This week we’re exploring the importance of meeting regularly with other Christians, as part of a church community.

The Bible passage we’re exploring this week suggests two purposes to gathering:  Encouragement and Worship.  We’ll focus on worship next week, and for this week we’ll focus on the encouragement part.

Encouragement to what?  Hebrews says community can encourage us to love and good works.   First, what would it mean to be encouraged to love in a community?  Think of the relationships that form through fun and fellowship.  Our Movie Night is one example – we had a great time, and some online members met one another, and a neighbourhood.  Our Wings & Trivia was the same, and our Christmas Event will be, too.

Honestly, are churches are meant to get along.  I know someone who went to a church and attended a few worship services, and decided to join.  But first, they wanted to attend a business meeting of a church – and he walked away saying, “these people don’t believe what they say.”  They were not charitable, loving, kind or generous at all, even though they claimed to believe in a God who is.

The Church is meant to be a preview of the kingdom of God.  It’s described in the Bible as a party – like we are already in heaven.

The Church is meant to love one another as themselves…even though the rest of the world may not love them the same way.

The Church is meant to care for one another with generosity of Christ, who died for his friends.

We could go on, but it all starts with spending time together, knowing each other’s needs, hopes, dreams, routine and more.  Some people like to call this, “doing life together” even though it’s a bit clichéd.

Question: Go out for lunch, drinks or coffee with someone.  When can you get together with your discussion group simply for fun?  Or if you don’t have one yet, think of who you could share our challenges and discussion with, and start by simply inviting them to something fun.

Reminder: Last week we saw the importance of reading the Bible together in sync, so our new daily bible readings start today in our mobile app and web site.

Read the Bible in Sync Today

Ryan Sim - July 4, 2013

Thursday - Act On It - Knowing

So far this week, we've seen that Christian faith is not about just the words you say, and not just about deeds you do. If it were, then Christian faith would be like trying to get to know a celebrity - you would either be guessing the right passcode to get through their mansion gates, or you'd be trying to hop the fence. It would be easy to know about the celebrity, and never really know them. But thankfully, God is not like a celebrity who keeps a safe distance from his fans. In Jesus, God came to earth. He didn’t have to, but he passed through those gates into our world and made it possible for us to know him personally. God took on human flesh, clothed in the way people were clothed in first century Israel, and spoke their language. We can actually know God, who came to earth in Jesus, and is active today through his Holy Spirit. Even though Jesus died and rose and since returned to heaven, we can still know him by studying his words, communicating with him in prayer, and with the community he calls his body on earth – the church. Like the one we are forming in Ajax in Durham Region just East of Toronto. The saying is true: it's not about what you know, or do, it’s about who you know. Who you know, will then affect what you say and do. Words and deeds are important, but are no substitute for the full picture of life in God's kingdom given in the Sermon on the Mount. It's about actually following who you say you follow. Inviting him to transform life…not just saying he does. The aim is to have him transform our hearts, so they look more like his. How do we know? That’s what Jesus has been teaching all through the Sermon on the Mount. He's been describing what God’s heart looks like, and wants your heart to look like, so that it transforms the rest of your life. The health of your actual heart matters – blood passes through to all areas of the body. An unhealthy heart means unhealthy life. No matter how healthy you appear, you aren’t healthy if your heart is hurting. God wants to transform the heart of our lives, so all other areas of life get healthy. And he warns us that starting with our words and actions will result in failure. It starts with openness to Jesus…a willing submission to his will. Challenge: List some ways to intentionally get to know a new friend, neighbour or colleague better. Now list ways you can intentionally get to know Jesus better. Pick one from each list and try it today.

Related Topics: God, Jesus, Knowing | More Messages from Ryan Sim | Download Audio

From Series: "Sermon on the Mount"

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