(A) Community: Is
defined as “A group of people living in the same locality and under the same
government. (2) A group or class having common interests.
(B) Love: Love is
the greatest command in the Law (Matt. 22:37-39) and is a primary command of Christ
( John 15:12). Obedience is a test of love ( John 14:15). Signal
attribute of God (1 John 4:8). God’s actions
show His love for men (John 3:16); love is
the reason for God’s work in man’s behalf. (2)It is learned from God (1 john 4:19) and is the highest motive for moral
goodness. Love is a test of discipleship ( John
13:35);
Today’s world is so full of individualism, selfish motives, and a lack of
compassion for all people. The idea of community
has become almost non-existent. What alarms me the most is that there is no
greater divide then what has become today’s church.
The effects of moral and ethic dysfunction impact the world everyday. Leaders,
systems and governments around the world are rated everyday on their ability or
inability to address the tangible needs and concerns of its citizens.
Love has become foreign, unity
has become fictional, and faith is hindered
by men’s religious
ideology. Pastors, Priest, and preachers alike have become more concerned
with building up their own ministry (Corporations). In fact this continued
pursuit based on selfish ambition, pride, and arrogance is tainting God’s idea
of faith and the church.
With Jesus and God on the
outside looking in at most of today’s churches, no wonder Christianity has become so divided. Fear not, for God is still and always
will be in control. Let us
focus on what God’s idea for his kingdom community is.
Jesus was great at making people feel like the center of attention. In fact he was the social networker to ever live. Jesus was also an amazing king who truely loved his people. The disciples understood that Jesus was king and Lord. They submitted to his lordship over them and embraced his word. They considered his commands and teachings carefully, and they governed their lives according to the word of God. Jesus ushered in a country called Heaven, government (God's Kingdom), culture (Agape), community (Ecclesia) and lifestyle that was much different than the world's standard.
Jesus taught them in the way and he demonstrated a way of life that became the foundational for the church. Never before had they witness such love, strength, authority, humility, and compassion demonstrated by man. As a holy example Jesus would pray early and often. He was in constant communication with the father God and relied on his instructions to govern his entire day. Although he was king he never lorded his title or authority over the disciples. In fact at times he served the disciples and he was also under the authority of God. Jesus taught his kingdom community on earth ( the church) how to co-exist and live together in harmony.
Jesus taught the disciples how to teach others how to live who would enter God's kingdom. Just like their leader they too learned how to have authority and live under authority. This concept wasn't foreign to the disciples who lived under a Roman Government at that time. The Roman Empire introduced a concept that was close ( but not identical) to Heavens ideology. They introduced a kingdom using the process of colonization. In the past countries would take over a country, destroy some of the people, land, and resources. Then afterwards they would take their stolen goods and slaves with them back to their own country.
The Roman's did the opposite, they would take over the country, land and resources. They would appoint governors over the country and their job would be to govern they land according to Roman ethics, laws, values, moral, policies, and government. The Empire/King remained sovereign over every colony, but the governors were responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining the kings vision throughout the land.
What we learn from the bible and even through casually observing the world today is the importance of God's lordship. After the fall of man through Adam the second Adam (Jesus) became neccessary. We have a king in Jesus whose lordship gives us access to everything Adam lost (Romans 14:17). I find it odd that what started off as just God and man in fellowship together, dwelling together, and loving on each other has become so complicated. Everytime I read the bible, the churches of today remind me more and more of the Sadducees and Pharisees of the Bible.
The Sadducees and Pharisees used religion for political and monetary gain. They also boasted of their titles and took advantage of their celebrity. They were educated scholars, successful and wealthy men with great influence. They lorded their authority over people and oppressed many with their ritualistic practices, laws, rules, and religion. Anything or one who threatened their power and position would be killed. This was not the example that Jesus set for his disciples however. As king Jesus was the standard setter for the community and he taught his disciples how to be better people. He modeled royalty, integrity, compassion, humility, teachability, righteousness, sonship, kingship, priesthood, love, and loyalty to God above all else.
The world is full of examples of what broken and divided communities look like , but what does a loving community look like?
Jesus taught them in the way and he demonstrated a way of life that became the foundational for the church. Never before had they witness such love, strength, authority, humility, and compassion demonstrated by man. As a holy example Jesus would pray early and often. He was in constant communication with the father God and relied on his instructions to govern his entire day. Although he was king he never lorded his title or authority over the disciples. In fact at times he served the disciples and he was also under the authority of God. Jesus taught his kingdom community on earth ( the church) how to co-exist and live together in harmony.
Jesus taught the disciples how to teach others how to live who would enter God's kingdom. Just like their leader they too learned how to have authority and live under authority. This concept wasn't foreign to the disciples who lived under a Roman Government at that time. The Roman Empire introduced a concept that was close ( but not identical) to Heavens ideology. They introduced a kingdom using the process of colonization. In the past countries would take over a country, destroy some of the people, land, and resources. Then afterwards they would take their stolen goods and slaves with them back to their own country.
