Steve Gentry
[0:00] Alright, go ahead and have a seat. Welcome to Village Church. If this is your first time here, my name is Steve [0:04] I’m one of the pastors here at Village Church [0:06] And as always I’m thankful and grateful to see each and every one of you if you have your Bibles go ahead and open [0:11] Them up to Ephesians chapter 3 we’re gonna be starting in verse 7 there this morning [0:16] But before we get into that I do want to let you know by way of reminder that [0:21] Tonight will be our theology matters event
[0:24] This is something that we’re gonna be doing every other month where we cover a topic in theology [0:31] That we feel kind of needs to be covered or would be beneficial to your growth in Christ something that it’s gonna be different than Sunday [0:38] Morning it’s gonna be a little bit more of a teaching aspect where we’re gonna have Q&A at the end of it [0:44] And we’re gonna cover different topics throughout and tonight [0:47] We’re gonna be covering the issue of church discipline [0:50] And so when people are kind of looking at membership at Village Church asking us questions
[0:55] And we start talking about membership and we get to kind of church discipline issues [0:59] Kind of start to get the look as if there’s something weird on my face [1:04] And people are kind of like church disciplines that like if you see me sinning [1:08] I go before the council of druids and they put on robes and excommunicate me to purgatory and [1:14] So what we want to talk about is what is? [1:18] Biblical church discipline how does that look and I’m not gonna tell you whether or not
[1:21] It’s what I just said until tonight [1:23] So you’re gonna just kind of have to hang on the edge of your seats as to whether or not we do stuff like that [1:28] Around here, but come on out. It’s gonna be at 530. I think it’s gonna be a great time for you guys [1:33] I’m gonna be teaching this evening and [1:36] If you have questions related to church discipline you can go on the website this afternoon and actually [1:43] Give those questions to us beforehand that’s gonna be helpful for the Q&A time afterwards
[1:48] But you’re also gonna be able to text in your questions during the teaching tonight [1:54] But don’t wait to see if we cover the question that you want answered [2:00] Until the end because that’s kind of when they’re kind of done editing the questions out at that point [2:06] The the people that are doing the questions know what’s gonna be covered [2:10] And so they they’re gonna be able to kind of weed through things that I’m gonna be covering [2:14] So just go ahead do us a favor send those in so that we have them ahead of time if possible
[2:21] If you don’t know and you’re there tonight, feel free to text them in during the event [2:26] Don’t wait because if you think you don’t understand what I said don’t assume. I think what I’m saying makes sense [2:33] I know some of it doesn’t so if you don’t understand that means there’s probably 20 or 30 people that don’t understand [2:39] So that means it’s a good question. Go ahead and send it in don’t assume that I always make sense and there’s something wrong with you [2:45] No, I clearly there’s something wrong with me [2:47] But today we want to move on to our third core value and that’s the core value of community
[2:54] And so we’ve talked about redemption. We’ve talked about mission now [2:59] We’re gonna move on to community [3:00] But just to kind of catch you up to where we are if you haven’t been able to be with us the past few weeks [3:06] We’re covering what defines us as a church, what are the things that we value? [3:11] What are the things that you can expect for us to engage in as a church to set environments? [3:17] Towards as a church we talked about how it all starts with redemption that without redemption there really isn’t
[3:25] Any need to move on to other things because that is the gospel of Jesus the primary work in which we were [3:32] Created to worship find our satisfaction in and obey God and we have failed on all three [3:40] Accounts all of us have we worship things other than God seek [3:44] Satisfaction and things other than God and none of us have lived up to God’s standards [3:50] Fully and the obedience that you had on Saturday morning didn’t wipe away that disobedience from Thursday afternoon [3:57] That’s not how it works. And so all of us deserve
[4:02] Punishment all of us deserve the wrath of God [4:06] But in his great grace God decided to love us to the extent that he sent his son who lived a perfect [4:15] Sinless life yet still died a sinner’s death and he did that to substitute himself [4:22] For us he took the penalty for my sin [4:25] Jesus took the penalty for your sin and in that dying on the cross [4:29] He has secured for us if we believe in him forgiveness for our sin and
[4:35] Three days after he died he rose from the dead and in doing that he’s completely secured [4:40] Reconciliation with God to her instead of having a wrong relationship with God where I’m on the outs because of my rebellion [4:47] Jesus has secured for me the ability to have a right relationship with God where I can receive a new life from him to live [4:55] Worshipping God finding my satisfaction in God obeying God and being strengthened by him to do those things [5:02] Redemption is where it all starts without redemption. There’s no mission without redemption. There’s no community without redemption [5:09] There’s no multiplication. We must be redeemed, but when we are redeemed it changes us
[5:16] Transforms everything it changes life and now you see the world and you see your place in it through the lens of [5:25] The way that God designs you live and in that you’re given a new mission [5:29] You’re given a new purpose and the mission that God has made clear [5:33] Is that people need to be redeemed by Jesus and those who have been redeemed by Jesus? [5:39] Live a life telling others that they must be redeemed by Jesus. That is our mission [5:44] That we now take our lives and live our lives around the mission of Jesus
