How Community Shapes Us In the Gospel.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Welcome to Village Church. [0:01] If this is your first time here, my name’s Steve. [0:02] I’m one of the pastors here at Village, [0:04] and I’m always thankful to see you here. [0:07] If you have your Bibles, go ahead [0:08] and open them to Acts chapter 17.

[0:10] We’re gonna begin there this morning. [0:13] We’re gonna go through a lot of scripture this morning [0:16] on top of that, but that is where [0:18] we’re going to be starting this morning. [0:20] And so, if you weren’t here with us last week, [0:22] you’re kinda coming in on week two

[0:24] of a new series on gospel-centered community. [0:28] And so, as a church, we are spending the next nine weeks [0:32] taking a look at what it means to live [0:35] in gospel-centered community, [0:37] and how we should think about it, [0:39] but also how we should live that out.

[0:41] Now, with all of our different backgrounds, [0:44] there’s no doubt that we are sure to come together [0:46] with different experiences [0:48] and different understandings of community. [0:50] And so, what our hope is throughout this series [0:53] is that we can take a look at scripture

[0:55] as well as at our church, [0:57] and basically get onto the same page [1:00] as to what God means by the type of community [1:03] that the gospel of Jesus Christ is forming, [1:07] basically through our practices [1:08] and through our lives as disciples of Jesus.

[1:12] And now, last week, we started by taking a look [1:15] at the how of community, [1:17] how we were created to be in community, [1:20] why we were created to be in community [1:22] as we are bearers of the image of a Trinitarian God. [1:25] And we also looked at the fact that you cannot live

[1:29] as God intends for you to live in isolation. [1:33] But the reason that people do oftentimes seek to do that, [1:37] and the reason that we struggle in community [1:39] with one another is because of the fact that sin exists. [1:43] And we are all born with a default mode towards sin, [1:46] and in that sin,

[1:48] our relationships with one another are corrupt. [1:52] And so, what happens is, [1:53] is that even in seeking relationships with other people, [1:56] we’ll seek them for the wrong motives, [1:58] or we’ll seek them even sometimes for really good motives, [2:00] and then once we’re in community with one another,

[2:02] sin will rear its ugly head, [2:04] we will offend one another, [2:06] and our community will be broken. [2:09] And in doing that, what we’re actually experiencing [2:12] is the fallout of the curse of sin [2:14] and the fallout of our original relationship,

[2:18] that between us and God, [2:20] being first and primarily broken. [2:22] And so, we saw last week that the only way [2:25] for our relationships in the community [2:27] that we experience with one another, [2:29] the only way for that to be fixed

[2:32] is first for our relationship with God to be reconciled. [2:37] That God has done all of the work to do that. [2:40] He’s redeemed us, [2:41] he’s given us a pathway to salvation through Jesus Christ, [2:45] that if we place our trust in him, [2:47] he’s borne the penalty for our sin on the cross.

[2:49] He’s risen from the dead, [2:51] winning victory over sin and death, [2:53] and in that redemption, [2:56] our relationship with our creator can be reconciled, [2:59] and then in living out that reconciled relationship with God, [3:02] we can begin again to build

[3:05] what is gospel-centered community with one another, [3:09] reconciled relationships in light of the good news [3:13] of Jesus Christ. [3:15] And the task to rebuild it [3:18] is God’s vision rather than our own. [3:21] We can only do this through faith in Jesus,

[3:24] and we can only do this by receiving the vision [3:28] that God has given us in his word [3:31] for what our community should look like, [3:33] and this is what is given to us in scripture. [3:36] Now friends, we will be tempted to build community [3:39] in many different faulty ways,

[3:41] with many different faulty visions, [3:44] and with many different wrong motives. [3:48] And so the question this morning that I wanna deal with [3:50] is how do we prevent those faulty visions, [3:54] and how should we build a foundation for the community [3:58] that God wants us to build in Jesus Christ?

[4:01] And now if worship for God is the center of your desire, [4:05] which I hope that it is in view of redemption in Jesus, [4:09] then the community that we build [4:11] will necessarily have a firm foundation [4:14] that is based on him and is based lovingly [4:18] and joyously in his vision for us.

