Monday, May 31, 2010
Total Church chapter 2
Why Community? The opening sentence contains the phrase, "Christ wants to create a people, not merely isolated individuals who believe in him", is a powerful concept. The reason Christ wants a people is because no one of us can fully display His glory or His worth to society. Since that is true, then one of the most vital character traits to develop for His glory, is unselfishness. Recognizing that reality and embracing that determination as an act of worship is imperative to the Christian community. It has been said that God so loved the world that He gave His son to the cross, but Jesus so loved the church (his bride) that he stayed on the cross (Eph. 5:25). Also, the quote of John Stott on page 39 is so very true, "The church lies at the very center of the eternal purpose of God." I also highlighted all of page 40 and most of page 41. "An identity that I construct for myself is far removed from an identity I receive by grace." "You can no more have a relationless person than you can have a childless mother or a parentless son." "If the church is the body of Christ, then we should not live as disembodied Christians." If my identity is wrapped up in my community then the pressing question for all of us is, where or with whom do I belong? Where or with whom is my identity best defined? The authors describe "Koinonia" on page 43 and say that the term is linked to "common", "sharing", and "participation". I believe the word also is used to describe "partnership" especially business partnership. The idea of connectedness with a risk or potential profit is inferred. We have a stake in each others lives which is why Paul can urge us in Phil. 2 that we should care as much about what happens to our fellow believers as we do for our own selves. Paul actually implies we should carry as much vision for the success of our fellow believers as we do for ourselves. I also like the thought from page 44 that Paul looked at his ministry to the Thessalonians as an investment in his own future. It reminds me of the teaching by Randy Alcorn about storing up an eternal retirement investment in heaven by sending it ahead. When we minister into others we are making eternal deposits in heaven, which is a clear teaching of Jesus in Matthew. I like the idea of accountability on pages 45 and 46 although I admit that while they deny heavy handed shepherding, it did make me a little uncomfortable. The whole thought on Christian Community is Central to Christian Mission beginning on page 47 is excellent. On page 50 is the pivotal point, "Sell the vision by modeling the vision." It is always vital to repeat over and over the intentions of our community vision, but nothing speaks louder than actions.
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I also appreciate the way that the authors open the chapter with the statement that Christ wants to create 'a people' rather than isolated individuals who believe in him. I strongly agree with this statement based on my belief that there is no greater way to honor, praise, and glorify God than by living and dwelling in brotherly/sisterly love with one another. His glory is on full display when we are living selflessly, humbly, and sacrificially with/towards one another. When we don't live within these biblical principles, our churches become "full of people trying to earn their identity or prove their worth" (p.40).
ReplyDeleteOn page 41, they make the comment, "I cannot be who I am without regard to other people." Paul speaks passionately (and consistently) about the importance of unity within his epistles. "Being in Christ means being in Christ with others who are in Christ...to fail to live out [this] corporate identity in Christ is analogous to the act of adultery" (pg 41).
I love the illustration given on page 45 of the spokes of a wheel. Unfortunately, the model with the 'individual' at the center (the hub of life) is the reality that pervades our culture and our churches. When the individual, and not the members of the Christian community, is the center, then it most always is the case that church becomes yet another item in the juggling act along with all other activities of life. There is such a lack of understanding of "belonging to one another." How do we create a culture where the Christian community is CENTRAL to our everyday lives, to where our individual decision making is actually "made with regard to the community to which we belong"???
I am very challenged by the statement on page 50, "The church, then, is not something additional or optional. It is at the very heart of God's purposes. Jesus came to create a people who would model what it means to live under his rule. It would be a glorious outpost of the kingdom of God, an embassy of heaven." How do we make this a reality; how does the church become the focal point and not an additional/optional 'thing' in our week? I wish I had the answer. All I know is that it begins with the leadership and those that the Lord has set forth to lead by example. And that is exactly what has to happen...we all must lead by example if we desire to see change in the lives of those whom the Lord has surrounded us with.