How Community Builds Mission.

KJ Washington

[0:03] Music

[0:08] As followers of Jesus, as we gather together in community, there is a mission that is [0:14] undergirding while we’re gathering together. Like even us on Sunday mornings, [0:18] we come together for a purpose and that’s to worship God and to define joy [0:22] in Him, but even to be a part of Jesus’s mission to make more disciples. See, all [0:29] of us are called to be a part of community. All of us are called to be a part of these [0:34] types of relationships that are centered on Jesus and the good news of the gospel.

[0:38] And that’s what we’re going to see Paul talking about in this passage this morning. [0:43] What Paul’s going to do is he’s going to connect the cross of Christ and Christ’s [0:47] sacrificial love to the mission of Jesus and how that draws us into community. [0:54] So as we move towards the text this morning, that’s the idea we’re going to be talking about. [0:57] So let’s pick up in verse 14. Verse 14 reads as this, it says, [1:03] For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this, that one has died for all,

[1:11] therefore all have died. At least is the point number one this morning. [1:15] The love of Christ is about people. The love of Christ is about people. [1:20] In this section, Paul has already previously been discussing the need for God’s people to be [1:25] reconciled together as one people. That’s what’s happening before these verses. [1:28] But now he starts to talk about what actually holds us together. [1:32] So as the church lives on mission, there’s only one underlining principle or idea that’s going to

[1:39] constantly and consistently keep us united. And for Paul here, he’s saying it’s Christ’s love [1:46] for his church that is going to be this guiding ethic that’s going to keep us together as the people of God. [1:52] So if you remove Christ’s love from the equation, what he’s saying is that the community is going to fall apart. [1:59] The people that we’re caring for, we’re not going to really be as interconnected as we think that we are [2:03] if we remove Christ’s love. So as Paul’s transitioning in verse 14, it says, he’s saying it’s the love of [2:10] Christ that controls us. The semantic range of this word control can mean many things.

[2:16] It can mean to compel, to hold fast, to enclose or to constrain. [2:23] Each one of these possible meanings is driving home the idea that the death and the resurrection of Jesus [2:28] is the central reason why we are united as people into community. [2:34] See, it’s all of Christ’s accomplishment on the cross that is going to compel us to actually love people.

[2:43] See, we try to love people in our own fruition. It’s going to be hard because when times get hard, [2:47] you want to want to walk away from community.

[2:51] But it’s Christ’s love that’s going to control us and move us towards other people.

[2:58] Not because of anything that they brought to the table, but because of who Jesus is and what he’s done in order to save people. [3:06] So the question for us to consider this morning is, does the love of Christ compel you to actually love other people? [3:14] Because what you love controls actually who you love. [3:19] What you love controls who you love. See, if you want to understand what someone loves, consider what actually dictates their schedule. [3:27] If you actually struggle to surround your life with people and to invest in relationships with people, [3:33] it probably shows that you probably love some other things more than people.

[3:37] For some, as we talk about growing together in community, we say, hey, we need to walk into these environments [3:43] and invest in these environments to grow alongside other believers in the gospel. [3:48] But what brings us to that? It’s the love of Jesus that brings us into those spaces. [3:53] But if we’re constantly saying, yeah, I love Jesus, I love people, [3:56] but we’re not creating enough margin in our schedules to actually be around people, [4:01] it’s probably indicative of what we actually love.

[4:05] Because it’s the love of Christ is actually going to propel us to actually care for and love other people. [4:10] See, it’s hard for somebody to say they love Jesus, but not to commit to being a part of the community that’s living on mission for him. [4:19] So the cause for all of us to consider, what do we actually love? [4:21] What are we prioritizing in our lives? Are we being compelled by Jesus’ love? [4:25] Is that what’s moving us forward? [4:28] Is that what stirs our affections?

[4:34] Or are we having other affairs with different things in our lives that’s grabbing our hearts and that’s moving us in directions?

[4:41] Maybe you’ve been the person that has just been making up so many different excuses in your life for why you’re not loving people well or walking into community. [4:52] Maybe you’re putting up some walls, but you’re trying to say that it’s the love of Christ that’s compelling you to live the life that you live.

[5:00] Paul here’s making a case saying, look, the reason why I invest in relationships, [5:05] the reason why I’m committed to being reconciled to other people is because Jesus’ love actually compels me and Jesus’ love is actually stirring my heart.