[4:21] And so in doing that, we’ve got to realize [4:23] that we’re going to be tempted to build [4:26] what we’re gonna refer to today as functional community. [4:31] And functional community is something that, [4:33] we’re gonna seek to meet what we think are our felt needs. [4:38] But I want you to understand this morning

[4:40] that God’s vision for community [4:42] is bigger than functional community. [4:44] It is bigger than your felt needs. [4:47] He has given us a redemption [4:49] that can give us a formative community [4:53] that ultimately has a design to build

[4:56] the family of God, the church. [5:00] And so pray with me as we begin to do that. [5:03] Father, you’re a good God. [5:07] Lord, you’ve proven that in Jesus Christ. [5:10] Now whatever we endure in this life, [5:12] we can know one thing for certain,

[5:14] that you are good and that you do love us [5:16] because of what Jesus has done for us on the cross. [5:20] And by virtue of his resurrection, we can experience it. [5:24] And Lord, this morning I pray that you would help us [5:26] to better identify and better define [5:29] what it is that you have for us

[5:31] as we seek to obey you by building [5:34] not just a community, but a gospel-centered community. [5:40] Be merciful to me, a sinner. [5:41] In the name of Jesus, I pray, amen. [5:45] The first thing that you have to understand for community [5:47] is that to avoid faulty visions for community,

[5:50] it has to be first based in one thing. [5:52] And that is number one this morning, [5:54] that God must be the center of community. [5:58] He must be the center of community. [6:00] Now understand that as we go through this morning [6:03] and as you go through your life,

[6:04] you’re going to struggle with unseating him [6:07] as the center of community. [6:09] And you’re going to struggle with being tempted [6:11] to unseed him and put yourself as the center of community. [6:15] One thing that I’ve experienced over many years [6:17] in church ministry is that most of us, not some,

[6:22] most of us struggle with the faulty vision [6:27] that I am to be the center of community. [6:30] And so we will bring these faulty thoughts in that [6:33] I need to be fed, my needs need to be met. [6:37] Someone needs to pour into me for community [6:41] to be what it needs to be.

[6:43] That’s all wrong. [6:45] If you come into it with that vision, [6:48] do you know what’s going to happen? [6:50] Very quickly, you’re going to become critical. [6:53] Very quickly, you are going to become dissatisfied. [6:56] And very quickly, you’re going to be looking

[6:59] for the next ex-church. [7:03] That’s what happens over and over and over. [7:06] And unfortunately, I’ve seen it so many times [7:10] and there have been times in my life [7:11] where I’ve been guilty of coming into a community [7:14] and atmosphere, into relationships with myself

[7:19] as the center of focus, with what I want things to be [7:23] as the center of focus. [7:24] Friends, it doesn’t matter what I want. [7:26] Through faith in Jesus Christ, [7:28] it doesn’t matter what my vision is. [7:31] And ultimately, it doesn’t matter what I think I need.

[7:36] The primary task of community, [7:39] the primary function that we have to bring into it [7:41] and the primary vision that we have to have [7:43] is first and foremost, how does God define it? [7:47] What is God’s vision? [7:50] What does God want?

[7:52] What does God say I need? [7:54] And does that contradict what I think I need? [7:56] Nine times out of 10, it will. [7:57] Probably more than that. [8:00] My needs always conflict with what God says my needs are. [8:05] And so God must be the center of community.

[8:08] Why? [8:09] First, because God is the center of everything. [8:13] Look in Acts chapter 17, starting in verse 26. [8:16] The apostle Paul is speaking to a crowd [8:19] that has never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, really. [8:21] And this is what he says about God.

[8:25] And he, God, made from one man every nation of mankind [8:28] to live on all the face of the earth, [8:31] having determined allotted periods [8:32] in the boundaries of their dwelling place [8:34] that they should do what? [8:36] Seek God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.

[8:40] Yet he is actually not far from each one of us. [8:44] Did you know that you cannot ultimately know [8:48] why you exist apart from God? [8:52] It’s impossible. [8:54] People have been trying to do it for thousands of years. [8:56] They’ve been trying to find the meaning of life,

[8:57] the purpose of life. [8:59] Why am I here? [9:00] Why was I put on this earth? [9:02] And we will, even in light of the gospel many times, [9:06] struggle through that because you’re looking [9:08] in all of the wrong places.

[9:11] I mean, imagine it. [9:13] When you try to find your purpose, [9:14] what do you typically do? [9:16] Well, you look at your spouse, an imperfect being. [9:19] You look at your children. [9:21] Really imperfect beings.

[9:24] You look at your career, [9:25] you know, the one you complain about all the time. [9:29] You look at some sort of activity that’s fleeting. [9:32] You look at your finances, [9:33] which you’re gonna die and not have someday [9:36] if you make it that long.

[9:39] But when you’re looking for the purpose [9:41] and meaning of life, what is it that you look at? [9:44] Well, according to the apostle Paul here, [9:45] he says you have to first look at the source of all that is. [9:48] He says everything came from God. [9:51] And because everything came from God,

[9:52] he created everything that is. [9:54] He spoke into existence, everything that is on this earth. [9:57] He says he created us for the specific primary purpose [10:02] of what? [10:03] To seek God.

