Let me first apologize for the infrequency of my posts of late. I have had some health difficulties of late that have kept me from posting. I hope this hasn’t scared away the brave few who follow this humble little blog.
In my last post, I posed a question about Christian community and what it is. I intend to delve into that topic further but before we do I want you to know why. The reason that Christian community is important is because it is the means that God has ordained to display the gospel to a lost and dying world.
I had to give a presentation this morning and I put together an outline that summarizes this discussion. I think you might find it helpful and hopefully thought provoking. I would love to get your feedback on it. I also hope to use it as a segue into our discussion on Christian community. Here is my outline:
What Does The Gospel Require?
1. The gospel requires the work of the Holy Spirit – John 6:49-68
Therefore, since the gospel requires a work of the Holy Spirit we must commit to:
• Live spirit led lives ourselves.
• Pray regularly as individuals and as a church for the Holy Spirit to work in our midst.
• Allow for the Spirit to work in how we plan our times of worship and teaching.
2. The gospel requires us to embrace sacrifice and suffering – Luke 9:23-27;57-62
Therefore, since the gospel requires us to embrace sacrifice and suffering we must commit to:
• Sacrifice whatever personal comforts that stand between us and truly treasuring Christ and obeying Him.
• Take as many opportunities as possible to demonstrate in our own lives a commitment to suffer and sacrifice for the sake of the gospel.
• Teach our children that the gospel requires sacrifice and suffering and provide them as many opportunities as possible to sacrifice and suffer for the sake of the gospel.
3. The gospel requires us to practice community and demonstrate it to the world.
Therefore, since the gospel requires us to practice community and demonstrate it to the world we must commit to:
• Deny ourselves of anything that robs us of time that we should be spending with the Lord, our families, or each other.
• Alter our personal and our family schedules to reflect a primary commitment to Christ’s bride the church.
• Challenge our brothers and sisters in Christ to forsake any activities or events that would hinder their ability to commit to corporate worship, accountability, service of, and fellowship with each other.
Michael, I think your outline is well written and certainly covers the requirements of the gospel. The Lord has always impressed upon me since He saved me, that our walk and our talk must be the same, so your third point well covers that too.