The Roman's did the opposite, they would take over the country, land and resources. They would appoint governors over the country and their job would be to govern they land according to Roman ethics, laws, values, moral, policies, and government. The Empire/King remained sovereign over every colony, but the governors were responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining the kings vision throughout the land.
What we learn from the bible and even through casually observing the world today is the importance of God's lordship. After the fall of man through Adam the second Adam (Jesus) became neccessary. We have a king in Jesus whose lordship gives us access to everything Adam lost (Romans 14:17). I find it odd that what started off as just God and man in fellowship together, dwelling together, and loving on each other has become so complicated. Everytime I read the bible, the churches of today remind me more and more of the Sadducees and Pharisees of the Bible.
The Sadducees and Pharisees used religion for political and monetary gain. They also boasted of their titles and took advantage of their celebrity. They were educated scholars, successful and wealthy men with great influence. They lorded their authority over people and oppressed many with their ritualistic practices, laws, rules, and religion. Anything or one who threatened their power and position would be killed. This was not the example that Jesus set for his disciples however. As king Jesus was the standard setter for the community and he taught his disciples how to be better people. He modeled royalty, integrity, compassion, humility, teachability, righteousness, sonship, kingship, priesthood, love, and loyalty to God above all else.
The world is full of examples of what broken and divided communities look like , but what does a loving community look like?
In
Acts 2: 41-47 we see a picture perfect example of God’s idea of a loving
community.
Then
they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were
added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
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And
they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in
breaking of bread, and in prayers.
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And
fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles.
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And
all that believed were together, and had all things common;
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And
sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all [men], as every man
had need.
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And
they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
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Praising
God, and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church
daily such as should be saved.
This
may seem foreign or fictitious to most of us today unfortunately, the truth
is we seldom see it in practiced in Christianity today.
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EPHESIANS 2:20-22 (Jesus is the
center/cornerstone/foundation of God’s community)
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And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];
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In whom all the building fitly framed together growth
unto an holy temple in the Lord:
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In whom ye also are builder together for an
habitation of God through the Spirit.
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1 Corinthians 12: 12-28
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¶
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For as the body is one, and hath many members,
and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also [is]
Christ.
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For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one
body, whether [we be] Jews or Gentiles, whether [we be] bond or free; and
have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
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For the body is not one member, but many.
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If the foot shall say, Because I am not the
hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
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And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the
eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
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If the whole body [were] an eye, where [were]
the hearing? If the whole [were] hearing, where [were] the smelling?
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But now hath God set the members every one of
them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
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And if they were all one member, where [were]
the body?
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But now [are they] many members, yet but one
body.
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And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no
need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
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Nay, much more those members of the body, which
seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
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And those [members] of the body, which we think
to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our
uncomely [parts] have more abundant comeliness.
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For our comely [parts] have no need: but God
hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that
[part] which lacked:
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That there should be no schism in the body; but
[that] the members should have the same care one for another.
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And whether one member suffer, all the members
suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it.
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Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in
particular.
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And God hath set some in the church, first
apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then
gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
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The
Church is called to be a community/ministers of reconciliation Matthew 10: 5-17
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¶
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These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded
them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into [any] city of the
Samaritans enter ye not:
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But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of
Israel.
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And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of
heaven is at hand.
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Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the
dead, cast out devils: freely ye
have
received, freely give.
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Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in
your purses,
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Nor scrip for [your] journey, neither two coats,
neither shoes, nor yet staves:
for the workman is worthy of his meat.
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And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter,
enquire who in it is worthy;
and there
abide till ye go thence.
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And when ye come into an house, salute it.
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And if the house be worthy, let your peace come
upon it:
but if it be not worthy, let your peace return
to you.
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And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear
your words,
when ye depart out of that house or city, shake
off the dust of your feet.
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Verily I say unto you, It shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom
and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for
that city.
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¶
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Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst
of wolves:
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless
as doves.
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But beware of men: for they will deliver you up
to the councils,
and they
will scourge you in their synagogues;
John
13: 34-35 (34) A new commandment I give unto
you,
That ye
love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
(35) By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples,
if ye have love one to another.
In fact, it was
Jesus who said in Matthew 6:33 Matthew 6:33 King James Version
(KJV)
33But seek ye first the kingdom of God,
and his righteousness;
and all these things
shall be added unto you.
This is part 1 of a series. It is my hope that we in the body of
Christ regain
The love, community,
compassion, zeal and unity
(flow in the fruit of the spirit) Jesus established during
the foundation of the
church.
When we make Jesus Lord and celebrate the sovereignty of
God this becomes possible. We can no longer attempt to
manufacture God’s will, vision, and provision. Jesus is
reconciling
both those inside and outside of the church.
by Ade
contact:cloudnationmedia@gmail.com
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