Community = a people with a shared identity and mutual responsibility The Bible helps us think about community well: God is, as the Triune God, a community in Himself, existing perfectly, eternally. Humans have been made in His likeness and created in community with Him and each other. Sin has affected human community so that we are naturally set against God and each other. Israel was formed by God as His set apart community, but they failed to live faithfully as His people and demonstrated their need for salvation. The Gospel announces who Jesus Christ is and what He has done in order to save people from their sins, and anyone who believes in Him is brought into community with God and His people. The Church is the special community of Jesus Christ made up of everyone who believes in Him and lived out in local gatherings of believers, committed to helping each other grow in Him. What are the characteristics of the church’s community, and are there any corresponding responsibilities for those within its community? Unity and Diversity | Authority and Necessity Order and Submission What does it mean that the church has order? 1 Cor. 14:40 Order in Structure Head and Body (Col. 2:19) Members of a Family (1 Tim. 5:1-2) Leaders and Followers (Eph. 4:11-13) Levels of Maturity (Phil. 3:15-17) Order in Conduct In keeping with our roles (1 Cor. 11-14) In keeping with the truth (1 Tim. 3:14-15) In keeping with what is consistent...with our calling (Eph. 4:1)...with the gospel (Phil. 1:27)...with the Lord (Col. 1:1)...with God (1 Thess. 2:12) In keeping with those who are disorderly (Rom. 16:17) What does submission mean? Eph. 5:21 What We Submit My Opinions (Rom. 14:1-3) My “Rights” (1 Cor. 8:7-9) My Interests (Phil. 2:1-4) My Self! (1 Thess. 2:7-11) Who we submit to those who devote themselves to the service of the saints (1 Cor 16:16) Christ, as the head of the church (Eph 5:24) God (James 4:7) (the) elders (1 Pet 5:5) Who we submit not to those who cause divisions (Rom 16:17) those who insist on anti-gospel practices (Gal 2:5) those who have set their minds on earthly things (Phil 3:19) those who promote self-made religion (Col 2:20) What is your responsibility in relation to the characteristics of order and submission?