[5:18] For Paul in this passage, he was explaining his commitment to being reconciled in the gospel to other believers. [5:23] So what he’s ultimately saying is this, is that reconciliation to other believers is actually only possible through the gospel. [5:30] There’s no other means of actually being truly reconciled to Jesus and truly reconciled to others if the gospel is not at the center. [5:39] Why? Because without the gospel, everything’s just going to fall apart. [5:42] You’ve been there, you’ve had maybe relationships with family members and coworkers when you thought you were so close, but that one thing happens and it breaks the relationship.

[5:51] See, the connecting vow for us in community as followers of Jesus is the good news of the gospel because Christ came to die for sinners on their behalf. [5:58] Even though we’ve rebelled against God, even though we’ve made mistakes, Christ is a gracious Redeemer. [6:04] And then he stood in our place. [6:05] And so even though somebody might mess up and then send towards you, we can still live in community with them because of Jesus and what he’s already accomplished. [6:13] Then we can forgive them because it’s been Jesus in their place already. [6:17] And so when Christ is not the sinner, we can’t actually have true reconciliation.

[6:23] And that’s what we need to have. And that’s what Paul’s talking about here. [6:27] See, when you have been reconciled to God, the love of Christ should be the controlling factor in your life. [6:32] You will move from being controlled by all these other affections that have grabbed your heart and then you’ll move from saying, Jesus is compelling me to see people this way.

[6:46] As we’re even just saying, we want to love like Jesus. We want to understand the weight of his grace. [6:52] And only when that compels us, are we going to actually care for the people around us in the way that Jesus wants us to. [7:00] And this morning, if you are not a follower of Jesus, I want to tell you this. [7:03] You’re actually going to struggle to love people that you are so-called in community with because they’re never going to meet your standards.

[7:11] And this is what Paul’s getting at here. He’s like, look, I’m in a relationship with people who sin against me, that hurt me, that harm me, unintentionally even. [7:19] But the reason why I’m able to stay there, to be present, is because of the gospel. [7:24] For some of you, you’ve been struggling with relationships, even with people within the church. [7:28] You’re like, I just can’t get those church people. They keep sinning against me. They keep hurting me. [7:33] And we’ve sinned against God. We’ve hurt God, but God still pursues us in relationship and he still draws near to us. [7:40] So why does Paul stay at the table? He stays at the table because of Jesus.

[7:44] That’s why he’s there caring for other people. [7:46] And it’s actually the sacrificial love of Jesus that puts this on display for Paul. [7:51] And so what Paul’s doing here is he’s actually emulating the love of Jesus to the people around him. [7:56] And that’s what we need to do as well, because Christ died to show his love for people. [8:02] See, why was Paul willing to let the love of Christ control him? [8:06] Let’s think about that. Christ died for his sins. Christ went to the cross on his behalf.

[8:12] Jesus himself was selfless. His love was on display at the cross. [8:17] But oh no, that person did something against you. I can’t really love them anymore. [8:22] We’re supposed to emulate the love of Christ.

[8:25] We transgressed against God. We sinned against God, but he still loved us. [8:29] We should still pursue those relationships with others. [8:33] I think Paul here is pointing us back to the cross as a central theme here, because Christ displayed his love in a very particular way. [8:40] John 3, 16, a verse that we all know, reads as this. It says,

[8:50] That text gives the weight of God’s love. I really like the phrasing of the CSB here. [8:55] I’m going to read this to us. It says this. [8:57] For God loved the world in this way. [9:00] This is the way that God showed his love, that he gave his one and only son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. [9:09] God is the standard for the way that we should love other people. [9:12] It’s a type of sacrificial love, and this is what actually keeps us reconciled to others.

[9:19] So in the same way as Christians, we should love other people in a way that’s not centered on our own personal preferences, but it’s actually centered on Christ’s sacrificial love. [9:30] And God is calling all of us to love the people around us. [9:34] Christ calls us to love other people. [9:38] We have to see that. [9:40] So as followers of Jesus, we are not controlled by the rhymes and reasons of our own lives, not our own preferences, not our own conceptions of love, our ambitions, but what we love actually controls us. [9:50] And we need to be controlled and compelled by the love of Christ to move us forward into relationships with others.

[9:58] See, for us, as we look at the cross and as we see what Jesus has accomplished for us, we should be mesmerized by what Jesus has accomplished and say, we want to show this love to other people.

[10:09] In 1 John chapter 4, verse 9 through 11, this same idea is conveyed. [10:15] It says this, it says, In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only son into the world so that we might live through him. [10:24] In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son to be a propitiation for our sins. [10:30] Look at the last verse, it says this, Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

[10:40] So if we understand the way of this passage of Jesus being in our place on the cross, that we should see that we need to care for other people also. [10:49] See, when Jesus went to the cross, he declared to the world that people mattered. [10:54] He was showing to them that he loved them enough to go and to die on their behalf. [10:59] And so as we’re in relationship with other people, as we see other people, we need to see that community is worth it. [11:04] And it has a mission. Why? Because Jesus is at the center of it. [11:08] He died on the behalf of the people that are in the circle with you, that are in relationship with you.