[10:07] And he says, and in seeking God, what you will find [10:09] if you actually seek him according to what he has abundantly [10:12] and graciously revealed, you will find that he is not [10:15] very far from you. [10:18] You were created to realize that everything that we do [10:22] and find meaning in must be centered in God

[10:26] for it to ultimately have real meaning [10:29] and ultimately have real purpose. [10:31] And because of that, our chief purpose is to live our lives [10:36] with a view towards him before it has a view [10:40] towards anything else in this life. [10:44] And so we are to look to everything that exists

[10:46] in every event that happens in life [10:48] and seek to understand how it points us to him. [10:52] God is literally the point of all that is. [10:57] And that can be difficult, especially when God [11:00] is bringing something into your life [11:02] that you’re not comfortable with or that you didn’t ask for.

[11:06] But I will tell you that the only way that you will ever [11:11] find comfort in this life that is real, [11:13] that is meaningful, that is lasting, [11:15] is if you look at everything that comes into your life [11:19] and say, Father, what are you trying to show me? [11:22] Father, what are you trying to teach me?

[11:25] Lord, how are you seeking to point me towards yourself [11:29] with this specific thing, with that specific thing? [11:33] Because ultimately, without that, [11:37] it is all somewhat meaningless. [11:39] Because you cannot be certain of anything apart from God. [11:45] And because of that, community then is about God.

[11:50] Why? [11:51] Because community is part of everything. [11:55] If everything is about God, then of course, [12:01] just logically, it would be dictated that community then [12:04] must be about God for it to have real purpose [12:08] and for it to be true community.

[12:12] Think about all of the relationships [12:14] that you have in your life. [12:15] Think about all of the clubs that you are a part of, [12:18] all the circle of friends that you might have, [12:21] all of the friendships that you have, [12:22] all of what the world would say,

[12:24] oh, this is what community is. [12:25] Now, when you think about all of that, [12:28] is it about God? [12:30] Or is it about something else? [12:33] Well, if you are to see how everything in this world [12:36] points you towards seeking God

[12:38] and you are building your relationships [12:40] upon some other foundation than God, [12:43] then you should expect for it to be lacking. [12:48] You should expect for it to, at some point, be dissatisfying. [12:53] You should expect for, at some point, for it to break. [12:57] Because if God, in seeking him,

[12:59] is not the center of that relationship, [13:02] is not the center of that community, [13:04] that club, that clique, that whatever it is, [13:07] then it is not ultimately what community [13:10] was designed to be about. [13:13] Here’s a great reminder from the apostle Paul

[13:15] in Romans chapter 11. [13:17] In verse 36, he says, [13:18] For from him and through him and to him [13:21] are all things, to him be glory forever. [13:26] Amen. [13:28] And so when everything that happens

[13:29] and everything that you are looking to be a part of [13:32] and every relationship that you are building in your life, [13:36] it is about God. [13:40] Because everything comes from him, [13:42] everything goes through him, [13:44] and ultimately everything goes to him,

[13:46] either to your benefit or to your detriment. [13:50] There’s no other option. [13:52] This is not a multiple choice exam. [13:56] God is not saying, [13:57] Okay, you can choose for it to be about me [14:00] and it’ll go great.

[14:01] You can choose for it to be about you, [14:03] that’ll be pretty good. [14:04] Or you can choose for it to be about something else. [14:07] And it might not be that great, but it’s all right. [14:10] No, God is saying there’s only one option. [14:12] It’s either about him, and if it’s about him,

[14:15] it’s going to be wonderful, it’s going to be eternal, [14:17] it’s going to be joyful, it’s going to be loving, [14:19] it’s going to be something that treasures, [14:21] or it’s not about him. [14:23] And the end game’s not good on that.

[14:26] The end game is not your joy, it’s not real love. [14:30] It’s less than, it’s hopeless, it’s condemnation. [14:35] You were meant, you were designed, as we saw last week, [14:41] to find joy in the glory of God. [14:46] That’s what our design is for. [14:48] And so anything less that we settle for,

[14:52] it isn’t just that you’re going to get a lesser joy, [14:55] it’s that in the end, it will all fall apart, [14:57] it will all crumble. [14:58] There is no part of life that is to be untouched by God. [15:03] We must see how it is all truly about God. [15:08] And so the community that we form

[15:10] can be about many different things, [15:12] but the difficult part of life is taking a sober look [15:16] at the how and the why of our relationships, [15:19] and ask, how is this from, through, and to God?

[15:24] Do you want to know step one to your marriage issues? [15:28] Ask that question. [15:31] Your relationship with your kids, ask that question. [15:34] Your relationship with anybody in this world, [15:36] ask that question. [15:38] Your problem with anything in this life,

[15:41] if I would point you to one question [15:44] to begin to build a foundation to solve it, [15:47] it would be, how is this from God? [15:50] How is this through God? [15:51] And then the hard part is saying, how is this to God?

