Why Community - Ii

Dakota Community Church

January 20, 2008

Why Community? - II

1. Jesus did not come to establish “excellent” presentations.

John 13:34-35

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

2. We need each other if we are to imitate Jesus.

Those who find themselves in positions of strength have a tendency to believe that they are somehow superior and that they do not really need the weak.

A.) The haves and the have nots.

This whole community thing is really a double edged sword for most of us I think.

The best of times are rooted in sweet moments of community.

The worst of times, the deepest hurts, also come community.

We try to find ways to feel connected without risking getting hurt.

This may in part be why so many choose a mega church setting for their spiritual growth, connection at a safe distance.

When I was in high school I used to have to have the radio on when I was getting ready for school, it was talk radio in the kitchen, and C100 “album” radio in my room.

It helped me feel part of the larger world around me.

In Dryden last weekend I was without my laptop, but my phone has internet and e-mail access, I couldn’t help but smile as I was thinking on these things and watching each time I checked my e-mail as my phone sent the flashing message that I was “CONNECTING”, “CONNECTING”, “CONNECTING”, Receiving! AHHHHH!

We know we need it – but how often do we want to run and hide from it?

B.) The lovely and the unlovely.

Proverbs 27:17

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Colossians 3:12-13

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

2 Timothy 3:10

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings…

Our preference is to make church about positive teachings and encouragement, to make it about my needs and the needs of my family, but the church is not supposed to be all sunshine and roses. Those people who get on your nerves, the ones who show up eventually in every church you have ever attended, they have a purpose to work in your life, that’s why you can’t escape them.

Matthew 5:46-47

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

C.) The strong and the weak.

Galatians 6:1-3

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Romans15:1-3

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself

Love is a giving away of power.

Genesis 6:6

The LORD was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.

Love is a giving away of power.

The submission issue in marriage – is not an issue if you love like Christ loves.

The ministry is not about position and privilege, special seating and special parking places and titles of honor in the market place.

The ministry is a giving away of power.

It is a commitment to serve others rather than self.

If you aspire to a title and a paycheque – you are not called, you are just seeking what appeals to you as another form of kingdom of this world power.

Love is a giving away of power.

Like the Father has done in Genesis, like Jesus does in the washing of feet and the laying down of life.

The strong must give away their strength if they are to follow Jesus.

3. It’s all about relationship.

My most recent “Relevant” magazine has an article entitled something like:

“The Top Ten Things that ’07 One for the Ages”

#2 is – My Space Gets PWNED

“My Space, the grandfather of social networking sites, saw its influence erode this year as more and more people jumped ship for alternatives like facebook. Not only did facebook see a huge increase in popularity, and My Space become a place for “noobs”, but Newsweek recently discovered that My Space founder Tom Anderson has been lying about his age. Everyone’s first friend is actually 36, not 32, officially pushing him well over the creepy line.