extraORDINARY, Part 1

Mark #4, that we practice at Seven Marks, is being in Biblical Community. In Acts 2, we read and see a beautiful picture of this: the “one another’s” of scripture, dividing walls being broken down, and much more. But modern-day community seems so messy and ordinary. Yet, we would argue that an “ordinary” community can significantly impact your life.

Rest on Us
Maverick City Music

Graves into Gardens
Elevation Worship

Son of Suffering
Bethel Music

I Speak Jesus
Charity Gayle

Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…

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Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them.

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Genesis 2:18
The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone…

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Sherry Turkle, Alone Together
“We are lonely but fearful of intimacy. Digital connections offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship. Our networked life allows us to hide from each other, even as we are tethered to each other. When technology engineers intimacy, relationships can be reduced to mere connections. And then, easy connection becomes redefined as intimacy. The world is now full of modern Goldilockses, people who take comfort in being in touch with a lot of people whom they also keep at bay.”

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Ephesians 2:13-14
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…

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John 13:35
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

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Ronald Rolhesier, The Holy Longing
“Part of the very essence of Christianity is to be together in a concrete community, with all the real human faults that are there and the tensions that this will bring us. Spirituality, for a Christian, can never be an individualistic quest, the pursuit of God outside of community, family, and church. The God of the incarnation tells us that anyone who says that he or she loves an invisible God in heaven and is unwilling to deal with a visible neighbor on earth is a liar since no one can love a God who cannot be seen if he or she cannot love a neighbor who can be seen.”

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together
“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.”

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Sherry Turkle
“Actual community is constituted by physical proximity, shared concerns, real consequences, and common responsibilities.”

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James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

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Michael S. Horton, Ordinary
“CNN will not be showing up at a church that is simply trusting God to do extraordinary things through his ordinary means of grace delivered by ordinary servants. But God will. Week after week. These means of grace and the ordinary fellowship of the saints that nurtures and guides us throughout our life may seem frail, but they are jars that carry a rich treasure: Christ with all of his saving benefits.”

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Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

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