How We Live in Community

We Live in COMMUNITY (Acts 2:42)
Christian Community is difficult to define – but it seems to be something many Christians are looking for. Many families around the country are looking for a home church that will give them a safe haven for their families. So, families are looking for a church that will give them this sense of belonging and safety. But true Christian community does not come without a cost. Christian community means a good deal of give and take – giving of ourselves and taking on the Lord Jesus Christ.

A good definition of Christian community can be found in Philippians 2:1-11. Here we find five attributes of Christian Community which we strive to maintain and increase here at ResPres:

There must be a constant striving after “like-mindedness”, but one that avoids striving against one another.
  • Philippians 2:1-2:”Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”
  • At Resurrection Presbyterian Church we patiently and prayerfully pursue unity of mind in our doctrinal and practice. Our church is committed to the Westminster Standards, the Reformed Faith, family integrated worship, a covenantal view of Scripture, weekly celebration of the Lord’s Supper and baptism (as the Lord allows), and biblical Presbyterian government. But, as a people, we are also committed to Christian education for our children, complementation family structure, Christian moderation in our deportment and our thoughts life, and “Titus 2” accountability.
  • Note – this does not mean that we need to agree on every aspect of the Christian life. This is impossible this side of Heaven. Thus, as we have received grace from our Lord in our salvation, so we believe it is vital for us to be gracious with one another (Romans 14:1-15:7; 1 Corinthians 8). As the Puritan preacher Richard Baxter said, “In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, charity.”

There is the persistent practice and pursuit of reciprocal love.
  • The Bible calls this comfort of love. Loving one another, sacrificially, is love in action. We not only focus on our needs, but we consider the needs of those around us. This sort of love will flourish and grow as we learn more of the love of the Savior.

There is a need for us to know who we really are.
  • Philippians 2:3 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.” When we realize who we really are, sinners at the mercy of our Sovereign God, and that we have nothing praiseworthy within ourselves, we in a position to thrive in Christian community. Too often Christian community has failed because of the pride of men who falsely believe they have a corner on the truth. A true understanding of Scripture reveals both respect for biblical government in the home and in the church, and a realization that any truth we have is given to us from the Holy Spirit. We can check our pride at the door.

There is a need for us to maintain a generous view of others,
  • This entails believing the best about one another and bearing gladly in love with those with whom we yet disagree, even as strive to build one another up in faith and provoke one another to love and good works (see also Romans 14:1-15:7; 1 Corinthians 8; Hebrews 10:19-25; Ephesians 4:1-16)
  • We come to understand that all Christians are being sanctified, and we are all at different steps of the process. Each member of the Body of Christ is not only valuable but necessary, for the proper functioning of the Body. We are all members of His Body – we need to remember this and rejoice in the giftings He has given to each other! And, instead of focusing on our needs, we seek to meet the needs of our neighbor.

The most important need for Christian community is Christ-likeness.
  • We find this from Philippians 2:4-11. When we understand the mind of Christ, the humility of Christ, the sacrifice of Christ, we the path to unity. We find that real honor and glory come from laying down our lives for each other. When we see this, our own opinions, priorities, and divisions stop and serving one another with the attitude of Christ becomes our priority.

What we do as a COMMUNITY (cf Acts 2:42ff)
  • Weekly Fellowship Meal
  • Hospitality and fellowship from house to house
  • Bible Studies (Corporate, Men, Women)
  • Prayer Meetings