Sunday March 29, 2009

Transformational Community
Hebrews 10:19-25

I. Introduction

Traveling outside Taos , New Mexico , a man comes upon a Native American lying in the middle of the road with his ear pressed to the ground.  "What are you doing?" asks the tourist.

The tribesman replies, "Woman, late 30s, three kids, one barking dog, in late model, four-door station wagon, traveling at 65 miles per hour."

"Amazing!" the man cries.  "You can tell all of that just by listening to the ground?"

"No," says the Native American.  "They ran over me five minutes ago."

A number of years ago, I put together a vision document stating nine values that we should always remain committed to.

Statement #4 reads as follows: We are committed to being a transformational community.

Over the next few weeks leading up to my sabbatical, I would like to talk about how critical it is for us to understand that God's design for us is to experience genuine transformation in the context of Christian community.

We are called to be a transformational community. Now I will speak more specifically about this statement next week, but let me introduce to you the idea of transformational community.

Before going any further, I think we need to understand a few things.

What do I mean by transformation and why would we want to experience this?

Let me answer this by sharing a passage of Scripture with you: “He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” (Isaiah 61:3, NLT)

Who does not want this? God says he will give us beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, and festive praise instead of despair.

Do you prefer to stay in your place of despair?

We could look at hundreds of passages in Scripture that address the idea of being transformed (and we will look at
many of them over the next few weeks), but suffice it to say that God desires to bring life where there has been death,
love where there has been brokenness and heartache, peace where there has been strife and anxiety, kindness where
there has been hatred and anger, and we could go on and on.

Transformation is a blessing ! Even if you have a sense of well-being today, God can take you deeper, reveal more to
you, and make you more and more like Him. God can fill your heart with greater love, more courage to face life and a soundness of heart and mind.

God wants to deliver you from your bondages, set you free from demonic strongholds and utterly transform your heart
and life. His intention is not only to bless you and set you free, but that your changed life will result in bringing glory and honor to His name and lead to a transformation of your family, workplaces, our community and the world! Hallelujah!

My question is that with a deal like this, why are there not people lining up at the door or streaming to the altar to receive this life-producing transformation from God?

I think I know at least a few reasons why.

First, we want to be changed, but we are unwilling to let go of the things that hinder that change.

Be assured of this, our sins separate us from the blessing.

“Listen! The Lord's arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. 2 It's your sins
that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.”
(Isaiah 59:1-2, NLT)

Second, we do not like anyone telling us what to do, and that goes for God as well.

But what does the Scripture teach us?

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:15-17, NIV)

Webster's defines admonish as follows: 1 a : to indicate duties or obligations to b : to express warning or disapproval to especially in a gentle, earnest, or solicitous manner; 2 : to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement to.

Even when we are approached gently and by someone who is genuinely concerned for us (solicitous), we tend to
react defensively.

This leads to the third reason we never seem to be able to enter into the full blessing of transformation, and that is because we believe the lie that we do not need anybody else. It is just “me and Jesus!”

This is not a spiritual statement, but one filled with hurt and fear. People who are unable to trust or submit to anyone (including God) do not want to enter into genuine fellowship with others.

They may be sitting here, but they are not truly a part of what is happening here.

The truth of the matter is that the idea of transformation (the goal of transforming discipleship and at the core of God's
heart for you) cannot be separated from community .

II. Transformation and Community

Let's look again at our passage for today:

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how
we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are
in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25, NIV)

The word spur captures the idea of what a rider of horses wears on the boots. They use them to provoke the horse
to movement.

Often, although some may not like it, my job is to spur you on – to prod you into movement, but not just any
movement – my heart is to encourage you to love one another and reach out to a hurting world with good deeds.

When we gather together, when we choose to enter into genuine relationship with each other; this is when we will be
able to spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

We need each other if we are going to encourage and spur one another on – this is why we are not to give up
meeting together.

Now, if we are being encouraged not to give up, this must mean that we will often be tempted to stop meeting
with other believers.

The idea of transformation in the context of community is expressed throughout the Scriptures.

“Now concerning how and when all this will happen, dear brothers and sisters, we don't really need to write
you. 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord's return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.
3 When people are saying, ‘Everything is peaceful and secure,' then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman's labor pains begin. And there will be no escape…So be on your guard, not asleep like the
others. Stay alert and be clearheaded…So encourage each other and build each other up , just as you are
already doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, 6, 11)

First of all, the context of this passage, and specifically the phrase “encourage each other and build each other,” up is the end times. Paul has spoken of great trials and difficulties coming to the church. He has encouraged them to be on their guard and alert.

How do they do this? By encouraging and building each other up.

The word used here has to do with the building of a house and is used frequently by Paul throughout his letters.

As we look at this passage, there are five ideas I would like to mention.

First, Paul encourages us to participate in the building up of the community and the development or spiritual growth
of others. The individual helps to edify the community by receiving the exhortation of the Gospel and then passing it
on to others.

Second, this passage addresses the relation of the individual to the whole . We are not to separate ourselves from the community of God's people.

Third, there is a mutual interrelationship of the individual members. Together, we are a house being built.

Fourth, this is a spiritual work, which aims at pursuing the fullness of the Holy Spirit and a holiness of heart and life (love God and love others).

Finally, we need to understand that contributing to the building up of the community is the primary desire of God for His people and the true work of every Christian as we struggle together to be formed into the image of Christ.

(These four points were adapted from the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Copyright © 1972-1989
By Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. All rights reserved.)

This same idea is found in 1 Corinthians 3 and is also utilized by Peter when he writes: “ And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple.” (1 Peter 2:4, NLT)

III. Application

Over the next few weeks, I want to state clearly our vision for transformation and then talk about how we might
facilitate transformation.

But let me make it clear that even if we have strategies and create the needed processes and structure to help facilitate transformational community, you will not experience the transforming work of Jesus Christ unless you surrender fully
to Him and submit yourself in relationship to the rest of the community.

I understand that everyone experiences some kind of transformation, but I am talking about what it takes to be truly
formed into the people God wants us to be.

Scripture is clear: this occurs best in the context of community. Is it easy? Absolutely not!

In fact, it always feels easier to pull back from community – to protect yourself. And as I have said many times, you
run the risk of being hurt when you move toward people in relationship, but if you submit yourself to God, even those painful experiences are used by Him to bring healing, deliverance and freedom into your life.

It is your choice. Do you want to experience transformational community, or do you want to play church and try to hide all your hurt, shame, and pain under a veneer of religion?