Embracing Community: Experiencing God Together
Summary
In our journey through the "Experiencing God" series, we've explored worship, prayer, and scripture. Today, we delve into the profound role of community in experiencing God. Community is not just a gathering; it's a vital part of our spiritual journey. Reflecting on popular TV shows like "How I Met Your Mother" and "Friends," we see how these narratives revolve around relationships and shared experiences. Similarly, our spiritual community is about coming together, supporting each other, and growing in faith.
Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds us not to neglect meeting together. The early church faced similar challenges of distraction and isolation, much like we did during the COVID-19 pandemic. Community is where we motivate and encourage one another, as illustrated by a simple act of shoveling snow with a friend, which turned into a more significant effort because of shared motivation.
Galatians 6:1-3 teaches us about the gentle restoration of those who stumble, emphasizing humility and love over judgment. Community is about building relationships strong enough to speak truth into each other's lives with grace.
Acts 2:42-47 paints a picture of the early church's devotion to fellowship, sharing, and prayer. While we may not meet daily as they did, we can still embrace the spirit of generosity and shared experiences. My challenge is to find someone in our church community to share a meal with, fostering deeper connections.
Romans 12:9-13 calls us to genuine love and hospitality. Our community should reflect Christ's radical love, choosing to love others despite differences. This love is not always easy, but it's what sets us apart as followers of Christ.
In a world where attending church is a choice, we have the freedom to gather without fear. Let's seize this opportunity to build a strong community, supporting each other through life's highs and lows. God is present where two or three gather, and in community, we experience His love and peace. This week, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, share a meal, and grow deeper in relationship with those who call our church home.
Key Takeaways:
1. Community as a Spiritual Anchor: Community is essential in our spiritual journey, providing a space for encouragement and motivation. Just as shared experiences in TV shows create bonds, our spiritual community strengthens our faith through shared worship and support. [01:15]
2. Motivation Through Togetherness: Hebrews 10:23-25 highlights the importance of meeting together to motivate one another. The act of shoveling snow with a friend illustrates how community can inspire us to achieve more than we could alone. [05:45]
3. Gentle Restoration in Community: Galatians 6:1-3 teaches us to approach those who stumble with humility and love, not judgment. Building strong relationships within our community allows us to speak truth into each other's lives with grace. [08:25]
4. Generosity and Shared Experiences: Acts 2:42-47 shows the early church's devotion to fellowship and sharing. While daily meetings may not be feasible, we can embrace the spirit of generosity and shared experiences to strengthen our community bonds. [12:51]
5. Radical Love and Hospitality: Romans 12:9-13 calls us to genuine love and hospitality, choosing to love others despite differences. This radical love sets us apart as followers of Christ and is a powerful testimony to the world. [17:22]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:15] - Community in TV Shows
- [03:09] - Purpose of Community
- [04:49] - Challenges of Isolation
- [05:45] - Motivation in Community
- [06:59] - Encouragement and Support
- [08:25] - Gentle Restoration
- [10:15] - Early Church Fellowship
- [12:51] - Shared Experiences
- [15:57] - Genuine Love and Hospitality
- [17:22] - Radical Love
- [23:04] - Freedom to Gather
- [24:23] - Building Strong Community
- [25:38] - Experiencing God Together
- [26:20] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Experiencing God Through Community
Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 10:23-25
- Galatians 6:1-3
- Acts 2:42-47
- Romans 12:9-13
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Hebrews 10:23-25, what are the reasons given for not neglecting to meet together? How does this relate to the challenges faced by the early church and those during the COVID-19 pandemic? [04:49]
2. In Galatians 6:1-3, what approach does Paul suggest for restoring someone who has stumbled? How does this reflect the role of community in spiritual growth? [08:25]
3. Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church's practices. What were some of the key activities they devoted themselves to, and how did these activities foster a sense of community? [10:15]
