WEBVTT 00:00:02.240 --> 00:00:05.040 Welcome to the Celebration Church Orlando podcast. 00:00:05.280 --> 00:00:06.879 Thank you so much for listening today. 00:00:07.120 --> 00:00:09.199 We hope it encourages you and inspires you. 00:00:11.519 --> 00:00:12.080 Hey church. 00:00:12.240 --> 00:00:13.759 We're so glad that you're here with us, man. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:15.119 Welcome to Church at Home. 00:00:15.279 --> 00:00:18.960 I am so, so glad that you guys are with us and you guys are in for an incredible treat. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:26.320 This Sunday, we're going to get a chance to hear from my good friend, Pastor Charlie Dawes, who pastors the amazing church of Metro Church up in the DC area. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:27.920 He's got an incredible word for us. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:29.199 So I want us to lean in. 00:00:29.280 --> 00:00:30.399 I want us to fully engage. 00:00:30.559 --> 00:00:33.840 I want us to connect with him on social media and let's listen to what God's going to say. 00:00:33.920 --> 00:00:35.359 It's going to be a great Sunday. 00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:47.759 Thanks so much for joining us today. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:52.159 So glad that you guys are a part of today's gathering. 00:00:52.399 --> 00:00:55.039 And so I just want to draw your attention to Acts chapter two. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:56.320 We're going to jump right in. 00:00:56.640 --> 00:01:03.359 As you know, we are in a collection of sermons really around the idea of Acts, the stories of the early church. 00:01:03.679 --> 00:01:12.239 But here's what we know the stories of the early church are actually the stories that we're living out and have the ability to participate in right here and right now. 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:24.640 You see, I never want us to read the scriptures as if it's some text from antiquity that has nothing to say to us now by way of inspiration, by way of transformation, but also a way for us to move forward. 00:01:24.879 --> 00:01:44.079 God, in his word, instructs the people of God on what it is to be a family, what it is to be one, what it is to move in the face of opposition and turbulent times, and be able to be steadied in his presence, but also utilized for the furthering and the advancement of the kingdom of God. 00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:53.840 And so what we want to do in this time is look at some of these themes, look at some of these topics that are huge throughout the text in Acts. 00:01:54.000 --> 00:01:59.599 And one of them that we're going to look at this morning is just simply unity and fellowship. 00:01:59.680 --> 00:02:13.360 I know a lot of times we'll use that word community, but I want us to specifically kind of break them apart and be able to look at unity, to be able to look at fellowship and to see their role in this as unique and important. 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:27.680 So if you'll look at Acts chapter 2 with me, we're going to start at verse 42, and then we're also going to look at a portion of scripture in Acts chapter 4, just to see this rhythm of language, but also this rhythm of thought throughout the text. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:39.439 Chapter 2, it says this, and they, being the church, being the disciples, the follower of Jesus, this would all have been all of those that heard the message, that were saved and added to the church. 00:02:39.599 --> 00:02:42.000 This is also going to be those that were in the upper room. 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:52.159 So it's talking about kind of that early church, and they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers. 00:02:52.400 --> 00:02:57.919 And all came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 00:02:58.159 --> 00:03:02.400 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 00:03:02.560 --> 00:03:09.120 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all as any had need. 00:03:09.360 --> 00:03:23.199 And day by day, attending the temple together, and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. 00:03:23.599 --> 00:03:29.840 And the Lord added, Lord added to their number day by day those who are being saved. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:33.360 Now keep that in mind, and go now with me to Acts chapter 4. 00:03:33.759 --> 00:03:36.800 Just move your attention to verse 32. 00:03:37.280 --> 00:03:49.360 It said, Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:55.439 And with great power the apostles were giving the testimony of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. 00:03:55.680 --> 00:03:58.560 And great grace was upon them all. 00:03:58.960 --> 00:04:14.719 Verse 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands and houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 00:04:15.919 --> 00:04:18.399 We'll stop there for our time. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:20.399 Let's bow our heads and our hearts for prayer. 00:04:20.480 --> 00:04:21.439 Father, we love you. 00:04:21.759 --> 00:04:22.959 God, we thank you for your word. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:25.519 We thank you for its instruction. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:27.199 We thank you for its correction. 00:04:27.279 --> 00:04:29.279 We we thank you for its guidance. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:33.519 And Lord, we recognize that we are in a difficult season. