Building Stronger Communities Through Faith and Support

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Communion and Community

Description: Communion is more than a ritual; it is a profound reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our need for community. Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, fully aware of His impending betrayal, to emphasize the importance of mutual support and remembrance of His sacrifice. This act teaches us that we are not alone and need to break bread with fellow believers to strengthen our faith and community. By participating in communion, we acknowledge our shared faith and the collective journey we are on, reinforcing the bonds that unite us as a spiritual family. [28:37]

Bible Passage: "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles." (Acts 2:42-43, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a time when you felt isolated in your faith journey. How can you reach out to your church community this week to share in communion and strengthen those bonds?

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Day 2: Strength in Numbers

Description: Matthew 18:20 highlights that where two or three gather in Jesus' name, He is present. This underscores the unique power and presence of God when we come together as a community. Being part of a connect group or church community allows us to experience God's presence in a special way, providing strength, support, and encouragement that we cannot find alone. The collective faith and prayers of a community can move mountains and bring about God's will in powerful ways. [33:49]

Bible Passage: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18:20, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current involvement in your church community. How can you be more intentional about gathering with others in Jesus' name this week?

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Day 3: The Right Relationships

Description: The story of Jonathan and his armor bearer in 1 Samuel 14 illustrates the importance of having the right people in our lives. Jonathan's armor bearer was with him "heart and soul," providing unwavering support. This kind of relationship helps us navigate obstacles, overcome temptations, and strengthen our faith. We need people who will stand by us, encourage us, and help us fulfill God's purposes in our lives. These relationships are vital for our spiritual growth and resilience. [55:43]

Bible Passage: "Then Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, 'Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.' And his armor bearer said to him, 'Do all that is in your heart. Do as you wish. Behold, I am with you heart and soul.'" (1 Samuel 14:6-7, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a person in your life who has been a "heart and soul" supporter. How can you express your gratitude to them this week and strengthen that relationship?

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Day 4: Impact of Influences

Description: The people we surround ourselves with significantly impact our lives. If our closest friends are negative, it will pull us down. Conversely, if they are positive and godly, they will lift us up and help us grow. We need to be intentional about our relationships, ensuring that the dominant voices in our lives are those that encourage and inspire us to be better and stronger in our faith and daily lives. The right influences can help us stay focused on God's path and avoid distractions that lead us astray. [38:24]

Bible Passage: "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.' Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame." (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, ESV)

Reflection: Evaluate your closest relationships. Are there any that are negatively influencing your faith? What steps can you take to surround yourself with more positive, godly influences?

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Day 5: Community and Support

Description: Biblical community is essential for spiritual growth and support. The early church in Acts exemplified this by sharing life together, meeting each other's needs, and supporting one another. We need to find our community, whether through connect groups or other means, to ensure we have the support and encouragement needed to navigate life's challenges and grow in our faith. Being part of a supportive community helps us to bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ. [01:02:22]

Bible Passage: "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." (Galatians 6:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Think about a challenge you are currently facing. How can you seek support from your church community or connect group to help you through this time?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church! Today, we gathered to worship and partake in communion, reflecting on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the importance of community. Jesus, even knowing He would be betrayed, shared the Last Supper with His disciples, emphasizing the need for community and mutual support. This act of communion reminds us of His sacrifice and our need to break bread with fellow believers, reinforcing that we are not alone in this journey.

We launched a new series titled "Better and Stronger," focusing on the importance of having the right people in our lives. Just as amusement parks are more enjoyable with friends, life is richer and more fulfilling when we share it with others. Matthew 18:20 tells us that where two or three gather in Jesus' name, He is there among them. This underscores the power and presence of God when we come together as a community.

We discussed the significance of connect groups at High Point Church. These small groups meet weekly to study the Word, build relationships, and support one another. Being part of a connect group helps us to not just attend church but to truly connect and grow with others. The right relationships can spur us on, provide support, and help us navigate life's challenges.

We also explored the story of Jonathan and his armor bearer from 1 Samuel 14. Jonathan, despite his strained relationship with his father, King Saul, decided to take action against the Philistines. His armor bearer’s unwavering support, being with him "heart and soul," exemplifies the kind of relationships we need. These relationships help us overcome obstacles, strengthen our faith, and provide the support we need in difficult times.

