Called to Community Focus: The Life Jesus wants for his people. Colossians 3:12-17 August 14, 2016 Pastor Sandi Evans Rogers When was the last time you spent some time thinking about community? I mean really reflect on what God intends for us? What is His plan? How we are to live in Christ Sharing life together? I know the first time I did. I was about 17 years old getting ready to head out to college Wondering Will I ever find a community like the one I have known here? What will I find? What will it take to recreate what I have experienced? It set me on a lifetime journey Then last summer, during my sabbatical It was my focus of study! Experiencing 16 Christian communities. I was still on that journey. I still am today!! I have always been drawn to verses such as: Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 1
Acts 2:42-47 ESV And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts... Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Psalm 133:1 & 3b ESV Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore. I understand a definition that teaches: community is a compound word; com means with unity means unity or common union joined as a whole. I have read much: Life Together Spiritual Friendship Life Together in Christ Called to be Community Dietrich Bonhoeffer Aelred of Rievaulx Ruth Haley Barton 2
What a rich and blessed experience I had on sabbatical All adding to my understanding of Abba s intent for us And my hunger to experience community deeper And my desire to help build authentic community for others. This morning I want us to reflect on one passage A passage that will allow us to examine our own relationship with community. to examine our relationship with the community we call church to examine HOW we are to live in community to share life together.for we are called to community Christian community is simply sharing a common life in Christ. It moves us beyond the self-interested isolation of private lives and beyond the superficial social contacts that pass for "Christian fellowship." The biblical ideal of community challenges us instead to commit ourselves to life together as the people of God. Howard Macy So HOW HOW do you/we think about our relationship to community the church Lee Tankersley, Pastor Cornerstone Community Church in Jackson TN Suggests people have three different responses - thinking of church: 1. Some think of church and have a memory of things gone wrong - bad memories gossip/slander; poor stewardship; poor leadership. 3
2. Others are committed to the church but with no JOY Church often gets in the way of sports/recreation/leisure OR They come out of obligation sense of ought or habit No real JOY 3. Others come being reminded of what and whom they love A deep sense of belonging willing to alter their lives to be able to be involved in, one of their greatest delights. In reality.many people often move back and forth, in between these feelings toward the church. ME I move between #1 and #3 God wants believers to dwell in union, and in community having the same mind that is in Jesus Christ to be ONE TOGETHER Paul seeks to focus the Colossians on the life Jesus wants them to share together in Community. Beginning with the end in mind Paul s goal VS 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Always acting/living in such a way that it matches the nature and character of Christ REMEMBER: Last week - Pastor Gene s teaching about Transforming Relationships In this world we are like Jesus. 1 JN 4:17b So how do we live out that goal? That is how do we make sure that in everything, that we say or do, that we are like Jesus. Mind Attitude Grace Love 4
How do we live into the community - in a way that would honor Jesus? Back to our passage. READ: COLOSSIANS 3:12-17 VS 12 begins with "Therefore," (NIV) "And so," (NASB) and The "therefore," invites us to look back... Back to Colossians 3:1-4 READ: COLOSSIANS 3:1-4 Reminding us to recognize that whatever actions believers take are taken because of what God has done that is, Christian life in community is the consequence of the gospel. While OUR passage in Colossians focuses on Christian virtue, defining and describing Christian character while speaking to the community of believers. Paul begins by teaching WHY they are to practice this behavior Because you are chosen of God, holy and beloved, VS12 They are "God's chosen ones." God selected them to be part of His family. Believers are holy, which means "set apart." This is due to God's work in them, not their own good deeds. believers are "beloved" by God (John 3:16). A term of affectionate endearment an affection nurtured in the community of the new spiritual life in Christ International Standard Bible Encyclopedia 5
In response to Abba choosing us setting us apart for an intimate relationship with our Abba and each other Paul encourages us to PUT ON specific qualities Let s begin with the first five VS 12 They counter 2 lists - 5 vices that Paul mentions in VS 3 & 8 1. Sexual immorality 1. Anger 2. Impurity 2. Rage 3. Lust 3. Malice 4. Evil desires 4. Slander 5. Greed 5. Filthy Language VS 12 put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, Marion L. Soards Christians are to "put on" certain characteristics so that they live these qualities, they do not merely "have" them. Not merely traits, but actions define Christian living. As Christ lived, so Christians are to live. Compassionate heart how we respond to Abba & others love concern empathy loving beyond ourselves. Kindness Greek: chrēstotēta moral goodness or integrity - How we treat others Love express in practical ways Henry Blackaby Often the little things attitude Humility - a trait valued by God throughout Scripture As believers, 6
