeff Vanderstelt
“The church, then, consists of those whom the Lord has called out of the world into union and fellowship with Christ and into communion with each other.” (https://www.ligonier.org/blog/what-church/)
“Without doubt, there is the one holy, universal, and apostolic church — “all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 1:2). But then there is the myriad of her local expressions spread out across different times and places.” J. Parnell
2. The Church is God’s Plan A, because Jesus and the cross are Plan A
You might think that because God started with Abraham and then Israel, that the church is Plan B or C in God’s work in the world. But, this is not the case. From the very beginning of time God’s plan was Jesus and the church.
1 Peter 1:20 (CSB) says that, “20 He (Jesus) was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was revealed in these last times for you.”
While it can be mind-boggling to wrap our minds around the sovereign plans of God, we can still trust the plans of God and believe that His plans are true.
Jesus is not the solution to the unforeseen brokenness of the world. No, Jesus is Plan A from the beginning of time.
(Quick side note if there is time on the relationship between God and time…)
The unfolding plans of God are encouraging and comforting. The fact that God’s plan predates the world and exceeds our full comprehension are a source of peace for the believer.
Romans 11:33–36 (CSB) reminds/teaches us that no man fully knows or understands the ways of God.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments and untraceable his ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? 35 And who has ever given to God, that he should be repaid?, 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen.”
But, God in HIs goodness, grace, and mercy has made His will known to us through revelation, and the final revelation is through His son Jesus Christ. Hebrews 1:1–2 (CSB) says, “Long ago God spoke to our ancestors by the prophets at different times and in different ways. In these last days, he has spoken to us by his Son. God has appointed him heir of all things and made the universe, through him.”
Jesus is Plan A, and so is the church.
The church is the fulfillment of the promises God made to His people in what we call the OT. In the same way that Jesus isn’t plan B because of sin, the church is plan B because of Israel’s rejection of Jesus.
The OT points us forward to Christ and the church
Abraham was told that he would be a blessing to all the nations.
Moses was told that Israel would bless the nations
David was told He would rule over all the nations
And Jesus is the fulfillment of every promise and covenant that God has made.
2 Corinthians 1:20 (CSB) says, “20 For every one of God’s promises is “Yes” in him. Therefore, through him we also say “Amen” to the glory of God.”
The NT brings clarity to the OT through Christ and the Cross
Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises God has made.
In Matthew 17:1–5 (CSB) we see that both the law and the prophets are summed up and fulfilled in Jesus.
“After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2 He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it’s good for us to be here. If you want, I will set up three shelters here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased. Listen to him!”
Jesus is the fulfillment of the law and Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises.
Neither Moses or Elijah saw the promises of God fulfilled. Moses died in the wilderness looking across the Jordan River at the promised land. Elijah was taken up by the Lord into heaven in a fiery chariot, but he never saw the people of God repent and follow the Lord.
But, we see that everything God was doing in the OT was aiming us toward Christ, and that through Christ everything God has said and done is brought into crystal clear clarity.
3. God saves us by faith in Jesus to Himself and into the Church
You are saved by faith in Jesus
Ephesians 2:8–9 (CSB)
For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.
Acts 4:12 (CSB)
12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.”
Righteousness is received, not achieved.
Romans 4:1–5 (CSB)
“What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? 2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness., 4 Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift, but as something owed. 5 But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.”
Righteousness is credited by God to you based on your faith in Him.
Righteousness is not determined by how clean your hands or your heart are.
Righteousness is the result of God’s justifying grace through your faith in the promises of Jesus Christ.
Though our works don’t earn us a better standing with God, our works do honor Him and bring glory to Him. Our obedience to the Word of Christ flows from our relationship with Christ, and we must strive to preserve this truth in our church and in our homes. We must be careful about condemning the good works of others, while at the same time remembering that those who are doing good works may very well be condemned.
The Pharisees missed Jesus because they didn’t see their need for a Savior. They were caught up in a earning their righteousness by their works, and instead earned their condemnation rather than receiving their salvation.
God saves you to Himself
When God saves you He redeems you and restores you to the relationship that Adam and Eve lost in the garden.
You are saved into the church
Ephesians 2:19–22 (CSB)
19 So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building, being put together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you are also being built together for God’s dwelling in the Spirit.
The church is a Christ-centered community made up of those who have been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. The church is together in Christ, and strives together for Christ. The church worships together, grows together, grieves together, and even goes together.
Application Questions:
1. Are you in the church or do you attend the gatherings of the church?
If you are in the church then you have faith in Christ. This means you have a relationship with the Savior Himself. If you are only attending the gatherings of the church than you have a relationship with the family of God, and you can be saved into the family of God if you will repent, believe, and follow Christ with your life.
You too can be transferred from the domain of darkness and sin to the kingdom of life and light. You can be transformed from death to life when you trust in Christ.
2. Is Christ at the center of your youth group?
What I mean is that if you took Jesus away, would your group continue to meet?
Commitment Opportunity:
1. Commit your life to Christ
2. Commit your youth group to Christ
This week is an incredible opportunity to make Christ the center of your life and the youth group. When this happens it shapes the relationships you have with the rest of the group. The goal of a Christ-centered youth group is Jesus. The purpose of a Christ-centered youth group is Jesus. The mission of the Christ-centered youth group is Jesus. But, the outcome of a Christ-centered youth group is Jesus as well.
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