Blessed by Association: Up, In, and Out

Sep 20, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: The Vacuum Only God Can Fill

When life feels full yet empty, when achievements leave a lingering ache, there remains a space no success can satisfy. This void echoes the preacher’s teenage despair—a moment where death’s whisper met divine intervention. Wealth, family, and education crumble before this hunger. Like Adam’s descendants, we inherit a spiritual poverty only reversed through Christ. Connection with God isn’t religious duty; it’s oxygen for suffocating souls. [46:03]

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you tried to fill your “vacuum” with temporary fixes this week? What would it look like to let Christ occupy that space today?

Day 2: When Walls Become Welcome

Fellowship isn’t about attendance records but shared breath—the kind that revives drowning hearts. Some enter buildings with smiles masking silent screams. Others carry joy meant to be spilled. The early church didn’t “go to church”; they became living bricks in a breathing temple. True connection risks vulnerability, like lowering defenses to let someone pray over your unspoken ache. [54:04]

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your spiritual family doesn’t yet know you need them? What’s one step toward authentic connection you’ll take this week?

Day 3: The Holy Discomfort of Dive Bars

Divine assignments often smell like cigarette smoke and sound like clinking glasses. Jesus scandalized religious crowds by feasting with society’s rejects—not to endorse sin but to drown it in grace. The preacher’s mall memory warns: influence requires intentionality. Like entering a bar to rescue a daughter, missional love embraces awkwardness. Light doesn’t fear darkness; it rewires it. [01:03:59]

“And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.’” (Matthew 9:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: What “dive bar” person makes you instinctively avoid eye contact? How could simple friendship—not preaching—bridge that gap this month?

Day 4: The Infection of Influence

Influence flows both ways—like mirroring a boss’s speech quirks or adopting a skateboarder’s vices. Joseph blessed prisons because he carried incorruptible connection. The preacher’s caution rings true: association reshapes identities. Every relationship audits our spiritual immune system. While Jesus touched lepers without catching disease, we must guard against compromise masquerading as compassion. [56:45]

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV)

Reflection: Which relationship subtly drains your spiritual vitality? What boundaries could protect your heart while still showing Christ’s love?

Day 5: Mountain Tops and Messy Valleys

Divine encounters aren’t escape hatches but equipping stations. The preacher’s mountaintop vision ended with a finger pointing downward—where brokenness breathes. Withholding our light from dark valleys betrays our purpose. Like Pharaoh’s famine-struck nation needing Joseph, the world craves Christ in us. Our highest worship isn’t facedown before God but feet-first into others’ chaos. [01:07:25]

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What “valley” have you been avoiding? How will you carry your mountaintop encounter into that space this week?

Sermon Summary

Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:22 put the whole thing in a nutshell: “In Adam, death. In Christ, life.” Adam’s sin brought death, the curse, and separation from God, even though nobody living today stood in that garden. Jesus’ obedience brought the free gift of righteousness, justification, and life to everyone who belongs to Him. The greatest association anybody will ever make is not with wealthy friends, good coworkers, or even an amazing family. The greatest association is belonging to Jesus.

Association matters because people influence people. A person can know Bible verses, sing the songs, know the church language, and still only know about Jesus. Blessing comes from belonging to Him. Joseph shows that truth in a powerful way. Potiphar’s house, the prison, Pharaoh’s house, and Egypt were blessed because Joseph carried God’s covenant and God’s presence into every place he went. Christ’s life in His people can still bring blessing into a room, a workplace, a family, or a hard situation.

The relationship with God comes first because every soul has a vacancy only God can fill. Money, success, education, family, and a good job cannot fill that place. God met a desperate fourteen-year-old with a presence so thick it felt like it could be cut with a knife. God still meets people in their desperate places, and nobody is beyond His reach.

The church also needs the “in.” Hebrews 10:25 calls believers not to forsake gathering together, because church is not just a place people go. Church is a people they belong to. The body of Christ needs people who pray in agreement, tell the truth, celebrate answered prayers, and sit quietly beside somebody who has no words left. Faith cannot stay isolated behind walls. Family has good days and not-so-good days, but family helps people get back up.

