Nathan Brosher
May 24, 2026
Matthew 5:13-16 NLT - 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
1. Community
What is a community?
Hindrance of Authentic Relationships in the Church:
· Cultural Individualism:
· The Consumer Mindset:
· Hyper-Connectivity & Isolation:
· Excessive Formality:
· Polarization:
“Addressing this requires confronting how we’ve accommodated ourselves and our churches to cultural stories that contradict core Christian teaching. It means going back into Scripture and the ancient wisdom of the church to rediscover who we are as God’s people.” - Dwight Zscheile, Professor at Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
Community - A unified body of believers.
Acts 2:1 NKJV - 1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
One Accord - homothymadon - with one mind, with one accord, with one passion.
Acts 2:38-41 KJV - 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Acts 2:46-47 NLT - 46 They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity-- 47 all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.
The Early Church was Built Different!
Hebrews 10:24-25 NLT - 24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
John 14:3 ESV - 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.
Acts 1:11 ESV - 11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."
Why are we being passive?
Does the modern church reflect the sermon on the mount or the culture around it?
Church - Ekklesia - translates to an "assembly" or "called-out ones."
Matthew 16:18-19 NKJV - 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. 19 "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."