Biblical Community | BELIEVE | Randy Frazee

Key Idea: I fellowship with Christians to accomplish God’s purposes in my life, in the lives of others and in the world.

Key Verse: 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 favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:44-47

Key Question: How do I develop healthy relationships with others?

“it is not good for man to be alone.” (pg. 259; Genesis 2:18)

Two are better than one,

    because they have a good return for their labor:

10 If either of them falls down,

    one can help the other up.

But pity anyone who falls

    and has no one to help them up.

11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.

    But how can one keep warm alone?

12 Though one may be overpowered,

    two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (pg. 260;Eccl. 4:9-12)

Step 1: Put God at the center of your life and community

“…have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.”

(pg. 261; Exodus 25:8)

Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. (pg. 262; Exodus 40:34-35)

If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? (Exodus 33:15-16)

At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.

(Matthew 27:51)

For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people.” (2 Corinthians 6:16)

“For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them.”

(pg. 266; Matthew 18:20)

Step two – Surround yourself with other Christians committed to the same purpose

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 favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (pg. 265; Acts 2:42-47)

“All the believers were together and had everything in common” = Koinonia.

Biblical community is a collection of people who share a common purpose.

For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. (2 Corinthians 2:15)

And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

(pg. 265; Acts 2:47

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