experience real community

1 Peter 2:21 (NASB) --- For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,

 

Since The Community first started, we have talked about community.  Community is about what we do together.  It is the fact that we share something.  My biggest hope is that we share VISION.  That is VISION to demonstrate the love of God to our community.  One of the best ways we do that is in what we do together.

 

The first church that we find in the Bible is in Acts.  Those people were together in heart, spirit and even in body.  What we read in these verses is a great pattern for what community is really all about. 

 

Acts 2:42-47 (NASB) --- ⁴²They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. ⁴⁴And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. ⁴⁶Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, ⁴⁷praising God and having favor with all the people And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

God speaks to our hearts.  He really does.  But are we listening?  Are we following?  Do we find ourselves being more or less connected to God and connected to others who are following God?

 

DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS?  That is the kind of relationship where I know that God holds my future and that He is my only hope.

 

DO YOU HAVE A SHARED RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS?  That is the kind of relationship where I share that same hope with other people that I meet, some I know and some I don't

 

I've met people through the years who have said I follow Jesus and I go to church.  I read my Bible some.  Sometimes I pray.  I try, but I don't have much spiritual passion and drive.  What wakes me up, what stirs me, what leaves me wanting to make a huge difference in the world is my connection to God. 

 

Here are some things that will tell you and me if we are really have shared relationships with other Christians.  Answer these questions: Am I Experiencing the Bible with other people?  Am I Doing Life together with others?  Am I Breaking Bread together or sharing meals with other people that I am getting to know and share with?  Last and maybe the most eye opening, Am I Sharing Prayer together with the people I encounter?  Am I praying for them and are they praying for me?

 

God has called us to live in community with other people.  That means that we share live, give others hope and experience God together.  For me that means we grasp our calling to demonstrate the love of God to our community and even our call in the days to come to help more people, even a shelter for hurting people.

 

I want to be part of a church where community happens and lives are changed.  How about you?  Be part of a real Biblical community!