Authentic Community: The Love of the Way of the Cross The Way of the Cross Series [9] Selected Scriptures November 17, 2013 Pastor Paul K. Kim

A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE OF AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47

COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY It is where everyone is gelling well naturally. It has no conflicts/tensions. It is where I feel loved instantaneously all the time. It glues everyone so closely together through affinity— everyone is so much alike in so many ways.

WHAT IS AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY? * Authentic community is a BIBLICALLY FUNCTIONING community. PURPOSE: Authentic community lives out ONENESS in Christ through mutual submission, love and interdependence (John 17:20-23). FIRST SIGN: The first sign of authentic community is PERPETUAL COMMITMENT to this ONENESS: to be known for our love for one another (John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16). HARD WORK: This love includes also patient hard work of resolving conflicts and celebrating diversity as God’s Family (Eph. 4:31-32; Col. 3:12-15; 1 Cor. 12:18-20). IMPACT: Authentic community has a transforming power as salt & light of the world. (Psalm 133:1-3; Acts 2:43,47).

FOUR ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY [ACTS 2 CHURCH] * Authentic community is... A LEARNING Community (v. 42) – devotion to apostles’ teaching [Scripture] A CARING Community (vs. 42, 44-45) – devotion to the fellowship [sharing in common] A WORSHIPPING Community (vs. 42, 46) – devotion to the breaking of bread & prayer [formal & informal] An EVANGELIZING Community (v. 47) – devotion to being a witness to Christ’s love and gospel [missional living].

The “Saltiness” of Authentic Community What is more, this infectious enthusiasm on the part of such diverse people of differing ages, backgrounds, sex and culture was backed up by the quality of their lives [the Christians of the first centuries]. Their community life, though far from perfect... was nevertheless sufficiently different and impressive to attract notice, to invite curiosity, and to inspire discipleship in an age that was as pleasure-conscious, as materialistic and as devoid of serious purpose as our own, Paganism saw in early Christianity a quality of living, and supremely of dying, which could not be found elsewhere. — Michael Green

HOW DO WE MOVE TOWARD BECOMING AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY? 1)Move from superficial relationships to DEEP COMMITMENT that creates safety (Rom 12:10; John 13:1; 1 John 3:16)....when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 1 John 3:16  Superficial commitment leads us to “porcupine dance.”  It is to say: “I accept you”—rather than “I will settle for less so I won’t get hurt.”  In moving to deeper commitment, our new passion is Christ-centered relationships.

HOW DO WE MOVE TOWARD BECOMING AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY? 2)Move from cynicism to VISION for one another (John 1:42; Eph. 3:14-19). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). John 1:42 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being,... that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19  Cynicism is a byproduct of our disillusionment/past hurts.  It is to say: “I believe in you because of Christ”—rather than “I doubt you (nor I) can really change.”  In moving to vision, our new vision is to become more like Christ together.

HOW DO WE MOVE TOWARD BECOMING AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY? 3)Move from being merely “nice” to MOVING INTO each other’s lives (1 John 3:16, 18; Prov. 27:6,17; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Thess. 2:8). Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works Hebrews 10:24  Being merely “nice” is a safe play due to aversion to conflict and apprehension of loving confrontation.  It is to say: “I see you and I stand with you”—rather than “I don’t want to get involved nor rock the boat.”  In so doing, our new source is God’s endless grace in Christ.

HOW DO WE MOVE TOWARD BECOMING AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY? 4)Move from seeking second things to seeking FIRST THINGS first (Matt 6:33; Rom 8:28-30). But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Romans 8:29  Second things are good things of “what people desire for us”; first things are “what God desire for us” (God’s BEST).  It is to say: “I pour God’s best into you”—rather than “Let me fix it for you (or fix you).”  In so doing, our new appetite is to desire God & God’s best.

SUMMARY: MOVING TOWARD AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY To become an authentic community, we ought to move... 1)From superficial relationships to DEEP COMMITMENT that creates safety. 2)From cynicism to VISION for one another. 3)From being merely “nice” to MOVING INTO each other’s lives. 4)From seeking second things to seeking FIRST THINGS first.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.In what ways am I convinced more of my own need and responsibility for a biblically functioning authentic community? 2.What would it look like if I were to practice perpetual commitment and vision for brothers and sister at my church? 3.What would it look like if I were to practice being real and seeking first things first with brothers and sister at my church?