4. Romans 12:9-13 emphasizes genuine love and hospitality. What specific actions are mentioned that demonstrate this kind of love within a community? [15:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the act of shoveling snow with a friend illustrate the concept of motivation through togetherness as described in Hebrews 10:23-25? What does this teach about the power of community? [05:45]
2. In what ways does Galatians 6:1-3 challenge the traditional view of judgment within a church community? How can humility and love transform relationships? [08:25]
3. Considering Acts 2:42-47, what can modern churches learn from the early church's approach to fellowship and shared experiences? How can these practices be adapted to today's context? [12:51]
4. Romans 12:9-13 calls for radical love and hospitality. How does this passage challenge believers to go beyond superficial relationships and embrace genuine connections? [17:22]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt motivated by someone else's presence or support. How can you intentionally create opportunities for such motivation within your church community? [05:45]
2. Think of someone in your community who may be struggling. How can you approach them with humility and love, as suggested in Galatians 6:1-3, to offer support and encouragement? [08:25]
3. The early church shared meals and resources as part of their fellowship. Identify one way you can practice generosity and shared experiences with someone in your church this week. [12:51]
4. Romans 12:9-13 encourages genuine love and hospitality. What specific steps can you take to show this kind of love to someone who is different from you or whom you find difficult to love? [17:22]
5. In a world where attending church is a choice, how can you prioritize building a strong community within your church? What practical steps can you take to engage more deeply with others? [23:04]
6. The sermon challenges us to share a meal with someone from our church community. Who is one person you can invite to share a meal with this week, and what do you hope to learn from this experience? [24:23]
7. Reflect on the idea that God is present where two or three gather. How can this truth influence your approach to community and fellowship in your daily life? [25:38]
Devotional
Day 1: Community as a Spiritual Anchor
Community is a cornerstone of our spiritual journey, offering a space where we can find encouragement and motivation. Just as popular TV shows like "How I Met Your Mother" and "Friends" depict the power of relationships and shared experiences, our spiritual community strengthens our faith through collective worship and support. In a world filled with distractions and isolation, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, community becomes a vital anchor. Hebrews 10:23-25 reminds us of the importance of not neglecting to meet together, as it is in these gatherings that we can motivate and encourage one another. The simple act of shoveling snow with a friend illustrates how community can inspire us to achieve more than we could alone. [01:15]
Hebrews 10:23-25 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 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."
Reflection: Think of a time when being part of a community helped you achieve something you couldn't have done alone. How can you actively contribute to your community this week to help others in a similar way?
Day 2: Motivation Through Togetherness
The power of community lies in its ability to motivate us through togetherness. Hebrews 10:23-25 emphasizes the importance of meeting together to inspire one another. When we gather, we create an environment where encouragement and support flourish. The act of shoveling snow with a friend serves as a metaphor for how community can push us to accomplish more than we could on our own. In these shared moments, we find strength and motivation that propel us forward in our spiritual journey. [05:45]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"
Reflection: Identify a task or challenge you are currently facing. How can you invite someone from your community to join you in this endeavor, and what impact do you think their involvement will have?
Day 3: Gentle Restoration in Community
Community is a place where gentle restoration can occur. Galatians 6:1-3 teaches us to approach those who stumble with humility and love, rather than judgment. Building strong relationships within our community allows us to speak truth into each other's lives with grace. This gentle restoration is crucial for spiritual growth, as it fosters an environment where individuals feel safe to be vulnerable and receive support. In a world that often leans towards criticism, our community should be a haven of love and understanding. [08:25]
James 5:19-20 (ESV): "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
Reflection: Think of someone in your community who may be struggling. How can you approach them with humility and love this week to offer support and encouragement?
