The Gospel of Christian Community

There is a need in us that not even God can fill.

Every human being is born into a family; therefore, interpersonal relationships, are embedded in our human nature and a part of God's purpose for humanity.

Our western society will have us believe that…

We are self-reliant and self-sufficient It’ okay to be distant It’s okay to isolate “This results in psychological/emotional suffering” It’s okay to be superficial We don’t need people We are better off being independent

Genesis 2:18 “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

God has created humanity with two longings, a longing for God and a longing fo people. Adam was in a perfect relationship with his creator; however, he was still alone. A relationship with God only satisfies one of two innate needs. It is an authentic connection with humans that satisfies our aloneness and the need for companionship; not even animals can fulfill a sense of aloneness. Many of us are doing life alone! This is not good!

Why do people isolate?

Fear of intimacy due to vulnerability (exposing of weakness). Selfishness breeds isolation due to one’s reluctance to share (possessions, money, time, family). Depression and anxiety often result in isolation. Fear of rejection (race, political beliefs, education, lifestyle, past mistakes, economic status). Past trauma and previously failed relationships (lack of trust).

Researchers found that…

The most isolated people are 3x more likely to die than those with strong relationship connections. The research even assessed for people who smoked, used alcohol, and who were obese.

According to Dr. Henry Cloud, “The ability to love and connect with others lays the foundation for both psychological and physical health.” Disrupted sleep patterns, increase in stress hormones, accelerated cognitive decline, impaired immune response heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

John 21:17 “The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.”

Love toward Christ is displayed through our care for one another. Our love towards Christ involves relationship with others. Sheep are rarely attacked in herds, they are attacked in insolation. Brotherly love protects us from sin, satan, and spiritual danger.

God’s very nature is interpersonal.

God's nature gives us a glimpse into the necessity of interpersonal relationship. Genesis 1:26, “And God said let Us make man in our image, after our likeness.” Genesis 3:22, “And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of US, knowing good and evil. Genesis 11:7, “Come let US go down and confuse their language…” Isaiah 6:8 “Whom shall I send, and who will go for US?”

Matthew 4:16-17,

Matthew gives us a clear distinction of the three personalities of God. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are all recognized after the baptism of Jesus.

John 17:5 “And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

In pre-creation, the personality of Jesus was distinct from God but one with God. What was God doing prior to creation? He was existing in an eternal relationship with Himself, in a state of divine glory, love, and joy.

God is interpersonal, and He made us for interpersonal connection (with God and man). Therefore, living life alone does not accurately reflect the image go God.

When someone is facing death, their conversation and request often reveals their deepest passions, hope, and dreams. This was certainly true for Jesus in His final hours.

Jesus’ 3 prayers in one:

He prays for Himself (Verses 1-4) He prays for His disciples (Verses 6-19) He prays for future believers (Us) (Verses 20-26)

John 17:20-21 "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

The oneness Jesus desires is the same oneness He experiences with God the Father. “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you” Not only that, He also wants to include us into the oneness with Him and God the Father. “May they also be in us” The purpose for this divine unity is for the world to believe that God sent Jesus. The world’s belief in Jesus and our behavior are interconnected. “so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Our unity is a witness of God’s love and a testimony of Jesus’ divinity.

Our unity goes beyond the vineyard church, Arizona, and the United States (it’s for all believers). Union with God is only possible when we are in union with each other.

What does divine unity look like?

Encouragement (Matthew 3:17 And a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.") Submitting to one another (John 6:38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 1 Cor. 11:3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.) Supportive and collaborative work together (John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.) Love, empowerment and generosity (John 3:35 The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.) Diversity - The Trinity is Devine diversity. God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit all have different roles and personalities.

John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Our relationship with Jesus is expressed in our love for each other. The command to love was not new; however, our way of showing love is new (serving the undeserving [Peter denied, Judas betrayed, and all abandoned]). Christian love is maintained by our personal experience with Christ (washing feet, reflecting what Jesus has done for us). Francis Schaffer – “Our relationship with each other is the criterion the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful—Christian community is the final apologetic.” How will the world judge us as followers of Jesus (worship, bible study, prayer)? Love for one another. Our fellowship should create a thirst and hunger in a watching world.

Object Lesson: 11 Volunteers

Acts 2:38-41 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

“I want Jesus but not His church.”

Jesus had to endure the cross before He received his crown. The church is our cross to endure. The reality is the church is offensive, though we expect it not to be. While in a hospital, we expect to be around sick people. In the church we should expect to be around sinners. Who did Jesus keep company with…? Drunks, prostitutes, murderers, deceivers, and sinners; all who will eventually make up the church.

We can’t have Christ and reject His bride.

The church is a crucible which God uses to perfect us.