[5:50] Making changes where it needs to be made [5:52] Growing where we need to grow so that we can engage the world around us in one of two ways either a we spend our life [5:59] Pursuing just being bold with the proclamation of the gospel [6:03] We tell people because that’s just the way that God has gifted us to be entrepreneurs to start [6:09] Apostolic movements and new movements for the gospel of Jesus Christ [6:13] But the other way in which he gifts many people to work is that you grow in your obedience
[6:19] You grow in your faithfulness to Jesus in such a way that you engage the world around you with your [6:25] Discipleship and your neighbors your friends your family or co-workers begin to take notice of the move of God in your life [6:32] They look and they say what is different about you? [6:35] Why do you live in such a unique and different way than I live? [6:39] Why are you so odd in some ways where you seem to have hope in hopeless situations? [6:44] Where it seems you have joy where others have no joy
[6:48] Where it seems that you worship and find your hope and things that I don’t do that and our answer of course [6:53] Was because of Jesus it’s because of the work that he has done [6:58] And that leads us into the core value of community [7:02] That when you live the mission of Jesus when you seek to be and make disciples of Jesus [7:11] It will gather disciples it will form relationships [7:15] And it will build a community through and for the gospel of Jesus Christ when that begins to happen
[7:23] That’s what forms the life of the local church [7:27] And so when we talk about the aspects of community that I understand that we are [7:32] Necessarily talking about a specific community, and that’s the community that’s formed only in [7:38] The Church of Jesus Christ the local church where we build real relationships [7:45] Relationships that refine us relationships that grow us relationships that challenge us relationships where we have to work through things like forgiving each other [7:55] But understand there are some wrong things that we can build community around
[8:00] And so when we begin to talk about community, I think there’s typically two extremes here [8:07] There’s the type of person that’s just like oh when I plug into relationships with others it just it’s it’s my sweet spot [8:14] It’s my comfort zone. I just want to be around people [8:17] I just want to sit in a room and have a good cry with somebody else [8:22] Just just just cry and you know, we’re happy crying and I’m just like, what is that? [8:26] And it’s just like oh, I just feel these emotions. I get the feels and community and then there’s other people
[8:33] I’m gonna call these people [8:35] me [8:36] That we we engage in community and we’re like, all right, we’re gonna talk about Jesus [8:43] We’re gonna pray and then I’m gonna go eat that that this pretty much the long and the short of it [8:48] You know in and what happens is in both of those categories the people that get the feels all the time [8:55] I’m gonna call them not me
[8:57] What they what they do is they look at people who are a little more stoic a little more. Hey, let’s talk this out [9:04] Some good conversation don’t know where the tears and snot are coming from but that’s okay. We’re gonna work through that as well [9:10] I’m gonna pray for you right now because you’re getting crazy on me [9:13] And so people that get the feels look at people that don’t get the feels and they’re like you just don’t believe in community [9:19] You you just need to repent of your sin. You’re not feeling Jesus the way that I’m feeling Jesus [9:26] I’m like, yeah feeling weird is what I’m feeling and but and so and so you judge them and you’re like
[9:31] You don’t know what this is all about and then then there’s there’s kind of people who are a little more stoic [9:35] Who just kind of like yeah, I love Jesus man. I’m spending my life pursuing that I love that but you know, I [9:42] Don’t cry a great deal unless people have died which seems appropriate [9:47] But but and and so I’m looking and I’m like we’re in crazy town. What is happening? [9:52] I’m gonna keep eye contact, but I’m gonna leave and hope no one notices cuz I don’t want it [9:57] I don’t want this rubbing off on me
[9:58] And so what we do is is we tend to gauge [10:03] Community by who I am naturally by what’s normal to me naturally. And so what do we build community for we build community for me
[10:14] That I only want to be around people who are like me and you’re only [10:18] Experiencing the Holy Spirit if you’re exactly like me and that’s a huge barrier for so many people [10:25] But I’ll tell you that neither one of those cases are correct [10:31] Either one of them [10:33] there’s also another false type of community and [10:36] That is when you take emotion out of it and you just base it completely on affinity
[10:43] You base it completely on what you have in common with someone else. You’re like it. Can you find me a group? [10:51] People my age [10:52] people with my interests people with the exact same number of children that I have at the exact same age group that I have [10:59] And find me people who only like meeting [11:03] With coffee involved or with pizza involved or there’s got to be some events and and yeah [11:09] And so what my response is so you basically want me to find a bunch of you
[11:13] Okay, but then I also run into some people and this is less ordinary [11:19] But they’re like, yeah, I only want to be in a group of people who are nothing like me [11:24] So I’m 36 so they got to be 89 [11:28] Because I you know, I just don’t want to be around I just mean they got to have gray hair [11:32] They got to have great wisdom. I need Gandalf. I need Dumbledore in there [11:36] I just need them pouring in to me because people my age are all stupid
[11:42] People with kids are stupid and I’m like so you’re stupid [11:45] And and so and so we we look for people who are nothing like us and that’s all will accept [11:51] And you’re like I’ll join a group when that happens [11:54] And so every one of these things that I’ve just mentioned are barriers that we create to actually [12:02] Avoid the work that I think God wants to do with our lives [12:07] So what I want to talk about today is what is the type of community?
