Easter Sunday Community

When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified – one on his right and one on his left. Luke 23:33 NLT

1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples – and everyone else -what had happened. Luke 24:1-9 NLT

Community – 1. A group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. 2. A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals.

Community is about relationships.

Healthy relationships are so important that God didn’t just suggest we treat others well; He commanded it.
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees with his reply, they met together to question him again. 35 One of them, an expert in religious law, tried to trap him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:34-40 NLT

Jesus modeled transparent relationships that led to true community.
12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. John 15:12-15 NLT

5 THINGS THAT KEEP US FROM EXPERIENCING TRUE COMMUNITY.
● Fear of rejection or not being accepted.
● Afraid I may have to change.
● Afraid of what it might cost me.
● Don’t want everyone knowing my business.
● We don’t want accountability.

Jesus impacted the community where he lived and it spread to the whole world. Pastor Dewayne Video – https://vimeo.com/330886157

Jesus commands us to make an impact in the lives of the people that make up our community.
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 NLT

God desires that everyone of us be a part of His Church.
3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity – the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone… 1 Timothy 2:3-6 NLT

Next Steps for me today…
● To put my faith in what Christ has done through the cross and through the power of the resurrection for me.
● To become a part of His Church and become a part of God’s family/ community.