The call also includes the “out.” Jesus ate with sinners, moved toward broken people, and brought God’s presence into lives that religious people wanted to avoid. The world needs believers who influence without becoming infected, who love without looking down, and who listen without trying to whack somebody over the head with the Word. A simple lunch, a prayer, an invitation, or an honest story can open a door. Grace received is grace meant to be shared.

Key Takeaways

1. In Christ, life replaces Adam’s death. Paul’s contrast leaves no middle ground: Adam’s association brought death, while Christ’s association brings life. Jesus did not merely improve a broken situation. Jesus took sin, took humanity’s place, rose again, and brought righteousness as a gift. Belonging to Christ changes the deepest identity of a person from cursed to blessed. [48:06]
2. God’s people need one another. The body of Christ cannot function well when people stay distant, guarded, or unknown. God often sends encouragement, correction, agreement in prayer, and quiet comfort through another believer. Church becomes family when people let others know them and choose to help others back up. [53:48]
3. Broken people need grace, not distance. Jesus moved toward people who were hurting, searching, lonely, and messed up. Love does not mean copying the world’s behavior, but it does mean refusing to run away from people who need hope. Grace becomes visible through friendship, service, prayer, and a timely word about what Jesus has done. [60:54]
4. God places people in life on purpose. A difficult person, a neighbor, a coworker, or a family member may not be there by accident. God can use a willing believer to bring His life and love into that relationship. The right place, the right time, and the right person often begin with simply listening to the Spirit’s leading.

## [73:12]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[41:21] - Blessed by Association
[42:08] - In Adam Death, In Christ Life
[44:34] - The Up, In, and Out
[44:52] - Why Every Person Needs God
[46:24] - Adam’s Curse and Christ’s Gift
[49:13] - Knowing Jesus or Belonging to Him
[50:34] - Why Believers Need Each Other
[55:31] - Reaching People Who Need Jesus
[57:26] - Jesus Moved Toward Broken People
[60:14] - Simple Ways to Share Grace
[66:29] - Don’t Forget the Out
[67:51] - How Is Your Up, In, and Out?
[72:48] - Grace Is Meant to Be Shared

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 15:22 — “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” [42:08]
Romans 5:12-19 — “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.” [48:06]
Hebrews 10:25 — “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” [51:30]
Matthew 9:10-13 — “And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.” For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.’” [58:37]

Observation questions

In Romans 5:12-19, what results are connected to Adam’s disobedience, and what results are connected to Jesus’ obedience? [47:38]
According to Hebrews 10:25 and the surrounding message, what are some specific ways believers encourage and strengthen one another?
What does Jesus’ choice to eat with tax collectors and sinners show about the people He moved toward? [57:30]
What three relationship directions are described as “up,” “in,” and “out,” and what need is connected with each one? [01:12:48]

Interpretation questions

Romans 5 calls righteousness a free gift received through Jesus Christ. Why is it important that a believer understands life in Christ as a gift rather than something earned through good behavior? [48:01]
Hebrews 10:25 says believers should gather and encourage one another. How does seeing church as people to belong to, rather than only a place to attend, change the way a believer relates to others? [52:01]
Jesus showed mercy to sinners without approving of sin. What might it look like for a believer to influence people with the love of Christ without being pulled into unhealthy patterns? [56:40]
Joseph’s presence brought blessing in Potiphar’s house, in prison, and in Egypt. In what ways can Christ’s life in a believer bring blessing even in a difficult workplace, family, or situation? [49:33]

Application questions

“In Adam, death; in Christ, life” is more than church language—it speaks to belonging to Jesus. Are you confident that you belong to Christ, not merely that you know facts about Him? What helps you stay close to Him this week? [49:03]
How is your “up”? Is there a part of your relationship with God—prayer, listening, worship, trust, or time in Scripture—that has been pushed aside by busyness? What is one simple step you could take to make room for God this week? [01:07:51]
How is your “in”? Is there someone in the body of Christ who knows when you are struggling and can pray with you? Is there someone who may need a text, meal, phone call, prayer, or quiet presence from you this week? [01:08:23]
Is there a wall you tend to put up that makes it hard for others to know you or care for you? What would healthy, honest connection with another believer look like for you? [54:53]
Who is in your life that may need hope, encouragement, or a clear picture of God’s love? Consider a neighbor, coworker, classmate, family member, or someone you see often. What is one gracious next step you could take—listening, helping, sharing a meal, praying, inviting, or sharing your story? [01:01:04]
Is there someone you have avoided because their life is messy, uncomfortable, or different from yours? How could you show mercy and love toward that person while still guarding your own walk with God? [59:31]
Grace received is grace meant to be shared. Where might God be placing you at the right time with the right person this week, and how can you stay sensitive to His leading? [01:11:18]