[12:12] That God has for us in and through and for the gospel of Jesus Christ [12:18] That what Jesus really seems to be glorying in is bringing people with all of these differences [12:25] Together for the sake of us being able to say if it wasn’t for the gospel. We wouldn’t have this community [12:33] The only reason that we’ve got this is because of the gospel of Jesus Christ [12:40] That way we know that it’s for the gospel of Jesus Christ look in Ephesians chapter 3 and the Apostle Paul has been [12:47] building up
[12:48] Speaking of the gospel of Jesus and he begins in verse 7. He says of this gospel [12:53] so he brings in a [12:55] Presupposition and that presuppositions from chapters 1 & 2 and that is that he has unpacked this great glorious [13:02] Gospel that is about redemption that is about mission and now he’s saying what are the results of that going to be? [13:09] He says I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace [13:13] Which was given me by the working of his power
[13:16] To me though [13:18] I am the very least of the Saints this grace was given to preach the Gentiles the [13:23] unsearchable riches of Christ and to bring to light for everyone [13:28] What is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things? [13:34] So that and so now he’s saying what’s the result of everything? I just said [13:39] So that through the church
[13:42] The manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in [13:49] the heavenly places pray with me [13:53] father [13:55] Lord you have called us in your gospel [13:59] To live for you to live through you to live by your power [14:05] And so my prayer today is that through your word that you would aid us and forming a vision
[14:13] Where we will seek what you have for us? [14:17] Where we will seek your community where we will seek your life [14:22] Where we will seek your love be merciful to me a sinner help us in the name of Jesus. I pray amen [14:30] Number one this morning community is rooted in the gospel [14:34] Community is rooted in the gospel. What I mean by that is that’s just a blanket statement that if you are seeking [14:42] community in
[14:43] Anything else it will ultimately leave you unsatisfied [14:49] And we do a lot of that we seek community in so many different things [14:53] We seek community for so many different purposes. We seek to build [14:57] Relationships and find our identity in an entire host of things [15:03] I’m telling you will ultimately leave you lacking because it is not [15:07] Ultimately what God has designed you for but rather the gospel of Jesus is what?
[15:14] God has designed you for it’s what the Apostle Paul is doing in this text is [15:20] Building us up towards a place where we see the outcome of the gospel in his words [15:26] And we have a reaction of saying I don’t have that I need that I [15:32] Mean the language that he uses in this text the adjectives that he uses in this text [15:39] Create in us a longing for the type of life for the type of community that he’s unpacking [15:45] And he started doing this in chapter 1 speaking of the gospel in momentous ways
[15:50] It’s an eternal act started before the foundations of the earth [15:53] God is moving all of human history [15:56] Towards this peak of his glory in the gospel of Jesus and we’re kind of on the edge of our season like Paul is really [16:02] Talking about this and he’s really drawing us to Jesus and then he gets to chapter 3. He makes it very personal [16:09] And he says this is a gift of God’s grace to me where I am proclaiming the
[16:17] Unsearchable riches of Christ I am able to reveal a mystery that has been hidden [16:23] For the ages who God is creating [16:27] He’s working a church and all the rulers in the heavenly realms are looking on and they’re seeing [16:34] manifold wisdom and so what he’s doing is he’s giving us a compelling vision for [16:41] the community of God [16:43] He uses these rich terms through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit so that we will look and we’re like I
[16:50] want that [16:53] The one thing if Paul came in this and he says you know I I [16:58] Got some good news from Jesus, and I I’m taking it out to a group of people [17:03] It’s pretty good stuff [17:05] And it’s gonna form a church and then some other beings are gonna look on it, and they’re gonna be like wow that’s great [17:14] Paul could have written that but he didn’t
[17:17] It’s the question for us is why does Paul? [17:21] Put so much work into this terminology to make it look astounding [17:29] to pique your interest on things like unsearchable riches things like manifold wisdom which means [17:36] multifaceted it means every ounce in every area a [17:40] Mystery that’s been hidden, but now revealed going through a human finding his purpose finding his hope [17:47] Finding his significance in this life
[17:51] What does he do that because God purposefully wants it to be compelling to you? [17:58] He wants you to understand in the verbose nature where he really does use more words than necessary [18:07] To drive a point that we need to get but without the terms we won’t get it
[18:17] There is no accident in the scripture where terms are concerned and so when the terms seem to try to be more compelling [18:26] Understand that you need to be more compelled by them [18:31] It’s it’s very important that Paul’s been given this mission through redemption and now he’s looking at the outcome of [18:40] What discipleship through the preaching of the good news through the teaching of all that Jesus observed them to say? [18:46] What will the outcome be? [18:50] so Paul wants us to understand that the result of
