Community Basics

Weekly Update – July 6th, 2023

In your life, there may be many kinds of communities to be involved with, but none will rival the true community you are redeemed to.  You can join a gym, play a team sport, interact with your neighbors, and form all sorts of good relationships, but there is still something different about the true community.  The reason I say this is because, ultimately, a true community is the only type of community that is designed to mirror the community we were created for as human beings, and the community that Christians will experience for all of eternity.  Therefore, I call it a true community, because the community of God’s people is supernaturally formed by God Himself as a place where His people should unite together for His purposes.  To understand the significance of this true community though, we must first understand some basics.

First, the place for a true community is in God’s church.  People can join clubs, participate in good activities, give and serve in meaningful ways, but if they don’t know God, they will never experience the type of community within the church that God has designed us as human beings to experience.  The apostle Paul uses the image of a “body” as an analogy to describe the church.  He then says that the church’s savior and head is Christ (1 Cor. 12:12; Col. 1:18; Eph. 5:23). In 1 Corinthians 12:24 the apostle Paul further tells us that “God has so composed the body” the way that he wants to.  Then, the way that this body comes together is through the work of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13; Eph. 2:22).  What all of this means is that the church is a community prepared by God, saved and led by Jesus Christ, and brought together by the Holy Spirit.  This true community is experienced when we turn from our sins, come to Christ by faith, and find ourselves living out our Christian lives in the context of the local church.

Second, the goal of this community is the pursuit of holiness and joy.  Now, on the surface of it, holiness and joy might seem like opposites.  But in the plan of God, they perfectly complement each other.  Our greatest desires are only met when we find God as our greatest joy.  Then, we put that together with the plan of God for our lives, which is, as 1 Thessalonians 4:3 says, our sanctification or our holiness.  That means that we find our greatest joy when we are pursuing our holiness.  By God’s grace, he has given us the community of the church to aid us and encourage us in this pursuit.  That means that the pursuit of a true community ought to be the joy and holiness of its members.

Third, the implication for this community is faithful membership.  On a very practical note, to have a true community, the church must know who is a part of it and who isn’t.  Then, from there, not only must the church know who its members are, but the church must be the place where its members know each other in intimate ways.  The true community that the church experiences is one where it prays for each other, loves each other, serves each other, hurts with each and rejoices with each other.  Though this community might have its strengths and weaknesses, the church is a place where its members are committed to one another for as long as the Lord has them together.  Faithful membership must be a priority in this community for it to thrive in an intimate way.

Many of us live in neighborhood communities, participate in sports communities, work in job communities and then have friendships in various other communities.  All of these “communities” will provide a great amount of joy and satisfaction in our lives, but they will never compare to what God has designed the church to be.  The church is meant to be the community where we as Christians can live out our Christian lives in anticipation of the perfect community we will one day experience in the presence of God for all eternity.  In that community we will join with the myriads of others from every tribe, tongue and nation, as we are made completely holy, to experience the fullness of joy, in perfect relationships before God and Jesus Christ. 

Serving Him with You,
Pastor Michael Nelson

Written by Pastor
Michael Nelson

Fighter Verse for the Week

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 4:6-7

Announcements:

Women’s Brunch and Crafting: All ladies of the church are invited to the Larson home at 10am on Saturday, July 8th, for a time of food and fellowship. More information and a signup sheet are available on the bulletin board in the hall.

Vacation Bible School: Mark your calendar. This year, we will host Vacation Bible School on Monday, July 10th-Friday, July 14th from 5:45-8:00pm. More information on how you can help is available on the bulletin board in the hall and more information about how to register your child is available HERE.

Upcoming Mission Trips: Martin Maharas and Matthew Klika are both going to Europe for mission trips in July. If you would like to support them through prayer or through financial giving, be sure to connect with them in the next couple of weeks.

Food Pantry: We are in need of pop-top and ready to eat items for our food pantry. These items are needed specifically for the homeless in our community that stop by the church building throughout the week looking for a meal.

Volunteers Needed: Volunteers are still needed during the 10:30am nursery time. Check the update or email the office for more information on how you can serve.

Equipping Hour

We have three classes held at 9:15am on Sunday mornings. “Evangelism: Engaging the Lost” will meet in the Sanctuary, a biblical exposition of 1 and 2nd Thessalonians will meet in the Fellowship Hall, and a Ladies’ class studying the Old Testament will meet in the classroom next to the nursery. You can find more information HERE.

Giving

To Give Online, Go HERE. 

You can also mail your offering to: 1416 Main Street, Grandview, MO. 64030

Home Groups

Home Groups typically meet on the first and third Sunday of each month. Please contact Pastor Michael if you would like to join a Home Group. You can find more information HERE.

Prayer

An updated Prayer Guide can be accessed HERE. 

Prepare for Sunday

Guide for Worship can be found HERE.