John Lloyd - Building Community
/Growing in Our Walk with Jesus
Ephesians 4:11-16, 29-32
May 26, 2019
Pastor John Lloyd
Devoting attention to our walk with God is important and should be a priority. How is it going? How could it improve? First is our relationship with God. Second is our relationships with other Christians. Third is daily pouring out the love and resources of God to those outside our door. Today, we will focus on how to be community builders in our relationships.
Ephesians 4:11And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:29-32)
Big Idea: Community Builders build community by committing to the whole process of building community.
pseudo-community, chaos, humility, real community
I. God gives ____________ to his children to build community.
Ephesians 4:11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,
I Peter 4:9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace:
Mission Friends: God uses believers in community with Him to build community for those without Him.
John 17:20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
Ephesians 4:13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ
I Corinthians 4:7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
Reflective Question: God, what have you placed in my hand that I can use to build community? What obstacles do I need to remove?
II. Community building will always include _______ and __________.
pseudo-community, chaos, humility, true community
Ephesians 4:14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Philippians 2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Philippians 4:1
A. Show me how to ____________ every person in my community.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Goal: Help me to speak words that make souls stronger. Help me to put courage in your soul.
B. Help me to ____________ words that build community.
Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Words like these: You matter. You are the image of God. You are loved at your best, and you are loved at your worst. You are uniquely gifted. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are God’s child, the bride of Jesus, the vessel of the Holy Spirit, and an heir of the kingdom. I see potential in you. I value you. I need you. I respect you. Will you forgive me? I forgive you. I like you. I love you.
Ephesians 4:15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.
III. Community building creates a culture where gifts are discerned, _________________ and mobilized for the building of community.
Ephesians 4:16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Psalm 78:4)
Psalm 78:6 that the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children, 7 so that they should set their hope in God and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments;
John 17:23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Ephesians 4: 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
It takes a community to reach a community!
Community building for God is worth it.
Spiritual Growth Questions for May 26, 2019
Opener: Share a time when God used a conflict or a difference to help bring you in closer community.
1. Read Ephesians 4:11-16. Make as many observations as you can about this text, its key words and principles. How do you think the Ephesian church applied these words? How could you act on what is being said in this text?
2. Read Ephesians 4:25-32. What observations do you see in these verses? What words stand out to you? Why is Paul saying this and what is he hoping they will do? Ask God to speak through his Word to your soul. Where could this be applied in your life right now?
3. Consider the phases in building community: pseudo-community, chaos, humility and true community. Discuss the chaos phase and how should we as believers navigate through it?
4. Read Philippians 2:1-5. What was Paul’s goal for this community? What specifically did he tell them to do to be community builders? Read Philippians 2:6-9. What did Jesus do to build community?
5. Read the words below and ask God to give you one person you could reach out to this week that needs to hear them. Share your plan with a friend who can pray for you.
Words like these: You matter. You are the image of God. You are loved at your best, and you are loved at your worst. You are uniquely gifted. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are God’s child, the bride of Jesus, the vessel of the Holy Spirit, and an heir of the kingdom. I see potential in you. I value you. I need you. I respect you. Will you forgive me? I forgive you. I like you. I love you.
Extra Credit in Heaven Question
Read John 17:9-26.What part of this prayer stands out to you?Spend some time praying this prayer for yourself, for our church, for our city and for our world.