Introduction – Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
1) I _______ in Christian community.
“There is one body and one Spirit – just as we were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:4-5)
We need ____________, but we go looking for it in the wrong places.
The more isolated you are, the more likely you are to end up with ___________.[1]
We need community to be ___________ Christians.
Challenge #1: Commit to Christian community even though it’s not easy.
Challenge #2: Don’t hang around the edges – commit to _________ Christian community.
Challenge #3: We’re all involved in lots of communities that make ________ demands on us. Make Christian community _________ community.
2) Christian community is where I discover who I truly am.
We discover who we are as we discover what gifts God has given us.
“But to each of us, grace [ie gifts[2]] has been given as Christ apportioned it.…” (Ephesians 4:7)
Ephesians 4:11
apostles – prophets – evangelists – pastors and teachers
1Cor.12
administration – discernment – faith – healing – knowledge – miracles – tongues – interpretation – wisdom -helps
Romans 12
exhortation – giving – leadership – mercy – service.
other New Testament gifts
celibacy – hospitality – voluntary poverty – martyrdom.
i) I discover my gifts by ______.
“from [Jesus] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.…” (Ephesians 4:15)
ii) If I don’t discover my gifts, I miss out and so does the church.
__% of the work is done by __% of the people.
3) Christian community is where God _________ us into the likeness of _____
GOD’S VISION OF YOUR POTENTIAL IS THAT YOU BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE HIS SON JESUS. (EPH.4:13)
It happens as we serve, and as we speak the truth in love (Eph.4:15).
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” (Ephesians 4:2)
Hard truths come best from a friend.
“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1John 4:10)
____________________________________
I want to know more:
- Book: Mark Driscoll, Vintage Church
- To listen: www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/how-christ-enables-the-church-to-upbuild-itself-in-love
- Kevin de Young, Just Do Something (on gifting and guidance)
[1]www.telegraph.co.uk/science/science-news/6514956/Britains-me-culture-making-us-depressed.html
[2] For more info on gifts visit: http://mintools.com/gifts-list.htm