Persevering In Community
Keep on Keepin’ On – Part 1
Romans 12:5, In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each
member belongs to all the others.
Foundation Of Biblical Community
Acts 2:41, Those who accepted His message were baptized, and
about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They
devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to
the breaking of bread and to prayer … 44 All the believers were
together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions
and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they
continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in
their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising
God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to
their number daily those who were being saved.
-Salvation -Baptism -Belonging
How Do We Persevere In Community?
Hebrews 10:19, Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have
confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a
new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us
draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance
that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a
guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He Who
promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur
one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up
meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging
one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Persevering In
Community!
- We Draw Near To God With CONFIDENCE
Hebrews 10:22, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and
with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled
to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed
with pure water. - We Hold Firmly To OUR FAITH
Hebrews 10:23, Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for
He who promised is faithful.
“The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to
travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and
contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.”
—Jonathan Edwards
Ecclesiastes 4:10, If either of them falls down, one can help the
other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them…
12Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A
cord of three strands is not quickly broken. - We Encourage One Another Toward Love And GOOD
DEEDS
Hebrews 10:24, And let us consider how we may spur one another
on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as
some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all
the more as you see the Day approaching.
“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession
of its members for one another, or it collapses. I can no
longer condemn or hate a brother for whom I pray, no
matter how much trouble he causes me. His face, that
hitherto may have been strange and intolerable to me, is
transformed in intercession into the countenance of a
brother for whom Christ died, the face of a forgiven
sinner.”
—Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those
who mourn.
1 Corinthians 12:26, If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if
one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
• We SERVE Together
Ephesians 2:10, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus
to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ecclesiastes 4:9, Two are better than one, because they have a
good return for their labor.
• We MEET Together
Colossians 3:16, Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly
as you teach and admonish one other with all wisdom through psalms,
hymns, and songs from the Sprit, singing to God with gratitude in your
hearts.
• We ENCOURAGE Each Other
1 Thessalonians 5:11, Therefore encourage one another and build
one another up, just as you are doing… 14 And we urge you, brothers
and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the
disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
Philippians 1:27, Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a
manner worthy of the gospel of Christ… striving together as one for
the faith of the gospel.