[11:16] See, when Jesus atoned for their sin, he proclaimed to them that there’s hope in the messiness of people’s lives. [11:23] There’s hope. So that’s why we can stay in relationships with other people, because even though we’re messy people, [11:28] there’s a Redeemer who can redeem people from their messiness, that he can restore, that he can work things out for the good in the midst of these relationships. [11:38] When we’re centered on the true mission, when the gospel is actually at the center. [11:44] So our response should be to love people in a similar way, because Jesus is setting the standard for us. [11:50] See, when Christ’s love controls us, we will fight for healthy relationships with other believers that will spur us on in the gospel together.

[11:57] We’ll be willing to commit to them, to show up week in and week out and invest in those relationships, because we know that there’s going to be fruit from them. [12:06] So what Paul is conveying to us here is that we cannot see our faith in individualistic terms. [12:10] We can’t come to the table and say, we can do this by ourselves. [12:12] But what Paul is saying is that the love of Jesus causes me to move towards people, not away from them. [12:19] That even though I have to open myself up to other people, I need to move towards them, because this is what Jesus is actually calling me to. [12:27] See, Christianity is not centered on your personal profession of faith, but it’s centered on a confession of a people.

[12:34] It’s a people joining together saying that we confess that Jesus is Lord and that we want to live together in community and be on mission for Jesus. [12:42] And as we’re doing life with other people, we’ll be encouraged by those mutual relationships that we have established with these people that will encourage us to take steps forward in the gospel. [12:52] So Jesus cares about how we love people, because he wants to see people saved and he wants to see people sanctified. [12:59] He wants to see us grow in the gospel. [13:01] He wants to see us committed to this mission. [13:05] So we need to be compelled by the love of Christ for us to actually enter into biblical community and to commit to it.

[13:12] But the only way that’s going to happen is if the mission of Jesus is centralized in this community. [13:17] At least the point number two this morning. [13:19] Without mission, community fails. Without mission, community fails. [13:24] Picking up in verse 15, it says this. [13:27] And he died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves, but for him who for their sake died and was raised. [13:36] So as Paul talks about the purpose of Christ dying for sinners, he’s connecting it to the sacrificial love of Christ and the mission that Jesus is calling us to.

[13:44] So for Christians, the death and resurrection of Christ should move us towards a mission, as we mentioned. [13:49] And as this passage says, Christ died for us so that we can no longer live for ourselves. [13:53] It’s not about us living for our own desires, but it’s about us living for others to know Jesus. [13:58] For us living for God’s glory and not our own. [14:02] So for us to be a part of biblical community, we have to remember that the community is not about us. [14:07] I think it’s really easy for us to walk in the community and think it’s all about us.

[14:10] But for followers of Jesus, community is all about the mission of Jesus. [14:14] And when we take out the mission of Jesus from being at the center of community, everything’s going to fall apart. [14:19] Friends, mission is central in community. [14:21] See, when we understand that we have been brought into a community and set apart for a purpose, our understanding of the mission of Jesus will never be the same. [14:29] We will never be able to step into community with the same lens or vision for it. [14:35] And friends, that’s what we have to reckon with.

[14:37] We don’t gather in community for the purpose of our own selfish interests. [14:41] Like Jesus didn’t go to the cross so that we could just come and boast among ourselves about who we are and what we’ve done and what we have accomplished. [14:49] But Jesus brought us into community for we can make much of him and we can help other people live for God with their lives.

[14:57] See, the moment that community is built solely on common interests, the group will struggle when times gets hard. [15:04] When we grow and build community and center it all about us, we’re really going to struggle to commit to what biblical community actually is. [15:13] Because when life gets hard, when people are hurt, when people are walking through struggles in their lives, they’re going to need hope. [15:20] And if that hope of the gospel is not centered at the center of the community, what hope are you going to point them towards? [15:26] Just good platitudes, good moral thoughts? [15:30] But no, we need to point people towards the Redeemer.

[15:34] See, the community has a purpose and we have to understand this purpose for us to truly understand why the community is valuable and why we need to be on a mission together. [15:45] See, I want you to remember that you have been saved and commissioned on a mission with other people and that’s for a purpose. [15:50] First Peter chapter two, verse nine says this, it says,

[16:06] See, the people of God corporately share with others the goodness and the grace of God who has the power to save people from their sins. [16:13] Like you’ve been set apart for a purpose, you’ve been brought together into a community for a purpose and that’s to radiate the light of God. [16:21] To shine to others how good Jesus is and how much you can boast in his work. [16:26] Because you’re a bunch of broken sinners who are in need of grace.

