Life Together in the Church:

Everybody has Their Own Idea of Community

Speaker: Rev. Ho-Ming J. Tsui

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-18

1. Where does the idea of community come from?

Christian theology tells us that:

(a) God is a Trinity

(b) Human beings are made in His image.

2. What factors hinder community?

(a) Preconceptions: Unrealistic or unhealthy expectations of what community should be

(b) Preferences: Selfish desires that seep into community

(c) Projections: The illusion of community

3. How we can strengthen community?

Communities form and are strengthened through commonality

What do Christians have in common? We’re “in Christ Jesus”

It’s strengthened by:

(a) having the right expectation (seeing others the way Jesus would)

(b) making a meaningful contribution (serving others the way Jesus would)