Main Point: Expect “church hurt,” because God uses “church hurt” to grow you more like Jesus.

I. HOW “Church Hurt” Grows Us More Like Jesus

Romans 8:28-30: 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Ephesians 4:2: “…with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.”

1. Each of these virtues describes the heart of Jesus

2. Each of these virtues describes God’s desire for us to grow like Jesus

3. Each of these virtues is impossible apart from living communally with other Christians who hurt, annoy, frustrate, and infuriate us

II. WHY Community is Worth the “Church Hurt”

1. Because through community, we see Heaven’s King

2. Because through community, we do Heaven’s Work

Matthew 16:16-19: 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Matthew 18:15-20: 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

III. Because through community, we experience Heaven’s Presence (Heaven Breaking Into Earth)