Anchor Verses:

Colossians 2:6-7, John 13:35, 1 Corinthians 13:1–3

Focus Statement:

The foundation of the Church is Christ—and we are called not to consume it, but to commit to it with covenant love, worshipful communion, humble unity, and faithful witness.

Introduction: Foundations

  • Church members come from diverse denominational and spiritual backgrounds.
  • Many leave churches over personal preferences (e.g., music style, communion elements).
  • The Church is a covenant relationship, not a consumer product.

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Our Mission as a Church:

  • Worshipful Communion with Christ
    • Primary goal: to love and know Jesus.
    • Scriptures: John 15:4; Mark 12:30.
  • Loving Unity with One Another
    • We are saved into a family, not isolation.
    • Unity reflects Christ to the world.
    • Scriptures: John 13:35; Ephesians 4:4.
  • Faithful Witness to the World
    • The Church is a light and a missionary force.
    • Scriptures: Matthew 28:19; Matthew 5:14.

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How to Handle Disagreements:

  • Disagreements are inevitable—how we handle them matters.
  • The early church faced doctrinal heresies: Gnosticism, Docetism, Marcionism.
  • “Catholic” means “universal”—a church united under the apostolic mission.
  • Martin Luther’s Reformation corrected legalism and abuse.
  • Colossians 2:20–23 warns against legalism that looks wise but lacks spiritual power.
  • True Christianity is God’s grace reaching down, not man’s effort reaching up.

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In Everything, Love:

  • Love is the glue in both marriage and church life.
  • Love is not a feeling but a covenantal choice.
  • 1 Corinthians 13 is for the Church, not just weddings.
  • Quoting Meldenius: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In everything, love.”
  • James 3:17 and 2:13 call for mercy, peace, and gentle wisdom.

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Walking it Out:

  • Choose covenant over consumerism.
  • Stop consuming church; start committing to it.
  • Show up with love: forgive, serve, pray, build.
  • Ask: “How can I love the Bride of Christ more deeply this week?”

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Sermon Questions

  • What type of wisdom do your decisions and attitudes reveal—one rooted in selfish ambition or in the peace of Christ?
  • How can you practically cut off the sources of false wisdom (the world, the flesh, the enemy) in your life this week?
  • In what ways can you pursue true wisdom by spending more time with Jesus and letting the Holy Spirit shape your character?

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