PRAYER
God of all consolation and compassion:
your Son comforted Martha and Mary,
and your breath alone brings life
to dry bones and weary souls.
Pour out your Spirit upon us,
that we may face despair and death
with the hope of resurrection and faith in the One
who called Lazarus forth from the grave.
Amen.

theCHURCH
CALENDAR

Community
the STORY of JESUS: Part III

There are other tributaries, but this is the main source…
PRIMARYSOURCE of the JORDAN RIVER

Primary spot of horrific pagan idol worship;
known as the “Gates of Hell” or ”Gates of Hades”
CAVE ENTRANCE

Likely where Peter confessed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of God…
JESUS’ RETREAT w/HIS DISCIPLES

Likely where Peter confessed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of God…
JESUS’ RETREAT w/HIS DISCIPLES

Community
the STORY of JESUS: Part III

Now when Jesus came into the district
of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples,
‘Who do people say that
the Son of Man is?’ And they said,
‘Some say John the Baptist, but others
Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or
one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But
who do you say that I am?’
Simon Peter answered, ‘You are
the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’
MATTHEW 16:13-16

And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you,
Simon son of Jonah! For flesh
and blood has not revealed this to you,
but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you
are Peter (Πέτρος), and on this rock
(πέτρα) I will build my church, and the
gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
MATTHEW 16:17-18

From that time on, Jesus began
to show his disciples that he must
go to Jerusalem and undergo great
suffering at the hands of the elders
and chief priests and scribes,
and be killed, and on the third day
be raised. And Peter took him aside and
began to rebuke him, saying, ‘God forbid it,
Lord! This must never happen to you.’
MATTHEW 16:21-22

But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind
me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to
me; for you are setting your
mind not on divine things but on human
things.’ Then Jesus told his disciples,
‘If any want to become my followers, let
them deny themselves and take up their
cross and follow me. For those who want to
save their life will lose it, and those who lose
their life for my sake will find it.
MATTHEW 16:23-25

Community
the STORY of JESUS: Part III

Settings From theGospels
• Home town family/city
• 12…3...72…the crowds
• Capernaum:
Peter and Andrew’s οἰκος
• Bethany:
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus’ οἰκος
• Synagogue
• Temple
JESUSANDCOMMUNITY

“Extended Family”
• Biological
• Chosen
• Community of faith
• Friends
• Neighbors
• Strangers
JESUSANDCOMMUNITY

JESUSANDCOMMUNITY
Method

JESUSANDCOMMUNITY
Method

• Leadership teams
o Steering/Trustee teams
o Membership
• Men’s groups
• Ministry teams
• Missional Communities
• Monthly potlucks
• Sunday services
• Women’s Bible study
VINTAGEANDCOMMUNITY

Scope and Patience
• Available to LITERALLY EVERYONE
(“Jesus loves you exactly the way
you are, but loves you too much
to leave you that way”)
JESUSANDCOMMUNITY

Scope and Patience
• Available to LITERALLY EVERYONE
(“Jesus loves you exactly the way
you are, but loves you too much
to leave you that way”)
• “The Lord is gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger
and abounding in love. The Lord
is good to all; he has compassion
on all he has made.” (Psalm 145:8-9)
JESUSANDCOMMUNITY

Scope and Patience
“You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ But I say to you,
Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, so that you may be children
of your Father in heaven; for he makes his
sun rise on the evil and on the good, and
sends rain on the righteous and on the
unrighteous.” (Matt 5:43-45)
JESUSANDCOMMUNITY

Don’tGiveUpOn Me
by Colony House

Don’tGiveUpOn Me
by Colony House
And I know I've got some work to do
Some heart debris to move
And bring me back to you
But I'm on my way up
Yeah, I'm on my way up
Don't give up on me

CLOSING PRAYER
God of compassion,
you know our faults
and yet are faithful to forgive.
Keep us in your presence
and give us your wisdom.
Open our hearts to gladness,
call dry bones to dance, and restore
to us the joy of your salvation.
Amen.