[16:30] And what you’re doing in the midst of that community is you’re pointing to the world and saying that Jesus does save and that he does have the ability to transform lives. [16:39] You have the ability to walk alongside other people and see them grow in the gospel. [16:44] You’ll have the opportunity to walk alongside other people and see them move from not having faith in Jesus towards having faith in Jesus. [16:51] From them maturing in the gospel to loving their family well in the gospel to raising kids in a way that’s going to help them to honor and glorify God with their lives. [17:00] When we’re in community, we get to experience this type of work happen. [17:03] We get to proclaim the excellencies of God.

[17:06] We get to proclaim the glory of God in the midst of community.

[17:11] See the mission of community is proclaiming the light of the gospel, but it’s so easy for us to bring our own personal missions to the conversation. [17:19] It’s so easy for us to try to hijack the mission of community and bring our own personal personal preferences or thoughts that community and allow that to shape the perception that we have of community. [17:30] And when that comes, when that starts to happen, that’s contagious. [17:35] And they can allow a community to become very idle, not moving forward on mission for Jesus. [17:43] When you think about biblical community, think about it from the standpoint of its intended purpose, not from your consumeristic needs. [17:51] Don’t think about it in a way of which you can get out of it, but what God can get out of it.

[17:56] Think about God’s glory in the midst of the community, because any time that you keep showing up into community environments thinking about yourself, you’re going to struggle because you’re going to leave week in and week out. [18:05] Well, I just didn’t get anything out of it. [18:06] Well, guess what? It’s not all about you. [18:09] It’s not all about you. It’s about Jesus’ glory. [18:11] It’s about him doing a work in the people together. [18:15] That’s crucial for us in our understanding of community.

[18:19] See, people make their way into community for multiple reasons. [18:21] Some come into communities and make friends. [18:23] Others come into community for just simple moral relief. [18:27] Others come into community because they just feel obligated to come because maybe their spouse is coming or they feel the pressure from other people in the church. [18:33] This is the thing. [18:34] When we miss the purpose of community, you’re going to struggle.

[18:39] You’re not going to be satisfied there. [18:40] You’re not going to understand the purpose. [18:42] But here’s the good news. [18:43] Maybe that’s you today. [18:44] Guess what? God can still work through that. [18:45] God’s worked through people coming to community for the wrong reasons.

[18:49] God’s shown himself to people through the midst of the community because other people are there for the right reason. [18:54] And they’re there boasting in Jesus. [18:55] They’re sharing the good news of the gospel to one another. [18:58] They’re finding the grace in the cross in the midst of that community because people are reminding them of Jesus and what he’s accomplished on their behalf. [19:04] And I want to encourage you this morning, if you’ve been coming to community for the wrong reasons, guess what? [19:08] Jesus still loves you and Jesus still died for you on the cross.

[19:10] And there’s good news because Jesus wants to still bring you into community and there’s never going to be another community like it. [19:16] That you can trust this community, that you can be firm on that foundation that’s been set by Jesus.

[19:24] So you can walk into that community open, honest, trusting that Jesus is the one that’s redeeming people in the midst of it. [19:32] See, the only way that you will stay engaged in community for the long cause if you are committed to the mission of the community. [19:39] For some of you, you might be feeling like you’ve hit a season where you just don’t get why you keep showing up. [19:44] You keep getting invited, you keep coming, and you’re like, I just don’t get why this matters. [19:49] Well, friends, for you, you might be drifting on the mission of the community. [19:52] You might be thinking about the community in such a way that’s so centered on yourself that you forgot the purpose of the community.

[19:58] When you think about it, what Jesus intended it for, that’s your perception. [20:04] So I want to encourage you to reflect on this good news that there is a purpose for it. [20:08] And I want you to walk forward in the midst of that community and trust Jesus to work. [20:13] See, friends, I’ve been able to witness some communities on form, grow, flourish, and I’ve been able to witness some communities that have struggled. [20:22] And there’s a few factors to that. [20:24] When the group of people that are gathered in this community are not committed to this mission, it’s going to struggle.

