Be Involved in the Christian Community

In ​our culture, many would rather be left alone. It may be because numerous interactions are assessed based on cost: we constantly compare what we pay out to what we get back in return. Since human relationships inherently have conflict and can be difficult at times, when things get rough, we might find it more convenient to split. Or, it may be because we have been hurt before and don’t want to get burned again. So, the preference is not to have long-term friendships.
 
However, tight relationship is an integral part of Christianity. One reason is because Christians are connected as the body of Christ.
 
During the time of Christ, the temple was very important. It was built for God to dwell in, and for people to worship Him. Many Israelites believed they would always be safe because God would not let enemies take His temple. Through prophets, God told them that this physical object would be destroyed, and they would be exiled.
 
In the place of the physical temple is an everlasting building, with Christ as the cornerstone. Through Christ, Christians are built into the house of God (1 Peter 2:5-6).
 
Christians of the past, present, and future are all linked together like a body, with Christ as the head.
 
Because of Christ, there is no need for any intermediary between God and humans. There is no longer a need for priests. Christians could directly pray to God, worship Him, praise Him, and ask for His blessings (1 Peter 2:5). Christians can do all these things together.
 
To conclude, Christians are a deeply interconnected community, united with Christ as the head. Furthermore, because of Christ, Christians can—as a close-knit group—communicate directly with the Almighty God together!

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Summarized from a Tuck Bartholomew sermon
http://www.gospelinlife.com/free-sermon-resource
 

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投身于基督教群体
 
在我们的文化中，许多人宁愿孤独一个人。或许是因为许多人际关系, 都基于对代价的计算: 比较自己的支出和获得的回报。人与人的关系本质上会存在冲突，因此有时会很困难。当事情变得艰难时，我们就会觉得与在其一起，不如分开来。也可能是因为以前曾受过伤害，不想再受痛苦。所以，人们宁愿选择放弃长久的友谊。
 
但是，亲密关系是基督教不可缺少的一部分。原因之一就是基督徒群体作为基督的肢体彼此相连
 
在基督时代，圣殿是非常重要。它的建造原是为上帝的居住，人的敬拜。这让以色列人们误信他们永远安全，因为上帝不会让敌人占领祂的圣殿。但上帝通过先知告诉他们，这个圣殿将被拆毁，他们也将被放逐他乡。
 
一个以基督为基石的永恒的建筑，取替这物質性的圣殿。藉着基督，基督徒被建成为神的居所 （ 彼得一书2：5-6）。
 
过去，现在和未来的基督徒都以基督为首，互相连接，成为一个身体。
 
因为基督的缘故，上帝与我们之间不需要任何中介。 祭司的需要不复存在。 基督徒可以直接向上帝祷告，敬拜祂 ，赞美祂 ，祈求祂的赐福 (彼得一书2：5)。基督徒可以一起过这样的敬虔生活。
 
总而言之，基督徒是一个彼此亲密相连的群体，以基督为首联合在一起。 不仅如此，因着基督，我们可以一起与全能的上帝直接沟通！