Pastor Dean looks at how Jesus forms a new, distinct people. For God, forming a community is essential to his work on earth. The church is not an accidental side-effect of individual salvation, the salvation Jesus brought to the world was meant to be enjoyed in communion with each other. The desire for togetherness is innate to humans, and Christian communities are meant to fulfill that to desire with Christ as the center.

One of Christ Church Vienna’s founding principles is becoming an extended family. Jesus tells his earthy family in Mark 3:35 that his real family is whoever does God’s will. Exploring the ancient world’s conception of family and contrasting it with modern ideas, Johnny explains how Christians are called to be different in how we view who our real family is, and how we should love them.

Jesus calls his followers to be the “Light of the World” and a “City on a Hill.” What are the implications for us as follower of Christ–and more specifically our local church community? This is the first sermon in a new series Becoming the People of God, exploring the New Testament’s vision for the Church.