Day 4: Generosity and Shared Experiences
Acts 2:42-47 paints a picture of the early church's devotion to fellowship, sharing, and prayer. While we may not meet daily as they did, we can still embrace the spirit of generosity and shared experiences. Our community bonds are strengthened when we come together to share meals, resources, and time. This spirit of generosity not only enriches our lives but also reflects the love of Christ to those around us. By fostering deeper connections through shared experiences, we create a community that thrives on mutual support and care. [12:51]
2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
Reflection: Consider someone in your community with whom you can share a meal or experience this week. How can this act of generosity deepen your relationship and strengthen your community bond?
Day 5: Radical Love and Hospitality
Romans 12:9-13 calls us to genuine love and hospitality, choosing to love others despite differences. This radical love sets us apart as followers of Christ and serves as a powerful testimony to the world. In our community, we are called to reflect Christ's love by embracing diversity and extending hospitality to all. This love is not always easy, but it is what distinguishes us as a community of believers. By choosing to love radically, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and accepted. [17:22]
1 Peter 4:8-9 (ESV): "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling."
Reflection: Identify someone in your community who is different from you in some way. How can you extend radical love and hospitality to them this week, and what impact do you hope this will have on your relationship?
Quotes
I find it interesting, first of all, that sometimes we think there are new problems that have popped up. The church is losing people to everything else going on in the world. People are choosing not to go to church. Instead, they're choosing to do other things like sleep in or sports. But here in the scriptures, it says, and let us not neglect our meeting together as some people do. It's not a new problem. It's easy to kind of wander away from being in community with other people. [00:04:15] (41 seconds)
I think about the years of COVID in 2020 and I think of the isolation that we all were forced into and how difficult that was when you are not able to get out and meet in community. How thankful I was that we were able to record and see people as we worked through the COVID years. I never stopped going to work. That was big for me personally. But I just saw so many people closed in, away from people, and the destruction that that does for our lives. [00:04:56] (36 seconds)
Because Karen showed up randomly without me asking, instead of just shoveling the sidewalk, which was my intention, I had no intention of going any further than that, she and I shoveled the entire parking spaces at the front of the building, pushed all that snow into the road area where the snowplow could come and get it once the cars were here. Just having that one extra person with me gave me motivation to do far more than I ever would have done. Could I have done it all myself? I could have. But I wouldn't have. [00:06:18] (34 seconds)
So part of community is to motivate one another into acts of love and good works. Let us not neglect meeting with each other, but encourage one another. Encourage one another. Part of community is that we can collectively come together, go through the lows, go through the highs, go through the normal mundane life, reach out and encourage and motivate and be helpful because we can do so much more together than we can on our own. [00:06:52] (40 seconds)
But what we're reading here is that as a community, not just because you happen to be in the same room once in a while, not just because you happen to go to the same church, not just because you happen to be near each other, but because we have formed relationships together, that we have built some sense of community together, that we become, in a sense, like family together, that when somebody starts to stumble in their walk with Christ, not to be the judge, not to be the, hey, you're doing this wrong, you better figure it out, otherwise you're going to hell. That's not the point. The point is, gently, with humility, approach a friend who you have built strong relationships with because you are in community with them. [00:08:59] (63 seconds)
And if we see something in their life that you want to speak truth into, we're able to do that because we are a community together. That's not my role as a pastor, that's not anyone in particular's role, but yet it's the community together to speak life into each other's lives. [00:09:48] (24 seconds)
Romans 12, 9 says, Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection. And take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble and keep on praying. When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. [00:15:57] (33 seconds)
But what Christ asks of us is to be radically different from the world. To choose to love regardless of who that person is. Regardless of what they're doing. Regardless of what their sin is. Come alongside and be with them. If it's the wrong person for you to be in relationship with, that's not a bad thing. If you choose to not have that relationship, just don't choose that in a way of dislike or of hate of the other person. [00:17:29] (29 seconds)
But to grow into what it means to be a strong community, to visit with each other, to help each other out of the snowbank, or just to celebrate the job promotions, and just different things that are going on in our lives, to read scriptures together, to eat together, to do life together, what is the purpose of community in your life? [00:23:53] (29 seconds)
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