CHAPEL ROCK
This morning we conclude our series called “Family Values.” For the last few weeks, we’ve provided tools to be able to live out our vision: The Whole Community Whole in Christ. Today Lead Pastor Casey Scott will press home the constriction of tension that tugs on us; all the while giving us hope for the future! Pastor Casey’s text will center around 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 and Revelation 21:1-4.
Communion
Chapel Rock practices an 'open communion' meaning that if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you are welcome to participate in the communion service. The elder/staff member giving the devotion will provide instructions.
1 Corinthians 11:23-28 NIV
Chapel Rock’s Vision:
To See the Whole Community
Whole in Christ
Casey Scott
Lead Pastor
Series: Family Values
Sermon: “Whole Community Whole in Christ”
> 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
> Revelation 21:1-4
Introduction
People find wholeness when they bring the brokenness in their lives to Jesus, He changes them through the Gospel, and they share that change with those around them. This is an ongoing process that will only be complete in Heaven.
That’s the vision! But that’s not an easy thing to do!
Today’s Big Idea
God’s long-term project is to recreate a WHOLE community for us to dwell in with Him.
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 NIV
TEMPORARY TENSION
“The dominant picture of human wholeness in a fallen world is that it requires struggle and is always precarious, in constant danger of being lost. Paul’s benedictory prayer in 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 is hopeful but realistic: it takes the power of the God of peace to effect our wholeness and to keep us until Christ’s coming.”
~ Leland Ryken, Dictionary of Biblical Imagery
We live in a world where we continually experience a couple different tensions. One is just the tension of being in the “middle place.” The other tension is what we experience by living between the “now and the not yet.”
Who are we trying to reach? Because of the incredible diversity of being in the “middle place,” we didn’t want to tie it to a demographic. We identified our evangelistic target with a psychographic. Our Target: People who know things aren’t right, but want them to be.
BRING Tension: People who don’t always live an authentic life, but want to.
CHANGE Tension: People who don’t live in a totally unified community, but want to.
SHARE Tension: People who don’t always make a difference for others, but want to.
> Psalm 73:25-26
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
PERMANENT RESOLUTION
This is not like a resolution from United Nations. Which, as we all know, does nothing. No, God’s resolution to the tension is actually effective!
God’s intent for us as social beings living in community was that justice, service, and compassion would define our communal life. They don’t do that now. But one day they will; and until that day comes, we’re to work to experience as much of it here as possible so that we’re ready.
Revelation 21:1-4 NIV
The emphasis in the text is not on the physical aspects of the city, but on the people. The dwelling of God is among the people, not in the city.
The Greek word for “new” (kainē) in the text means new in quality, fresh, rather than recent or new in time (neos).
What John is trying to tell us is that we belong to the “new order,” not the “old order,” and part of God’s plan to create a permanent resolution to the tensions we feel is for us to be at work creating that environment here. We are called to help create this “new” thing to overcome the tensions we feel.
The Lord has been at work behind the scenes over the last couple years to just blow away all the obstacles that we faced recently to seeing the Whole Community become Whole in Christ.
~ Massive legacy gift
~ Appreciative Inquiry Team / CRCD
Conclusion
If we are faithful to Jesus, God will finish His restoration process we’re currently in the middle of. Keep in mind what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24! Jesus is calling you to wholeness today! He is faithful, and He will do it! But Jesus isn’t just calling you, He’s calling the whole community!
Read Ahead
May 22 Sermon:
Sermon Series: Love, John
Message: 'Dear Ones, Live Free’
1 John 1:5 - 2:6