[18:53] discipleship is that a community of [18:57] Jesus is always formed [19:00] That it’s never [19:02] Gonna just be you and Jesus. That’s all I need [19:05] It’s not true [19:08] When Jesus is involved
[19:10] It forms community [19:12] It forms a people it forms a church [19:16] And Paul being sent out on mission [19:19] wants us to understand that the gospel of Jesus will gather a [19:24] people for God’s [19:26] possession and it will often be
[19:28] More people and different people than you expected it to be [19:34] Dietrich Bonhoeffer [19:36] the [19:37] Pastor in Germany during World War two put it this way he said Christian community means community through and in [19:45] Jesus Christ [19:48] You see you have to ask yourself a question if you’re saying I’ve been redeemed
[19:54] You’re saying I want to live a life of mission well the next question [19:58] Naturally should be what am I forming my community around?
[20:05] So because some of you I mean you have a multitude of relationships in your life [20:12] Some of you all those relationships have nothing to do with the gospel and never will
[20:18] That’s a community [20:19] What’s it based on? [20:22] some of you are [20:24] avoiding community as if it’s wearing Ebola and [20:28] Your recliners the sweet spot and the doorbell and the phone are your enemy
[20:35] That still is a type of community it’s just the community of you
[20:44] And so in all of these different things that we look at and say you know [20:50] This is what I’m naturally inclined to this is my default mode [20:54] This is my natural thing if it is not how Jesus designed it then your natural [21:01] Inclination needs to be repented of and all of us are in that same boat
[21:08] Okay, I’m not the feeler
[21:12] I’m the guy that’s like yeah, if you left me alone for like a week. I might be better I [21:18] Might feel better. I might you know I might be perky or I might I might have some more rose to my cheeks [21:22] I don’t know that’s possible
[21:25] But my natural inclination if not rooted in the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ [21:30] Is a false God [21:32] And it’s a faulty default mode that I need to change [21:37] I need to pursue something else if Jesus says that that thing that I’m pursuing is wrong [21:44] Friends make no mistake relationships rooted in the gospel [21:49] That exists to build God’s vision for his church is what defines true community and
[21:57] The other things that you are seeking to find your community in or base your community on [22:05] That is not true community [22:07] That is not what God has designed you to long after there’s not what God has designed you [22:14] Originally to root yourself in what you’re experiencing in those moments are [22:20] effects of sin in your life [22:23] Because what does God call us in that look in Ephesians 2 one chapter previously the Apostle Paul writes this he says in the
[22:31] Gospel you are no longer strangers and aliens [22:34] But your fellow citizens with the Saints members of the household of God [22:37] Built on the foundation of the Apostles and prophets Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone [22:42] So if you believe in Jesus is a pretty amazing [22:45] Line that you come from and that Jesus is the cornerstone the Apostles laid a foundation [22:51] And you are now building the walls of this great building that is the church
[22:57] And so that’s a compelling work that is a missional work [23:00] But then note the familial terms that he uses to describe you he says that we in Jesus collectively are
[23:10] Household of God [23:12] As if you take two of us you take the most emotional among us you take the least emotional among us [23:18] There was one time when we were strangers and aliens [23:22] Where there would have been no reason for us to ever come together at all and we probably wouldn’t have [23:31] He says now you are no longer
[23:35] Strangers and aliens you are no longer to find your identity in what divides you even if it’s personality based
[23:44] Now God says come together and [23:48] You who are so different because of Jesus you’re not just friends [23:55] your brothers and sisters [23:57] your family [23:59] Why? [24:01] Because God has declared it in Jesus if you believe in Jesus
[24:05] This isn’t something that you’re like I’ll get around to it when I can this is something that you are [24:11] He doesn’t say be the household of God. He says you are [24:16] The household of God non-negotiable this is in Jesus is just who you are
[24:25] So in our lives we need to realize that the community of God reveals the glory of the gospel
[24:34] So one of the hardest parts about community for so many people is that it just it’s just so practical [24:42] It’s just so common [24:44] It’s like okay, so what do we need to do? Well, we need to come together [24:48] You need to be in relationship with other people you need to be in the word with other people you be praying with [24:52] Other people you need to be talking to other people [24:54] You need to be meeting with other people and you need to be growing in your knowledge of Jesus and your obedience of Jesus
[25:00] You need to be observing what’s going on in one of their lives [25:03] Aiding one another where help is needed [25:05] Being aided by one another when help is needed in your direction as well, and you’re you know, like yeah [25:10] But sometimes that gets really boring [25:13] Sometimes that gets a little stagnant and here’s what you need to do [25:17] Is that you need to believe Paul’s vision more than you believe your vision?
