Sermon Notes

THIS IS HOPE | Who we are & what we do

Week 2: We Experience Life Change in Community

If tragedy strikes your life, do you have people you can call on for support?

WE magnify Christ above everything

WE EXPERIENCE LIFE-CHANGE IN COMMUNITY

Church is not an event you attend, it’s a family to which you belong.

You will never become all that God has created you to be by yourself.

Acts 2:42-47

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, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

1.  Being in Community means growing in Christ together 

“And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” v.42

“We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” 2 Thessalonians 1:3

“And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.” v. 43

2. Being in Community means living life together 

“And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” v.44

“Love one another”

“Be devoted to one another”

“Give preference to one another”

“Accept one another”

“Admonish one another”

“Encourage one another”

“Greet one another”

“Serve one another”

“Bear one another’s burdens”

“Pray for one another”

“Be kind to one another”

“Forgiving one another”

“Be hospitable to one another”

 “Comfort one another”

3. Being in Community means being on mission together

“…praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” v.47

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples…”

if you have love for one another.” John 13:35

“Our relationship with each other is the gauge the world uses to judge whether our message is truthful - Christian community is the final apologetic.” Francis Shaeffer

WE EXPERIENCE LIFE-change IN COMMUNITY

“Spiritual formation occurs primarily in the context of community. Long-term interpersonal relationships are the place of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay, grow. People who leave, do not grow. It is a simple yet profound reality that we both grow and thrive together, or we don’t grow much at all.” The authors of a book called Slow Church

If your life is not being changed, something needs to change!

I would join a group, BUT…

·       B – I’m too BUSY

·       U – It’s UNCOMFORTABLE

·       T – I’ve TRIED it, and it “didn’t work” / It’s TOO HARD with kids