We Gather to Scatter

We Gather-01

We Gather to Scatter

The two ways we Gather here at Hope Community
(and we think it quite biblical by looking at the ministry of Jesus and following His example)

1. Sunday Mornings in Crowds

The idea starts in Genesis, because every biblical idea and thought process does.
It is not good that the man should be alone. (Genesis 2:18)

And so God gave Adam to Eve. And then the second Adam (Jesus) he gives the church.
We are the bride of Christ.  That’s why we gather as the church this weekend. Because He Says To.  We are not merely “going to church.” We are participating in the greatest mystery and most wonderful wonder that any individual or group of human beings can ever experience: oneness with the body and bride of Christ who together become one with Christ in God.

There is an enjoyment of God, a “[taste] of the heavenly gift” and a “[sharing] in the Holy Spirit,” and a “[tasting] of the goodness of the Word of God and the powers of the age to come” that cannot be experienced apart from the corporate gathering of Jesus’s church.  And there is a manifestation of Jesus’s presence that only occurs when this happens:  Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:20)

But people will say that I will do it on my own.  The Bible does instruct us to worship and pray privately (Matthew 6:6). But that will never be the fullest, deepest, most joyful experience of God for us. That is reserved for Christ’s united body, his bride.  Hebrews 10:19-25
19 Therefore, brothers,[c] since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, 20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

That’s the most profound reason we are not to neglect meeting together. For when it comes to seeing and savoring Jesus Christ to the fullest, it is not good that man should be alone.

But the people didn’t stay in the crowds (all right some did) but the purpose was always to become his disciple (a follower of Jesus). And that happened when the crowds disappeared.
And that is for us…


2. Wednesday Nights into Discipleship Groups

Because as we push towards 200 by the end of the year our hearts would be saddened if we are a mile wide and an inch deep and at the heart Jesus knew this very thing.  Because the very same crowd that loves you today and what is happening today can also hate you tomorrow and hate what is happening tomorrow.  Remember Palm Sunday. Hosanna. King of Kings. Lord of Lords.
Five days later they are the same ones yelling crucify him. Kill Him.  Because our hearts are fickle. And crowds sway with the opinion of the time.  It’s just what the crowds do.

And so Jesus invested into 12.
Lived with 12.
Spoke deeper truths with 12.
And with those 12 he changed the world.
Not with the crowds.
With the 12.
With His Disciples.
This word is mentioned 270 times in the Gospel and in the books of Acts.

Why show up on a Wednesday Night? Your time is precious?

But discipleship is so important.
Because it teaches you the disciplines in a small group.
Reading the Word for yourself. Praying for yourself. Accountability. Serving. Purpose. Obedience.

I can’t remember that many sermons (ok maybe a few more than the average person but I can remember the people who poured into my life and drew me closer to Christ)

My youth Pastor Mr. George
My college Pastor Brother Tim Lefleur who let me lead (way before I was ready)
My preacher friend Aubrey Spears who taught me how to Read and Study the Word
My prayer partner for years Teresea Noel

I am standing here today because of these and the investment they made are now affecting others.  2 Timothy 2:2 “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.

That is what Wednesday nights are going to be about.
With our new D groups. Digging deeper. Accountability. Purpose
This is a biblical model. This is a Jesus model.
And that is the greatest thing about Discipleship it never grows tiring because it never stops.

Because D groups make D groups that make D groups.
Disciples make disciples that make disciples.
We have to become serious about making Jesus’ final words our first work.
And what are these words…let’s look at it together.

Matthew 28:16-20 The Great Commission  16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Be faithful to gather.
It’s a discipline that will connect you to Him and help you to Grow in Him.
Faithful to the Service.
Faithful to the Discipleship.
Faithful to creating a godly inheritance that makes disciples that makes disciples.

We were never meant to gather in our church building and live solely inside of these four walls. Instead, He has called us to gather and be discipled in community so that we can scatter into the community.