[25:22] What he says in verse 10 is that you as the church not you personally [25:27] But the church itself [25:30] Functioning as the church coming together as the church is the manifold wisdom of God [25:38] for the heavenly realm
[25:43] So note what he means by that he means that when we are functioning as the church that bigger things than you can see or [25:52] Understand or comprehend are taking place. So when you’re in this room [25:59] You’re in the corporate gathering of the church something greater than you is happening something greater than you may even be [26:06] Experiencing is happening because you may be sitting there and you’re like backup singer was a little flatton [26:11] That last song I don’t know [26:14] Where am I gonna go after this what time is that game?
[26:22] The Apostle Paul says what you don’t understand in this moment that you’re so bored with that [26:27] God is using this moment God is using this activity. God is using this obedience to broadcast [26:33] to demons and angels the glory of the gospel
[26:38] That when you’re in that community group and all that you’re getting out of it is and my backside is getting a little numb
[26:48] Is it something bigger than you is taking place [26:52] then when the church [26:54] submits not to what I [26:56] Feel not to what just comes natural to me not to basing things on my likes and dislikes [27:03] But to say I want to be the church I want to build the church [27:06] I want to grow into the life of the church
[27:09] He says that the demons are shuddering in fear because they know that that’s a mark of what is to come the [27:16] advancement of the gospel the defeat [27:19] ultimately of sin [27:22] You see that also when that takes place [27:24] Understand that the angels in heaven are looking on and they are saying look at what God is doing [27:30] He was telling the truth he is right the kingdom is coming and it is
[27:37] Glorious because there’s no reason that those two those three those 50 would come together other than [27:46] reconciliation through the gospel of Jesus Christ
[27:50] The Apostle Paul is saying that the community is bigger than you it’s about God
[28:00] We when we are reconciled to God and then through that reconciled to one another in real time [28:07] real [28:08] relationships the gospel is [28:11] Glorious and so if that’s all you’ve got to hang on to hang on to that because it takes more [28:18] Faith in the moment of doubt than it does when you’ve got all the feels under the Sun
[28:26] That’s what faith is [28:29] Number two community must be pursued [28:32] Community must be pursued [28:35] You know you need to pursue what you were created for every one of us are pursuing something [28:40] Every one of us are living our lives pursuing one thing or another [28:44] Whether you’re pursuing the greatest of success or whether you really find your sweet spot in pursuing great apathy
[28:51] You’re pursuing something [28:54] But what you need to realize is that you were created to pursue something you were created to pursue [29:02] Jesus [29:02] But then in pursuing Jesus he lists other things and one of these things that you were created to pursue his community [29:09] From Genesis 1 at the very beginning of the book the scriptures are clear [29:15] When he says let us make man in our image and then in chapter 2 he creates Adam and Adams like alright
[29:21] I’m gonna obey you I’m gonna go make a garden or something and the God looks at me says it’s not good for man to [29:27] be alone
[29:29] Because God exists three in one the Trinity God the Father God the Son God the Holy Spirit [29:35] three persons in one being God
[29:39] He exists in community and he says Adam exists to reflect our image to the world around him and as an [29:47] Individual he cannot do that therefore out of Adam what does God do he makes ease? [29:52] He says these two shall be one flesh and so there’s the first community and ever since then humans have been wildly relational [30:01] Because we were created for it [30:05] We were created with that longing [30:08] You say well, you know not me I just you know I’m an individual I’m a good American it’s all about me
[30:16] Look to you and I say no because if you believe in Jesus [30:21] Then you necessarily I think will believe in his word and when you believe in his word what you’re saying is that Jesus is [30:28] Right even where I’m wrong [30:29] And I’m telling you you’re wrong because the scripture shows us time and time again [30:33] Prescriptively and descriptively through the narrative of the record and it says that every time relationships are divided and people isolate themselves [30:40] There’s one root cause and it’s not just a personality type it is sin
[30:45] Every time it happens in scripture isolationism is sinful [30:50] And it happens because of sin relationships divide over sin and that is what the gospel restores in [30:58] Every place the gospel seeks to restore what sin has destroyed and what you need to understand [31:04] Is is that the reconciliation that is available in the gospel of Jesus? [31:08] Begins the process of restoration in your life so that you can continuously in your life grow to recover [31:16] The way that God originally designed you to live to live in redemption to live in mission and to live in community
