Live Life in Community

Is Christian Community a feeling, a behavior, a relationship, or all of these?  Is Christian Community a noun or a verb? If you ask Google for a definition, you will be greatly misled. This vehicle defines Christian Community so loosely they include Mormonism in their description.

Christian Community can be witnessed at your places of worship. You may also experience a taste of it in a small group, which gathers for the express intention of sharing life, faith, and love for Jesus Christ. These small groups become family, a community that cares and supports each other.

When trouble arrives, and it most certainly will someday, Christian Community surrounds and uplifts with words and actions. Offers of comfort, support and genuine care are available here too. We act as Jesus would and provide for the needs of our hurting and or grieving brothers and sisters.

In this world of convenience, of pulling into our garages and closing the door behind us as we complete our workday, there is something to be said for a new sort of community. We need each other, we grow from our times with each other, and we learn that life isn't a spectator sport. The good life is experienced with other people. Not alone. Live from the heart.

Click here to listen to the sermon on The Heart of the Matter from Sunday, July 21, 2019

Romans 3:21-28

What Is Your Role?

I am a fan of college basketball. I enjoy laying on my couch on Saturday afternoon and watching my favorite teams on TV.

 

There are some very good freshman playing basketball, but most are learning the game. In fact, I often wonder, “Why is that freshman playing. He is making more than his share of mistakes.” Of course, two years later I ask myself, “That junior is pretty good. Why didn’t the coach play him more when he was younger?”

 

That freshman has a scholarship, and he has a role to play, albeit sometimes a small one. As he matures, he takes on more responsibility. Everyone has to start somewhere! And sometimes even the freshman makes an outstanding play, gathering kudos from his coach and teammates, and surprising me!

 

Today’s reading is Romans 3:21-28. This passage is the core of our Christian faith. Our righteousness is through faith, and that faith is a gift from God. Verse 23 says, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” yet we are justified because of Christ’s death, a “sacrifice of atonement” for our sins.

 

Like the coach chose the freshman to be on his team, God chose me to be on his team.  I have a scholarship, that is, I am righteous because of Jesus’ death. I have a role in the church, but I did not always know what it was. At times I am certain I had that “deer in the headlights” look and made more than my share of mistakes.

 

A basketball team's goal is scoring field goals; God’s team's goal is winning souls.

 

I have a role to play on God' team and over the years I better understood that role. God even gave a bit more responsibility. God used other Christians to help me find my place.

 

There is a difference between a basketball team and God’s team worth noting. Sometimes the coach uses the freshman to achieve team goals. God, however, always uses sinners to achieve his goals. All on God’s team are sinners.

 

What is your role?