Oakwood Church

What makes a church a church?

• A building

• Non-profit status

• Paid pastor

• Planned worship service

What True Community Looks Like:

1. Celebrate Jesus Together

2. Seek God Together

3. Stand Firm Together

4. Serve Faithfully Together

What True Community Looks Like:

1. Celebrate Jesus Together

“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus…”
Hebrews 10:19

1. Celebrate Jesus Together

○ Covered by His Sacrifice

“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins he sat down at the right hand of God.”
Hebrews 10:12

1. Celebrate Jesus Together

○ Covered by His Sacrifice

“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.”
Hebrews 10:14

What True Community Looks Like:

2. Seek God Together

“Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith…”
Hebrews 10:22

2. Seek God Together

○ Calling on Jesus’ Name

“Since we have a great high priest… Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith…”
Hebrews 10:22

2. Seek God Together

○ Calling on Jesus’ Name

“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.”
Hebrews 10:22

What True Community Looks Like:

3. Stand Firm Together

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering.”
Hebrews 10:23

Persecution in the Early Church

• Claudius expelled believers from Rome - A.D. 52

• Nero set fire to Rome (blaming Christians) - A.D. 64

• Domitian named himself “God the Lord” - A.D. 81-96

• Trajan killed Ignatius of Antioch - c. A.D. 110

• Marcus Aurelius increased persecution - A.D. 161-180

3. Stand Firm Together

○ Confident in the Faithfulness of God

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
Hebrews 10:23

3. Stand Firm Together

○ Confident in the Faithfulness of God

“Encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Hebrews 10:25

What True Community Looks Like:

4. Serve Faithfully Together

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good deeds.”
Hebrews 10:24

4. Serve Faithfully Together

○ Consistently Encouraging One Another

“Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.”
Hebrews 10:25

“Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25

What True Community Looks Like:

1. Celebrate Jesus Together
○ Covered by His Sacrifice

2. Seek God Together
○ Calling on Jesus’ Name

3. Stand Firm Together
○ Confident in the Faithfulness of God

4. Serve Faithfully Together
○ Consistently Encouraging One Another