[20:31] It’s going to. [20:32] But when you have a group of people that are self-centered come together saying that’s in the name of Jesus, you’re actually going to struggle to see gospel transformation take place. [20:40] So just because you gather together with a few Christians, maybe some friends, doesn’t mean that you have a gospel center community that’s living on a mission for Jesus. [20:47] It doesn’t mean that. [20:49] But we need to gather with people that are committed to the mission of Jesus. [20:53] And that’s going to remind us of that even for those moments when we struggle.

[20:57] So that they can remind us of the purpose of why we’re coming. [21:01] So they can remind us of the grace of Jesus and why he’s calling us to be a part of this, this people and to live on mission for him. [21:08] See, this is why we’ve created the spaces for community groups. [21:12] We wanted to create spaces where people can grow together in the gospel so people can gather week in and week out to learn more about Jesus and to push each other in their faith. [21:20] But when we come to these spaces that we’ve created with the wrong intentions, it’s going to be hard. [21:26] And so when community groups are not driven by the mission of Jesus, they’re just another hollow therapeutic group.

[21:33] We have to remember that. [21:33] You come in, you cast your cares amongst people and they just tell you what to do. [21:39] That’s not going to sustain you for the longevity of your life. [21:42] Only the gospel can do that work. [21:44] And this is the thing. Some of you have been longing for intentional community and you’ve been avoiding it. [21:50] Like you know that you need more intimate relationships with people.

[21:53] And even for dudes, this is hard at times. Dudes, we don’t like to be open and honest with guys. [21:56] Like you need this type of community. [21:58] Guys to call you out on your stuff. [22:01] To point you to the cross and your need for redemption. [22:04] And we need to step into those communities. [22:07] We need to draw our families into these communities because this is the only way that we’re going to grow holistically.

[22:13] So if you’re somebody in here right now, you’re not in community, I want to call you to this community because there’s no way that you’re going to remain faithful to the mission of Jesus outside of community. [22:21] You’re going to struggle. [22:23] You’re going to become complacent. [22:25] You have to fight that temptation. [22:27] Acts chapter one verse eight says this. [22:28] It says, but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.

[22:32] And you, the people of God, will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth. [22:40] The people of God collectively will be a witness to the world. [22:43] So we need to be together with people to be out on mission for Jesus. [22:47] So as we move together as Christians in community, our mission must be encompassed by this identity that we are witnesses for God. [22:54] So we gather together and then we scatter out to reach more people with the good news of the gospel. [22:59] So all of this comes back to the idea of what is your mission for community?

[23:05] What mission are you bringing in your mind to community? [23:08] Because your mission will dictate whether or not you enjoy and experience biblical community. [23:14] So you might be all around biblical community, but you haven’t stepped into it to embrace it yet. [23:19] And guess what? Jesus wants you to step into it. [23:22] He wants you to embrace it for all that it’s worth. [23:26] Even though you feel like you don’t have enough time for it.

[23:28] Even though you feel like your schedule is too busy, he still is calling you to step into it. [23:33] Even better, he’s calling you to actually give up some other things in your schedule. [23:36] He’s saying, no, you need to step into this first and foremost in your life. [23:40] Even when you feel like it’s a hindrance. [23:42] Even when you feel like it’s hard. [23:44] Even when you feel like you’re not getting anything out of it.

[23:47] And this is why it matters. [23:48] Your mission will dictate whether or not you will actually enjoy this community that Jesus is calling us to.

[23:56] There are some of us in here this morning who have struggled to build community with other Christians. [23:59] And it’s because you are the ones that have the wrong mission. [24:04] You might just want to be a better person. [24:06] That’s why you show up. [24:08] You just maybe just want to appease your spouse. [24:09] That’s why you’re here.

[24:12] But guess what? [24:13] The community is not the problem. [24:15] It’s the work that needs to transpire inside of you. [24:18] You need to trust that Jesus is good enough to do a work in you. [24:21] And you need to trust him and his authority in saying that this community is good for you. [24:27] But will you trust him?

[24:28] Will you keep fighting back? [24:31] Will you actually embrace the mission that Jesus has for you? [24:35] If that’s you this morning, I want to ask you, is your mission in your life first and foremost to make disciples? [24:41] Is your mission first and foremost to glorify God with your life? [24:46] Or are you willing to do whatever it takes for God to get the glory in your life? [24:51] Because friends, if you are not posh in yourself to see God get the glory, you will always struggle to enjoy community.

[24:58] Because it won’t ever be enough for you. [25:00] Why? Because you’re not getting the glory. [25:02] Because you’re not getting the pat on the back. [25:04] You only talk about in community what makes you feel good and what makes you look good. [25:09] But you won’t talk about the good and gracious Redeemer who can actually redeem people from their sins.

