Life of Community – Critical Need for Community
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 NLT
LOVE IN ACTION
“Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!” Romans 12:15-16 NLT
Community
Surgeon General’s Warning: Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation – Dr. Vivek H. Murthy
58% of Americans feel alone
73% of youth feel alone
Epidemic: an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly and affects many individuals at the same time
Disease: harmful deviation from the normal structure or functional state…
29% increased risk of heart disease
32% increased risk of stroke
50% increased risk of developing dementia
60% increased risk of premature death
The Critical Need for Community
1. We were created for community
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.” Jeremiah 24:7
“The Lord God said, “it is not good for the man to be alone…” Genesis 2:18 NIV
Healthy Relationships keep us happier, healthier and help us live longer
2. We were created to navigate the highs and lows of life together
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NIV
True friends never get in the way unless the way is down
“he was blameless-a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” Job 1:1 NLT
“When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.”
Job 2:11-13 NLT
Evaluate your current community
“Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJV
Life altering moments raise life-defining questions
Can you share your heart with them?
Can you communicate your joys with them?
Can you communicate your sorrows with them?
Can you share frustrations with them?
Can you share victories with them?
Can you share prayer requests with them?
Do they pray with you or for you?
Do they lift you up or tear you down?
Do they encourage you?
Do they add value to you?
Do they care about your spouse/family?
You can have connections and still be lonely
LIFE-GIVING community
3. Community Provides encouragement and accountability
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 NIV
4. Community provides shared joy and celebration
“Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep” Romans 12:15
5. Community empowers us to fulfill our purpose
“All the believers were one in heart and mind.” Acts 4:32 NIV
TAKE HOME
Get in a life giving community
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35 NLT
Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 NIV
When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 NLT
You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35 NLT
SIMPLY PUT, A GENEROUS LIFE IS A BLESSED LIFE.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:24-26 NLT
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed. Proverbs 11:25 NLT
THERE IS NOTHING MORE CHRISTLIKE THAN TO SELFLESSLY GIVE
'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
3 MINDSETS THAT SHAPE YOUR GENEROSITY
1. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH
You have planted much but harvest little. You eat but are not satisfied. You drink but are still thirsty. You put on clothes but cannot keep warm. Your wages disappear as though you were putting them in pockets filled with holes! Haggai 1:6 NLT
GENEROSITY DOES SOMETHING SPIRITUALLY IN OUR LIVES
'Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. 1 Kings 17:13-14 NIV
Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.” 1 Kings 17:24 NIV
Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13 NLT
2. THERE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH
Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 NLT
3. THERE IS INFINITELY MORE THAN ENOUGH
“The lord will guarantee a blessing on everything you do and will fill your storehouses with grain. Deuteronomy 28:8 NLT
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. As the Scriptures say, “They share freely and give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will be remembered forever.” For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you. Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. 2 Corinthians 9:8-11 NLT
ACTION STEPS
And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 NLT
You must each decide in your heart how much to give. 2 Corinthians 9:7
YOU CAN’T OUT GIVE GOD!
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10 NLT
Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Matthew 7:20 NLT
Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. Matthew 7:21 NLT
'Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’ “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. Matthew 25:11-13 NLT
“Money creates problems. climbing one mountain exposes another, higher peak. however, there is something better out there: real virtue. it is its own reward. virtue is the one good thing that reveals itself to be more than we expect and something that one cannot have in degrees. we simply have it or we don't. And that is why virtue is The Only Thing Worth striving for.” Ryan Holiday
“If the path you're on isn't making you a more generous, compassionate, hopeful, and merciful person (or, in other words, more like Jesus), then the destination isn't worth the journey.” Carey Nieuwhof
'You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. 1 Peter 1:22 NLT
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:34-35 NLT
1. People of Love have an Authentic Affection
Be devoted to one another in love. Romans 121:10 NIV
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting. Psalms 133:1-3 NLT
“I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:19-20 NLT
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. Hebrews 10:25 NLT
'So let's not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time, we will harvest a good crop if we don't give up or quit. Therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 MSG
2. People of Love Honor one another.
Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10 NIV
My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives? Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” James 2:1-4,8 NLT
EVERY PERSON IS SPECIAL TO GOD, EVERY PERSON MATTERS TO GOD, & EVERY PERSON IS LOVED BY GOD.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:3-4 NLT
The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 NLT
SEEING VALUE IN PEOPLE IS NOT ABOUT THEIR VALUE TO YOU, BUT THEIR VALUE TO GOD.
3. People of Love have a Spiritual Enthusiasm
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Romans 12:11 NLT
So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT
Ministry is the pathway to maturity in our faith.
HOW DO WE INTENTIONALLY PURSUE HEALTH IN OUR CHURCH FAMILY?
1. WE RESPECT ONE ANOTHER
2. WE SHOW LOVE AND AFFIRMATION
3. WE GIVE SUPPORT
4. WE SPEND TIME TOGETHER
5. WE HAVE CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS
6. WE HAVE A SHARED MISSION WITH A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY