WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.000 Part 5 Reimagining Your Spiritual Community 2 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:11.240 Chapter 16 The Importance of Community 3 00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:16.560 While it's important to heal from past hurts, it's also vital to realize the value of spiritual 4 00:00:16.560 --> 00:00:17.560 community. 5 00:00:17.560 --> 00:00:22.280 Don't let past experiences isolate you from the Body of Christ. 6 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:26.840 This might mean finding a new church, joining a home fellowship, or gathering with like-minded 7 00:00:26.840 --> 00:00:29.840 believers in a Spirit-led setting. 8 00:00:29.840 --> 00:00:35.880 Seek out a Spirit-led community where you can be supported, grow, and serve. 9 00:00:35.880 --> 00:00:40.600 Community is an essential part of your faith journey, providing accountability and opportunities 10 00:00:40.600 --> 00:00:41.960 for growth. 11 00:00:41.960 --> 00:00:45.880 The writer of Hebrews rightly encourages us. 12 00:00:45.880 --> 00:00:51.280 And let us consider how we may spur one another toward love and good deeds, not giving up 13 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:56.080 meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. 14 00:00:56.080 --> 00:00:59.440 And all the more as you see the day approaching. 15 00:00:59.440 --> 00:01:03.160 Hebrews 10 verses 24 and 25 16 00:01:03.160 --> 00:01:08.200 The followers of the Way, as Christians were first known, or what I refer to as the early 17 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:13.880 Ekklesia, offer a powerful model for what a spiritual community can and should be. 18 00:01:13.880 --> 00:01:20.040 Remember, Ekklesia is the word Jesus used in Matthew 16 verse 18, not church. 19 00:01:20.040 --> 00:01:23.520 Ekklesia does not refer to a building or an institution. 20 00:01:23.520 --> 00:01:26.520 It literally means the called-out ones. 21 00:01:26.520 --> 00:01:31.840 The early Ekklesia didn't rely on grand cathedrals or formalized rituals. 22 00:01:31.840 --> 00:01:36.160 Acts 2 verses 46 and 47 tell us, 23 00:01:36.160 --> 00:01:39.480 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. 24 00:01:39.480 --> 00:01:44.920 They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God 25 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:47.720 and enjoying the favor of all the people. 26 00:01:47.720 --> 00:01:52.960 And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 27 00:01:52.960 --> 00:01:57.680 The temple in Jerusalem was a familiar and prominent public space where people gathered 28 00:01:57.680 --> 00:02:02.800 not only for worship, but also for teaching, discussion, and community. 29 00:02:02.800 --> 00:02:06.640 The temple courts were not restricted to priests or Levites. 30 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:10.840 They were accessible to the general public and were frequented by Jews from all walks 31 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:15.220 of life, including Gentiles in the court of the Gentiles. 32 00:02:15.220 --> 00:02:20.320 This made them an ideal space for large gatherings, providing a significant opportunity to reach 33 00:02:20.320 --> 00:02:23.680 others with the message of Jesus. 34 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:29.240 Early believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, used this public space, which was ideal for 35 00:02:29.240 --> 00:02:33.960 large inclusive gatherings, to witness to others and proclaim the gospel. 36 00:02:33.960 --> 00:02:39.200 They also met in homes, shared meals, prayed together, and encouraged one another in their 37 00:02:39.200 --> 00:02:40.240 faith. 38 00:02:40.240 --> 00:02:46.840 Their gatherings were marked by simplicity, intimacy, and a shared commitment to God. 39 00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:51.360 Over time, as opposition to the Christian movement grew and the temple itself was destroyed 40 00:02:51.360 --> 00:02:58.040 in 70 AD, believers transitioned to meeting primarily in homes or other private spaces. 41 00:02:58.040 --> 00:03:03.400 These home gatherings allowed for deeper fellowship, intimate worship, and communal meals, laying 42 00:03:03.400 --> 00:03:08.440 the foundation for what would later become known as the house-church model. 43 00:03:08.440 --> 00:03:12.600 Picture a group of current-day believers gathering in a living room each week. 44 00:03:12.600 --> 00:03:17.640 They share a meal, read scripture together, and discuss how God is working in their lives. 45 00:03:17.640 --> 00:03:22.480 There are no formal sermons, no rigid agendas, just a Spirit-led time of encouragement and 46 00:03:22.480 --> 00:03:24.740 mutual edification. 47 00:03:24.740 --> 00:03:28.280 They could also be friends gathering in a park for prayer and worship under the open 48 00:03:28.280 --> 00:03:33.800 sky, lifting their voices in song and sharing testimonies of God's faithfulness. 49 00:03:33.800 --> 00:03:36.400 These are modern expressions of the Ecclesia. 50 00:03:36.400 --> 00:03:41.980 Again, I'm not knocking church attendance, I'm merely pointing out that community among 51 00:03:41.980 --> 00:03:48.140 believers doesn't need to and shouldn't be confined to the walls of a church building. 