Imperfect 4 - Community

Evergreen Christian Community

Acts 2:42-47

You that are members of the church have not found it perfect and I hope that you feel almost glad that you have not. If I had never joined a Church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never have joined one at all! And the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect Church after I had become a member of it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earth to us. - C. H. Spurgeon

Big Idea: The closest we get to “on earth as it is in Heaven” is when His people are dedicated to His Word and each other.

1. The Church is where God Transforms us

• All People - Nothing matters more to God than people.

• Process - Transformation is not a one-time event.

• Authentically Safe Community - A safe place to process the dangerous gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Audacious Humility - Confidence in God's desire and ability to use us powerfully in spite of our brokenness.

• Health - We believe "healthy" is the most important adjective and should accurately describe every facet of our lives and relationships.

2. The Church involves you and is not all about you

“God hates visionary dreaming; it makes the dreamer proud and pretentious. The man who fashions a visionary ideal of community demands that it be realized by God, by others, and by himself. He enters the community of Christians with his demands, sets up his own law, and judges the brethren and God himself accordingly. He stands adamant, a living reproach to all others in the circle of brethren. He acts as if he is the creator of the Christian community, as if his dream binds men together. When things do not go his way, he calls the effort a failure. When his ideal picture is destroyed, he sees the community going to smash. So, he becomes, first an accuser of his brethren, then an accuser of God, and finally the despairing accuser of himself.” - D. Bonhoeffer

3. The Church should be attractive

Response:

• Dedicate yourself to God’s Word, Prayer, and awe of Him

• Pursue developing healthy relationships with one another

• Live out of the overflow of God’s grace and love for you

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's passage: Romans 14:8-12

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)