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Every Believer Fits in God's Community |
“THE WAY IT WAS AND THE WAY IT CAN BE”
ACTS 2:42-47
“Modern living has obliterated place, locality and neighborhood, and given us the anonymous separateness of our existence. The family, the most basic social system, has been ruthlessly stripped to its functional essentials. Friendship has been coated over with a layer of impenetrable artificiality as men strive to live roles designed for them. Protocol, competition, hostility, and fear have replaced the warmth of the circle of affection, which might sustain man against a hostile environment...America (has become) one vast, terrifying anti-community.’ (Charles Reich - The Greening of America)
Take note of that last sentence. “America (has become) one vast, terrifying anti-community” What an apt description of the world we live in – “anti – community”. (Against community)
You and I, your family, your friends, and your neighbors live in a culture that is set up and functions in ways that keep us from experiencing what we were created to experience – community. We’ve discussed in other messages about the effects of individualism on community. We’ve discussed how our desire for privacy at all costs affects community.
Now contrast that statement with the statement of Apostle Paul. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 1 Cor. 12:27
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The words of Paul, and the message of the gospel is incredibly good news to all those who wonder if they will ever find a place to belong. They wonder if they will ever find a place where they fit.
Here is the good news if you are a believer you fit, Jesus Christ has never redeemed anyone that he has not made to fit and equipped to have a functioning place in his body, in the community of believers.
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Read more... [Every Believer Fits in God's Community]
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“COMMUNITY RELATIONS”
Acts 2:42-47
Michael Green in his book Thirty Years That Changed the World writes: “Why should God add people to his church until there is something warm and loving for him to add them to?”
That is a great question and one certainly worthy of our attention.
We live in a time in which there are numerous tools available to the church. Millions and millions of dollars are spent each and every year by churches trying to market themselves to their communities, to project an image that the community will find attractive and appealing. There are door-hangers you can pass out, media campaigns you can buy. You can build web-sites and do a mass mailing of oversized postcards with all sorts of clever messages on them. Unfortunately and to the dismay of many sometimes they simply don’t work.
It may surprise us to know that Christ has his own marketing program. But instead of cleverly designed materials His marketing program consists of a time – tested and reliable method. When correctly implemented the Lord’s program will be effective, but the degree of effectiveness is determined by his sovereign will.
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Read more... [Community in the Church]
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