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Belonging Together: Embracing Communal Living in a Culture of Individualism

Explore the biblical perspective on community living in Romans 12, emphasizing the importance of unity, love, and support within the church. Reflect on the challenges of radical individualism in today's society and the call to build a caring, Christ-centered community of believers. Discover the transformative power of belonging to one another and living out God's purposes collectively. Let's redefine our understanding of church as a covenant community of love and commit to practicing hospitality, humility, and kindness in our interactions. Embrace the beautiful diversity of gifts within the body of Christ and cultivate a spirit of cooperation and mutual care. Together, let's learn to live out Romans 12 and embody the love of Christ in action.

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Belonging Together: Embracing Communal Living in a Culture of Individualism

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  1. A Consideration of Romans 12 We Belong to One Another Inward -- Our Life together in Christ A Sharing, Caring, Christ Centered, Biblically Guided, Community of Believers

  2. Caution: Cultural Challenge Ahead! • Current culture: radical individualism • We don’t need anyone but ourselves “Have it your way.” • “It’s all about ME!” • Nation built on the motif: “I can built this – now get out of my way!” • “The radical individualism of the late 20th century severed the reciprocal social bond that once joined the group to the individual.” Joseph Marglies, professor of Law and Government, Cornell • The world desperately needs a better story! Endless list of non-religious experts traumatized by implications of radical individualism. • We were not made for this! • God intends the church to be a vision of what the world could be!

  3. Church: A Covenant Community of Love • God has always called a people to represent life for the world. • Humankind has continually rebelled against the purposes of God for life • Jesus came to gather “renewed Israel” – described in Jeremiah 31:31-34 • A people with God’s law written in their hearts, a holy people for God. • “Jesus is my personal Savior” misses the point of Jesus’ incarnation. • What happened after kingdom gates opened? Acts 2:42-46 Community! • What is God’s purpose for the church? • If heaven for each of us – church serves only to get me there. • If God desires a people to save all – to live as a proleptic people (to show how life could be lived if under God’s direction) then the church is an essential community! • Great commission? AS YOU GO TEACH THE WORLD HOW TO LIVE!

  4. Romans 12: If Only We Lived It! • “Therefore…” Because of this grand narrative of redemptive love: • Great apologetics text in Scripture (my opinion): Romans 12:1-2 • v 3: demolishes the possibility of selfish focus (radical individualism) – think of self with “sober judgment according to faith.” • v 4: As a body is diverse in function – so, too, are we different (by design) • v 5: in Christ we form ONE body, each member BELONGS to all the others. • There can be no competition, no rancor, no ill will, nothing but cooperative collaborative love and gratitude. • Different gifts by design! Find who truly are in loving, supportive, honest community! • DISCOVER GOD’S HIDDEN GIFTS IN YOUR MIDST!

  5. The Church as Love in Action… • Scot McKnight: A Fellowship of Differents • Love is a rugged commitment: With, For, and only then “Unto…” • Romans 12:9 – the identity markers of the church – as holy community • Sincere love – hating evil, clinging to good – devoted to one another in love • Honor one another above yourselves… • Never lacking in zeal, keep spiritual fervor – through serving the Lord! • Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. • Share with your sisters and brothers in need – PRACTICE HOSPITALITY! • Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn – harmonious living • Do not be proud – live in peace with all. • Do not take revenge – repay evil with good. • We can’t live like this without the help of a faithful community! • WE BELONG TO ONE ANOTHER BECAUSE GOD CREATED US FOR THIS!

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