52 00:03:48.140 --> 00:03:52.660 Home churches, small group fellowships, and Spirit-led gatherings are all meaningful ways 53 00:03:52.660 --> 00:03:56.100 to live out your faith in connection with others. 54 00:03:56.100 --> 00:04:01.100 The focus isn't on the location, it's on the relationships and the shared commitment 55 00:04:01.100 --> 00:04:03.420 to seeking God together. 56 00:04:03.420 --> 00:04:07.580 Throughout the course of my life, I've had the displeasure of belonging to some terrible 57 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:13.140 life-draining churches, but have also been extremely blessed to belong to some incredible, 58 00:04:13.140 --> 00:04:19.380 inspiring, life-affirming churches under the direction of some remarkable individuals. 59 00:04:19.380 --> 00:04:21.459 What made the difference? 60 00:04:21.459 --> 00:04:26.420 Leadership of the church, who were committed to being profoundly and unapologetically Spirit-led 61 00:04:26.420 --> 00:04:29.380 in their lives and in their ministry. 62 00:04:29.380 --> 00:04:34.980 This goes well beyond theology, entrenched doctrines, and creating engaging or entertaining 63 00:04:34.980 --> 00:04:36.780 programs. 64 00:04:36.780 --> 00:04:40.900 In my experience, Spirit-filled churches are not too hard to find. 65 00:04:40.900 --> 00:04:45.660 It's not uncommon to encounter services where one can sense the Holy Spirit moving among 66 00:04:45.660 --> 00:04:50.340 the congregation and generating a visceral, emotional response. 67 00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:56.260 The influence and working of the Spirit is certainly present, but it tends to be external. 68 00:04:56.260 --> 00:04:59.100 Spirit-led churches, on the other hand, are rare. 69 00:05:00.000 --> 00:05:05.400 The individuals who lead their congregations are deliberately and especially sensitive 70 00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:10.640 to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and all of the top-to-bottom decisions they make for 71 00:05:10.640 --> 00:05:12.520 their congregations. 72 00:05:12.520 --> 00:05:18.320 Such congregations usually reflect more spiritual growth and maturity and also tend to have 73 00:05:18.320 --> 00:05:24.840 an oversized impact in the communities they live in and they serve. 74 00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:25.840 Leading Without Hierarchy 75 00:05:26.840 --> 00:05:33.640 Now, one of the most distinctive aspects of the early Ecclesia was its lack of rigid hierarchy. 76 00:05:33.640 --> 00:05:38.960 Unlike traditional, institutional structures that place a select few in positions of authority 77 00:05:38.960 --> 00:05:45.280 over the many, the New Testament model emphasizes collaborative, Spirit-driven leadership where 78 00:05:45.280 --> 00:05:49.000 every member's gifts are valued and utilized. 79 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:57.200 Ephesians 4, verses 11-13 highlight the diversity of the gifts within the body of Christ. 80 00:05:57.200 --> 00:06:03.960 So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers 81 00:06:03.960 --> 00:06:09.520 to equip His people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up until 82 00:06:09.520 --> 00:06:15.880 we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, 83 00:06:15.880 --> 00:06:20.600 attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 84 00:06:20.600 --> 00:06:25.400 Contrary to conventional wisdom, the purpose of these roles is not to create a hierarchy 85 00:06:25.400 --> 00:06:28.880 but to equip all believers to serve and grow. 86 00:06:28.880 --> 00:06:33.920 In a Spirit-led community, leadership is not about control or status, it's about service 87 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:35.800 and empowerment. 88 00:06:35.800 --> 00:06:40.280 Each person has a unique role to play and every contribution matters. 89 00:06:40.280 --> 00:06:45.240 By rejecting rigid hierarchies, Spirit-led communities create space for collaborative 90 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:48.720 decision-making and mutual edification. 91 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:53.840 This reflects the truth that Christ is the head of the body and the rest of us are co-laborers 92 00:06:53.840 --> 00:06:56.920 working together in unity in love. 93 00:06:56.920 --> 00:07:00.920 Does this mean that a hierarchy is inherently evil or wrong? 94 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:01.920 No. 95 00:07:01.920 --> 00:07:06.060 If you belong to an organization, there needs to be order, not chaos, but the authority 96 00:07:06.060 --> 00:07:10.440 you are to answer to is God Himself. 97 00:07:10.440 --> 00:07:12.880 Authentic Worship 98 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:16.640 Authentic worship is one of the most powerful ways to connect with God, but it's not limited 99 00:07:16.640 --> 00:07:20.320 to weekend services or formal liturgies. 100 00:07:20.320 --> 00:07:25.920 Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, A time is coming, and now has come, when true 101 00:07:25.920 --> 00:07:32.160 believers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshippers 102 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:33.760 the Father seeks. 