What Gospel Community Looks Like (from the Study on Galatians Series)

Our pastor is now well into his Study on Galatians Series.  Previously, we have learned what freedom in Jesus is.  We have also talked about God stories.  We are now on the third sermon in the series.  Today, he shows us what gospel community looks like.

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The following are my notes based on my pastors sermon.  You are invited to watch the entire sermon here.

Free - What Gospel Community Looks Like - May 19, 2019 (Message) from Christ Place Church on Vimeo.

 What Gospel Community Looks Like

The joy of authentic community is important in the life of the believer.  Our key verse for this series is Galatians 5:1.

It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. - Galatians 5:1

Paul wrote the book of Galatians to protect the gospel community.  In Galatians 2, we see cooperation without community.  Paul and Barnabas were Jews but Titus was a Gentile.  Titus looked very different from Paul and Barnabas.  There are a lot of people who don't look like us but they love Jesus.

The church at Antioch was very diverse.  Acts 13 describes Antioch.

¹¹ But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. ¹² For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. ¹³ The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. ¹⁴ But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, “If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? - Galatians 2:11-14

Fear is a tool the devil uses to get you off your mission. 

This Bible study is available here.

 

God wants diversity in our church body but we are one in Christ Jesus.

We are not white Christians, black Christians, etc.  We are just Christians.

Confusion in Community

If you want to find something bad in your community, you'll find it.  If you want to find something good in your community, you'll find it.  It is critical that we keep our eyes on Jesus or the church will end up in critical condition.  We don't want to be stumbling blocks.  We want to be bridge builders. 

Christ Within Community

We are inclusive of all people, but not all beliefs.  

Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. - Galatians 2:16

We win people to Christ by loving them where they are. 

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

If there is any other way to God outside of Christ Jesus, then Jesus died for nothing . . . BUT, Jesus did not die for nothing.  He died for YOU and He is the only way.

Are you free in Jesus?

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Image Credit:  Public Domain Image via Freely Photos

Read all posts in the Galatians Bible study series here.