In this sermon, we will reflect on what it means for the Church to be "Relational." On first glance, we kind of think we know what what that means. To many of us, words like "community" and "relationship" come from a place of human need. We need companionship, need friends, need to know that we are not alone. If we leave it at that, we tend to think that Church is simply one place to meet that need. Ideally, we think, it should be better at it than anywhere else.

But, the Church does not primarily exist for the purpose of meeting the human need for community. In 1 Thessalonians 1, Paul uses the word "community," to describe the people to whom he is writing. This word "community" is a generic word that could describe a neighborhood association, a Crossfit gym, or those gathered at a local pub. But, he doesn't stop there. He calls them the "community in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." He will later say that their character has been formed by the work of the Holy Spirit. This is not just any community, it is the community that is in the Triune God.

This means that we take our cues for community from God, not from our own needs, wants, and desires. Paul will go on to say that this community is defined by the outworking of faith, love, and hope. And this type of community forms us in a deeper way than any other path.