Community That Cultivates

Intro- aspen grove....we are all connected

Aspen tree groves are one single living organism. They are called clonal colonies because they all spring from the same root system and share the same DNA. In fact, the root system is the life source of aspen trees and can remain live even when there are no trees growing. Because of this, aspen trees have been able to withstand the ages and are believed to be one of the oldest living organisms. Aspens have survived fire, climate change, and changes in the landscape. The shared root system helps aspen colonies maintain health of each individual tree as a community. Aspens are uniquely connected, however the forests underground world of roots is also known for collectively passing nutrients (sometimes with the help of fungi) even among different species to keep life above ground healthy.

You see, Aspens grow in colonies that share one root system. When you see a grove of Aspens, you are not looking at many individual trees, but you are seeing one organism that is sharing a common root system.

The New International Version Chapter 4

32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

Connection to the same Christ will lead to connect to each other.

It is fascinating to think about how trees look out for each other. Aspen trees have many elements that exemplify a healthy Christian community. Being connected by a common source of life, they are able to share all of their resources with each other to ensure no tree is in need. This relationship with each other is a natural picture of Act 4:32 . As a community they function in unity, making sure each tree has what it needs to grow and live. They are one body as Christians are the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:26-27). When one tree suffers loss or damage, it hurts the whole community.  When one tree flourishes, so does the colony. Aspens do not live secluded from other trees. They live among numerous other plant species. Their roots can give a receive nutrients with other trees living around them, as Christians are to be to the world.

1 Crointhians 12

The New International Version (Chapter 12)

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

Whether democrat or republican. Vaxxed or unvaxxed. Black or white. Male or female........

The spirit unites us for community.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

We need each other!

22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment.

Everybody matters to Jesus, so everyone should matter to us.

But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Community will cost you something.

3 Characteristics or Aspirations of A community that cultivates

-Christ Centric

-Other’s centric

-Helps Each Other Heal Grow

Christ centric

1 Corinthians 1

The New International Version (Chapter 1)

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, t in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought

Those who grow with Christ will ultimately grow with each other because they are growing in the same direction.

Other’s Focused

Phillipians

The New International Version (Chapter 2)

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Community will cost you.

Pursues unity

Unity is when a community of different people are heading in the same direction in order to fulfill the same goal.

See needs and help meet them.

The New International Version Chapter 12

10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Helps Each Other Heal and Grow

Red woods

Some of them are over 2,000 years old. They were already pretty good-sized trees when Jesus was born! Now, however, they tower over 300 feet tall. Many are over 360 feet tall and 20 feet in diameter!

Despite their enormous girth and height, their roots are remarkably shallow reaching only 6-12 feet deep into the soil. What holds these majestic specimens up in the harsh winds of the coastal climate? Two things. Their roots stretch out fifty feet in all directions to give them stability. And they grow together in groves so their roots intertwine and support each other.

Hebrews

The New International Version (Chapter 10)

23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Some growth can only happen in community.

You were made for community, you need community, and Christ died so that you could join in perfect communion with Him.