[25:15] See, for you, it will just be another gathering. [25:18] Just another meeting. [25:20] Just another notch in your schedule. [25:23] But Jesus isn’t calling us to that type of community. [25:26] He’s calling us to something that has value, that has worth, and that’s centered on Him. [25:31] See, for us to remain faithful to Jesus and His mission, we need other people to come alongside of us.

[25:36] My prayer for you is that you will be compelled first by love of Christ and then you will move into these spaces and you will say, Jesus, I need this. [25:42] You’ll commit to this. [25:43] Because you know that week in and week out, you need these types of relationships.

[25:49] Because friends, guess what? [25:50] You can come to some of those spaces too and be present and still be disengaged. [25:55] So I don’t want this to be one of these moments where you’re saying, well, I’m showing up.

[26:00] I just haven’t got everything out of it yet, but I’m still showing up. [26:04] Friends, I want you to be engaged in this. [26:06] I want you to be committed to this. [26:08] I don’t want people to have to just go to you and bring you into it. [26:11] I want you to go to them and bring them into it. [26:13] Are you moving towards community or are you moving away from it?

[26:17] Because the same thing is true. [26:18] Are you moving towards mission or are you moving away from mission? [26:21] Because a community is essential to the mission of Jesus.

[26:27] But for some of us this morning, there’s a major hurdle for us entering into community. [26:32] And that’s people. [26:33] People are there. [26:35] Maybe for you, you struggle to interact with people. [26:38] Maybe you say you love Jesus, but you’re like, I just don’t really like people. [26:42] Maybe you’re just like, man, those people annoy me.

[26:44] They get on my nerves. [26:45] Guess what? [26:47] As Paul’s saying this morning, we’re compelled by the love of Christ to actually care about people, [26:51] to love people, to see them how he sees them. [26:54] So we actually need to move towards people. [26:58] So friends, this morning, the third and final point is this.

[27:00] You need to change the way that you look at people. [27:03] You need to change the way that you look at people. [27:06] Picking up in verse 16.

[27:08] From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. [27:13] Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, [27:16] we regard him thus no longer. [27:18] Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. [27:21] The oldest passed away. [27:23] Behold, the new has come.

[27:25] See, because of the love of Christ controlling Paul, he was able to have a different perspective of people. [27:31] He didn’t view people anymore according to the flesh, but he sees people through God’s lens. [27:38] See, people are not seen as just being people in the midst of their sinfulness. [27:42] They’re not being seen anymore based on their outer appearance.

[27:47] They’re seen in the way that God sees them. [27:49] See, before reconciliation with God, all people make observations and draw conclusions of other people based on their appearance, personality, and social status. [27:57] If you’re honest with yourself, you’ve done it before. [27:59] And that’s maybe been a hindrance for you to actually walk into community because you see the people there and you’re like, I am better than them. [28:06] Or I actually cannot be in relationship with those people because of who they are. [28:10] But what Paul is saying here is that the way that Jesus is changing us is to define the way that we see people.

[28:17] See, when we consider the lives of people, we begin to define who they are about worldly terms sometimes. [28:22] And Paul here is doing the opposite. [28:24] He’s drawn a distinction for the way that we see them in light of who Jesus is. [28:28] See, before faith in Jesus, believers could only see Christ as a historical figure who influenced history. [28:34] But after we’ve been changed by the grace of the cross, the Christian’s vision for Christ is one that views him as king and lord of our lives. [28:44] And so the same way that we need to have a new vision for Jesus is the same way that we need to have a new vision for people.

[28:49] See, we can’t see people the same way anymore. [28:52] See, we need to allow the love of Christ to compel us. [28:56] See, the old self is content with superficial qualifications for valuing people. [29:01] But the new self has a new valuing system, and it’s one that’s centered on Jesus. [29:06] And it’s from the perspective that Jesus redeems all people, and he has that ability to save people. [29:13] So it doesn’t matter about what is your background or where you come from or your social status, but that Jesus can redeem you.

[29:19] It doesn’t matter about how weird you are or how cool you are, Jesus can still redeem you. [29:23] So this is why we need to walk into community. [29:25] We need to see that there’s a different way of seeing the world. [29:28] So you need to change the way you look at Jesus so that you can also change the way that you look at people. [29:34] See, if you are a follower of Jesus, there should be a noticeable difference between the way that you used to view Jesus and the way that you view him now. [29:40] So I don’t know where you’re at today. I don’t know where you’re at this morning.

