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 | Edification and Sanctification Conclusion How can we discourage the right sort of church community? By not presenting myself as a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:1-2) By not agreeing with my local church family (1 Corinthians 1:10-13) By not holding fast to the one true gospel (Galatians 1:6-9) By not living distinctly as a believer in Christ (Ephesians 4:17-20) By not having the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:3-5) By not pursuing substantial spirituality in Christ (Colossians 2:16-19) By not minding my own business (2 Thessalonians 3:11-15)