Believe: We Belong to a Community of Hope

The first Sunday of Advent is a celebration of HOPE! No matter how hard things are in the world, there is Jesus! No matter how hard things are in the world, we have been blessed to be part of a wonderful community of HOPE, the church. In the study Believe: Living the Story of the Bible to Be Like Jesus, the declaration we explore this week is about that community of hope. I fellowship with Christians to accomplish God’s purposes in my life, in the lives of others, and in the world. The church. I love the church! This is God’s plan—He left US to fulfill His purposes for the Kingdom, and (with all its flaws—human, after all) God’s church is a wonderful thing. Acts 2:40-47 “And with many other words (Peter) testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” This is a wonderful picture of life in the 1st Century church, but it also describes that which is DIFFERENT from just another form of community. This is a spiritual community of HOPE intended to fulfill God’s purposes.

The Church & God’s purposes for me.

1st, that I know Him (doctrine, prayers) His Word…relationship.

2nd, that I grow in faith (koinonia, breaking of bread) accountability/support/mutual hope.

3rd, that I find MY PLACE and MY PURPOSE for the Kingdom. Can’t do it alone.

I NEED the church. You NEED the church…and the church NEEDS you!

Church & God’s purposes for others.

1st, that accountability/support is MUTUAL. We help each other grow in faith and HOPE! 2nd, this community meets each other’s needs, and the needs of others (v. 45! Unselfish!) This isn’t a political stance. There is no government coercion or involvement here (Rome!) This is the voluntary, unselfish decision of the church family to care for each other! 3rd, God’s purpose for others is that we reach them with the Good News. (47) We will continue to help our neighbors. We will continue to garden. We will continue to financially support organizations that meet needs. We will continue to preach the Word, pointing others to Jesus, because others NEED the church!

Church & God’s purposes for the world.

Remember, God’s PRIMARY purpose is RESCUE! The church delivers message. Further, God calls the church to be salt & light in a fallen world. An eternal impact…now AND later. I think about all the evil in the world. War. Hate. Hunger. Sickness. The Corona virus! We know none of this existed before Adam & Eve sinned, but they did (sin.) We may not be able to get rid of all the bad stuff, but we shouldn’t ignore it. Pray. That’s what the 1st Century church did Acts 2:42 “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” God heard them. Answered. Acts 2:43 “Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles.” There was AWE and a sense of dread among the Jews after Peter spoke so directly. (What have we done?) We might need to be more direct today. You don’t hear me getting political much, but I will always speak out on issues that relate to God’s purposes for the world. A Biblical model for marriage. A baby’s right to live. Not political. Spiritual! So we begin the season of Advent. We remember that the people living in hard times long ago longed for the Messiah. They needed HOPE. The whole world living in hard times today needs HOPE. We are the community of HOPE. The church. I need the church. You need the church. They need the church.