Who in the World Are You? Why in the World Are You? How in the World Are You? What on Earth Are You Doing?
Values People are Valuable Jesus is Most Valuable Ministry is Valuable Every Day is Valuable Transformation
Transformation The Biblical Pattern of Community The Mission of Community The Challenges of Community The Images of Community
Transformation The Biblical Pattern of Community Acts 2:40-47
Acts 2:40-47 (NASB) 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation! 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
Acts 2:40-47 (NASB) 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Transformation The Biblical Pattern of Community Acts 2:40-47 From large group to small group Steadfast in Apostles doctrine and fellowship Breaking of bread Prayer Worship Took care of each other s needs This community was of first importance
Transformation The Mission of Community Mark 10:45
Mark 10:45 (NASB) 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Transformation The Mission of Community Mark 10:45 Serve others in community Give your life for others in community Luke 19:10
Mark 10:45 (NASB) 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Luke 19:10 (NASB) 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Transformation The Mission of Community Mark 10:45 Serve others in community Give your life for others in community Luke 19:10 Seek out others in community Save the lost in community John 20:21
Mark 10:45 (NASB) 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Luke 19:10 (NASB) 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. John 20:21 (NASB) 21 So Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.
Transformation The Challenges of Community Let us Hebrews 10:22-24
Hebrews 10:22-24 (NASB) 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds,
Transformation The Challenges of Community Let us Hebrews 10:22-24 Draw near with a true heart Hold on to the confession of our hope Be concerned about one another Our greatest potential to grow in Christ is realized in community. We were created for this!! It also holds us accountable Hebrews 3:12-14
Hebrews 3:12-14 (NASB) 12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called Today, so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end,
Transformation The Images of Community A Bride Revelation 19:7
Revelation 19:7 (NASB) 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.
Transformation The Images of Community A Bride Revelation 19:7 A Body 1 Corinthians 12:12
Revelation 19:7 (NASB) 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NASB) 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ.
Transformation The Images of Community A Bride Revelation 19:7 A Body 1 Corinthians 12:12 A Family or Household Galatians 6:10
Revelation 19:7 (NASB) 7 Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready. 1 Corinthians 12:12 (NASB) 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. Galatians 6:10 (NASB) 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
Transformation The Images of Community A Bride Revelation 19:7 A Body 1 Corinthians 12:12 A Family or Household Galatians 6:10 Real Community is ever changing. Real Community is learned and discovered. Real Community is interdependent.
One who wants fellowship without solitude plunges into the void of words and feelings, and the one who seeks solitude without fellowship perishes in the abyss of vanity, self-infatuation and despair. Dietrich Bonhoeffer
So how do we get to Community? Three Seismic Shifts to Community: Shift #1 From people called to the ministry to people called to ministry! Shift #2 From exceptional to ordinary! Shift #3 From needing Priests to being Priests!
Application Are you in community helping each other experience Jesus daily? Are you in community actively helping another group of people experience Jesus? Is being in community a priority in your life?