[29:44] But there should be a difference from when you used to live the way you used to live and the way that you live now if you follow Jesus. [29:51] You should see him in a different way. [29:53] And so if Jesus is actually changing you and you see him as Lord of your life, as Paul is saying, you should be moving in a different direction. [30:00] And that should be influencing the way that you’re seeing other people. [30:05] Think about it. We almost missed out on seeing Jesus for who he was outside of faith. [30:11] But Jesus changed us.

[30:13] And some of us are almost missing out on people because of the way that we see them. [30:20] We don’t see them the way that Jesus sees them. [30:23] And this is something that we should be concerned about. [30:26] See, if I’m honest, before Christ, people were just an obstacle for me. [30:31] If I’m honest, you would find the people that would help you out, get you where you want to get in life, and you will leave the rest. [30:38] And that temptation is true for us here.

[30:41] I would like to argue I think it’s true for all of us. [30:44] We like to move into spaces where we think that people can benefit us in some way, shape, or form. [30:48] Maybe for you, that’s been part of your story, why you haven’t entered into a community. [30:52] Because you’re like, what can I learn from them? [30:54] Whether it’s an age difference, whether it’s you feel like it’s a lifestyle difference. [30:58] You’re like, what can they bring to the table for me?

[31:02] And friends, that’s an obstacle that that’s in our way and that’s hindering us from true biblical community. [31:08] We have to fight back against that. [31:10] That’s something we should repent of. [31:12] Why? Because the old creation is gone. [31:15] We’re a new creation now. [31:16] That’s the old stuff.

[31:17] That’s the old way of viewing life. [31:21] So we need to see people for the way that Jesus sees them. [31:25] And we got to take this serious. [31:28] See, after Jesus, my worldview began to change. [31:31] I started seeing people the way that Jesus wanted me to see them. [31:34] I saw them as image barriers who had worth.

[31:37] And that changed my full perspective of community. [31:40] I didn’t walk into community thinking about what they could give me, but I moved into community thinking about what Jesus could do through them and through us together. [31:48] I started building relationships with people that were were different than me. [31:51] And I was content with saying, man, Jesus can work through both of us to move us and to create us and shape us into a way that he wants to to build our lives and to move us into to more faithfulness towards him.

[32:06] See, viewing people from your own thoughts will always send you from the mission of Jesus. [32:10] It will hinder you all the time. [32:12] And friends, I’ve seen time and time again, people become neglected in community based on people’s individual perspectives of them time and time again. [32:21] You’ve seen it happen. You’ve been in community when there’s been that person that’s just on on the corner or the outside. [32:25] They’re not being engaged as much. [32:27] Maybe they’re a little bit different and nobody’s going in going to reach them and to bring them in.

[32:33] Maybe for you, you’ve been invited by a group of people to join a group. [32:36] You’re like, I don’t know if I should do that. [32:38] You know, you’re a little odd. [32:40] And you won’t go for it. [32:43] We’ve seen it happen. [32:44] And that’s been an obstacle in our lives for the mission of Jesus.

[32:50] See, friends don’t allow these things to become hurdles. [32:52] Don’t neglect community for this reason, for these purposes. [32:55] But we should be welcoming everybody into the community. [32:59] Doesn’t matter how odd they are, how cool they are. [33:01] We all need Jesus and we all need him to redeem our lives and we can grow together in the gospel.

[33:08] See, friends, our old way of viewing people needs to be crucified at the cross. [33:14] Your quick tendency to judge needs to be laid at the foot of the cross. [33:17] Your instinct to think about you being better than other people needs to be laid at the foot of the cross. [33:22] And your swift language to tear down instead of to build up other people needs to be laid at the foot of the cross. [33:28] See, until you allow these old habits to leave and to lay them at the foot of the cross and allow Jesus to do the redemptive work in your lives, [33:35] you will struggle to commit to community and to love other people and to live on mission together.

[33:40] You will actually struggle to actually reach more people with the gospel because you only reach people who are like you. [33:46] You’ve been there before. You’ve been in the grocery store and you’ve had the moment where you’re walking and talking. [33:52] You meet that person and you’re like, I probably really should invite them to church. [33:56] I don’t know if we would really connect though. You felt the tug maybe. [33:59] Or you’ve had the relationship opportunity to build one with somebody and you’re there and you’re like, [34:04] I would, but will we really get along? Will we really have anything to talk about?

[34:11] See, this is how our perspective of people can actually hinder us from mission. [34:14] See, that’s when we we stop trusting God’s spirit to move into work in us. [34:19] And we we don’t trust Jesus actually to save people. [34:22] Jesus is the Redeemer. We need to trust him to move into work in our lives and through the lives of other people. [34:28] See, this is why we can come to community ready to grow alongside of the people because we know who’s at the center. [34:33] Friends, that’s my encouragement for you this morning.

