The Ultimate Elite Group: Christian Community
Summary of a Tim Keller Sermon
Typically, we prefer to be included, particularly in groups that make us feel special—in an inner ring, an exclusive club, an elite school, or even a street gang. The group might make us feel good or more secure about ourselves, but this implies exclusivity, treating those outside as inferior.
Christians don’t need to yearn to be included in earthly elite groups. In the days of the Old Testament, only the top Priest could be with God for just one day a year. Everyone else was excluded. But because of Christ experiencing the ultimate exclusion when He was forsaken by God the Father (Mark 15:34), we can be included in the family of God and never be forsaken by Him. We can be with God every day! With that, we clearly don’t need to be included in any worldly elite groups to feel good and secure.
Having said that, Christians should be with other Christians regularly (Hebrews 10:25). Why?
A Christian community’s main attribute is not just listening to people explain the Bible, but rather gathering in fellowship. It is where Christians help each other grow and support one another, particularly in difficult times. Oftentimes we are blind to our biggest flaws, but in community, Christians can lovingly and honestly confront and even challenge each other, so as to spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
But the Christian community is not a community that excludes others. The main goals of this group include welcoming and helping outsiders, and reaching out and serving even those who despise them.
Remember God loves us. Though we obviously don’t need to yearn to be members of worldly exclusive groups, we should be in a community of Christians, a group that not only helps its members, but welcomes and serves outsiders also.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon
http://www.gospelinlife.com/free-sermon-resource
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/hope-for-the-church-6027/
Christians don’t need to yearn to be included in earthly elite groups. In the days of the Old Testament, only the top Priest could be with God for just one day a year. Everyone else was excluded. But because of Christ experiencing the ultimate exclusion when He was forsaken by God the Father (Mark 15:34), we can be included in the family of God and never be forsaken by Him. We can be with God every day! With that, we clearly don’t need to be included in any worldly elite groups to feel good and secure.
Having said that, Christians should be with other Christians regularly (Hebrews 10:25). Why?
A Christian community’s main attribute is not just listening to people explain the Bible, but rather gathering in fellowship. It is where Christians help each other grow and support one another, particularly in difficult times. Oftentimes we are blind to our biggest flaws, but in community, Christians can lovingly and honestly confront and even challenge each other, so as to spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
But the Christian community is not a community that excludes others. The main goals of this group include welcoming and helping outsiders, and reaching out and serving even those who despise them.
Remember God loves us. Though we obviously don’t need to yearn to be members of worldly exclusive groups, we should be in a community of Christians, a group that not only helps its members, but welcomes and serves outsiders also.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon
http://www.gospelinlife.com/free-sermon-resource
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/hope-for-the-church-6027/