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Mission 2025: Core Values 2. United in Community
Shaun Rossi // Core Values: 2. United in Community
“United in Community: Our identity in Christ binds us to a new community which is the context for our formation as disciples. We were made for relationship—with God, and with each other. Growth in our vertical relationship with Christ leads us to be horizontally bound together in loving community, demonstrating together the life-changing power of the gospel.” (From the UCC core values found at: www.ucclife)
“12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:12-17
Sermon OutlineI. United in Community: Begins with our Identity in Christ v 12a
“4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,””
— Ephesians 1:4-5
“28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
— Romans 8:28-30
“11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”
— Ephesians 1:11
II. United in Community: Puts on Christ vv 12-14
“14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
— Romans 13:14
“14 Let all that you do be done in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:14
“6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 1:6
III. United in Community: Lets the Peace of Christ Rule v 15
“18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
— Romans 12:18
IV. United in Community: Dwells in the Word of Christ v 16
“24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
— John 4:24
Theology of glory and the cross, United in community
Martin Luther distinguished between a theology of glory and a theology of the cross. The theology of glory seeks the revelation of God in the power and glory of his actions. The theology of the cross sees the ultimate revelation of God in the cross. Luther teaches that by faith we see in the cross power in weakness, wisdom in folly and glory in shame.
As Christians we too often seek unity though a theology of glory and not the cross. The reason is that power made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) is so counter-intuitive and counter-cultural that we do not believe it. We believe that God will use the powerful and important and impressive. But he does not. We need the radical change of perspective that the cross brings.
How does the cross lead to being united in community? The cross and the grace and righteousness it brings is a great leveller. If my righteousness is unmerited and my achievements are God‘s work in me, then I cannot claim any superiority. I cannot look down on other people. And so Paul says: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)
The cross leaves no scope for human boasting. Instead, our one boast is in Christ Jesus, so “let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) We need to ditch our worldly notions of unity. In the church we need to turn our notions of success upside down so that we align them with God‘s kingdom perspective (Mark 4:26-32).
Book Recommendation: “the communion of saints” By: philip graham rykenPhilip Graham Rykken, a former pastor and now the President of Wheaton College (USA), has written an excellent book about what it means to be united in community, called “The Communion of Saints”. Here is a brief description:
“In a day when Christians are more divided than united, true believers must again commit themselves to their common spiritual communion with one another. Have you noticed how many of the New Testament’s directives for sanctification are in the plural? God as ordained that growth in grace should occur in the communion of the saints.”
The book comes with a study guide for each chapter making it an excellent choice to read with a small group, family, or together with a friend from UCC. The book is available to order wherever books are sold.
small group study“12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:12-17
Introduction
1. Read the following description of our second core value, United in Community:
“Our identity in Christ binds us to a new community which is the context for our formation as disciples. We were made for relationship—with God, and with each other. Growth in our vertical relationship with Christ leads us to be horizontally bound together in loving community, demonstrating together the life-changing power of the gospel.” (From the UCC core values found at: www.ucclife)
What stands out to you from this statement?
Discuss the inextricable link between our first core value ‘United in Christ’ and our second ‘United in Community’.
Read Colossians 3:5-16
1. In v 12, Paul begins by stating that God has graciously chosen us. This means that if you’re a Christian it’s not because you first chose God, but because He chose you before the foundation of the world. (Read: Ephesians 1:4-5) The idea of God choosing us for salvation is called the doctrine of election.
Does the doctrine of election give you comfort or cause you grief?
2. How does remembering God’s grace toward an individual Christian provide a good starting point to think about how the church should act toward one another?
3. Read verses 12-14.
How practically can we “put on” the qualities listed here?
Which of the seven qualities do you most need to work on? How will you work on it? What’s your plan?
Discuss some ways these qualities have been or could be expressed in our corporate gatherings on Sundays?
4. Is it ever right to distance yourself from a person who has offended you, rather than trying to work things out? If so, when?
5. How has our cultural idea of love hindered or affected our obedience to biblical love?
6. How can you love someone who has deeply hurt you? What does that look like? Is it always possible?
7. Read v 15. What the relationship between “letting the peace of Christ rule in your heart”, and living as part of the “body to which you were called”?
8. Read v 17. In the sermon it was said, “It is possible to have only glancing contact with the Word of God. You know, the emphasis today is on bible reading but the focus in the history of the church has been on mediation, or, letting it dwell richly in you. You can read the Word every day, satisfy your conscience, and never think about it again for the rest of the day – God never intended it to be like that…”
What has helped you most in getting into the Word? What has been most difficult about it?
How does letting the word dwell richly help promote church unity?
1. How have you seen UCC living out a biblical community well? Where could UCC improve?
2. If time allows, review the above post about how the cross shapes our community and discuss it.
Close in prayer.