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:34.959 We're in a difficult time. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:37.920 But Lord, we know that your word is true. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:43.279 We know that your spirit is present, and we know that you are our God and we are your people. 00:04:43.519 --> 00:04:49.120 And so, Lord, with those things in mind, Lord, there is not anything that we can't withstand. 00:04:49.839 --> 00:04:52.560 If God is with us, who can be against us? 00:04:53.120 --> 00:04:55.680 And so, God, we stand confidently on your word. 00:04:56.319 --> 00:04:59.600 We thank you, God, for all that you're doing in and through us. 00:04:59.759 --> 00:05:01.519 Be with us in these next few moments. 00:05:01.839 --> 00:05:03.439 In the name of Jesus, we pray. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:05.199 And all God's people said. 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:06.720 Amen. 00:05:07.040 --> 00:05:12.160 You see, this idea of unity, this idea of being one, being together. 00:05:12.560 --> 00:05:15.360 This is not a new concept for the people of God. 00:05:15.600 --> 00:05:18.319 This concept is seen all throughout the scriptures. 00:05:18.399 --> 00:05:35.680 In the Old Testament narrative, we see that it is alive and well that God desired for his people to be together, not broken apart, not weak, not instability, like having instability, but God wanted them to be together, to be whole, to be a unified people. 00:05:36.079 --> 00:05:37.680 It's always been God's desire. 00:05:37.839 --> 00:05:40.879 And so in the early church, it was important that they had unity. 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:47.360 What I want to make sure we understand that unity does not erase your differences. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:54.800 It means that your differences are secondary to the cause of Christ and secondary to the kingdom of God. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:06:03.839 What it isn't saying to us is that to be in one accord, to be of one mind, to have unity is to ignore differences. 00:06:04.399 --> 00:06:15.360 What the Bible wants us to do is see our differences, to see the beauty and diversity, to see the way in which God has created us and the way in which God has purposed us. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:26.560 And in the midst of that, all desire to come to even a greater place of being known as the family of God, to be in unity, to be in one. 00:06:26.639 --> 00:06:31.680 You see, but unity will always be at risk because of our fallen humanity. 00:06:31.920 --> 00:06:45.199 Because there is sin at work, because there is evil at work among us and around us, we have to make sure that we engage in fellowship so that we ensure that our unity isn't destroyed. 00:06:45.439 --> 00:06:51.759 You see, unity can't simply thrive and can't exist without having fellowship as well. 00:06:51.839 --> 00:07:00.639 It's why, even during this season of quarantine, we were always talking about make sure, and we're still talking about make sure you're connected to someone. 00:07:00.800 --> 00:07:01.199 Why? 00:07:01.360 --> 00:07:05.759 Because it's not enough just for us to be of one mind and one accord. 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:08.319 We also want to have fellowship with one another. 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:17.439 We want to be able to encourage, to strengthen, to meet the needs, to pray for, to celebrate with, to mourn with, to cry, to laugh. 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:25.360 All of those things is what happens when the people of God gather together and fellowship when we're with one another. 00:07:25.600 --> 00:07:28.399 It's easy for us to be unified. 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:30.319 It's easy for us to have unity. 00:07:30.480 --> 00:07:33.839 You see, the kingdom of God transcends all barriers. 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:41.439 And we recognize that the church, the local church, is a local expression of that reality. 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:46.160 And so we talk about the kingdom of God is one of inclusivity. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:49.360 You see it throughout Acts, you see it throughout Luke's gospel. 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:51.920 It is a theme in his writing. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:59.120 You cannot miss that underlying theme throughout his writings of inclusivity. 00:07:59.279 --> 00:08:02.879 Those that were on the outside are being brought near. 00:08:03.040 --> 00:08:11.600 Those who we thought were down and out are given a place of authority and voice, and they're brought into the family. 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:22.720 You see, many of us, if we're not careful, we will try to shrink the family of God when God laid down his life so that all might sit at the table of our king. 00:08:23.120 --> 00:08:31.279 I want us to know that our church has to be a local expression of the kingdom of God, which transcends all barriers. 00:08:31.680 --> 00:08:34.480 You remember what it says in Colossians chapter 3? 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:45.200 It says, There's neither Greek nor Jew, not circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, scythian, slave-free, but Christ is all and Christ is in all. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.240 Hear me on this. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:55.440 The early church had to struggle with divisions of a race, divisions of ethnicity, divisions of gender. 