11/16/2008 07:33

Understanding the Emerging Church - Part 7

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We all know that trying hard to live the Christian life, especially as Lone Rangers, is futile, very unfulfilling, and even unbiblical. In 1 Corinthians 9 and 1 Thessalonians 5 the Apostle Paul advocates a different approach to living the Christian life. As we'll see this week, it describes a characteristic that defines what the Emerging Church movement is all about.

 I. We’re looking at the characteristic:  Communal

        A.  What we’ve observed this characteristic means

        B.  What we’ve learned from I Corinthians 9

II. Review of I Thessalonians 5:4-24

           I Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV) 
           I Thessalonians 4:13 (NIV)  
           I Thessalonians 4:18 (NIV)

        A. To be alert and not lethargic snoozers focus on two specific area, vs.4-7
            1. the idea of community     vs.8-11 (NIV
            2.  respecting each other, especially, those in leadership vs.12-13

        B.  Then leaders are addressed, vs.14-15 (NIV)

        C.  Then we’re given four spiritual practices, vs.16-22

            1. The practice of perpetual  rejoicing
            2. The practice of continual  prayer
            3. The practice of constant  thanksgiving
            4. The practice of embracing what God is doing 

III.    Final thoughts on training to live out these practices to be communal, vs.23-24