A Community Church

 

    A community church is about discipleship.  We are trained to be disciples and we train others to become disciples within the community.  It is a balance between learning, teaching, and evangelism.  The people in the community that come into the church as new believers need faithful leadership to help them become mature Christians.  If we get people to the altar, then we don't need to leave them there. 

    The church does not have to agree on everything, but they do need to agree that they are there to serve the community in Jesus' name.  They need to decide to come together to grow, mature, and become better people.  If there are people that do not agree with this, then they need to move to a different church.  

    As individuals in the community church we need to get away from people to spend alone time with God.  However, we need to do that occasionally as a church.  We need to separate to focus on being an united church.  This does not need to happen often, but unity is vital for a strong living church.  

    Search for what is important for your walk with God and to be a part of the community church.  Get rid of doubt and accept what God is commissioning you to do with the community.  He has given you authority to carry it out, so be confident in your service.

    You need to tell the world that there is only one way to salvation.  It is a waste of time and energy to work toward any other way other than faith in Jesus.  Make a clear path for those that may follow and focus on discipleship training.  God is your Lord and Savior.  

    Why not tell other people what drive s your life.  We live minute by minute because we are not promised another moment.  We have now to do whatever it is that He commissioned us to do.  If there is any doubt, then let me clarify.  We are all commissioned to tell the world about Jesus and the Good News.  We are all commanded to show the world love like Jesus did.

    Miracles were something awesome that Jesus did, then his disciples.  It is based on faith, but it is not the point.  Miracles make life better, but it is not salvation.  It is part of growing your faith, but it will not give you faith.  The point is to pour out God's love onto other people.  Focus on those that you disciple and no other people or you will spread yourself too thin.

    Jesus commanded us to be Baptized.  It should be the first act of obedience after salvation.  It demonstrates your gratitude for what He has done and embraces your new life going forward.  You get the Holy Spirit the moment of salvation, but it is a way to embrace the Holy Spirit as a part of you to empower you to do as He leads. 

    This act of obedience teaches us how to become obedient in our everyday lives.  It embraces God's love, blessings, and trust.  When you go into the water you are yourself.  When you emerge, you are a baby in Christ: pure, innocent, naive, easily influences, and dependent on the mature Christians around you.

    Fellowship and prayer groups are a part of a community church.  It should be a devoted part because even mature Christians need other Christians.  It is a way to be true and intimate with each other without walls or judgment.  We need to learn to open our homes and hearts to each other.  That is important because you don't let just anyone into your home.  That indicates trust.

    We need to pray for each other.  We need to get past the generalized prayers to make very specific prayers for people.  That requires knowing them.  It means that you really understand that you do need Jesus.  God truly cares about the needs of people, so we need to do the same. 

    Jesus was the model for the community church.  He showed us how to live among all sorts of people, but still be separate to stay holy and avoid sin.  He showed us how to ensure that God will hear your prayers.  If you don't have a humble heart, then He will not listen to your complaints or desires.  God doesn't care about things.  He cares about our hearts.  He loves giving us things, but it is out of love not procession.  

    God wants to give the community church peace and comradery.  That is why He had Jesus teach us how we can do it.  It is God that adds to the number of the people in the church.  It is not you or me.  People are looking for what Jesus is offering.  We are meant to show them what that is.

    A community church builds each other up.  We are not all in the same place in our walk and we don't stay where we are today.  We need each other to balance each out and help each other grow.  We won't always agree or get along, but we are obliged to work things out within the church as followers of Jesus.

    We are not perfect.  It does no one including yourself to pretend that you are or that life is.  Face your faults, weaknesses, and sinful nature.  Seek to conquer, but understand that you will not be perfect until you are a resident in Heaven.  Jesus took on your failures, so that you can live and endure in hope.  Be certain about your salvation or you will never be at peace in your heart.  

    God's love is real.  It is deep.  It is sacrificial.  As a community church, that is how we need to strive to be.  It all starts with faith.  It grows and matures as you get to know your God and the depths of His love.  It is accepting salvation and leaving the doubt and confusion in the past.

Matthew 28:16-20, John 3:16-17, Acts 2:42-47, & Romans 15:1-9