TRITONUBF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP CLASSES Christ is Lord Community
TRITON-UBF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP CLASSES Christ is Lord - Community Life
Community Life “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ” (John 13: 34) Rooted in Love
The Beginnings of Christian Community God establishes a community for Himself. 1“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. ’” (Genesis 12: 1 -3) God’s community on earth is meant to glorify Him. 12“When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ” (2 Samuel 7: 12, 13)
An Example of Christian Community The very first Christian community. 41“Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3, 000 were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ” (Acts 2: 41 -43)
Fruits of Living in Christian Community Fruit 1: We grow in Love. • Love must be our foundation. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ” (John 13: 34)
Fruits of Living in Christian Community Fruit 2: We grow in Unity. 42“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. ” (Acts 2: 42 -43) • Unity within the Christian community: • • Begins with a common devotion to Christ (Acts 2: 42) Occurs only through the work of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2: 43)
Fruits of Living in Christian Community Fruit 2 (continued): We grow in Unity. 46“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. ” (Acts 2: 46 -47) • Unity within the Christian community: • • Involves selflessness and sacrifice (Acts 2: 46) Becomes a testimony to the world (Acts 2: 47) Is this the kind of church you would like to belong to? How beautiful and meaningful such a church can be!
Fruits of Living in Christian Community Fruit 3: We grow in Serving Each Other. 13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ” (Colossians 3: 13, 14) 16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. ” (James 5: 16) Service within the Christian community involves: • • Bearing with and forgiving each other (Col. 3: 13, 14) Serving one another in prayer (Ja. 5: 16) Wow! Serving our brothers and sisters in Christ isn’t easy! In fact, we can only do these things by God’s grace, when there is a foundation of love and a spirit of unity.
Why Christ Must be Lord of our Community Christ is the head of the body. 17“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ” (Colossians 1: 17 -18) He is the source of our strength. “I can do all this through him who gives me strength. ” (Philippians 4: 13)
Why Is It Necessary to be Part of a Christian Community? First, it should be our response to God’s love. 19“We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. ” (1 John 4: 19 -21) “He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. ’” (Luke 10: 27)
Why Is It Necessary to be Part of a Christian Community? Second, it encourages personal and reciprocal growth. 24“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching. ” (Hebrews 10: 24, 25) Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church!
Why Is It Necessary to be Part of a Christian Community? Third, God uses His church to show His love to the world. The church community should be a place where believers and nonbelievers can receive love, healing and care. Our church community should be a picture of the kingdom of heaven.
What Happens When Christ Is Not Lord of a Community? The community loses connection / direction. “They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. ” (Colossians 2: 19) Love for self and the world grows. 15“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - comes not from the Father, but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. ” (1 John 2: 15 -17)
Participating in our Triton UBF Community Our Triton ministry is a beautiful community of love, unity and service. Below are just a few of the many ways that you can be a part of our Triton family. Meetings / Events Sacraments * 1 to 1 Bible Study Baptism Group Bible Study Communion Sunday Worship Service Overflow – College Ministry JBF / CBF – Teen / Kids Ministry Conferences House Church / Common Life * Sacraments are sacred rites ordained by Christ and should be undertaken with the proper attitude and spirit of worship.
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