Joys In Community
Author: Morgan Frey
Bio: Morgan is a partner at The Paradox Church and has attended for three years. She is a member of the Cultural District City Group and currently serves as the assistant director in PRDX Kids. Morgan is a 7th grade English teacher in Fort Worth.
Vision and Value of City Groups
Over the past year, I have struggled with discontentment. Almost every day I have woken up asking God if he knew what he was doing with my life, felt confused about why am I here in Fort Worth, questioned repeatedly if I was in the right community, and have grasped for identity in all of my actions, which has led to feeling empty when others were involved in things that I was not.
I have been in a cycle of anxiety, unable to rest in true, gospel joy and fully settle into the community that God has placed in my life. In the past month, the Lord has slowly and graciously revealed to me this sin of discontentment in my heart. As I have processed my dissatisfaction, God has exposed how I have let my own desires and expectations—those that have not come to fruition in the ways that I would expect—shape my joy, instead of being thankful for what the Lord has provided.
In my questioning, he has shown me that he has already answered my prayers for community, purpose, and rest, even though they look different than I thought they would. In addition, God led me to Revelation 7:9-10, where John is given a vision of heaven, our picture of where we will be eternally content. John sees, “a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”
This passage is a foretaste of our restored future with God and the Lamb on the throne. In our secured future, we see community, “a great multitude,” worshiping God and proclaiming his Salvation loudly. I love that part, “with a loud voice,” because it shows a sense of unity and confident hope in salvation.
Gospel Community here on earth is about eternity.
Our eternity will be spent worshiping God with others. Therefore, if being in God’s presence is where we find fullness of joy and purpose (Psalm 16:11), we have the opportunity to prepare our hearts for eternal worship as we proclaim truth “loudly” to those around us. My disappointment has stemmed from my focus on my own future and desires, rather than God’s eternal kingdom.
We rehearse heaven through community. At the Paradox, we have City Groups for the glory of God and the good of his people. We believe City Groups are a multi-generational community of light that can push back darkness in our city. That means that we are committed to making disciples. Specifically, City Groups are where the work of the church is done on a daily and weekly basis.
City Groups and community help us live out Hebrews 12:1-2, “therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
We each have a race to run and sins that entangle us, yet we have community that is surrounding us on our race if we allow their partnership in our lives.
Gospel Community is about fixing our eyes on Jesus.
Jesus is the focus because he is truly the only one that can save us from our sin. As you enter City Group do you find yourself looking to the outward appearance of others or your own satisfaction? How does looking to Jesus change your focus on City Group and its purpose?
Gospel Community is about confession.
To throw off hindrances and sin, we must be in the process of continual confession. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” and James 5:16 says, “therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” The rewards of confession are forgiveness and healing. 1 John is a reminder of God’s heart. He is not ashamed when we sin, but seeks to lead us out of sin.
When we confess we acknowledge our neediness and allow others to help us keep our eyes to Jesus. Therefore, in community we are called to bear with one another patiently and respond with grace (Ephesians 4:2). Confession could also look like fears, doubts, and questions. God has given us his word and promises to provide wisdom when we ask (James 1:5). Allow your community to meet you in your sin and walk you back to the heart of God.
Gospel Community is about purpose.
Hebrews 12 reveals how we each have a “race to run.” We are each given gifts to strengthen and bless the body (Romans 1:11; 1 Peter 4:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-13). In community, we have the opportunity to “spur one another to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
Oftentimes comparison can hinder me from investing in community, but as I think about heaven, we are all unified under Jesus and his salvation. Therefore, community is not about ranking ourselves with others, but rather seeking out ways to encourage those around me to pursue their calling. As the church, we are called to expand God’s kingdom, inviting others into eternal community (Matthew 28:19-20). Our calling is to use our gifts to strengthen the church and extend the gospel.
Faithful Investment
Faithfully attending a City Group is worth the investment because in it we are ushered into God’s presence, which is where we receive eternal direction and complete joy (Psalm 16:11). The reality is that we are not yet in eternity. We will continue to experience the pain of sin and wrestle with the flesh, yet we have the hope of heaven.
Therefore, we must continue to fight for unity, proclaim the gospel of Jesus to our anxious hearts, and repent and confess sin to others. It is in this battle that we will taste a glimpse of “the joy set before Jesus as he endured the cross.” He endured the shame of the cross so that we could live in community, unified in the gospel, and set free for his name.
To be honest, community is hard for me. It seems easier to do life on my own and to have a free night during the week. It seems easier to focus on my own path and goals because it is not as messy and exposing. But it is in the messiness of life and community that we experience God’s love, that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
In community, your sin is exposed and your life becomes transparent, but it is in these moments that Jesus’ love heals and freedom is discovered because we no longer have to hide our sin and present a facade of perfection, but rest solely in the work of Jesus who gives us purpose. Joy in community is found when we realize that we are not alone in our sin, but can run with others as we seek Jesus.
Practical Steps
As you think through your own heart, consider where you might be struggling with discontentment, lack of thankfulness, or your own kingdom agenda. Take time to reflect on these areas, bring them to the Lord and allow him to show you his heart, both for you personally and in partnership for his kingdom. As the Lord reveals areas of your heart, I encourage you to bring them to your community and confess your heart before them. Nothing is hidden from the Lord, and you are not alone in your sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). Invite others into your story so that they can help you “run with perseverance” and finish strong.
My prayer for us as the Paradox Church is that we would rest in God’s presence, expose our hearts to others, and pursue his Kingdom purposes in unity.
Resources:
Breakthrough series (spiritual gifts & disciplines)
Knowing Faith Podcast (theology together/discipleship)