103 00:07:33.760 --> 00:07:36.680 John 4 verse 23 104 00:07:36.680 --> 00:07:40.060 Authentic worship is not about location or formality. 105 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:44.580 It's about a heart that seeks God in sincerity and truth. 106 00:07:44.580 --> 00:07:46.100 Worship takes many forms. 107 00:07:46.100 --> 00:07:51.140 It can be a group of believers lifting their voices in song, a quiet moment of prayer, 108 00:07:51.140 --> 00:07:54.660 or even an act of service done in Jesus' name. 109 00:07:54.660 --> 00:07:57.300 Worship is a lifestyle, not an event. 110 00:07:57.300 --> 00:08:01.940 It's about living in constant awareness of God's presence and responding to His goodness 111 00:08:01.940 --> 00:08:03.940 with gratitude and praise. 112 00:08:03.940 --> 00:08:08.060 The Ecclesia are not bound by tradition or confined walls. 113 00:08:08.060 --> 00:08:13.420 It's a Spirit-led, relational, and purpose-driven community where believers come together to 114 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:17.500 seek God, serve others, and grow in faith. 115 00:08:17.500 --> 00:08:24.540 By gathering meaningfully, leading collaboratively, serving lovingly, and worshiping authentically, 116 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:29.420 you can experience the fullness of what it means to be the Body of Christ. 117 00:08:29.420 --> 00:08:34.700 This is the vision of the Ecclesia, a community where the Spirit moves freely and every believer 118 00:08:34.700 --> 00:08:38.299 is empowered to live out their God-given purpose. 119 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:40.260 Your Spiritual Community 120 00:08:40.260 --> 00:08:44.900 As you move forward, be consciously aware of what your spiritual community looks like 121 00:08:44.900 --> 00:08:46.540 or will look like. 122 00:08:46.540 --> 00:08:51.620 The early Ecclesia offers a beautiful model for what a church can and should be, a gathering 123 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:57.020 of like-minded believers, focused on mutual edification, shared purpose, and authentic 124 00:08:57.020 --> 00:09:00.460 worship in spirit and in truth. 125 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:03.300 Community is not confined to a building or an institution. 126 00:09:03.300 --> 00:09:07.700 It's gathering meaningfully with others, whether in a home fellowship, a small group, 127 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:10.300 or any type of Spirit-led gathering. 128 00:09:10.300 --> 00:09:16.220 Remember, leadership in a true Ecclesian community is not about hierarchy or rank. 129 00:09:16.220 --> 00:09:22.140 It's about Spirit-led collaboration, with each person contributing their unique gifts 130 00:09:22.140 --> 00:09:24.060 to build up the Body of Christ. 131 00:09:24.060 --> 00:09:28.980 It's about serving in love, expressing your faith through acts of generosity, compassion, 132 00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.640 and kindness. 133 00:09:30.640 --> 00:09:33.800 Worship in a community like this is not limited to Sunday mornings. 134 00:09:33.800 --> 00:09:40.000 It's a lifestyle that flows from the transformation the Spirit is working within you, an ongoing 135 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:44.360 expression of love and gratitude to God in everything you do. 136 00:09:44.360 --> 00:09:48.960 Whether you're singing, serving, or simply living out your faith with integrity, you 137 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:51.960 are worshiping in spirit and truth. 138 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:57.440 Find or start a community that lives out and expresses these ideals. 139 00:09:57.440 --> 00:10:00.040 Regardless of their size, true Spirit-led community is the way to go. 140 00:10:00.000 --> 00:10:04.800 communities aren't inward focused, they look outward to serve others. 141 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:10.480 Jesus himself said, By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love 142 00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:11.800 one another. 143 00:10:11.800 --> 00:10:17.220 John 13 verse 35 Acts of service, generosity, and compassion 144 00:10:17.220 --> 00:10:20.300 are central to the life of the Ekklesia. 145 00:10:20.300 --> 00:10:26.040 As Galatians 5.13 reminds us, You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free, but do 146 00:10:26.040 --> 00:10:32.960 not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather serve one another humbly in love. 147 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:37.280 Serving others is not just a good deed, it is an expression of faith and an extension 148 00:10:37.280 --> 00:10:39.600 of God's love to the world. 149 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:44.000 Service goes well beyond attending and participating in church. 150 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.520 Ekklesians are marked by their commitment to meeting the needs of others. 151 00:10:47.520 --> 00:10:51.880 Whether it's feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, or simply extending kindness 152 00:10:51.880 --> 00:10:58.840 to a neighbor, these acts of love are a powerful testimony to the transforming work of Christ.