A CHURCH THAT LIVES IN BIBLICAL COMMUNITY Ephesians 4:11-14

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God,

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:11-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION Review of previous messages: Week 1: BIG IDEA: #WORSHIPISLIFE Week 2: THE BIG IDEA: CROSSPOINTE GATHERS TOGETHER WITH ONE HEART FOR THE PURPOSE OF DECLARING GOD'S WORTH AND GOD'S GREATNESS TO ONE ANOTHER AND TO THE WORLD.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION Do you know that God created community? In fact God constantly lives in community? God is three persons in one....THE FATHER, THE SON, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION The biblical ideal of community challenges us instead to commit ourselves to life together as the people of God. Christian community is the place of our continuing conversion. Its goal is that, individually and together, we should become mature.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION As it says in the vision, our connection together in community allows us to grow in the truth of God's word collectively and individually; therefore helping us to become disciples.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION The point of following God is to become disciples... “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."” ‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION THE BIG IDEA: CROSSPOINTE IS A CHURCH THAT LIVES IN BIBLICAL COMMUNITY SO THAT ITS PEOPLE CAN GROW IN THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD AND LIVE LIKE CHRIST.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION And when we function in BIBLICAL COMMUNITY, we allow our church to function in the following ways:

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION 1. Biblical community allows us to minister to the each other, the sinner, the broken, and the lost....BIBLICAL COMMUNITY SAYS NO ONE IS A LOST CAUSE.... “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION We have to stop being so consumed with making a living and start being more concerned with making a life.....this is the premise of Biblical community. We must enjoy the work God does in other people and we must be willing to participate in that work.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION When we partner together in ministry, we experience community together.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION 2. Biblical community reveals Christ identity to us so we know Him and not just know about Him. “until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,”. Ephesians‬ ‭4:13‬ ‭ESV‬‬

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION Biblical Community is a beautiful thing because biblical community is not about just being a church member, it's about being a disciple. It's about growing to a place of spiritual maturity so you experience the fullness of Christ. It's about seeing Jesus formed in our lives and in other people's lives so that God expands and grows in all of us.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION It's about being yoked together so that we don't wander and miss out on the promises of God. “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION When you wander, Christ can’t reveal himself to you.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION Biblical community allows what has been taught or what is shared to help us live out our faith so that we can be all that God called us to be.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION When we live in BIBLICAL COMMUNITY we become known for the right things and not the wrong things because we are becoming more like Christ.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION When we live in BIBLICAL COMMUNITY, we grow into the identity or the name God has for us. His name for you will give you a new purpose and a new future. “The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory, and you shall be called by a new name that the mouth of the Lord will give.” Isaiah‬ ‭62:2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION CONCLUSION: We must not fear being in community with one another but we must love being in community with one another. We must desire to be around the people of God because our connection allows us to grow in God's truth.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION We develop spiritual practices that foster spiritual growth... The right fellowship produces the right future.--Bishop Deskins

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION THE BIG IDEA: CROSSPOINTE IS A CHURCH THAT LIVES IN BIBLICAL COMMUNITY SO THAT ITS PEOPLE CAN GROW IN THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD AND LIVE LIKE CHRIST.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:42-44‬ ‭ESV‬‬

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION Will you devote yourself to biblical community here at CrossPointe? Will you commit to a CrossPointe ministry that promotes biblical community? Will you commit to biblical community outside these 4 walls?

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION We are in a season of commitment and participation. Are you willing to be part of a community that will help you grow spiritually and equip you for the work of the ministry?

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION CLOSING PRAYER: Father, Thank you for creating community and for allowing us to experience community. Thank you that biblical community helps us to become mature in Christ and keeps us from wandering.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION We pray that CrossPointe be a biblical community that honors You and Your word. Help us to connect with each other so that we equip ourselves for the work of the ministry for the building up of the body of Christ so that unity of the faith and growth in the knowledge of God is established and rooted in us.

STRATEGY 2 : INWARD THROUGH DISCIPLESHIP AND CONNECTION We pray that as we live in biblical community with each other that we grow into the fullness of Christ so that our identity is revealed with your name, your purpose, and your future for our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen!

A CHURCH THAT LIVES IN BIBLICAL COMMUNITY Ephesians 4:11-14