The Quality of Christ's Community

We learn from the Bible and also from observing history that self centered sinfulness, unrest, spats of violence and war run like a thread through the human story, unless there existed a powerful ruling force that kept peace by a strong arm and a violent hand, when necessary. Such was Rome - during the time of the Christ and the apostles. Scripture reveals all this. But the scriptures reveal something else as well. The scriptures reveal an alternative to the strife torn societies of the world; and over against a society marred by divisions, fights, quarrels, bitter jealousy, untruth, racial hatred and selfish ambition there is a ‘society’ where these evils are overcome. That ‘society’ is intended to be a community of people who are characterized, not by divisions, strife, fights, quarrels, selfish ambition, hatred of any kind and jealousy but by mercy and love and it’s fruits: joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and self control. The community – the society I speak about – is of course, the church of Jesus Christ; and in this sermon, the qualities of this society, the church of Jesus Christ, are examined.