00:08:55.679 --> 00:08:59.919 There were not equal views of men and women in that society. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:06.799 There were not equal views of different persons of different races and locations and nationalities. 00:09:06.960 --> 00:09:16.559 We've got to be aware that the church of Jesus Christ was birthed out of a time and place where there was racial tension and racial divide. 00:09:16.720 --> 00:09:25.279 And yet the gospel calls for the church to be a place for all to find themselves a seat at this table. 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:30.480 There is a unity, there is a oneness that comes through Jesus. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:38.639 He lays his life down as the bridge that humanity gets to cross over into the fullness of all that God has for them. 00:09:38.799 --> 00:09:44.080 There's a great divide in the early church, the first Christians in the body of Christ. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:50.799 At that same time, they're not just dealing with that internally, but they're also dealing with depressive governmental structures. 00:09:50.960 --> 00:09:57.360 They're also dealing with aggression in society towards their way and desire to worship the Lord. 00:09:57.519 --> 00:10:04.320 I'm just telling you, the scriptures have so much to say to us on the times and spaces that we live in right now. 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:14.559 The people of God have never had the opportunity to just live their lives in easy, non-tense moments. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:19.440 And the gospel throws us right to the middle of those things, friends. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:24.799 So when you watch the news and you see all that's happening around us, don't live in fear. 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:32.000 Because I promise you that the kingdom of God was built for such a time and for days such as this. 00:10:32.399 --> 00:10:36.399 Jesus said it this way that the gates of hell they won't prevail. 00:10:36.879 --> 00:10:44.559 So I promise you, hell can try its hardest to overthrow the kingdom of God and it will not prevail. 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:49.200 Take courage and be encouraged in that reality. 00:10:49.440 --> 00:10:56.559 And so this morning, what I want us to do is look at some purposes that we have in this unity in our church. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:10:58.960 What are the purposes for us to be unified? 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:02.000 And I'll say this, I'm not, this list isn't exhaustive. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:06.320 You may want to add to this, you may want to consider this even as the message is over. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:14.000 You may want to talk about this in your family over brunch, and you may want to just extend this conversation, but I want to offer a few of these things to you. 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:18.879 I think there are two purposes that I want us to focus in on the for unity in the church. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:22.080 And the first one is simply this is to lead others to faith. 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:30.320 Never forget the job and the role of us in the kingdom is to bring others around the table of God. 00:11:30.559 --> 00:11:33.519 Those that might felt far off to bring them in. 00:11:33.600 --> 00:11:36.159 I'll draw your attention to Luke chapter 15. 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:49.519 Luke chapter 15 is filled with parables from Jesus, and each of the parables has a different central figure that is looking for something that was lost, and the same posture is in all of them. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:59.200 There is a reckless abandon to look for what is lost, and there is this desire for what has left and what has gone away to be returned. 00:11:59.279 --> 00:12:02.720 And until it is returned, the family doesn't feel full. 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:14.320 There is a beautiful picture for us to see in Luke chapter 15, where our design as followers of Jesus is to always look for the lost. 00:12:14.720 --> 00:12:21.519 But I want to encourage us that the gospel has never been solely about a soul. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:28.159 Jesus asks that we would love the Lord our God with our heart, with our mind, with our soul, with our strength. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:36.960 Can I say to you that Jesus does not only want us to worship him in that manner, but also wants for us to be redeemed in that same manner? 00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:47.759 Not just a soul redemption, but that my body would be redeemed, that my mind would be redeemed, that my life would be redeemed, that all of me, that I would worship God in spirit and in truth. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:50.879 In totality, I would honor God. 00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:54.000 So here's what that means for us as the people of God. 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:57.840 I don't simply want people to acknowledge Jesus intellectually. 00:12:58.080 --> 00:13:01.519 I don't want them just to acknowledge Jesus emotionally. 