[31:24] Note what the Apostle Paul says in Romans chapter 12 starting in verse 4 [31:29] He says as in one body we have many members and the members do not all have the same function [31:34] So we though many are one body in Christ and individually members one of another
[31:43] It’s the person that is [31:45] The finest by themselves and it’s like I think I’m more designed to be a lone ranger for Jesus [31:53] And so I’m gonna go out you can’t do that [31:56] You can’t do that [31:58] You can’t have a mission that’s greater than the mission of the church [32:02] You’re not allowed to and you say why not because Jesus says so
[32:05] the Apostle Paul says though [32:08] Individuals and I think he purposefully uses that language to say we are [32:15] individually members one of another so you’re seeking to [32:20] disconnect yourself from other people is not a mark of the [32:26] Restoration of the gospel it is not a fruit of reconciliation in Jesus [32:31] You’re longing for it to be about you more than it is about others is not a good thing
[32:41] Because you are [32:43] One body in Christ the members do not all have the same function, but they are one [32:51] We must be a church about building community in that vision every ministry that we form here [32:59] Should be seen as nothing more than a support tool through which a gospel saturated community is intentionally formed [33:08] You know first there are many things that we can be about as a church [33:12] I mean, there’s a ton of things that we can be about
[33:14] There’s like 17 million different things that we can be about. I know you tell me all about them all the time
[33:24] But [33:25] Without a vision for gospel saturated community they’re all just fluff
[33:33] They’re worthless [33:35] If we miss becoming a community that’s defined by the terms of scriptures [33:44] And it’s meaningless [33:46] You have the greatest missional aspirations in the world
[33:53] And if it doesn’t drive you into the life of the local church then those ministry aspirations are [33:59] Serving as a detriment to you and not benefit
[34:05] One thing that you need to be clear on is is that when you seek to join the church and you should and you must
[34:18] Know that the church is not joining you
[34:22] You are joining the church [34:26] So when you come in understand that the furniture isn’t gonna be real thank God you’re here. Let’s change everything
[34:36] No
[34:39] Because there’s something greater than you that’s going on Romans 12 10 adds a practical aspect to this [34:45] Verse 10 the Apostle Paul says he says love one another with brotherly affection outdo one another in showing honor [34:52] He’s in terms of intentionality [34:55] He’s in terms of pursuing something with your life
[35:02] You know there are 59 one another’s in the New Testament [35:07] These are things that we are to seek to build in our community and they are things that you cannot do by yourself
[35:17] Well the scripture says serve one another and I made myself a wonderful breakfast I have such a servant’s heart towards myself
[35:26] No
[35:31] It [35:32] Necessarily means that it must be for others it must be with others [35:36] It must be through others in the scriptures set up this great system in the church in which we can set [35:41] Environments for that to happen [35:44] Ephesians 4 12 one chapter over [35:47] It says that the offices of the church equipped the saints for the work of ministry for building up the body of Christ
[35:54] Until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God to mature [35:59] Manhood to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
[36:04] What I want you to receive from that in this purpose is that in that you cannot [36:10] Grow to attain the maturity of the manhood of Christ apart from being equipped by the church
[36:21] So you’re like hmm got my headphones in got the latest podcast of whoever the coolest preacher is in the United States [36:28] And you’ve got your Bible open. You’re like I’m having church
[36:33] No, you’re not you’re listening to a podcast from a preacher who had church [36:37] You weren’t there you’re not a part of his church you need to be a part of the church [36:44] That involves other people [36:47] As you’re like no, you don’t understand when I get other people around me [36:51] They hold me back from the potential that God has given me to serve him and know him and follow him [36:58] No, you’re actually the one holding them back
[37:04] Because you exist for the church the church doesn’t exist for you
[37:10] It’s the greatest thing that you can do for your own growth for your own development is to commit to the church [37:17] Grow in the community of the church and then it says look at the promise here [37:21] It says through these things you will attain
[37:26] You’re going to grow he promises so even when you don’t feel it [37:30] You can trust that something’s working something’s growing something’s molding you something’s refining you something’s helping you [37:37] You know we can form environments to foster community and that’s what we seek to do here at those church
[37:47] But it is on you [37:49] to form community [37:52] No one can do it for you [37:54] None of this is going to happen by accident nor will it be engineered by two or three leaders [37:59] It must be pursued by those who trust in Jesus if you want to follow Jesus you must pursue community [38:06] It is not an option
