Community- As Christ Intended

I love listening to Dr. David Jeremiah each morning at 10am on the local Christian station or on www.TurningPointOnline.org if I miss the timeslot.

Lately, Dr. Jeremiah has been going through a series called, “The Signs of Life.” Today’s message was called ‘Outstretched Arms: Living a Life of Community.’ The following are the five points outlined in this sermon;

1) Community requires unity
2) Community reacts with sympathy
3) Community responds like family
4) Community reaches out in sincerity
5) Community reinforces humility

As Dr. Jeremiah spoke, ‘community’ was the term he used to communicate the relationship we have with each other, especially as Believers.

“Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Romans 15:2

I wish I could remember every point that he noted but one point stood out to me. He said that God allows heartbreak into our lives so that we may have true sympathy for those that hurt as well. To be totally honest, before this year, I didn’t always have the understanding of deep heartbreak to sympathize with friends and loved ones. The loss of life includes the loss of dreams and the loss of ‘what might have been.’ We were not created to be stoic, hardened humans. Jesus wept. And so should we. “…Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Ps. 30.5)

The other point I liked was Dr. J’s note about small groups. The original Church was composed of small groups and how most of today’s churches have encouraged the growth of them. Dr. Jeremiah said that to most people, their small group was as close to anyone they would ever get. The group is to grow in unity and sincerity- two things severely lacking in today’s culture, even in the Church. I know I struggle with understanding those that think differently than me and I also need to let my “yes’s be yes’s and my no’s be no’s.”

We only have 61 days left in 2007. My prayer for Dan and myself in the coming months and years would be that no matter where we live, that we would have true community with other Believers in unity, sympathy, sincerity, and humility, acting as family should.