The discussion centers on the nature of true Christian community rooted in sacrificial love and mutual support. It contrasts consumerist relationships with the deeper connections formed through the shared commitment to God’s mission. Highlights include insights from social psychologist Sherry Turkle and an engaging analogy from Toy Story 4. The transformative power of being fully known and loved by God is emphasized as essential for genuine relationships. The speaker encourages listeners to embrace the messiness of authentic connections.
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Quick takeaways
True Christian community is built on sacrificial love and mutual knowledge, requiring believers to embody Jesus' love for others.
Authentic relationships contrast with consumerism by focusing on service and commitment to a shared mission, mirroring Jesus' teachings.
Deep dives
The Need for True Community
Individuals have an inherent need for true community, which Jesus defines in his command to love one another as he loves us. This sacrificial love is not optional; it serves as a defining characteristic of discipleship. According to the teaching from John 13, believers can only extend this type of love after first receiving Jesus' love, which emphasizes the interdependence between loving others and being loved by Christ. This concept highlights that genuine community is rooted in mutual knowledge and acceptance, requiring believers to be both known and loved within the body of Christ.
The Nature of True Community
True community as described in Christian teaching contrasts sharply with a consumer mentality towards relationships. Rather than asking what one can gain from others, true community focuses on how to serve and support each other in journeying toward a common purpose. The essence of this type of friendship is illustrated through the narrative of Woody and Forky in Toy Story 4, where love is characterized by sacrifice and a commitment to helping one another realize their true identities. This mission-oriented approach fosters deeper connections among individuals, as seen among Jesus' diverse disciples united by their love for him and his mission.
The Power for True Community
Experiencing true community requires individuals to be filled with Jesus’ love to love others sacrificially. Jesus serves as the ultimate example of this, fully knowing and accepting individuals despite their flaws, while inviting them into a transformative friendship. The power to create deep, genuine connections is rooted in understanding one’s relationship with God, which, when established, allows individuals to extend unconditional love to others. In this way, genuine community transcends social barriers and reflects the transformative nature of divine love, encouraging members to support one another in a meaningful and profound manner.
Senior Pastor Damein Schitter continues our January vision series, preaching from John 13:34-35. He explores the nature of Christian community, arguing that it's characterized by sacrificial love, mutual knowing, and a shared commitment to God's mission. Pastor Damein contrasts this with a consumerist approach to relationships, drawing on the work of social psychologist Sherry Turkle and illustrating his points with examples from both Scripture and Toy Story 4. He also emphasizes the necessity of communion with God as the foundation for genuine Christian community and stresses the transformative power of being fully known and loved by God. Pastor Damein concludes with a call to action, urging us to embrace the messiness of authentic relationships.
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