The Seven Rhythms
Serve the Community
Sunday February 2, 2025 - Joel Robinson
Acts 2:44-45
Acts 2: 44-45 All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.
Breakthroughs
"We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God's love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world. When we serve in the world and His Church, we impact those around us and reveal God's glory."
Community inside and outside the Church
We can live in two different communities: a particular area or place considered together with its inhabitants and a feeling of fellowship with others due to sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. We need to participate and build both.
Building Community Requires Service
The members of the early church were taking care of each other. They were selling what they had and giving it to those in need. While this describes "Giving Generously," as Pastor discussed last week, this can also be an act of service.
Community provides opportunities to share the Gospel
If we are serving and building that community, those opportunities stop being unsolicited. This is a big way that Community can help us. We build that community, comfort, and confidence in the relationship so that we can be our authentic selves. We start to feel more comfortable, open, and honest about our relationship with Christ.
Question:
- What community are you participating in?
- Are you building community just here in the church or also among others outside the church?
- How are you using these communities to move God's Kingdom forward?
Challenge: Steps You Can Take
- 1. Join a Life Group: Learn how to create community on a small scale
- 2. Serve the Church: Use your gifts as a volunteer in one of the Church's ministries
- 3. Serve your Neighborhood: Get to know your neighbors and look for ways to improve their quality of life.
- 4. Take the opportunities that being in Community provides to speak of your faith: In Community, we start to feel more comfortable, open, and honest about our relationship with Christ.