[15:57] And you can, from that, begin to ask yourself, [16:01] how does the community that I am forming with my life [16:04] give God the glory? [16:06] Because unfortunately, so many times it doesn’t. [16:08] Unfortunately, so many of our motivations are faulty. [16:11] Unfortunately, so much of what we do,

[16:15] and so much of what we invest in, ends with me. [16:20] And if I am the ends, that is a shame. [16:24] Until we begin to use a vision for the glory of God [16:28] as the filter through which we view our relationships, [16:32] they will be thoughtless and they will ultimately [16:34] just be self-absorbed.

[16:38] How then, though, can we restore it? [16:41] Because we see the problem. [16:43] The problem is, is that we’re trying to unseat God [16:46] as the center of our relationships. [16:49] How do we solve that? [16:50] Well, it’s by starting with good definitions.

[16:53] And so how should we view the community that we are living? [16:57] And we’re going to take a look at two different forms, [16:59] as I said in the introduction. [17:00] The first one I wanna take a look at [17:02] is the negative form, the wrong way [17:05] to view community in your life,

[17:06] and that is by building a functional community. [17:09] Because number two this morning, [17:10] functional community puts me at the center. [17:14] Functional community puts me at the center. [17:17] You ever tried to break a habit? [17:20] It’s hard, it’s hard.

[17:22] I mean, so many of you try to break habits all the time. [17:25] I mean, so many of you tried January 1st. [17:27] You just knew this was the year. [17:29] You didn’t even make it a month. [17:31] It’s over, isn’t it? [17:32] I mean, that gym membership, that card,

[17:34] it’s already flopping and those donuts were really good. [17:39] Man, you know, just because we’ve got these habits [17:42] and they’re really hard to break. [17:44] Well, even our vision of community, [17:46] we bring bad habits from a life apart from Christ. [17:52] Into community, and so often that will define

[17:56] our vision for community, [17:58] and this is what the curse of sin has done to us. [18:03] It has brought about a temptation to selfishness [18:05] that we give into so many times. [18:10] As we saw last week, as we seek to be restored [18:13] to God’s vision for us, the struggle with sin will remain.

[18:18] And so your vision of a perfect community without sin, [18:20] and that day, that’s in the kingdom of God, [18:22] but it is not right here and it is not right now. [18:26] So you should, right off the bat, [18:28] as you seek community with other people, [18:31] begin with just an honest expectation.

[18:34] I’m gonna have things to repent of, [18:36] and so are the other people.

[18:39] So it’s not gonna be a perfect path. [18:41] It’s not gonna be a painless path, [18:44] but it is going to be a joyful path [18:46] because the joyful path is always in obeying God. [18:51] At times, in seeking restored community, [18:54] we will bring bad habits of self-centeredness with us.

[18:58] When we do that, it will seem to form a community [19:01] where God isn’t the center [19:03] because you’re falling into a temptation. [19:05] You’re seeking to make yourself, your needs, your wants, [19:09] what you think it should be all about. [19:11] This is the functional community.

[19:14] This is the functional community. [19:16] You’re trying to build your vision [19:18] before you’re trying to build God’s vision. [19:19] You think you know what you need [19:21] more than anybody else knows what you need, [19:22] and ultimately, you think you know

[19:24] what you need more than God knows. [19:25] And here’s the crazy thing. [19:28] In discipleship, we have this one commonality. [19:31] We know that when we came to faith in Jesus, [19:34] it said it would change everything. [19:36] But then after we get saved, after we become Christians,

[19:39] as we start to follow Christ, [19:40] we’re shocked that things must change. [19:43] Say, what, in order to change, I have to change?

[19:52] Yeah.

[19:54] Time and time again, we bring in the philosophies [19:59] of the world, the thoughts of life [20:01] that we had apart from Christ, [20:03] the things that have nothing to do with Jesus, [20:05] we try to bring them into following Jesus, [20:08] and then when we find out that this is the obstacle,

[20:11] this is the barrier, this is not God’s vision [20:14] for what we should do with our lives. [20:16] We are shocked and dismayed and disgruntled [20:20] and walking right out the door [20:21] when we find out that life without Christ [20:24] does not align with life with Christ.

[20:28] Friends, in 2 Corinthians, chapter five, verse 17, [20:33] when it says, the old things are gone, the new has come, [20:37] you’re a new creation. [20:40] You should expect new to feel different [20:44] because it’s something that you never experienced before. [20:48] And so when you come to faith in Jesus,

[20:50] no matter if it was a month ago, [20:52] no matter if it was 10, 15, 20 years ago, [20:55] what you have to understand is those things, [20:58] those mindsets, those philosophies [21:01] that you espouse or espoused apart from Christ, [21:04] you must be willing to hold every one of them

[21:07] in an open hand

[21:11] because there’s a great possibility [21:13] that the Holy Spirit is going to come into your life [21:15] and tell you you need to change some of them. [21:18] And for our specific purpose, [21:20] your vision of what friendship is all about, [21:22] your vision of what love is,

[21:24] and your vision for relationships [21:25] and community in your life,

[21:29] more often than not, [21:32] your vision and definition is different than God’s. [21:35] Here’s what Philippians says about this. [21:37] He says, we often surround ourselves with the people [21:39] we most want to live with, [21:42] thus forming a club or a clique, not a community.

