Deepening Our Relationship with God and Community
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of seeking to know God and striving to be like Jesus. The sermon emphasized the need for us to pursue a deeper relationship with God, to seek His face, and to desire to be more like Him. The sermon also highlighted the importance of surrendering our lives to God, giving Him our hearts and everything we have. The sermon encouraged us to desire righteousness more than anything else and to let God take control of our lives.
The sermon also emphasized the importance of community and connection within the church. It highlighted the start of a new sermon series focused on worship, connection, and service. The sermon encouraged us to get involved in various ministries and Bible studies within the church, emphasizing the importance of being in community around the Word of God. The sermon also celebrated the growth of the church, with every room in the church being used for Bible studies.
Key Takeaways:
- The importance of seeking a deeper relationship with God and striving to be more like Jesus. ([02:44])
- The need to surrender our lives to God, giving Him our hearts and everything we have. ([07:54])
- The importance of community and connection within the church, and the encouragement to get involved in various ministries and Bible studies. ([10:27])
- The celebration of the growth of the church, with every room in the church being used for Bible studies. ([11:12])
- The importance of confessing our sins and trusting in God's forgiveness. ([26:17])
Study Guide
Takeaways from the Sermon:
1. God designed humans to be in a community, first and foremost in their family, and those families are supposed to come together around a common faith and be in a church together. This is evident in the creation story where God created Eve because it was not good for Adam to be alone ([52:34]).
2. The importance of connection and community is not only spiritual but also physical. The US Surgeon General has cited loneliness as an epidemic with serious health ramifications. This highlights the importance of cultivating a culture of community and revitalizing social institutions ([56:08]).
Bible Reading:
1. Romans Chapter 15: 2-7
2. Genesis Chapter 2: 18-25
Observation Questions:
1. In Romans 15:2-7, what does Paul instruct us to do for our neighbors and why?
2. In Genesis 2:18-25, how does God respond to Adam's loneliness?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Paul's instruction in Romans 15 relate to the concept of community and connection discussed in the sermon?
2. What does the creation of Eve in Genesis 2 tell us about God's design for human relationships and community?
Application Questions:
1. How can we apply Paul's instruction in Romans 15 to our interactions with our neighbors and church community?
2. In what ways can we combat loneliness in our own lives and in our community, in light of the creation story in Genesis 2?
3. When was the last time you felt lonely and how did you respond to it? How can you respond differently in the future based on today's discussion?
4. How can we as a small group cultivate a culture of community and connection?
5. What specific steps can we take to revitalize our social institutions, starting with our church community?
Devotional
Day 1: Pursuit of Christlikeness
The sermon emphasizes the desire to be like Jesus, to walk in His ways and seek His face. This pursuit is not just a personal endeavor but a collective one, as we are all part of the body of Christ. It is a journey that requires surrender, humility, and a heart that is fully yielded to God ([02:44]).
Bible Passage: Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ."
Reflection: How can you actively pursue Christlikeness in your daily life and interactions with others?
Day 2: The Power of Community
The sermon highlights the importance of community in the Christian journey. We are called to live in harmony, to build each other up, and to support each other in times of hardship. This is the essence of Christian community - a reflection of Christ's love and sacrifice ([57:17]).
Bible Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up."
Reflection: How can you contribute to building a supportive and loving community in your church or fellowship group?
Day 3: The Restoration Power of Jesus
The sermon reminds us that no relationship is too broken for Jesus to heal. His promise of restoration is not just for our relationship with God, but also for our relationships with each other. In Him, we find healing, reconciliation, and the strength to forgive and move forward ([01:03:29]).
Bible Passage: Colossians 1:20 - "and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross."
Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that needs the healing touch of Jesus? How can you invite Him into this situation?
Day 4: The Joy of the Lord
The sermon encourages us to find joy in the Lord, regardless of our circumstances. This joy is not dependent on our external situations but is rooted in our relationship with God. It is a joy that strengthens us, uplifts us, and fills our hearts with praise ([15:07]).
Bible Passage: Nehemiah 8:10 - "Nehemiah said, 'Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'"
Reflection: How can you cultivate the joy of the Lord in your life, especially during challenging times?
Day 5: The Importance of Bible Study
The sermon underscores the importance of studying the Bible, not just individually but also in community. Through Bible study, we grow in our understanding of God's Word, deepen our relationship with Him, and strengthen our bonds with each other ([11:57]).
Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Reflection: How can you make Bible study a more integral part of your spiritual journey?
Quotes
1. "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up. For Christ did not please himself as it is written. The approaches of those who approached he fell on me. For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction that through endurance and through the encouragement of scriptures we might have hope." - 48:05
2. "Then at the perfect time, this God uttered, let there be light. And there was light. And it was good. And then the second day he said, let's separate the waters, the sky and the ocean. And there was a second day. And it was good." - 51:23
3. "God looked at Adam by himself and said, it is not good for a man to be alone. God looked and saw that isolation is devastating for the mankind's heart. So God fixed that and he created Eve, bone of his bone and flesh of his flesh and God created the first relationship." - 53:34
4. "The US Surgeon General said, there is an epidemic of loneliness in our world today. And he cites that this loneliness has physical ramifications on a person's body. For those who consider themselves lonely, it cites that they are 29% more likely to have cardiovascular disease. It cites that they are 32% more to have a stroke." - 54:49
5. "The God who created you, that knows every hear on your head, that he is for you, not against you, and that he loves you passionately enough to send his one and only son to suffer and to die for you so that he can say to you, you are forgiven." - 23:14
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