In conclusion, we emphasized the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people. Whether it's in our careers, marriages, or spiritual lives, the right relationships can significantly impact our trajectory. We encouraged everyone to join a connect group, find their community, and not let past hurts or negative experiences hold them back from experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for us.

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Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Communion and Community: Communion is not just a ritual; it’s a powerful reminder of Jesus' sacrifice and our need for community. Jesus shared the Last Supper with His disciples, knowing He would be betrayed, to emphasize the importance of mutual support and remembrance of His sacrifice. This act teaches us that we are not alone and need to break bread with fellow believers to strengthen our faith and community. [28:37]
2. Strength in Numbers: Matthew 18:20 highlights that where two or three gather in Jesus' name, He is present. This underscores the unique power and presence of God when we come together as a community. Being part of a connect group or church community allows us to experience God's presence in a special way, providing strength, support, and encouragement that we cannot find alone. [33:49]
3. The Right Relationships: The story of Jonathan and his armor bearer in 1 Samuel 14 illustrates the importance of having the right people in our lives. Jonathan's armor bearer was with him "heart and soul," providing unwavering support. This kind of relationship helps us navigate obstacles, overcome temptations, and strengthen our faith. We need people who will stand by us, encourage us, and help us fulfill God's purposes in our lives. [55:43]
4. Impact of Influences: The people we surround ourselves with significantly impact our lives. If our closest friends are negative, it will pull us down. Conversely, if they are positive and godly, they will lift us up and help us grow. We need to be intentional about our relationships, ensuring that the dominant voices in our lives are those that encourage and inspire us to be better and stronger in our faith and daily lives. [38:24]
5. Community and Support: Biblical community is essential for spiritual growth and support. The early church in Acts exemplified this by sharing life together, meeting each other's needs, and supporting one another. We need to find our community, whether through connect groups or other means, to ensure we have the support and encouragement needed to navigate life's challenges and grow in our faith. [01:02:22]
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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[27:31] - Communion and Community
[28:37] - Significance of Communion
[29:43] - Power in the Blood
[30:44] - New Series: Better and Stronger
[31:16] - Importance of Community
[33:18] - Matthew 18:20
[34:18] - Connect Groups Introduction
[35:19] - Potential in the Room
[36:20] - Power of Right Relationships
[37:22] - Ecclesiastes 4:9
[38:24] - Impact of Influences
[39:51] - Hummingbird vs. Vulture
[45:23] - Jonathan and His Armor Bearer
[48:25] - Navigating Obstacles
[51:33] - Overcoming Weak Faith
[55:43] - Heart and Soul Relationships
[62:22] - Biblical Community
[67:14] - Call to Join Connect Groups
[68:18] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Matthew 18:20 say about the presence of Jesus when believers gather together? How does this relate to the importance of community mentioned in the sermon? [33:18]
In 1 Samuel 14:6-7, what was Jonathan's plan, and how did his armor-bearer respond? What does this tell us about their relationship? [55:43]
According to Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, what are the benefits of having a companion? How does this passage support the sermon’s emphasis on the right relationships? [37:22]
How did the pastor describe the impact of negative versus positive influences in our lives? [38:24]

Interpretation Questions

How does the promise of Jesus' presence in Matthew 18:20 change the way we view gathering with other believers? What unique power and presence does this bring to our community gatherings? [33:49]
Reflecting on Jonathan and his armor-bearer’s relationship, what qualities make a relationship one of "heart and soul"? How can we identify and cultivate such relationships in our own lives? [55:43]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 speaks about the practical benefits of companionship. How can this principle be applied to our spiritual lives and our involvement in church activities or connect groups? [37:22]
The sermon mentioned the importance of having the right people in our lives. How can we discern who the "right" people are, and what steps can we take to surround ourselves with them? [36:20]

