Gospel Community

Do you realize the importance of community in your walk with the Lord?  Most of us really don't understand how important community is.  In fact, if we look at our culture, it almost seems like the best thing we can do for our spirituality is to go into hiding; where we can't be touched by the things going on around us.

But that is opposite of what the Word of God teaches us...

Acts 2:42-47 - They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and had everything in common.  Selling their possessions and goods they gave to anyone as he had need.  Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts.  They broke bread together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people.  And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

The idea of community, taking part in a community is biblical.  We are called to do it...

Why?  It's in community where we learn and grow...it's in community we learn to forgive, show mercy and grace, to love one another.  It's in community that we develop friendships and bonds.  It's in community where we sharpen one another (Proverbs 27:17 - As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.), where we teach, rebuke, correct and train one another.  (Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Timothy 4:2, Titus 2:2-8)

The idea of gospel community is not just showing up for church on Sundays.  Gospel community is doing life together, it's includes church, small groups, gatherings, your marriage, breaking bread together, celebrating together, mourning together, supporting each other in time of need...

So what's going through your head right now?  I'm guessing it's the lies of the enemy.  Probably statements like: 'No one likes you.', 'You won't be accepted.', You will just be hurt again.', 'They don't care about you.'...  Satan would like nothing more than to keep you isolated, keep you on the outside...keep you away from feeling the love of Christ through others.  If it's something he is opposed to, what do you think we need to do?   Engage!

Lord, I pray that you would help us to see how important gospel community is in our walk with you.  I ask that you would place a desire for true gospel community in our hearts and that we would respond, that we would engage.  Lord we pray against the spiritual warfare, the war that the enemy is raging in our thought life that keeps us from engaging in gospel community.  Lord let us learn from your example of community and see that through community we come closer and closer to you.  Amen.