Great Little "Communities"
April 25-26, 2009
Series: What Does it Mean to be "An Extraordinary Follower of Christ?"
Speaker: Brian T. Anderson
- Introduction
- “Transforming ordinary people into extraordinary Followers of Christ.”
- What Does It Mean to be “An Extraordinary Follower of Christ?”
- Commitment to Christ
- Received Christ as Lord and Savior (Born Again)
- Water baptized
- Worshipper of God
- Obedience to Christ and His Word
- Commitment to His Church
- Membership (Newcomer’s class)
- Consistent attendance
- Small group participation
- Giving of Finances
- Serving
- Commitment to His Cause
- Sharing your faith
- Being an inviter
- Leading and discipling others
- Ministering to others
- Ministering to the poor
- Local and global outreach
- Mark 3:13 (NAS) And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him.
- Acts 2:42 (NLT) All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.
- Acts 2:46 (NLT) They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity.
- What Makes a “Little Community” Great?
- People are devoted to each other, and they will pay a significant price to “do life” together.
- It’s a safe place to get real with people.
- Acts 2:46b (NLT) “They shared their meals together with great joy and generosity.”
- John 15:15 (NLT) I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.
- II Cor. 3:13 (NLT) We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away.
- II Cor. 3:16 (NLT) But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
- It’s a place where people speak truth to one another.
- Eph. 4:15a (NAS) But speaking the truth in love.
- Mark 9:33-34 (NLT) 33After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?” 34But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
- It’s a place where conflict - - which is inevitable - - leads to reconciliation and growth.
- Luke 22:34 (NLT) But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”
- I Pet. 3:8 (NAS) To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit.
- It’s a group who has a mission beyond themselves.
- Matt. 18:20 (NAS) “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
- Conclusion
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