Discipleship and Community

   They began in “community” -- a “grouping of people connected at the heart.” Twelve men made up that community which Jesus initiated and supported--from His heart. 
    And Jesus had grander plans for community that would be a part of His church. Through His Spirit, a “body of believers” would be “connected at the heart.” Jesus made this clear in that upper room as He told His disciples -- “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).
   There are four references to “love”/“loved” in two verses. Love is the conduit of community. This is Savior-centered love that is sacrificial, submissive, and lived-out as a servant--all like Christ. This is L-O-V-E defined as Lord Our Very Essence -- experienced and expressed in community.
   When Christ’s church had its beginning, there was clear evidence of community. Mutual support, encouragement, charity, servant hood were found that early church described in Acts 2-: “They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone  was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs  were done by the apostles.  All the believers were together and h ...

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