14th May 2017 - Community Lee Layton-Matthews

Lee Layton-Matthew 14trh May 2017

Community

Lee started by sharing a Coca-Cola Advert (other soft drinks are available!) It starts off with people on the underground focusing on one man watching a movie on a tablet. He starts to laugh really loudly and very soon everyone starts to laugh. The tube turns into a community of people laughing

Lee stated that one person can change the atmosphere around us. You and I were designed to be in Community, we thrive with people.

Lee went onto share from Acts 2:42-47New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

The fellowship of the believers

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

What is community?

Gen 1:1-3a

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

3 And God said

The Word became flesh – John 1

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.

To understand Community we need to understand that Everything was created out of the community of the Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit

In true community we can love with all our love -  Agape

Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.

Love doesn’t strut,

Doesn’t have a swelled head,

Doesn’t force itself on others,

Isn’t always “me first,”

Doesn’t fly off the handle,

Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn’t revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end

 

In true community we Laugh and Cry

In true community we can doubt

John 20:24-2

Jesus appears to Thomas

24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus[a]), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he said to them, ‘Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.’ 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ 27 Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.’28 Thomas said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ 29 Then Jesus told him, ‘Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’

Lee share the meaning of the word - Ubuntu

People are people through people

True Community brings LIFE

Questions:

Read Acts 2 42-27 – have you felt like you are in Community in Kerith?

If not – what are you doing to actively promote community in your life?

Have you had seasons of doubt? Do you feel able to share some doubts you have today?

Lee shared the advert from Coca Cola – how did that make you feel? Did you laugh? – how can you change the atmosphere in your office/school/neighbourhood tomorrow?