Rachel Sanders - February 23, 2025
Part 5: Devoted to Life Together
Devoted to Life Together 2-23-2025 "Recognition is the first human quest.” Andy Crouch God's Vision from the beginning: • We were created for uninterrupted relationship with God • We were created for relationship with others Human flourishing is inescapably connected to both God and others. Ephesians 2:14-19 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." The way of Jesus and the aim of spiritual formation is not just to form YOU into a PERSON of love, but to form US into a COMMUNITY of love. 4 Circles of Community: • Intimates • Friends • Village • Tribe Intimate Relationships are marked by: • Depth • Vulnerability • A Commitment to Transformation Commitments to Community: • Priority • Proximity • Place "Long-term interpersonal relationships are the crucible of genuine progress in the Christian life. People who stay grow. People who leave do not grow. We all know people who are consumed with spiritual wanderlust. But we never get to know them very well because they cannot seem to stay put. They move along from church to church, ever searching for a congregation that will better satisfy their felt needs. Like trees repeatedly transplanted from soil to soil, these spiritual nomads fail to put down roots and seldom experience lasting and fruitful growth in their Christian lives." Joseph H. Hellerman Commitments to Community: • Priority • Proximity • Place • Pattern Acts 2:42-47 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.