Uncomfortable – Week One
Awkward and Essential Challenges of Community / Colossians 1:15-23
The Code:
Value: Biblical Community and accountability are foundational to growing in Christlikeness.
Win: People feel loved, needed, and known
Belief: We believe our connection to Christ leads us to be connected to His Church.
People face difficulties, pains, and adversity in life. In these moments, people are tempted to go into isolation. Isolation is where the enemy traps people, preys upon their minds, and attempts to convince them no one understands or cares. Everyone needs a small and trusted group of friends who speak the truth of God into their lives. Godly friendships allow us to have people to celebrate the milestones of life with and help get us through life’s hardships.
The Scripture:
Colossians 1:15-23 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural
Colossians 1:17-18 - And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church.
2. It’s All About Jesus
Colossians 1:21-23 - And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural
Christ-centered People Produce Christ-Centered Community
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Colossians 1:15-20 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile ato himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural
A Jesus-centered community becomes magnetic
The Gospel Calls Us To Supernatural Community Biblical Community is Centered on Christ, not Comfort
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that God, in His love, sent His Son Jesus to live a sinless life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise again in victory over death. Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven, reconciled to God, and given the gift of eternal life. This gospel calls us to repent, believe, and follow Jesus as Lord, living transformed lives by the power of His Spirit.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural
Value: Biblical Community and accountability are foundational to growing in Christlikeness.
Win: People feel loved, needed, and known
Belief: We believe our connection to Christ leads us to be connected to His Church.
People face difficulties, pains, and adversity in life. In these moments, people are tempted to go into isolation. Isolation is where the enemy traps people, preys upon their minds, and attempts to convince them no one understands or cares. Everyone needs a small and trusted group of friends who speak the truth of God into their lives. Godly friendships allow us to have people to celebrate the milestones of life with and help get us through life’s hardships.
The Scripture:
Colossians 1:15-23 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. 21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural
- Jesus is the Glue
Colossians 1:17-18 - And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church.
2. It’s All About Jesus
Colossians 1:21-23 - And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural
Christ-centered People Produce Christ-Centered Community
2 Corinthians 5:17-20 - Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Colossians 1:15-20 - He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile ato himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural
A Jesus-centered community becomes magnetic
The Gospel Calls Us To Supernatural Community Biblical Community is Centered on Christ, not Comfort
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the good news that God, in His love, sent His Son Jesus to live a sinless life, die on the cross for our sins, and rise again in victory over death. Through faith in Jesus, we are forgiven, reconciled to God, and given the gift of eternal life. This gospel calls us to repent, believe, and follow Jesus as Lord, living transformed lives by the power of His Spirit.
The Call of Community is only possible in the supernatural