Created for Community, Pt. 1
Have you ever felt completely alone in this world? Yearned for the company of others?
Many of us have. In fact, sociologists are calling loneliness and isolation the “new smoking,” equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day!
We are made for God’s family and Christian community, and we need each other! Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said:
“It is not good for man to be alone.” Gen. 2:18 NKJV
While many believers seek lives of solitude to get closer to God, this was never God’s plan for His people. Following Christ involves more than just believing; it means being part of God’s family and community of faith.
Sixteenth-century Protestant reformer John Calvin said, “If God is your Father, then the Church is your mother.”
Justification by faith is personal, but we demonstrate our salvation through relationships with others in the body of Christ or local church communities.
Paul said,
“You are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.” Eph. 2:19b TLB
However, remember that God made us all unique. Some people are naturally more introverted, while others are extroverted. Understand that we relate to each other differently. Be mindful of one another… read the room!
Nineteenth-century pastor and leader Dale Moody stated, “Christianity is a community of faith centered around the person of Christ.” 1
Jesus clearly stated that He would build this community, “… I will build My Church!” (Matt. 16:18).
The whole of the New Testament teaches that genuine Christianity involves two things:
1) being in union with the person of Christ and
2) being in fellowship with the body of Christ, the Church (see Ephesians, which could be aptly titled “Christ and the Church” 2
While our relationship with Christ is deeply personal and unique, God always envisioned our faith as a shared journey. Sometimes, religion can make us feel as if faith should be kept private and quiet, but it’s truly meant to bring us together in community and love.
Paul explains our interconnectedness,
“Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.” Rom. 12:4-5 NLT
We are linked to every other believer for eternity!
For your body’s organs to function properly, they must be connected to the body.
The same applies to you and me as members of Christ’s body. You were created for a specific purpose, but you’ll miss this second purpose in your life if you’re not connected to a local church. Your destiny unfolds through relationships.
If a limb or organ is severed from the body, it will die because it can’t survive alone — neither can you or I. Similarly, disconnecting from the local community greatly impacts your spiritual vitality.
Being part of a supportive, caring community at your local church helps you truly thrive and grow. Conversely, one of the first signs that someone might be drifting spiritually is missing worship services and other church gatherings regularly.
Question: Can we ever be separated from Christ? Paul answers:
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8:35-39 NLT
Question: What about His body, the Church? (Hint: Rom. 12:4-5, we all belong)
Spiritually, we cannot be separated. However, man might try to separate us (e.g., through excommunication, etc.), or we might separate ourselves from a local church body or community of faith. Sometimes we leave for valid reasons, and sometimes for wrong ones (such as unresolved issues or other causes).
Family of God versus a community of faith. (Make distinction …)
What is the Church?
The Church is eternal—past, present, and future. The message of Jesus and the apostles centered on the Kingdom of God. In Matthew’s Gospel, he mentions the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Heaven (the same terms) nearly 52 times.
Jesus mentions the word “church” only twice throughout all the Gospels. Besides these two moments, He consistently discusses the Kingdom of God.
The 1st occurrence is Matt. 16:18, “… you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail…”
The 2nd reference is Matt. 18:17, which mentions a sinning brother: “tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church…”
In both cases, the Greek word for church is ecclesia (ek-klay-see’-ah), meaning a calling out. It specifically refers to a popular gathering, especially a religious congregation such as a Jewish synagogue or a Christian community, including members on earth, saints in heaven, or both.
In classical Greek, ecclesia referred to a called-out group of people, such as a Senate, responsible for ruling and managing civic affairs.
The church, which is present and eternal, under God’s authority and in partnership with Him, is ultimately meant to govern in God’s Kingdom.
However, the kingdom of God and the Church are inseparably linked. The local church isn’t the complete expression of God’s kingdom, only a representation.
The church is the spiritual body of Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit to connect and serve as one with Jesus and with each other. The Christian faith is best understood through our involvement in a local church. God’s kingdom is revealed through our lives both individually and collectively.
The church isn’t just an afterthought for God, nor is it His plan “B.” Instead, the Church, as Christ’s body, beautifully reflects God’s nature, authority, and family here on earth. Through Christian community, we truly get to experience a taste of ‘heaven on earth.’
For Paul, being a “member” of the church meant being a vital organ—an essential part of the body of Christ. (see Rom. 12:4-5; 1 Cor. 6:15; 1 Cor. 12:12-27)
The church is a body, not just a building; it is an organism, not merely an organization.
Biblical membership includes connecting with a local church, dedicating yourself to its vision and community life, using your gifts to serve, participating in fellowship, and sharing His love with the world.
Can you truly be a vital part of a local community without actively participating?
Of course not. Even just watching Christian TV or internet church videos isn’t enough—you miss out on the relationships and accountability that come with involvement!
The Lord and the writers of the New Testament assume involvement with other believers in a local congregation. Sadly, today’s culture of individualism has led to many spiritual orphans and disconnected believers who lack identity, accountability, or commitment.
The primary distinction between a church attender and a church member lies in their level of commitment.
Attenders watch from the sidelines, while members actively engage in ministry. Attenders are usually spectators, whereas members assume roles as contributors.
Attenders seek the benefits of a church without taking on the responsibilities. They want relationships without commitment.
Consider a natural family: how can someone be part of a family without contributing?
Every family and household has chores and tasks to do, and everyone should help in different ways, based on their ability. Similarly, in a local church community, we are called to serve one another and participate in the life and work of the community.
Next week, I’ll explore six key reasons why we need a Christian community.