[21:45] Anyone can form a club. [21:47] It takes grace, shared vision, [21:50] and hard work to form a community. [21:53] You see, friends, often our vision for relationships [21:55] is limited to the terms of what they do for us. [22:00] And when we seek out other people for meaning,

[22:05] we do it because we don’t want to feel lonely. [22:09] We want somebody to help us celebrate stuff. [22:12] And what that’s going to do is it’s going to keep me [22:15] at the center of our vision. [22:18] And here’s what Steve Thimes says. [22:20] He says, our desire for community with people

[22:22] can often outgrow our desire for community with God. [22:27] Being accepted by people can matter more to us [22:31] than God’s opinion. [22:33] And when that begins to happen, friend, [22:35] I can tell you one thing. [22:36] You are going to begin to look at community

[22:38] as a functional thing in your life [22:40] rather than a formative thing in your life. [22:45] Often we seek very good things like belonging, [22:50] which can be a very good thing. [22:52] But the trouble with aiming at such a notion [22:55] is that the goal of the church is to produce disciples

[22:59] of Jesus who worship him and exalt his name. [23:02] If we aim at a product such as belonging [23:05] as the purpose of community, Pastor Bradhouse says, [23:08] we can achieve that goal without pointing to Jesus. [23:14] And if you belong, yet you’re not pointing to Jesus, [23:17] you are missing it.

[23:19] It is not gospel-centered communities. [23:23] Our actions may be great, but it is our motivation [23:28] that needs to be redeemed along with our actions. [23:32] Our vision for community should shape the practice [23:35] of our community and not the other way around. [23:40] As the church was initially growing in the first century,

[23:43] Acts chapter five records that many didn’t join [23:47] the movement because of the motivation behind it. [23:51] Says in verse 13, it says, [23:53] none of the rest dared join them, [23:55] but the people held them in high esteem, [23:58] and more than ever, believers were added to the Lord,

[24:03] multitudes, both men and women. [24:06] Those who grasped the vision for salvation, [24:10] that meant that they were added to the Lord. [24:13] You see, the community of the church [24:15] must not be reduced to its social practice. [24:19] You see, it says that many in the community,

[24:20] look at them, they held them up, [24:21] and these people are doing some great things. [24:24] There’s some great community going on here, [24:26] but the author, Luke, here, he’s pointing out, [24:28] he says, but they were not added [24:30] because they weren’t interested

[24:32] in the motivator behind the practice. [24:36] The practice was not as important [24:38] as the motivation for the practice. [24:41] You can hold the practice in high esteem [24:44] and miss out on the motivation, [24:45] and when you miss that motivation,

[24:46] you’ve missed everything.

[24:49] For you to be in the community of the church, [24:52] you first have to be added to the Lord. [24:56] Our vision must be shaped by the gospel. [25:01] Again, here’s how Steve Thomas puts it. [25:03] He says, we have got to allow the gospel [25:05] to define our identity rather than the prevailing

[25:09] secular and socially pragmatic story [25:13] that our society tells. [25:15] Why? [25:17] Because Jesus is a better savior than you are. [25:20] You see, when we walk into community seeking solely [25:24] what’s in it for me, we cease to see Jesus as a savior

[25:28] and begin to believe that we are our own saviors. [25:32] God has called you into community [25:35] where he is the center of community, [25:38] and in that, it means that the good, bad, ugly, [25:42] and downright messy that happens [25:44] is something that you weighed into

[25:47] because you trust Jesus to restore his vision through it. [25:51] You don’t spend all of your time protecting yourself [25:54] from the bad and only look for that [25:56] which makes you feel good. [25:58] Me at the center cultivates a community life of consumerism,

[26:05] and then ultimately, functional community is counterfeit. [26:09] I mean, when you think about the basis for our faith, [26:11] I begin to think about things like a verse [26:13] that has been my anchor verse [26:15] since I really owned my faith, and it’s Galatians 2.20. [26:19] Since I’ve been crucified with Christ,

[26:21] it’s no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, [26:25] and the life I now live in the flesh, [26:27] I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me [26:29] and gave himself for me. [26:31] When you attach that text to community,

[26:38] you and the visions that you have

[26:42] the needs that you think you have, [26:46] the vision of you, crucified, dead, gone, [26:55] not I, but Christ.

[27:00] So understand that the community and culture of the church [27:03] is never to be a functional one. [27:07] It must instead be a formative one. [27:10] Because thirdly this morning, [27:11] formative community puts God at the center. [27:15] Formative community puts God at the center.