Back to Bulletin
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By United Community ChurchShaun Rossi // Core Values: 2. United in Community
“United in Community: Our identity in Christ binds us to a new community which is the context for our formation as disciples. We were made for relationship—with God, and with each other. Growth in our vertical relationship with Christ leads us to be horizontally bound together in loving community, demonstrating together the life-changing power of the gospel.” (From the UCC core values found at: www.ucclife)
“12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:12-17
Sermon OutlineI. United in Community: Begins with our Identity in Christ v 12a
“4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,””
— Ephesians 1:4-5
“28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
— Romans 8:28-30
“11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,”
— Ephesians 1:11
II. United in Community: Puts on Christ vv 12-14
“14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.”
— Romans 13:14
“14 Let all that you do be done in love.”
— 1 Corinthians 16:14
“6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
— Philippians 1:6
III. United in Community: Lets the Peace of Christ Rule v 15
“18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
— Romans 12:18
IV. United in Community: Dwells in the Word of Christ v 16
“24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
— John 4:24
Theology of glory and the cross, United in community
Martin Luther distinguished between a theology of glory and a theology of the cross. The theology of glory seeks the revelation of God in the power and glory of his actions. The theology of the cross sees the ultimate revelation of God in the cross. Luther teaches that by faith we see in the cross power in weakness, wisdom in folly and glory in shame.
As Christians we too often seek unity though a theology of glory and not the cross. The reason is that power made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9) is so counter-intuitive and counter-cultural that we do not believe it. We believe that God will use the powerful and important and impressive. But he does not. We need the radical change of perspective that the cross brings.
How does the cross lead to being united in community? The cross and the grace and righteousness it brings is a great leveller. If my righteousness is unmerited and my achievements are God‘s work in me, then I cannot claim any superiority. I cannot look down on other people. And so Paul says: “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 15:7)
The cross leaves no scope for human boasting. Instead, our one boast is in Christ Jesus, so “let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31) We need to ditch our worldly notions of unity. In the church we need to turn our notions of success upside down so that we align them with God‘s kingdom perspective (Mark 4:26-32).
Book Recommendation: “the communion of saints” By: philip graham rykenPhilip Graham Rykken, a former pastor and now the President of Wheaton College (USA), has written an excellent book about what it means to be united in community, called “The Communion of Saints”. Here is a brief description:
“In a day when Christians are more divided than united, true believers must again commit themselves to their common spiritual communion with one another. Have you noticed how many of the New Testament’s directives for sanctification are in the plural? God as ordained that growth in grace should occur in the communion of the saints.”
The book comes with a study guide for each chapter making it an excellent choice to read with a small group, family, or together with a friend from UCC. The book is available to order wherever books are sold.
small group study“12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
— Colossians 3:12-17
Introduction
1. Read the following description of our second core value, United in Community:
“Our identity in Christ binds us to a new community which is the context for our formation as disciples. We were made for relationship—with God, and with each other. Growth in our vertical relationship with Christ leads us to be horizontally bound together in loving community, demonstrating together the life-changing power of the gospel.” (From the UCC core values found at: www.ucclife)
What stands out to you from this statement?
Discuss the inextricable link between our first core value ‘United in Christ’ and our second ‘United in Community’.
Read Colossians 3:5-16
1. In v 12, Paul begins by stating that God has graciously chosen us. This means that if you’re a Christian it’s not because you first chose God, but because He chose you before the foundation of the world. (Read: Ephesians 1:4-5) The idea of God choosing us for salvation is called the doctrine of election.
Does the doctrine of election give you comfort or cause you grief?
2. How does remembering God’s grace toward an individual Christian provide a good starting point to think about how the church should act toward one another?
3. Read verses 12-14.
How practically can we “put on” the qualities listed here?
Which of the seven qualities do you most need to work on? How will you work on it? What’s your plan?
Discuss some ways these qualities have been or could be expressed in our corporate gatherings on Sundays?
4. Is it ever right to distance yourself from a person who has offended you, rather than trying to work things out? If so, when?
5. How has our cultural idea of love hindered or affected our obedience to biblical love?
6. How can you love someone who has deeply hurt you? What does that look like? Is it always possible?
7. Read v 15. What the relationship between “letting the peace of Christ rule in your heart”, and living as part of the “body to which you were called”?
8. Read v 17. In the sermon it was said, “It is possible to have only glancing contact with the Word of God. You know, the emphasis today is on bible reading but the focus in the history of the church has been on mediation, or, letting it dwell richly in you. You can read the Word every day, satisfy your conscience, and never think about it again for the rest of the day – God never intended it to be like that…”
What has helped you most in getting into the Word? What has been most difficult about it?
How does letting the word dwell richly help promote church unity?
1. How have you seen UCC living out a biblical community well? Where could UCC improve?
2. If time allows, review the above post about how the cross shapes our community and discuss it.
Close in prayer.
Back to Bulletin