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:09.919 I want them to acknowledge Jesus in their life, a holistic gospel representation in their life. 00:13:10.240 --> 00:13:14.480 The second thing is we're to lead believers to maturity. 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:20.399 And this is one where I might step on your toes a little bit. 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:24.080 So I hope this is okay and I hope you'll be all right this morning. 00:13:24.159 --> 00:13:25.519 I think you can handle this. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:32.000 I'm concerned that the body of Christ is more concerned with comfort than we are maturity. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:36.879 I think if we're not careful, we get to a place where we want to feel good. 00:13:37.039 --> 00:13:47.279 We want our sermons to pacify us, we want our sermons to pat us on the backs and encourage us at all the things that we're doing right rather than pushing us to the place of growing. 00:13:47.360 --> 00:13:56.720 I'm just telling you, don't you remember when you were like 11 and 12 years old and you were about to hit that growth spurt, you had what was called growing pains. 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:04.720 Because it's going to, it's going to be grueling to get from where you are to where you're going to be. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:07.360 Your body is going to be stretched. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:16.960 Your faith, your relationship with Christ, my spiritual journey, those things have to be stretched and brought to a place of maturity. 00:14:17.039 --> 00:14:20.000 The apostle Paul says it this way to the church in Corinth. 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:22.559 He said, You are enjoying spiritual milk. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:30.639 He said, But what I wish you would do is graduate from the bottle and get a fork and knife and begin to eat spiritual meat. 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:37.440 See what he's saying to the church is, I can't have you living in a place where you're just comfortable, where it's just easy. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:15:02.080 Listen to me, if the maturity in if you maturing in your faith does not bring you to a place of questioning the things that you once embraced easily and moving to a deeper level of that thought, all you are doing is cosigning on what you had in an immature state and pretending it's something else. 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:05.279 We're not after steak-flavored milk. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:09.279 We're after moving from milk to meat. 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:12.559 We want to be people that can grow in our maturity. 00:15:12.639 --> 00:15:13.759 So, what does that look like? 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:19.120 It means I grapple with the scriptures, not just at a place of my own comfort. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:27.840 It's why it's incredibly important for all of us as we're engaging the scriptures to do it from an awareness of cultural context. 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:32.159 I cannot make the scriptures mean in my life what they did not mean there. 00:15:32.480 --> 00:15:36.000 There's a variety of applications that can be made in the text. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:44.480 But please understand that there is only one contextual interpretation of the scriptures, and it was for the time they were written. 00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:50.559 Another way to say it is this that the Bible was not written to us, but it was written for us. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:54.480 We are not the original intended audience of the scriptures. 00:15:54.559 --> 00:16:03.120 And to understand fully what's happening and what they're meaning to me, I have to go then and there first before I can go here and now. 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:09.120 So I want to challenge you to grow in your faith, to mature in your faith. 00:16:09.360 --> 00:16:14.639 That your mind, that my mind, would continually be transformed into the mind of Christ. 00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:22.480 One of the ways I can I can tell whether or not I'm maturing is if my selfish ambition begins to diminish. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:26.720 Do I think of myself more than I think of others? 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:32.639 That would be a quick litmus test to determine whether or not I'm actually maturing in the things of God. 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:35.039 You say, Charlie, that sounds incredibly simplistic. 00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:40.080 Yes, but when I look at Jesus' life, I don't see him looking for his own well-being. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:43.200 I see him laying his life down for the well-being of others. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:51.440 See, I want to make sure for us as a followers of Jesus, we're not comfortable with messages that just encourage us to go and discover our purpose. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:17:07.599 I want to make sure that we're leaning into text that says, in the midst of racial division, in the midst of a time and a place where it seems that there is tension that we don't know if it can be resolved. 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.799 Let's be honest. 