[27:18] It’s interesting, as I even think about it standing here, [27:20] Ephesians chapter two, when the first 10 verses begin, [27:25] when it then in the second half talks about [27:27] this great diverse community that God is building [27:30] where the barriers of sin are thrown down, [27:33] and all ethnicities come together

[27:35] in the great kingdom of God. [27:36] He begins by telling us the story [27:39] of the gospel of Jesus Christ. [27:41] And he says, you were dead in your trespasses, [27:44] in your sin.

[27:47] Then he says, but God intervened. [27:50] But God came. [27:51] And while you were not reaching up for him or anything, [27:54] have you ever been to a funeral? [27:57] No life. [27:59] He found us in that state, and he came to us,

[28:02] and spiritually he vivified us. [28:04] He made us alive together with Christ, [28:08] and then he says, you are in that grace, [28:12] you are God’s workmanship. [28:15] And that term, it gives you this vision [28:18] of something that is malleable,

[28:20] something that needs to be formed, [28:22] something that if you’re an iron worker, [28:24] you’ve got to heat it up and then take the hammer to it, [28:27] and you’ve got to begin forming it, [28:29] and you’ve got to begin molding it, [28:30] and you’ve got to begin working on it.

[28:32] This is we were created in Christ Jesus [28:35] for good works that God prepared beforehand [28:38] for us to go into, and when I think about that, [28:40] it makes me believe my vision doesn’t matter, [28:43] because God had a better one for me [28:45] before he even redeemed me.

[28:50] And he’s saying, walk into the vision [28:52] that I’ve had for you since before [28:54] the foundations of the earth, [28:55] because it’s a better one than you were ever gonna have. [28:58] Why? [28:59] Because you were dead.

[29:02] That means the vision that you had apart from Jesus [29:04] is a dead vision. [29:06] It’s not something that just needed something added to it. [29:10] It didn’t just need a little pizzazz. [29:13] It didn’t need just a little flair put on it. [29:16] It didn’t need a little bit

[29:17] of better decoration around the border. [29:19] No, it needed to be lit on fire and walked away from, [29:23] because it was a vision that was killing you. [29:26] It was a vision that just had moth and rust [29:29] corrupting it, Jesus says. [29:32] At best, it’s a whitewashed tomb like the Pharisees.

[29:37] Jesus says, I have a true vision for you to walk into, [29:40] and that is what he has for us, [29:42] if we will understand that we are God’s workmanship [29:46] while we’re in community. [29:48] And so community, if all that it does [29:50] is fit the function that you want it to fit,

[29:54] it’s never gonna form you. [29:57] It’s never gonna begin to mold you in God’s hand. [30:00] You have to view community as something that’s formative. [30:04] You have to view community as something, [30:06] as we said last week, that is sanctifying. [30:08] It is teaching you to be more and more set apart

[30:11] for the purposes of God. [30:13] And because of that, you need to walk into [30:16] formative community rather than walking away [30:19] from formative community, [30:20] because you’re going to be tempted to, [30:21] because it doesn’t feel good to be reshaped.

[30:24] Not all the time. [30:25] I mean, sometimes it’s a wonderful thing. [30:28] I mean, it feels great immediately. [30:30] Sometimes it feels like you’ve been walking around [30:32] on a broken bone and the doctor needs to reset it. [30:35] That hurts.

[30:37] But the end result is health. [30:40] The end result is a better gait. [30:43] The end result is you are on a better path. [30:47] The common trait of relationships [30:50] in our culture is expendability. [30:53] It’s just over.

[30:55] When the going gets tough, we get going the other way.

[31:02] Because if community is just functional, [31:05] then once it ceases, it’s that function. [31:09] I’ll just move on to the next one. [31:10] I’ll just move on to the new one. [31:11] We tend to think that if relationships [31:13] are even a little bit difficult,

[31:16] then something is wrong and then comes, [31:18] well, you know, it’s that conversation. [31:20] This isn’t working for me.

[31:23] Maybe you’re thinking about having that conversation soon. [31:27] This just isn’t working for me. [31:28] Oh, that’s a new one. [31:30] No one has ever said that before.

[31:34] Is that what God is seeking to form in us? [31:37] Or we just move on from one thing to the next? [31:40] You see, friend, a God-centered view of community [31:42] is different. [31:43] When God is the center, we have a commonality [31:47] that is unique in this world.

[31:49] It is a commonality that looks so different [31:52] in such a self-absorbed culture that will walk away [31:57] for us to come together under something [31:59] that is not functional, under something [32:02] that is not negotiable, under someone who’s unchanging [32:06] for a purpose that is completely transformational.

