Life Together - Discovering Christian Community The Community That Shares Life Together Jacob Roggeveen

Life Together - Discovering Christian Community

The Community That Shares Life Together

Jacob Roggeveen











Problem #1: Isolation

“I’m lonely.”



Problem #1: Isolation

“I’m lonely.”

“I don’t have time for anyone.”



How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity !

- Psalm 133:1



Problem #2: Independence

“Nobody needs me.”



Problem #2: Independence

“I don’t need anybody.”

“Nobody needs me.”



Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!

- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10



Problem #3: Individualism

“Nobody cares about

my dreams.”



Problem #3: Individualism

“I live my life to pursue my dreams.”

“Nobody cares about

my dreams.”



...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

- Philippians 2:2



Gang Statistics:

• 40% of U.S. police departments report gang activity in their communities.

(This includes urban, suburban, and rural communities.)



Gang Statistics:

• 92 % of police departments reporting gang activity say it first began after 1980.



Why Youth Say They Join Gangs:

• gives them lots of friends• is like a family • gives a sense of belonging• gets them respect• gives them mutual protection• gives them a way to make money• helps them attack their enemies


COMMUNITY =

Shared Time

Shared Respon- sibility

Shared Purpose




They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

- Acts 2:42

Shared Purpose:



Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts…

- Acts 2:46

Shared Purpose:



All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

- Acts 2:44-45

Shared Responsibility:



All the believers were together.- Acts 2:44

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.

- Acts 2:46

Shared Time:



Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were being done by the apostles.

- Acts 2:43

Witness to the World:



…enjoying the favor of all the people.

- Acts 2:47

Witness to the World:



•“They devoted themselves.…” (v. 42) •“All the believers were together…” (v. 44)•“Selling their possessions.…” (v. 45)•“They continued to meet together…” (v. 46)•“They broke bread in their homes and ate together.” (v. 46)

The Church is Its People:



My Role in Community:

• give up some of my individualism (shared purpose)

• become less independent and more interdependent

(shared responsibility)• spend more time with my Christian family (shared time)



John Winthrop

We must entertain each other in brotherly affection. We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of other's necessities.



John Winthrop

We must uphold a familiar commerce together in all meekness, gentleness, patience and liberality. We must delight in each other; make other's conditions our own; rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together,



John Winthrop

always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, as members of the same body. So shall we keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.



John Winthrop

The Lord will be our God, and delight to dwell among us, as his own people, and will command a blessing upon us in all our ways. So that we shall see much more of his wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with....



John Winthrop

For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us.

Documents

Life Together - Discovering Christian Community The Community That Shares Life Together Jacob Roggeveen