[34:35] I want to encourage you to come into community ready to give to it and ready to reach more people with the gospel. [34:42] Because as we grow together in community, as a center on the gospel, we will reach more people and welcome them in. [34:48] See, at the center of our community is the mission of Jesus. [34:51] And this is why we have created environments here at Village 2 to foster this. [34:56] And I want to encourage you, if you are not in one of those environments, to join one of those. [35:00] If maybe you’ve been hearing this, you’re saying, look, I need to move into community.

[35:03] I need to commit to it. I want to encourage you today to walk outside to the floor and maybe have a conversation with Pastor Clint or myself. [35:10] And talk about what it looks like for you to get into community. [35:13] Community that’s going to hold you accountable to living for Jesus. [35:16] Maybe you’ve been somebody this morning that you’ve already been into community. [35:19] You’re there, you’re present, but you’ve been very complacent. [35:22] You haven’t been giving to the community.

[35:24] You’ve been really honestly consuming from the community. [35:28] I want to encourage you to step into that community and give, help others foster the mission of Jesus in the midst of their lives and move forward on mission.

[35:38] Maybe you’re somebody who you don’t follow Jesus. [35:41] And you’re saying, look, I just want to buy into the mission. [35:44] I want to encourage you this morning to say yes to Jesus. [35:46] Know that he died on the cross for your sins. [35:49] But guess what? When he died on the cross for you, he didn’t die on the cross for you to be isolated. [35:53] But he brought you into a people, a community.

[35:54] There’s a people that will walk alongside of you and encourage you to grow into the gospel. [35:59] So that’s you this morning. [35:59] I want to encourage you today to then walk into community.

[36:03] Don’t wait to start this pursuit, but move into it right now. [36:08] Friends, we need to have a renewed vision for community. [36:10] We need to allow the mission of Jesus to urge us forward, to be at the center of our community here. [36:16] See, that’s the only way that we’re going to reach more people with the good news of the gospel. [36:19] See, our prayer is for chasters that we would have community groups that are centered on the gospel, that are moving forward. [36:24] That are reaching more people as we live on mission together.

[36:29] I want to leave you with this text as an encouragement. [36:31] First Thessalonians chapter five, verse 14 through 15. [36:34] This is our call. [36:36] And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idol, encourage the faint hearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. [36:44] This is long term investment in the midst of community. [36:46] See that no one repays another evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

[36:53] As we’re living in community, this is our call. [36:56] Help each other out, encourage each other to grow. [36:58] And that’s why we need to be committed to this. [37:00] We need to invest in community.

[37:04] So friends, where are you at today? [37:06] How are you going to respond to this? [37:08] Are you going to commit more to the mission of Jesus? [37:11] Or are you just going to continue to be complacent? [37:14] See, friends, I don’t know where you’re at, but all of us have room to grow. [37:17] I’m saying this for myself, too.

[37:18] I’m preaching to myself here that I have room to grow my own life. [37:22] I’m committing to the mission of Jesus in the midst of community.

[37:26] So we have to respond to it in some way. [37:29] So my prayer is that you will contemplate that this morning. [37:32] Here at Village Church, every Sunday we respond to the messages and to the good news of the gospel through responding and communion. [37:40] For us, what this means is that we get to come to these tables that have juice and a cracker on them is bread there. [37:47] And it represents one, Jesus’ body, which has been broken for us. [37:51] That’s the cracker.

[37:51] The juice represents his blood that’s been poured out for us. [37:54] And as we come to these tables, we’re boasting what Jesus has already accomplished in our lives through the cross. [38:00] But as well, we’re saying that I identify with the mission of Jesus and that I’m committed to Jesus to live my life, seeking to glorify him. [38:06] But guess what? [38:07] We do this corporately for a reason, because we’re called to live for Jesus in community. [38:13] This isn’t something that just happens in your home by yourself, but you do it in community.

[38:17] As a people together, we live for Jesus and his mission. [38:21] So come to the table. [38:23] Maybe repenting of sins in your life. [38:24] Maybe you view people in the wrong way. [38:27] Maybe you’ve had hurdles in your life of actually stepping into community. [38:31] And this morning, I want to encourage you to trust Jesus for who he is.

[38:35] And trust him for his grace to actually change you. [38:38] He can change you today. [38:39] Don’t wait. [38:41] Come to the tables this morning.

[39:05] Come to the table. [39:07] [39:07] [39:07] [39:07] [39:07]

[39:07] [39:07] [39:07] [39:07] [39:07] [39:07]

[39:07] [39:07] [39:07]