00:17:09.039 --> 00:17:10.240 Some of us might be feeling that. 00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:12.240 Man, are we out of place there, is there any hope? 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.279 Can we go forward? 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.559 Can I say this to you? 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:28.240 Yes, we can go forward, but I promise you the way forward for the church is not to look at external mechanisms, but it's for us to be what Christ called us to be from the very beginning, to be a unified collection. 00:17:28.400 --> 00:17:31.119 We are one body with many parts. 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:34.640 And we can't say to one body, you're not necessary. 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:38.160 We can't disconnect one part of the body from the other. 00:17:38.319 --> 00:17:43.920 And also the body was never intended to just stay in an infancy state. 00:17:45.359 --> 00:17:47.440 I don't know if you have this app on your phone. 00:17:47.519 --> 00:17:48.880 It's called Time Hop. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.640 I love Time Hop. 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:54.319 I'm on a pretty strong streak with Time Hop, if I'm honest with you. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:18:00.559 Um I I've I've I kind of have a rhythm in the early part of my day where I check Time Hop pretty much every day. 00:18:00.640 --> 00:18:10.000 And what Time Hop is, is it's an app that will show you your pictures, it'll show you your posts from that day, um, kind of for like history. 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:16.400 And I think it probably goes back around maybe like a decade or so because after a decade, you know, nobody had digital pictures or something like that. 00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:19.200 I don't know why, but um, it'll go back a good portion. 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:28.559 And for me, here's what's what's fun, here's what's nostalgic about it, is I'll see pictures of my kids at different ages, different stages. 00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:37.119 Uh, just the other day a picture popped up on my phone, and it was uh a time when my dad and I took my son Caden uh on his first kind of what we call the man trip. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:52.079 And we were gonna talk to him about what it was to be a uh a man uh in our family, and uh he was young, and so we were doing some things, and we went to one of our favorite cities to do uh probably one of my most favorite things, and that's to go to a uh Chicago Cubs game uh at Wrigley Field. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:19:14.480 And uh we took Caden and I was looking at the pictures that came up on Time Hop, and uh I saw him wearing his uh his jersey, and uh I saw us in the stadium, and uh there was a picture where my my dad was helping my son um putt on a golf course, and it was just this kind of snapshot of a moment in time that is a a memory that uh that is just dear to my heart. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:14.960 Right? 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.079 That picture says a lot. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.920 That picture says, you know, it's a there's a connection of our family. 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:22.160 My dad taught me stuff, now he's teaching my son things. 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:28.400 It's a you know, I had a deep moment on high on Tynhop if I'm if I'm honest, but can I say, can I say this? 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:31.759 I I can't keep my son at the age of that picture. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:34.720 As much as I enjoyed it, as much as I loved it. 00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:40.240 It would, it's not the intention, it's not the design for him to just be locked at that age forever. 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:49.279 He's gonna continue to mature, and you and I have to make sure that we are being led into maturity and that we are leading others to maturity. 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:56.559 Paul said it this way: when I was younger, I thought a certain way, I acted a certain way, I behaved a certain way. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:20:01.519 He said, But as I've grown in the faith, as I've matured, I put away childish things. 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:12.720 Maybe this is the season and the time for us to maybe we gotta put away some childish things so that we can continue to mature in the Lord. 00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:22.559 Now I want to give you kind of a list of a few things because I think that the church, there are ways that we can kind of demonstrate and show and model this unity in our midst. 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:24.319 And I want to list a few of these for you. 00:20:24.400 --> 00:20:26.720 The first one is sharing in the Lord's Supper. 00:20:27.119 --> 00:20:30.880 You see here in the early church in Acts chapter 2, it says that they gathered together. 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:32.960 There was a fellowship, the breaking of bread. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.640 Understand what it's talking about. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:38.000 Sharing the Lord's Supper, communion together. 