In the West, we draw conclusions as to who people are, based on what they do for a living. In contrast, in the Middle East, emphasis is done on family...It is crucial we realize whose family we belong to.

Just as syncretism is a threat to community from outside of the church, one of the biggest threats comes from within the church. The Apostle James shows us the source of division and fights within the church, and what to do about this.

Sermon Outline:

1. The call to trust

2. The result of trust

- Where or in whom are we putting our trust.?

- We are called to Turn back to Him; to tremble with fear and to be quiet, to wait and listen to the Lord.

Similar to marriage or a work setting, living in community (i.e. belonging to a church) will bring out and reveal some of the deepest problems we have as human beings. As in any relationship, conflicts are unavoidable. God brings together people from varied backgrounds, with different gifts and talents, and different needs. And He loves this people, just as a husband loves His bride.

The biggest challenge by far for community building is learning how to walk in this world in a redemptive way. Not adopting practices from the prevailing culture, but not isolating and hiding from the culture either.

This may be accomplished by living the Christian life openly, in the middle of an unbelieving world; and at the same time being open in answering why this is possible.

We are called to find the community where we can serve others within our own capacity and in accordance with our temperament. It doesn't matter if we are very private or outgoing. Looking out for the good of others and putting them first, at our own cost, not self-serving at all.

Christianity lost a sense of centeredness and oneness of the faith when it begun borrowing from Eastern religions and cultural trends to "enhance" or "add value" to the religion. This is not an exchange of principles, but a mixture that leads to corruption and idolatry, and also threatens the Community.

The most stressful events human beings go through: Death of a spouse, death of a child, divorce, moving, are all connected to and highlight our need to belong in a community. We need one another. We were never meant to be alone. Every living thing, animal, plant or human being is part of community.

All of creation shows we were created for community. There is a communal aspect to everything God created. The animals, plants and human beings, each producing offspring after their own kind. How does a healthy community look like?

We are called to behold and understand the humility of Jesus, and to let it impact and transform our lives. Being equal with God, He emptied himself and took human form, and was obedient to the point of death.