[38:10] Community is not one of these things where it’s like man [38:12] It’s something that when I’m when I’m a you know further along in my discipleship, and I’ve got more time [38:17] I would love to commit to it now what I’m telling you this morning [38:19] Is that you will not get further along in your discipleship nor will you ever have time for it until you just do it
[38:28] But the very thing that’s holding you back is your commitment to community [38:33] Let me be clear as well if you are a Christian you don’t get the luxury to hate people anymore [38:40] It’s just not a luxury afforded to you by the gospel
[38:45] Part of being a Christian is loving people and seeking community with them [38:50] And you’re like oh my goodness. It’s messy [38:54] Yes
[38:58] We’re sinners [39:00] We’re saved we’re progressing [39:02] We’re not there yet [39:05] So you can [39:07] Expect to get offended yeah, I got a couple promises to you right now if you enter into community you’re gonna get offended [39:15] If you enter into community somebody’s gonna hurt your feelings you enter into community
[39:18] Somebody’s gonna leave you out of something at some point you enter into community somebody’s gonna say something mean to you at some point
[39:25] You enter into community, and it’s going to be at times very challenging and at [39:32] times very discouraging
[39:38] And that’s why it takes the power of the holy spirit to keep entering into it
[39:43] Guess what the discouragement the offense those times when someone put their foot in their mouth probably me said something [39:51] Very just you know curt to you without even thought again was probably me [39:56] But when that happens understand that god’s also at work in that
[40:04] That it gives you times to exercise grace [40:08] It gives you times to actually learn to forgive [40:12] people [40:13] It gives you times to actually be sinned against so that you can work through it for that person’s forgiveness [40:21] And also for that person’s good so that they can repent and so that they can grow [40:26] Because sometimes God’s gonna use you to help someone but also understand sometimes God’s gonna use someone to help you
[40:32] It’s one thing in the church of Jesus Christ every one of us needs to change until someone mentioned something you need to change
[40:40] It’s like wait a second
[40:45] It only happens in community [40:48] Only happens in relationships [40:51] Also friends if you want to have friends be friendly
[40:55] This isn’t about having friends, okay, but you will get friends [41:01] And if you don’t want to be around people and people don’t want to be around you [41:06] It does say something about your growth and following Jesus [41:11] All right [41:13] That’s not a non-issue. It’s like I nobody likes me. I love whatever [41:19] That’s probably an issue in your life
[41:22] Being a part of community and community being a part of growing you and worshipping Jesus will confront you with your sin [41:30] Many times and that’s where repentance begins. That’s where it enters [41:35] Community requires action, but it is the only way for you to grow [41:41] Number three this morning understand that community must be driven by the mission community must be driven by the mission [41:49] Must have community through the gospel and we must have community for the gospel in John 17 [41:55] Jesus is praying for everyone that would follow him after his resurrection in verses 20 through 23
[42:01] He specifically prays for us in our era [42:04] And he prays that the community that he experiences with the father would be [42:09] Experienced by all of the church and that is the work of the gospel [42:14] This is saying you can form community around a lot of things that will distract you from Jesus [42:20] And many of us are many of us are doing that very thing [42:25] You’re forming community you’re pursuing community in a whole host of other ways
[42:29] You think it’s gonna benefit your kids you think it’s gonna benefit you you think it’s gonna benefit your future and you’re pouring into [42:34] all these different spheres of life and [42:38] When you do that [42:40] The community of the Church of Jesus is usually the one that suffers [42:43] It’s usually the one that I don’t have time for that when I’m get around to it [42:49] So the prayer that Jesus is having for you in this passage is the type of community that Jesus
[42:55] Longs for you to have and it must be formed through and for the gospel so that it’s not a waste of your time [43:04] It is not something that’s gonna die when you die [43:07] So you can understand that the manifold wisdom of God is seen when the gospel is the reason that we come together [43:13] But our community must also not just be through the gospel it must be for the gospel [43:19] Note that Jesus in this passage says so that the world may believe that you have sent me [43:26] We must be united as a community for the gospel to show the world the amazing
[43:32] reconciliation available in Jesus [43:34] And that is exactly what we do when we love one another honor one another disciple one another [43:39] This isn’t an event. This isn’t a one-time deal. This isn’t an hour a week [43:44] This is real life [43:47] This is real environments that you enter into [43:52] And when you do that the world will take note and say why is it that you gather for different reasons than we do?