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:43.839 It is an experience that you can have by yourself, you can have with your family, you can have with friends. 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:55.119 But when you are sitting at the table and you are laughing and enjoying yourself, can you also at that time take a moment to remember and reflect on the Lord? 00:20:55.279 --> 00:21:10.640 The rabbis would teach this that if you would sit at a meal and Torah was not discussed, if if God was not present in that meal, that that meal did not have the same ability to nourish you in the way that it could if God was present in that place. 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:15.759 How many times do you and I sit at a table and we fill our stomachs? 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:21.599 But we miss the opportunity to fill our soul in community that is around us. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:26.480 The other one we can express unity with the Lord through baptism. 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:29.359 Baptism is an expression of unity. 00:21:29.519 --> 00:21:37.599 In Ephesians chapter 4, Paul says it this way that there's one body, one spirit, just as you were called to one hope that belongs to your call. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:42.480 And I love this in verse 5: one Lord, one faith, one baptism. 00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:49.119 Baptism is a sign of solidarity in the death and resurrection of Christ. 00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:55.200 It declares him as Lord, and it also unifies us in the body of Christ. 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:59.759 We're unified over communion, we're unified over baptism, we're unified. 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:02.400 When we extend hospitality. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:11.519 Did you know that throwing a party, throwing a party in your house is a way that you can show and demonstrate unity in the body of Christ. 00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:19.359 Listen, as we move into these new phases up here in the DMV, and I know down in Florida, you're a little bit ahead of us in terms of these phases. 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:26.720 So on the island, you're probably throwing some parties, but here in the DMV, we're getting ready to throw some parties, hopefully, in days and weeks to come. 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:31.519 There are going to be numbers of people that we would feel safe and feel comfortable to have in our homes. 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:42.960 And I just want to say this to you: as you begin to feel comfortable in doing that, I also want you to know that when you do that, there's a unifying element. 00:22:44.079 --> 00:22:48.559 That barbecue, that cookout that we love having with family and friends. 00:22:48.880 --> 00:22:53.680 Can I say to you that there is also an element of spirituality in that time? 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:59.119 You see, hospitality is one of these treasures that we have in the body of Christ. 00:22:59.279 --> 00:23:04.720 It's a way of making a stranger feel like not just a friend, but a family member. 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:18.880 Hospitality allows those from different places, different homes on their journeys, whether it's a short distance or a far distance, to come and to sit at the table and to be one, to be unified with us. 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:20.960 Another one is sharing resources. 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:25.200 It talks in the scriptures where they gave, they gave to those that were in need. 00:23:25.359 --> 00:23:30.799 One of the things I'm so proud of our church in this season, our response team has been incredible. 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:37.279 When needs have risen in our church, we've been able to meet those needs. 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:45.519 The requests for groceries, the requests for assistance for newborns, meals, and the list goes on and on. 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:49.440 I've been so proud of the way in which we have shared our resources. 00:23:49.599 --> 00:23:51.279 Let's make no mistake about it. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:24:09.440 You can talk about generosity, but the reality is this what the church does when we bring our tithes back to the Lord, when we give our offerings over and above, beyond that, it allows the church to do the ministry and the work as it was designed all the way in the Old Testament. 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:15.039 Please don't see the church as just another philanthropic arm that you donate to. 00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:30.319 The reason why we're obedient in these areas with our finances and bringing our first to the Lord is because we know that God's design is that God's people, the house of God, that the church would always take care of those that were in need. 00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:35.519 It's our design, it's our mission, it's a way in which we demonstrate unity. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:38.880 Another is solidarity through suffering. 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:53.039 Listen, when we go through situations and things in life, when there's solidarity in our brokenness, it brings us together in a way that really is hard for us to fully comprehend. 