Scripture References: Acts 2:41-47; Genesis 2:18; Hebrews 3:12-13; Colossians 3:15-17; 1 Peter 5:8 (implied)

Intro: Welcome to this week's sermon! A quick reminder that Easter baptisms are next week – it's not too late to sign up! Today, building on our Acts series, we're diving into "Community and the Mission of God," using Acts 2 as our guide. Community isn't just a buzzword; it's fundamental. God Himself is community (Father, Son, Spirit), and He hardwired us with a deep longing to belong. Let's explore God's design for community, setting aside our own preferences for His blueprint.

Key Points:

1. The Acts 2 Blueprint (v. 41-47): The early church wasn't casual; they were devoted. Devoted to the apostles' teaching, intentional fellowship, breaking bread together, prayer, and radical generosity (sharing possessions). This is God's standard. How does it compare to our frequent devotion to comfort, personal gain, acceptance, or reputation?
2. Why We Need Each Other: Left alone, we drift toward self-centeredness. We need community to challenge and redirect us toward God's priorities. Community isn't the final destination (peak comfort/acceptance); it's a vital means God uses to shape us into Christ-likeness. As God said, "It is not good... to be alone" (Gen 2:18).
3. Christ-Centered vs. Self-Focused: A community existing only for itself will eventually self-destruct. A community centered on Jesus points beyond itself to Him, bringing life both internally and to the watching world (Acts 2:47).
4. Community Can Hurt: Let's be real – community isn't always easy or pleasant. Many have experienced deep hurt, betrayal, or disappointment within the church. (Speaker shares personal story).
5. Growth Happens Through Difficulty: While painful, facing conflict and hurt within community, rather than running away, is often where the deepest spiritual growth occurs. Community, like marriage, calls us to die to self – seeking holiness, not just happiness. We must learn to bear with one another.
6. Isolation is Deadly: The lie "I'm better off alone" is dangerous. It isolates us, making us vulnerable prey for the enemy, like a wildebeest cut off from the herd (1 Pet 5:8). True spiritual maturity, victory over sin, and fully grasping God's love happen within the community of Christ. Faith is personal, but never private.
7. Community Wages War On... It actively combats: 
   • Self-Sufficiency ("It's just me and Jesus")
   • Self-Centeredness ("I'm not being fed")
   • Self-Righteousness ("The problem's out there; the answer's in me")
   • Self-Protection ("If you really knew me...")
   • Sin's Deception (Heb 3:12-13 urges mutual encouragement)
   • Screwy Theology (Isolation breeds weird ideas; community provides accountability).

Conclusion: We are made for and desperately need the kind of devoted, Christ-centered community described in Acts 2. It's not optional; it's essential for spiritual survival, growth, sanctification, and fulfilling God's mission together. It's spiritual warfare.

Call to Action: Choose community today. Don't just hover around the edges. Say yes. Take a concrete step: Invite someone to lunch. Join a small group ("party"). Sign up to serve on a team (kids, connect, security). Get known and know others. If you've been hurt, take the risk to re-engage – take off the old "cast" of past injury (Travis's closing analogy) and move again. Commit to being part of God's family here.

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