[44:02] Because the mission of Jesus must be what pushes our community forward [44:08] You’re like well last week you’re telling us to go out this week. You’re trying to pull us back in which one is it? [44:16] It’s both
[44:19] There’s a great and healthy tension [44:22] Between mission and community, but understand that it must not be community that becomes the ends of our work [44:30] Eight people that you commit to over the next five years and you’re like, all right [44:35] We don’t want to be an inch deep. We want to be a mile deep [44:37] So everyone enter close the door. No one else is allowed in five men enter. No men leave
[44:44] And when we’re ready we’ll emerge and be these great disciples that’s not [44:50] the modus operandi in Scripture [44:53] That’s not the way that God has designed us to be we want our community here at Village Church to be one that does [44:59] stagnate like a pond but rather it flows like a river that you can drink out of [45:04] It’s one of movement. It’s one where mission pushes community [45:08] It’s one where you can literally be on mission and you can invite your neighbors
[45:13] You can invite your co-workers you can invite your friends into it and say hey [45:18] Why don’t you come and see what’s going on in our community or what’s going on in our church or what’s going on in? [45:24] Our village group or what’s going on in our discipleship group? [45:26] We want it to be a place where you can invite people that you are seeking to live the mission for [45:32] And you can bring them in you can say this is the mission produced and
[45:38] Then that will form a culture where the community is on mission together
[45:44] Where people are coming to faith in Jesus where you’re actually making disciples where? [45:49] Community groups are actually growing and then becoming two groups then becoming three groups then becoming four groups because it’s not about us [45:56] It’s about Jesus [45:58] When you close it off and put a cap on the number you cease to be about the gospel [46:04] This is about Jesus [46:07] It’s not only about you
[46:10] As the question that you need to deal with this morning is a few things [46:14] Where does Jesus want your life to go and to grow?
[46:20] Where are you pursuing community in your life you’re pursuing it somewhere [46:25] The question is is the community you’re pursuing about the gospel of Jesus [46:30] Jesus died and rose so that you could be reconciled to God and help others be reconciled to God [46:37] This is the mystery revealed [46:39] Life can be about God and the only place that it is seen and experienced is in [46:46] community with others through and for Jesus
[46:52] After [46:53] We’re done in here this morning pastor James is gonna be down here [46:57] There’s gonna be some group leaders down here in village church because what happens in here? [47:02] It’s too big to be relational [47:04] And so we have village groups that meet during the week that take a monologue and create [47:09] Dialogue and then create life on life where we’re seeking to help one another live for Jesus
[47:16] And in group link, which is what we call it if you’re in here, and you’re not in a group [47:21] You know you you love village you’ve been here for a while [47:24] You’ve been here for one week, and you’re like yeah, I need that I want to be the manifold wisdom [47:29] I don’t be involved in that kind of thing [47:31] We invite you to come on in [47:35] We’ll find your group will connect you to people or if you’re in a group, and you hate it and want a new one
[47:38] You can come forward to [47:41] Nobody will get offended they will but I’ll wash over remember you’re gonna get offended
[47:46] But here’s what I want us to understand this morning if you’re not [47:50] Intentionally entering an environment for community this morning [47:54] What I don’t want you to do this morning is give me the Jesus juke or the passe answer of well [48:00] I’m gonna pray about what God wants me to do with that no [48:04] You said what? [48:07] Where the Bible is clear
[48:10] Prayers are already answered
[48:14] Doug Wilson I watched a video of his yesterday, and he said that delayed obedience is disobedience [48:20] Where the Bible has been clear what’s the holdup?
[48:27] So if you’re gonna give me the rote response of I’m gonna go pray about that for a while and see what God says [48:32] I know what he says he already said it you need to be in community [48:37] Intentionally with other believers, and if you say no to that you’re saying no to God [48:45] Are you comfortable with that?
[48:50] You say well, I’ve got a whole host of reasons and all of those reasons are only gonna get resolved in community
[48:58] So friends [49:01] Enter into it. It’s worth it [49:05] It’s difficult at times [49:07] It’s [49:09] Schedule challenging at times. It’s tension causing at times [49:14] And it’ll be the greatest decision that you ever made in your life
[49:20] So as the band comes up I [49:24] Want us to reflect on the goodness of the gospel through communion as we do every week here at Village Church and [49:30] Then once we sing to Jesus
[49:34] There’s gonna be some people down here and [49:38] If you’re a believer it’s for you, and if you’re in here this morning [49:42] You’re like I don’t know about all this Jesus stuff. We would love to have you as well
[49:48] But communion shows us the why of community [49:53] The bread represents the broken body of Jesus the cup represents his shed blood [49:57] When you eat and drink what you’re doing is you’re proclaiming to everyone around you in this room that [50:03] the life of Christ is in my life and [50:08] So if you’re in here, and and you’re like I’m not a believer or you’re like I don’t know [50:12] If I’m a Christian, I’m gonna ask you to abstain
[50:16] For this time I’m gonna ask that you not reflecting community in communion [50:21] But not because that we’re saying anybody’s better than you but because you can’t honestly say that you trust Jesus [50:27] I don’t want you to lie. I don’t want you to feel like you have to lie to me. I [50:32] Want you to be able to tell the truth? [50:35] But if you are a follower of Jesus this morning Jesus through the cross has forgiven you and [50:41] His table of fellowship is open for you in the front and in the back when you’re ready