00:24:53.200 --> 00:25:05.279 It's why when you talk to war veterans, those that they served with, those that they suffered alongside, there is a connection to them that will last the balance of their life. 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:10.000 And it's a connection that other relationships pale in comparison to. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:48.880 And we never want to see anyone else join. 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.279 But we knew there was a connection. 00:25:51.359 --> 00:25:56.640 We knew that we knew each other's pain in a way that we actually didn't even have to vocalize. 00:25:57.599 --> 00:26:04.559 You see, I think there's a solidarity in suffering that even in the body of Christ, I think we would be well served. 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:10.240 To come alongside those in their moments and their times of suffering to listen. 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:25.759 Not to prescribe ways for those to be well, not to prescribe ways for suffering to be extinguished, but to come alongside to listen with ears of empathy and hearts desired to stand in solidarity. 00:26:26.240 --> 00:26:28.559 Not necessarily trying to solve your problem. 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:37.519 I'm trying to make sure you know that I see you and I hear you, and I'm not going anywhere, even though it's difficult and even though it's hard. 00:26:37.839 --> 00:26:42.079 Another thing I want us to grab hold of, and finally, this is a tough one. 00:26:42.160 --> 00:26:45.680 I put it last because it's it's not an easy thing to do. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:48.799 It's to welcome former opponents. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:55.359 To have hospitality for a guest or a friend of somebody else or somebody that came in, that's one thing. 00:26:55.440 --> 00:27:01.279 But to be welcoming of someone who was directly in opposition to you, that only happens. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:04.559 That only happens by way of Jesus. 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:07.119 And I'm thinking of the Apostle Paul here. 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:12.559 You know the Apostle Paul was desiring to tear down the early church. 00:27:12.720 --> 00:27:20.720 He was a persecutor of the way, has a radical transformation when he encounters Jesus. 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:29.519 And his life is put on a direction and on a new course where he is now going to be reaching the other for him. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:38.079 You see, for him as a as a Jew, as a well-studied, becoming a rabbi, as someone who was well, well studied in the faith. 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:51.200 For him to now use that to reach the Gentiles, who he saw as second class, is the very definition of a ministry of reconciliation. 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.559 So listen to me. 00:27:52.720 --> 00:28:08.240 Whoever, whatever the other is for you, a way that we can demonstrate unity is by welcoming former opponents when they come to a place of forgiveness and renewal. 00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:11.359 They weren't welcoming Paul when he was still trying to persecute. 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:16.319 It's actually kind of funny when you read in the scriptures because the people were like, hey, don't you remember Paul? 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:17.920 He kind of has a bad reputation. 00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:19.519 Should we let him in? 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:23.759 You see, but the transformation in his heart was so real. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:29.279 It was so evident that the people made room for him. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:37.279 I wonder if there are people in our life right now who, because they think different, because they they act different, because they've been harmful to us in the past. 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:41.680 I wonder, do we have a space for this in our in our spirituality? 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:49.039 Where those that we have seen as opponents, we can actually welcome them in as family. 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:52.000 We can welcome them in as friends. 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:57.200 You see, church, the body of Christ is called to be unified. 00:28:57.519 --> 00:29:01.119 We're called to have unity and fellowship. 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:04.480 We don't just get together just for getting together's sake. 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:08.960 We recognize there's something sacred in the midst of it all happening. 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:24.960 And my prayer for you is that you will encounter that type of unity as you thrust yourself into relationship with Jesus and into the body of Christ here in your area, in your city, known as the church. 00:29:25.279 --> 00:29:36.079 See, the Lord has a mission for us, but we don't get to engage the mission and our calling until we find ourselves unified in the body of Christ. 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:44.720 Church, my prayer is that you will do that this week, that you'll lean into this and that the early church will be seen in your life here and now. 00:29:45.039 --> 00:29:46.160 Grace and peace, church. 