Scripture: James 5:13-16
Sermon: A New Community
The earliest church was made up of Jewish followers of Jesus. Their understanding of the mission and purpose of the church was given to them from Jesus or disciples of Jesus. As the church spread outside those who were used to the Temple in Jerusalem and Synagogues in their hometowns, the leaders of the church had to train and coach the church to be something besides a copy of groups they might have seen in their culture like artisan or trade groups. Today we look to the scriptures to get hints of the original intentions in the early church rather than expecting it to be the same church we were born into. What is the purpose of the church to you? Is this something you have gleaned from scripture or are you basing your views on how you have always seen it?