Vision: Session 3- Body Life and Community September 19, 2021 Speaker: Virgil Lee Proverbs 29:18a(NKJV) 18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: A key element of discipleship and Knowing Christ and Making Him Known is being in Biblical Community…it goes beyond Sunday Morning attendance. Big Ideas: Empowered within Biblical Community The 4 Calls of Community A Call to Connect with Biblical Community A Call to Care for Biblical Community A Call to Create Biblical Community A Call to Celebrate Biblical Community Empowered within Biblical Community We are not created or called to do life on our own. Proverbs 18:1(NKJV) 18 A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; He rages against all wise judgment. We need community to live fulfilled lives. Acts 2:42(NKJV) 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine (teaching) and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Fellowship=Koinonia “Christian fellowship is a key aspect of the Christian life. Believers in Christ are to come together in love, faith, and encouragement. That is the essence of koinonia” -- In Partnership We hear content in rows but apply it to life in circles (small groups). Holistic transformation takes place when both are present. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Catalyst desires for each person to find a place of community and their circle (small group) within our Biblical Community… and ultimately within the body of Christ. True community doesn’t only happen on Sunday mornings, but throughout the week. Romans 12:4-5 (NKJV) 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. If you are called to Catalyst, there is a place for you in Biblical Community. We desire to help you discover it. The 4 Calls of Community 1)A Call to Connect with Biblical Community We are to intentionally connect in Biblical Community. Acts 4:32-33(NKJV) 32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. A hindrance to connecting with community could be fear. Many times, fear will keep you from the very thing that you need to live a blessed and full life. Your talents and gifts are often first seen, cultivated, and encouraged within Biblical Community. Even more important is the cultivation and development of the fruit of the Spirit in your life and your character that happens in the context of community and body life. Biblical Community is a Beautiful Mess (Discipleship). We can talk about love but within community it is revealed if we are really living it out. 1 John 3:18(NLT) 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. When we are in Biblical Community, there is encouragement and help. 1 Thessalonians 5:11(NLT) 11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. Biblical Community is where we find care and accountability to live out our God-given destinies. Galatians 6:10 (NKJV) 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Proverbs 27:17(NLT) 17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. The body (community) supplies the needs for the body. Ephesians 4:15-16 (NKJV) 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. 2)A Call to Care for Biblical Community Being in community means to care for the Biblical Community… care for one another. Galatians 6:1-2(NKJV) 6 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. When we are in community together, we can do and withstand more than if we were alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NKJV) 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up. 11 Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm; But how can one be warm alone?12 Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. This is care, being woven together with others. Care is also helping each other when we are struggling, not pushing them out. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-15(NKJV) 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Jesus came for those who know that they need help. Mark 2:17 (NLT) 17 When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” When we are connected, if one of us hurts, we all hurt; when one of us is joyful, we are all joyful. 1 Corinthians 12:25-27(NKJV) 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. What will hinder your care for Biblical Community is comparison of one another and other people’s circles. Comparison will rob you of what God is doing in your midst because you are looking around you and not to Jesus. 1 Peter 4:8-10 (NLT) 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. Notice again, our gifts are for the encouragement and service to the body of Christ, not for personal edification and glory. 3) A Call to Create Biblical Community The Great Commission is to go and make disciples, not just invite them to another church service. Matthew 28:19-20a(NLT) 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. Discipleship happens when there is content and discussion. Jesus would teach and then have a discussion with the disciples. How is God asking you to help create Biblical Community? Not just doing better or more activities, but God-directed engagement and creation. Ephesians 2:10(NKJV) 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Being self-focused can, at times, cause us not to pursue creating Biblical Community. Philippians 2:2-4(NKJV) 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. We are to continue to reach into community while simultaneously reaching out to bring others into community. In our culture many people have heard of Jesus but have never experienced healthy Biblical Community. Many need a sense of belonging before believing that the body of Christ is for them. 4)Celebrate Biblical Community Sunday mornings are a time where we celebrate what God is doing throughout the week in our Biblical Community. Hebrews 10:24-25(NKJV) 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. It is a synergy moment- multiple parts of the body coming together. We are better together than separate. Apathy and complacency will hinder our celebration of Biblical Community To break apathy and complacency we must go back to the first message and ask the question ”How is your vertical relationship with Jesus?” Your being with Jesus is always more important than your doing for Him—Vertical first--Horizontal, second.   Take Away Questions: Have you in any way discounted the need for Biblical Community in your life? How is the Lord asking you to connect with Biblical Community? Do you have fears that need to be processed through about connecting?  How has God called you to care for the body? In what ways may the Lord be asking you to reach into community? What does helping create Biblical Community mean to you? Where may the Lord be asking you to reach out from community and engage others? How have you not celebrated Biblical Community? What are some practical steps you can take to not allow complacency and apathy to guide your life? When we dwell together in unity as a Biblical Community it is a powerful thing that God loves, and it causes the world to take notice. John 13:34-35(NKJV) 34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” Loving one another is the power that holds us together in Biblical Community.