Sermon Clips

32s

#BlessedByAssociation

“Jesus gave us life through association with him. Thank God for that. That's the gospel. That's the good news in a nutshell. We were separated from God because of sin, but Jesus came looking for us, and he took our sin. He took our place. He died on the cross. He rose again. And now through him, we have life. In Adam, death. In Christ, life. We're blessed by association. Amen? And that's why your association with Jesus matters.”

43s

#OnlyGodCanFill

“You know, you can have money and still need God. Some of the hardest people to witness to are the wealthy people. Can have a good job and still need God. You can have a wonderful family. Guess what? Still need God. You can be well educated, and guess what? You still need God. You can be successful and still need God. You can have everything that this world can give you and still have a place in your soul that only God can fill. And that's where I was when I was 14. It's a vacuum. The vacancy. Only God can fill that vacancy. So”

33s

#BelongToJesus

“But here's the thing. You can know about Jesus without belonging to Jesus. You can know all the bible verses. You can even come to church. You can sing all the amazing songs that we sing. We have an amazing nursery team. You can know the language, but the question is, are you in Christ? Are you associated with Christ? Because our blessing isn't simply in knowing about Jesus. The blessing is in belonging to him.”

39s

#EncourageOneAnother

“They walked through the door this morning and they were smiling. But the truth is they're hurting. They said, oh, good morning. But they're struggling. They look like everything is fine. But inside, they're asking, how am I gonna get through this? And sometimes, God will use another believer to walk up beside them, and it might even be you. Say, I'm praying for you. Don't give up. We had that word of encouragement this morning. God is still with you. You are not alone. That's why we need each other. Amen?”

34s

#ShareYourTestimony

“You don't have to pretend you're perfect because guess what? Nobody in here is perfect. You don't have to have all the answers. A lot of times, I go blank on scriptures. Let's give the Daniel Daniel version. You don't have to know every verse in the Bible, just tell your story. I was lost, but he found me. I was broken, but he helped me. I didn't know what to do, but God made a way. I needed grace, and he gave me grace. That's what I'm talking about.”

37s

#BeTheBlessing

“So here's my last question I wanna leave with you today. Who has God placed around you? Because they may not be in your life by accident. may have deliberately put them there because he wants to use you to show them his love. So this week, go up, go in, go out, and let God use your associations to bring his life, his love, and his hope to somebody that needs it. Amen? Amen.”

44s

#FaithInAction

“God has you there for a reason. You don't have to preach a sermon every time you see him. Sometimes you just need to be a friend. Sometimes you need to buy somebody lunch. It's not about the minute you see him whacking him overhead with the word of God. Amen? That doesn't win friends. Sometimes you just need to listen. Sometimes you need to help. Sometimes you need to pray. And sometimes you need to invite somebody to church. Often, that simple thing is overlooked. go to church with me. And sometimes, you tell them your story. You just simply say, now let me tell you what Jesus has done for me.”

60s

#BodyOfChrist

“Hebrews ten twenty five also says, we're supposed to encourage one another toward love and good works. That means my faith isn't just about me, and your faith isn't just about you. We're supposed to help each other grow. Sometimes I'm strong when you're weak, and vice versa. Sometimes you're strong, and I'm weak. Sometimes I need your faith, and sometimes you need mine. That's how the body of Christ works. don't just attend church. Connect. Amen We have a connect center out there. Know somebody. Let somebody know you. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is let somebody love you because we put walls up. Amen Eat with somebody. Take them out to lunch. Serve with somebody. Encourage somebody. And when somebody falls down, help them get back up. That's what family does.”

29s

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