Building Christian Community

I recently attended a Bible Study entitled “Bridging The Gap: Faith, Culture and the Gospel”. It was led by the gospel rap artist LeCrae. He emphasized the need for Christians to stop viewing the culture as the enemy and start viewing the culture as the mission field. It was a powerful 4 week study. Out of that Bible Study, LeCrae has invited us to continue the discussions with him of how we can reach culture and build Christian culture together. In Matthew 28:18–20; Hebrews 10:22–25 Jesus commanded His disciples to make disciples everywhere, under His authority and using His teachings. And the writer of Hebrews admonished Christians to maintain their faith through community with fellow Christians. I pray that you will find strong Christian community and help reach the culture to bring in and build disciples for Christ within that community. Amen.‍ ‍

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18–20)

The word/idea “all” dominates this passage. It begins with Jesus declaring that He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Because of His authority over all things, He could commission and command His disciples. His command was that we make disciples of all nations. In making disciples, we are to baptize them and teach them to obey all things that Jesus has commanded us to. Jesus concludes with His promise to be with us always (i.e. all the days from that point forward to the end of this age). That means we have His presence and His power for what He has commissioned us to do.

let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:22–25)

As we have been commissioned to make disciples, the writer of Hebrews also calls us to maintain our own faith and our hope in Jesus, who Himself is faithful. Our means of aid in maintaining our faith and hope in Jesus is staying connected within the body of believers. Through regular meeting with other believers we are able to encourage one another in love and in the good works that God has created us for.

Conclusion

Christ has given us His authority, power and presence to be able to reach the world and its culture and make disciples for Him. Making disciples is a more significant assignment than just individual conversion to Christianity. Making disciples is not a one time thing, it is a process. It involves walking with those who have become Christians so that they become mature in their faith. Fellowship with other believers is crucial to the process of making disciples for Christ. Fellowship creates accountability, support, teaching, encouragement and more. Through the trials of life, fellowship with other believers also helps us maintain our faith, unites us to do the good works that God created us for and nurtures the hope we have in Christ for salvation and eternal life. Jesus called us to make disciples. Fellowship with other believers is how we not only reach the world for Christ but build and support the community that accomplishes that mission.

Blessings, Rev. Glenn