BUILDING COMMUNITY TO SUSTAIN REVIVAL

Acts 2:41-42 (NLT)

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 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 2:43-45

A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

Acts 2:46-47

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—all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

Acts 2:1

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

We cannot achieve maturity in isolation.

1. Pursue Community

1 John 1:7 (NKJV)

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

John 15:11-13

These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

“We evaluate each relationship by ‘what can I get out of it?’ In general, we don’t join groups for what we can give, but rather what we can get out of them. We seek to use community to our advantage!” – Julie Gorman

“God wants us to contribute rather than to consume. When all of culture says, ‘Fill yourself,’ God tells us to fill others. He created us to be givers. Rather than focusing on our desires, we are called to focus on the needs of others.” – Craig Groeschel

Matthew 10:39 (NLT)

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for Me, you will find it.

2. Pursue Balanced Community

Attachment: How One Bonds

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Disengaged                                                                                                                      Enmeshed

Acts 2:44-45

And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.

Larry Crabb suggests four characteristics of spiritual community:

A. Celebrating people as created and forgiven by God.

B. Envisioning what another is becoming and trusting God to accomplish such.

C. Discerning happenings as climates for growth.

D. Empowering others to fully become what God is desiring for them to be.

3. Fight for Community

1 Corinthians 12:25-26 (NIV)

So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Luke 16:12

And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?

If we are cutting people to make ourselves comfortable then we will cut agents of the Holy Spirit. Even though He is the God of all comfort, He didn’t come to make our flesh comfortable!

Read 1 Corinthians 12:15-26.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you think you are more extroverted or introverted? Why?

2. Does being around people drain you or energize you?

3. Do you think that the above response makes community any less important in your life? Do you get a pass on the Biblical practice of building community?

4. What does community look like in your life currently?

5. Do you find yourself spending more time in the mindset of what you can get from community or what you can give in community?

6. Is there a fear of unhealthy community in your life? If so, repent and break its power so you can be liberated to love again!

7. Have you placed expectations on people that should actually rest in God?

8. Do you have a consistent group that you fellowship with and share difficulties and struggles with? If not, why? Identify the roadblocks and commit to a plan to overcome them.

9. If you currently have community, ask God how He might lead you to expand your community to include others in need of this precious gift.