we are to recognize God's sovereignty in our lives Not thinking less of ourselves Thinking of our selves less... also important so that we don't act arrogantly or unfairly towards other people. Meekness Greek: prautēta - not an attitude of fear, or timidity it refers to gentleness, instead of a hard-hearted response to others. A "meek" person controls their strength and power, rather than abusing it. NO BULLYING allowed in community Patience from believers. "waiting without complaint," James S. Spiegel endure discomfort without complaint. Notice how these closely reflect the list describing the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 23. READ: Galatians 5:22 23 Paul has set the bar high with these five virtues BUT he is also realistic here a place I can connect. 3 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 4 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. It is here where sharing life together becomes so real, honest, and challenging. Paul knows that they/we are prone to failure/sin we are so human! He knows that he s calling them/us to share life together with people who will hurt them, even as they will hurt others. 7
REFLECT: Have you ever been careless with your words and offend someone? Have you ever looked past the hurt or pain of brothers or sisters because you were focused on your own needs? GUILTY Here!! Paul not only reminds us He implores us that we must bear with one another. This means to endure, to stand up under, to be tolerant of. This is not easy as we tend to see from our perspective only at least at first glance when we are on our own. Paul also recognizes that there will be times when we each have legitimate grievances against one another. Sharing Life Together...means we may/we will navigate relationships.. Something we don t always do very gracefully SO What do we do when someone does us wrong? What do we do when our pain is magnified because the wound comes from someone we ve drawn close to in our walk? Paul is clear - - when he simply reminds us that we are to forgive. And to forgive as we have been forgiven by our Lord. Jesus IS the standard of forgiveness. It sounds so simple FORGIVENESS But in reality it is impossible on our own. 8
It is ONLY when we surrender to Jesus and draw on the Holy Spirit within us! That we can be free to honestly forgive. Then Paul speaks of LOVE LOVE put on live out of LOVE. To be defined as a community of LOVE WHY? Because it binds a community TOGETHER. Brings UNITY GLORIFIES GOD Show WE ARE HIS 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. What a beautiful description of love Paul offers in 1 Corinthians 13 often read @ weddings BUT it is actually spoken in reference to community after Paul s conversation in Chapter 12 on Spiritual gifts and the unity of the body the intimate community of Christ. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts. Paul then moves on The greatest gift for the body of Christ The Community of the church LOVE! 9
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. The word "Let" here is not in the original text. Literally, the translation here is "And the peace of Christ rule in your hearts..." While it may not be in the original text it is definitely implied and it was in every translation I checked. Interesting, as to let something occur; is significant. To allow To be open to You are making room for. As God is active in choosing us. We are active in letting the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. We have to want this Understanding only we choose this for ourselves And our community Peace is available because Jesus is there. The peace of Christ is always with us. We simply need to allow it to work in our hearts. NEXT again Let 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among YOU richly as YOU teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in YOUR hearts. let the message of Christ richly dwell within you. If the word of Christ richly dwells within us, 10
then every thought, word, and deed, will conform to God's will. If the word of Christ is within us, then it can transform our hearts. It can correct our thoughts. It can shape our attitudes, our behaviors, our dealings with others. It can even shape how we react to difficult situations. Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." We are to meditate on the word, to make it part of us. If the word of Christ richly dwells in us, then we are going to bear fruit. The fruit of the Spirit we have already talked about: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Sound familiar? In the midst of all this it is significant no crucial to see that the "you s of these verses are consistently in plural forms; and that Paul is addressing the community, is NOT just individual spiritual formation. In this text of Colossians 3, Paul truly envisions a community in action. It is all about community We were created to live in community Paul describes and challenges us well. It is not easy but it is RICH! 11
No matter how hard inconvenient uncomfortable We are not to live any other way. To share life together and be able to fulfill the goals Paul sets for the church, the community in Colossians for you and me for FCOB!! And whatever you [WE] do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. By Put[ing] on a heart of compassion, [sharing] kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, 3 Bear with each other forgiv[ing]e one another Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 4 put[ing] on love, 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another singing to God with gratitude in your hearts Now that is community As it was meant to be We were designed And called to live this life together!! When I reflect on my longing for community that life long journey - - I confess over this year my passion to create, to build Authentic community, 12
Where we learn to share life together Has waned As I have not found others to join me where I am One thing I realized last summer we all come to community with different expectations no judgment just reality SO.. Will we let it happen? Will we choose? Will we share life together with humility and integrity? Will we open ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit so that He can build among us? a community that reminds us what and whom we love a community where we experience a deep sense of belonging a community that is willing to alter our lives to be able to be involved a community that is one of our greatest delights a community that in whatever we do, in word or deed, we do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and a community that gives thanks to God, Our Abba and brings Him Glory! It is up to us we choose so what do YOU choose? What will WE choose? 13