[32:13] That is shocking. [32:14] That is counter-cultural. [32:17] When God is the center, every attribute of God [32:21] offers us another focus for community to strive towards [32:26] rather than away from each other. [32:30] Because you see, because of God’s love,

[32:31] we can actually love one another [32:33] with a counter-cultural type of love. [32:36] In 1 Peter chapter one, and if anybody knew anything [32:40] about repentance, it’s the apostle Peter. [32:44] Peter had to be really changed. [32:47] And in the very first chapter of 1 Peter one,

[32:50] Peter uses all of these pronouns and all of these [32:54] descriptions of what we have. [32:56] He says that God is father, God is adopted, [32:59] we are brothers and sisters. [33:02] And so if anyone knew what it would feel like [33:05] to be cast off to the side, or think that he needed

[33:08] to be cast off to the side, it is Peter. [33:10] I mean, he’s the one who denied Christ. [33:14] He’s the one that Jesus looked in his face [33:16] because he was so dumb and said, get behind me, Satan. [33:19] It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard in my life. [33:23] And so for Peter to write this, he says this is a family.

[33:28] It is someone who’s been confronted with all of the reasons [33:32] that he should be out of the community, [33:35] and said, you need to be redeemed. [33:38] And through repentance, he continued to go back in. [33:43] Through repentance, he continued to be formed. [33:46] And in 1 Peter one, he writes all about the church

[33:50] as the family of God. [33:54] And then in verses 22 through 23, he casts a vision [33:57] of a purified obedience that restores an earnest love [34:03] based on the truth of God. [34:06] And he says, that is what creates the family of God. [34:12] It’s not a perishable seed.

[34:15] It’s imperishable. [34:17] Why? [34:18] Because it’s from the living and abiding word of God. [34:26] You see, what Peter’s describing there in verses 22 and 23 [34:30] is community. [34:31] You may take that and think it’s talking about individualism.

[34:34] It’s not, not based on the context. [34:38] So therefore, rather than seeking a commonality [34:40] based on our own preferences, [34:43] our commonality is the truth of God [34:45] that has commanded us to come together, [34:48] to live his mission, to build his church.

[34:52] And in doing that, make no mistake, our sin will be seen. [34:59] But instead of retreating, we praise God for it. [35:03] Why? [35:03] Because of the repentance that can happen [35:06] that brings us closer together as a family. [35:08] There’s a couple things that have to happen there.

[35:10] First, the vision has to be of God. [35:13] So because the vision is not of God. [35:16] When you begin to have mirrors stuck on you [35:19] and you just kind of begin to see yourself [35:22] in a different light, you begin to be confronted [35:24] with the truth of God.

[35:26] And it says, repent.

[35:30] You’ve done wrong. [35:32] You’re acting wrong. [35:33] Your motivations are wrong. [35:36] See, if all that you have is a functional community, [35:39] that’s so offensive, that it’ll make anybody walk away. [35:44] And you’ll begin to say things,

[35:45] well, it just didn’t inspire me. [35:48] I just needed something that was more motivational. [35:51] I needed more positive stuff.

[35:55] That’s functional.

[35:58] See, when community and the word of God [36:00] begins to confront us with our sin, [36:02] and if it’s formative, it might sting a little, [36:06] but here’s what’ll happen. [36:08] Your vision, when you walked in, was God. [36:11] And see, you walked in and you said,

[36:13] yeah, I expected that to happen. [36:16] Because you understood who you were, [36:18] you understand who God is, [36:19] and you understand the purpose of the gospel in your life. [36:21] And so the community that God puts around you, [36:23] it is to begin the work of repentance

[36:27] that’s going to last until the day that you die. [36:30] And so I don’t know of any sin that I have to repent of. [36:33] Are you dead?

[36:37] Until you are in the casket, repentance is needed. [36:42] Trust me, friend, we all have a long way to grow. [36:47] People tell me all the time [36:49] the things that I’ve got to repent of. [36:51] You’re such a loving community.

[36:54] Just kidding, nah, you really do. [36:57] But you see, when repentance brings us together as a family, [37:05] and we understand that we’re a family of God, [37:09] so we don’t cast one another aside for the same reasons, [37:13] we understand what family bonds are all about, [37:16] that we have the greatest, largest, most unique family ever,

[37:21] and that is the Church of Jesus Christ. [37:24] And when we have that vision, this first Peter one vision,

[37:30] God at the center cultivates a community life of worship, [37:34] because that is what it is to be all about. [37:37] We are formed while we form the family [37:40] of the Church of Jesus Christ, [37:41] and that formation is one in which we seek God [37:45] to be known as our all.

[37:47] I mean, note what Paul writes in Romans chapter eight, [37:50] starting in verse 14. [37:51] He says, for all who are led by the Spirit of God [37:53] are sons of God, fantastic. [37:56] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery [37:59] to fall back into fear,

[38:00] but you have received the spirit of adoption as what? [38:03] As sons by whom we cry Abba Father. [38:06] He’s our dad, he’s our father, he loves us. [38:09] We belong to him, and we belong with him. [38:11] But then he says, the Spirit himself bears witness [38:13] with our spirit that we are what?

