From John chapter 15 we see that if we are attached to the vine there are two joys that we will experience: the joy of being loved and the joy of loving one another.

We will find that we are not just Jesus' servants. Rather, we are his friends, chosen by him and given a purpose.

This loving community is a group of people loved, chosen and purposed. And if I'm loved, they must be loved too.

Pain isn't always about punishment. Sometimes it is about God saying, "I see that you love me. But do you mind if I take care of this issue?" Pruning the things that don't look like Jesus, that don't glorify Him.

We are to remain on the vine, abide in Jesus. Life is not found by working hard to accomplish, it is found by connection to the Savior, not production in our own strength.

Most people in our culture believe in a God. And they believe that he's nice like a grandfather who wants to give good gifts. But though he's nice, they don't really believe that he has any sway over improving the world.

People believe God wants things to be better, but it's up to us to do it on our own because he's powerless and distant.

A look at the story of Job reveals God's true nature: powerful, just and good.

A common cultural belief is God is a bad Dad. A look at Luke 15 shows us God as the greatest Dad there ever was.

Many think that God looks like me, sounds like me, and thinks like me. And if you disagree with me, then you disagree with God.

Instead of being formed into his image, we are forming God into our own.

We live in an "upgrade" culture and some think God could use an upgrade too.

But we serve a God who does not change, and that is actually for our good!

In the early church, everyone played a role in the mission of the church. It wasn't a place to attend, it was a community to attend to. When they saw a need, they met the need.

This mission and it's fulfillment wasn't just the job of one spirit-filled person. It was the job of every spirit-filled person.

When the mission advances, participation grows, tension grows and ultimately through this, the church grows.

The early church had grit. They were courageous, passionate and persevering even in the face of trial. In Acts 5:17-42, the world around the apostles was telling them to stop talking about Jesus, even in the face of prison and persecution.

Yet, they refused to stop. They were determined to obey God and fulfill their calling, no matter what that meant for themselves.

In the early church there was an overwhelming culture of sacrifice. There was an assumption that the needy should be cared for, and it was our job to do so. It wasn't the role of politicians or city policies.

And they believed that what the Church could do together was more powerful than any one individual, could do. Ananias and Sapphire are an example of loving self above loving God and loving their neighbor. It's easy to make a commitment to sacrifice, until you start to feel the sacrifice.

Then we want to crawl off the altar, but still get the praise.

A modern day Christian might say that "Faith is personal". I read alone. Study alone. Pray alone. And now I can even attend church alone.

In the book of Acts we see that the Church is deeply communal! While each person owned their faith, they owned it in community.

Like an old-time potluck, they brought their gifts and food to share with each other. The result was gladness, generosity, and growth of the community.