Application Questions

Think about your current circle of friends. Are they lifting you up and encouraging your faith, or are they pulling you down? What changes might you need to make to ensure you are surrounded by the right influences? [38:24]
The sermon emphasized the importance of connect groups. Have you ever been part of a small group or connect group? If not, what has held you back, and how can you overcome those barriers to join one? [34:18]
Reflect on a time when you felt alone in your spiritual journey. How might being part of a community have changed that experience? What steps can you take to ensure you are not walking alone in the future? [28:37]
The story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer highlights unwavering support. Do you have someone in your life who supports you "heart and soul"? If not, how can you seek out and build such a relationship? [55:43]
The pastor mentioned that the right relationships can significantly impact our trajectory in life. Identify one area of your life (career, marriage, spiritual life) where you need better support. What specific actions can you take this week to seek out the right relationships in that area? [36:20]
How can you be a positive influence in someone else's life? Think of a specific person who might need encouragement or support and plan a way to reach out to them this week. [41:57]
The sermon encouraged not letting past hurts or negative experiences hold us back from community. Is there a past hurt that is preventing you from fully engaging in community? What steps can you take towards healing and re-engaging with others? [32:48]

Sermon Clips

1. "And I think every single month when we take communion, it reminds me of what Jesus did for me. That he went to the cross. That he died for every single one of my sins. That all my sins are forgiven. They're under the blood. But it also reminds me that I need to break bread with brothers and sisters that we're not in this life alone. Amen?" [28:37] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Sin will weigh you down. Sin will wear you out. But Jesus said I came to lift that off of you. And it was through his blood. If you're here today and you're ailing physically, if you're sick him be your healer. Claim that healing. Devil's going to tell you, you don't deserve it. And that's when you turn and you say I don't. He still died to give it to me. Because he loved us even while we were still sinners." [30:14] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "There's just something that happens. There's an atmosphere. That there's strength in numbers and we're better together. We're stronger together. So today I want to talk to you about how to be better, how to be stronger as a believer at High Point Church. And that's to be a part of one of our connect groups. We've got a tent out here with every connect group represented." [33:49] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "There is so much potential in this room. There are so many gifts that God's waiting to use. And they're held in you. There's so much potential in you. So many gifts that God is waiting to use. And I'm asking you to let God use those gifts. The problem is that I see is so many people, they're missing one thing. They're missing the right relationships in their life. People that can spur them on and say when life gets tough, they can keep going. Don't give up. You can do this." [35:19] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Because the people you are around the most have an influence on who you become whether you want them to or not if your five closest friends are those who make God a priority in their life and God's word in their life is a priority and they pray and they build other people up if they help you to see the best in yourself and the best in other people then my friend that's going to be the trajectory of your life." [43:53] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Because when the right people gather for the right reasons God's there and the right things start to happen you get with the right people and God's there the right stuff's about to start happening in your life where two or three are gathered there in my name I'm right there with them and how many of you know there's more than two or three people here right now so today I want to talk to you about having the right relationships the ones that impact you the word says heart and soul." [44:53] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Because we need the right people around us to help build the faith and courage to do what God's asked us to do because some of you in here you feel like God's given you a dream but you haven't had the courage to act on it and I want to ask you why because you need the right people to stand by you to believe with you to pray with you to lift your arms up when you feel like you can't because here's why I'm preaching this entire message who are the right people in your life." [54:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Because some of you right now the only problem and issue you have is you're not surrounded with the right people in your life I want a Naomi and Ruth type relationship I love their friendship it didn't have to be the way that it was but they chose for it to be the way that it was wherever you go I'll go I'm with you your people will be my people and nothing can separate us but death." [01:00:52] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "Because when we look at scripture what do we see? biblical community all throughout the book of Acts we see people doing life together they shared what God's word together they went to each other's homes they did what I would say the equivalent of a connect group together and if they had a need they would all sell whatever they had to meet the needs of the other no one in the church needed anything we need to learn to be a community and take care of one another." [01:02:22] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "Because when the right people are in your life inspiring you with God's word and praying for you when they're there to lift your arms up rather than pointing out the fact that your arms aren't up when they're there not just to surround you but they're there to support you that's when you raise the roof on the potential of your life because scripture says that if one can put a thousand to flight two can put ten thousand to flight you are ten times stronger with people the right people around you." [01:05:02] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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