00:29:46.240 --> 00:29:47.440 We love you so much. 00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:50.240 What a great message from Pastor Charlie. 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:54.960 And just like he said, that if we're to do anything bold, that we must do it with Jesus. 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:58.079 And for some of you, that might be your first decision today. 00:29:58.160 --> 00:30:04.400 Whether you're committing your life for the first time or recommitting in a long time, all you have to do is simply say this prayer after me. 00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:06.480 And it comes from Romans 10, 9. 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:12.160 And it says, if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord, then you are saved. 00:30:12.400 --> 00:30:13.680 So let's pray. 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:19.519 Jesus Christ, I believe that you died and rose again for my sins. 00:30:19.759 --> 00:30:22.160 Jesus Christ, be the Lord of my life. 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.359 In Jesus' name. 00:30:23.599 --> 00:30:24.240 Amen. 00:30:24.400 --> 00:30:24.880 Amen. 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:28.720 If you just made that decision, we are so proud of you. 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:31.279 And hey, you do not have to do this journey alone. 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:39.359 All you have to do is text us side to 25101, and we would love to come alongside you and help you through this journey and help you with your next steps. 00:30:39.599 --> 00:30:45.759 Yeah, and one of those next steps, look, we're so excited that you're part of the family now, but we're gonna partake in communion. 00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:47.519 We believe two things about communion. 00:30:47.599 --> 00:30:50.960 The reason we do this is this is what the early church did anytime they gathered. 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:59.279 And one to remember what Jesus did on the cross, but also to help grow the church and come along beside each other and grow together. 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:02.720 So as we take communion, we believe it is a symbol of the cross. 00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:15.599 So if you need to pause the video, you need to tell the kids to be quiet, put the dog outside for a second, grab your communion element, some unleavened bread, you can grab wine, grape juice, sparkling grape juice, whichever is your selection, and uh we're gonna take communion together. 00:31:16.079 --> 00:31:24.000 So you can take that bread, and just like Jesus' body was broken, he gave disciples the bread, and they broke and ate, just like his body was broken for us. 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:25.279 Maybe you need healing this morning. 00:31:25.359 --> 00:31:26.480 You can pray, believe. 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.279 Let's pray. 00:31:30.319 --> 00:31:36.880 And then just like his blood was shed on the cross for far for our forgiveness and his grace, we're gonna take it a drink. 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:44.799 Man, we're so thankful that you came along beside us to do this with us this morning. 00:31:45.039 --> 00:31:45.920 Look, let's pray. 00:31:46.079 --> 00:31:49.920 Father, we thank you so much that you sent your son Jesus to die on the cross for us. 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:52.799 We thank you for your grace and your mercy in our lives. 00:31:52.880 --> 00:31:53.920 We love you so much. 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.839 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:56.720 Amen. 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:57.920 Well, awesome. 00:31:58.079 --> 00:32:02.240 Hey, we're so excited that you were able to do this with us this morning. 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:09.200 And look, if you have a praise report or you have a prayer need, like you, like we said, you can text word care to 25101 if you have a need. 00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:13.680 And we believe here at Celebration Church that your care needs can become praise reports. 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:15.839 So if you have a praise, man, let us know. 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:17.119 We want to celebrate with you. 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:20.079 If you got good things going on in your life, don't hold it to yourself. 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:23.440 Yes, and thank you so much, church, for joining us this weekend. 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:28.720 Don't forget, tag us on social media where you're tuning in from this week, and we can't wait to see you next week. 00:32:28.880 --> 00:32:30.240 See you next week. 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:40.640 Thanks again for listening. 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:42.480 We hope you enjoyed today's message. 00:32:42.640 --> 00:32:46.799 We'd love for you to subscribe to our podcast and review and share what you heard today. 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:52.720 If you'd like more content like this, or you'd like to connect with us, go to celebrationorl.org. 00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:54.319 We hope you join us next time.