[38:15] We are the children of God, plural.

[38:19] Plural. [38:20] Plural.

[38:22] And if children, then heirs. [38:26] Of what? [38:27] Heirs of God. [38:29] And fellow heirs, again, plural,

[38:34] with Christ.

[38:38] Provided we suffer with him in order that we may also [38:41] be glorified with him. [38:44] The end is always glory. [38:47] Even if the path is tough. [38:50] Even if the path is one that’s marked by pain. [38:53] Even if the path is one that’s marked by you being a jerk.

[38:57] Even if the path is one that is marked by you needing [39:00] to be called out for your sin. [39:04] Even if the path is one in which [39:08] there’s confusion at times, there’s messes to clean up. [39:12] I got three kids, I’m used to that by now.

[39:15] There are things that family business needs to take care of. [39:20] There’s discipline that has to be laid out.

[39:26] He says, those are all things that you should expect. [39:29] Because we’re family. [39:32] And if you’ve been married for any length of time [39:34] and you’ve had any kids, you’ve seen the messes, [39:38] you’ve laid out or felt the discipline, [39:41] you’ve had the tough days, you’ve been disappointed,

[39:46] you’ve had arguments, you’ve had to correct the path [39:49] a couple of times, you’ve had to say I’m sorry.

[39:56] And that is why this is an analogy [39:59] that should be so familiar to each and every one of us. [40:04] See, when we read Romans eight, we’re thinking, [40:06] that family where it’s like the royal family, [40:08] where we expect everyone coming to breakfast [40:10] with their finest outfits on,

[40:13] and they’ve all got the funky hats on, [40:16] and they’re sipping tea like this.

[40:19] I don’t think that’s why Paul wrote this. [40:22] I think Paul wrote this because [40:24] he knew what your experience was. [40:28] It’s been tough. [40:29] But he’s saying the difference with the family of God is, [40:32] is that God our Father, he’s the perfect Father.

[40:35] He’s the good Father. [40:38] And he’s the forgiving Father. [40:39] Because he told a wretched sinner like you and me, [40:42] he said, hey, hey, hey,

[40:45] don’t come in here with that unfamiliar language, [40:48] call me Abba. [40:50] I’m your dad. [40:52] And don’t walk in here like you need permission. [40:57] Bust into the bathroom when I don’t want you to. [41:00] I got some parents in here, right?

[41:04] He says, why? [41:05] Because you belong in my presence, why? [41:07] Because you are a fellow heir of Jesus Christ.

[41:13] This is a family. [41:16] See, our Father is bringing his children together to grow, [41:19] and he’s bringing them together to be formed [41:21] into a community where we experience [41:23] the glory of God in the end. [41:26] And that can only happen with God at the center.

[41:30] That’s the only way. [41:31] And a culture that is built in which the goal of community [41:34] is the formation of the family of God. [41:37] Yes, some of us will gravitate more naturally [41:40] towards one another. [41:41] Of course, that’s natural.

[41:44] But even our commonalities should be understood [41:47] as beneficial only in regards of forming us [41:50] in our worship of God. [41:53] And this happens as we live out more and more [41:57] what our true identity is. [42:01] And that is that we are children of God

[42:05] who need a formative community to worship God [42:08] with more and more of our lives [42:11] as we follow Jesus more and more in this life. [42:16] As the band comes up, friend,

[42:22] relationships are hard, because we’re sinners.

[42:26] But the pathway is always easier. [42:30] It’s always more focused when we walk into it [42:34] and we understand what it’s all about.

[42:39] When we’re all on the same page, [42:40] when we know the house rules.

[42:44] Here at Village Church, we are seeking to form [42:48] a formative community. [42:51] One in which God is the center of our community [42:54] so that God will be the center of our worship. [42:58] And when that happens, we’ll find our sin. [43:03] We’ll need to repent.

[43:06] We’ll need to learn how to love. [43:09] But in the end, we will learn how to grow. [43:12] And we will catch more and more of a vision [43:14] of just what the glory of God looks like in this life. [43:18] And it may be hard, but there will be treasures [43:21] and there will be joy.

[43:24] As we celebrate that this morning, [43:26] I want to do it as we do every week. [43:28] I want us to be confronted with just how God [43:31] formed this community. [43:34] The bread represents the broken body of Jesus. [43:36] The cup represents His shed blood.

[43:39] His body was broken, His blood was shed, [43:42] taking the penalty for our sins. [43:44] And as we eat and as we drink, we do that, [43:48] reflecting on the great price that Jesus Christ paid [43:52] for your adoption. [43:53] Your adoption into the eternal family of God.

[43:58] And if you believe that this morning, [44:00] if you’ve trusted in Jesus, I invite you to these tables. [44:04] Eat, drink, celebrate the death of our King [44:08] that formed our family.