An 8-week Sermon Series
(August 16-October 4, 2015)
An in-depth look at the essential Biblical characteristics of the Church that make it a community for God’s people. In today’s society, where people are separated from each other by technology, busy-ness, and misunderstanding, it is more important than ever for the body of Christ to model community. Join us as we explore the Bible and receive encouragement in how to practically love and serve one another.
A Humble Community (Philippians 2:3-11) Jesus established the Church to be His witness to the world. To show the world who Jesus is, and to work together for the Kingdom, members of the covenant community must be humble, ready to put others before themselves.
A Loving Community (John 13:33-35; 1 John 3:11-24)
A community must have a binding principle, and Jesus has given it to His Church: we are called to love one another, even as a sign of the love Christ has showered on us.
A Forgiving Community (Exodus 34:6-7; Colossians 3:12-13)
The Church is not a perfect place. It is not filled with perfect people. As a result, conflict and hurt are inevitable – but the calling of Jesus to forgive one another is a powerful expression of our commitment to community over comfort.
A Hospitable Community (Hebrews 13:1-2; 1 Peter 4:9; Matthew 25:31-46)
The practical expression of humility and love in the community is hospitality – it is what separates a community from a loose connection of people.
A Praying Community (1 Thessalonians 5:17; Hebrews 4:16; Acts 4:23-31)
One of the great privileges of the community of the Church is to pray one for another; to bring the deepest and most heart-felt needs of others to the throne of grace.
A Serving Community (1 Peter 4:7-11; John 13:12-16)
Jesus founded a community of people who do not seek to be first, but who instead seek to serve others. It is in serving others that we follow after our Lord, who came to serve.
A Worshipping Community (Psalm 95; Acts 2:42-47)
The covenant community finds its ultimate expression in worship – coming before the Lord God and acknowledging His glory. It is the chief end of all those redeemed by Christ.
A Unified Community (John 17)
We live in a world where our differences – in politics, habits, upbringing, and ethnicity – are constantly emphasized. But the great blessing of Jesus’ covenant community is that it goes beyond all that separates us, as we are united in Christ.