How Can a Young Man Keep His Way Pure 01 26 2025

Pastor Brian Joines, preaching from Ephesians 4, emphasizes the biblical foundation of supernatural community within the local church. He challenges believers to recognize that true church life is not built on personal preferences, programs, or cultural trends, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ and the unity of the Spirit. The modern church often wrestles with a consumer-driven mentality, where people seek churches that cater to their desires rather than being shaped by the Word of God. However, Scripture calls believers to something greater: a compelling, God-ordained community that reflects the character and mission of Christ. Pastor Joines argues that while we cannot create supernatural community in our own strength, we are called to cultivate it through intentional discipleship, biblical fellowship, and faithful obedience to God’s design for the church.
At the heart of his message are three essential principles for building a church that thrives on gospel-centered community. First, membership matters. In a culture where commitment is often shallow, the church must elevate the significance of meaningful church membership. Being part of a church is not about finding the right programs or aligning with personal preferences, but about actively participating in the life of the body. Pastor Joines reminds the congregation that what we win people with is what we win them to-if a church attracts people with entertainment and convenience, their faith will be built on temporary and shifting foundations. Instead, the church should be drawing people to the gospel, teaching them to root their identity in Christ rather than in worldly models of church growth. A biblical church is not merely a gathering of individuals, but a body joined together under one Lord, one faith, and one baptism (Eph. 4:4-6).
Second, the church is called to "one-anothering" in community. Throughout Scripture, believers are commanded to love, exhort, encourage, bear with, and serve one another (Eph. 4:2, Gal. 6:2, Heb. 10:24). These commands form the fabric of true Christian fellowship, demonstrating that faith was never meant to be lived in isolation. The modern tendency toward individualism and self-sufficiency runs counter to the biblical vision of the church. Pastor Joines points out that many churches, influenced by secular principles, have developed models that separate people by preferences, life stages, and ministry styles rather than fostering deep, intergenerational discipleship. However, the church is called to be a family-a spiritual household where believers disciple one another, confront sin in love, and build one another up in the faith. By rejecting the mindset of consumer Christianity and embracing the responsibility of mutual discipleship, the church cultivates a compelling, countercultural witness to the world.
Third, every member is a minister. Ephesians 4 makes it clear that the work of ministry is not solely for pastors and church staff, but for every believer. God has given leaders to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Eph. 4:11-12), meaning that each member of the church has a vital role to play in building up the body of Christ. Too often, churches fall into a passive, consumer-driven model where people expect pastors to do the ministry while they merely attend and observe. However, Pastor Joines challenges this mindset, urging the congregation to embrace their identity as a kingdom of priests (1 Pet. 2:9), ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:20), and co-laborers in the gospel. A healthy church is not one where a few people do all the ministry, but where every believer is engaged in making disciples, teaching, serving, and using their spiritual gifts. When the body functions as God intended, it grows in unity, love, and spiritual maturity.
In conclusion, Pastor Joines calls Tulip Grove Baptist Church to reject passive Christianity and cultivate a biblical, supernatural community that glorifies God. This requires a renewed commitment to meaningful church membership, deep one-another relationships, and active participation in the work of ministry. The church must shift away from attractional models and instead focus on building disciples who are rooted in God’s Word and growing in Christlikeness. As believers embrace their role in the body of Christ, the church becomes a powerful witness to the world, a place of true spiritual formation, and a reflection of the kingdom of God. He closes with a prayer, asking God to continue building His church, forming a people who are wholly devoted to Him, and creating a community that displays His glory to the world.