Embracing Community for an Abundant Life
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church family. Today, we wrap up our series on "The Abundant Life." I want to thank you for your prayers during my recovery from ACL surgery. Your support has been invaluable. Also, our seventh birthday is coming up, and it's a great opportunity to invite people to experience the love of Jesus. Remember, we're not just inviting people to a church event; we're inviting them to join the family of God.
Today's focus is on community, as described in Acts 2:41-47. The early church devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They were together, sharing everything, and God added to their number daily. This is a biblical model for how the church should operate—doing life together.
I want to emphasize the importance of gathering in person. While online church is a blessing for those who can't physically be here, it should not replace the in-person fellowship that God designed for us. The enemy wants to isolate us, making us think we can do life alone, but that's not God's plan. We need each other to grow, to be accountable, and to experience the fullness of life in Christ.
When we isolate ourselves, we start thinking more about our own problems and less about others. This self-centeredness is a trap that leads to loneliness and stagnation. Social media often exacerbates this by allowing us to present a false image of ourselves. But real growth happens when we are genuine and transparent with one another.
We all want to be known for something, but what we really need is to be known by someone. This happens in the context of real relationships, which we foster through our city groups. These groups are where we can be real, share our struggles, and support each other. James 5:16 tells us to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we may be healed. This kind of community helps us break free from the power of sin and grow in our faith.
In conclusion, let's strive to be the same person in private as we are in public. Let's take off the masks and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives through genuine community. We need each other to live the abundant life that God has promised.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Importance of In-Person Fellowship: Gathering in person is crucial for spiritual growth and accountability. Online church is a blessing for those who can't be physically present, but it should not replace in-person fellowship. The enemy seeks to isolate us, but God designed us to live in community. [08:15]
2. Transparency and Authenticity: Real growth happens when we are genuine and transparent with one another. Social media often allows us to present a false image, but true community requires us to be real. When we stop pretending, we start growing. [17:36]
3. The Power of Confession and Prayer: James 5:16 emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other. This practice helps us break free from the power of sin and experience healing. Community is essential for this kind of spiritual support. [25:27]
4. Consistency and Faithfulness: True impact comes from showing up consistently and faithfully. It's not about being the most talented or gifted, but about being reliable and committed. This kind of faithfulness transforms communities and lives. [14:46]
5. Being Known by Someone: We all want to be known for something, but what we really need is to be known by someone. Real relationships, fostered through small groups, allow us to drop the pretense and be genuine. This is where true growth and support happen. [23:00]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:55] - Seventh Birthday Celebration
[03:05] - Introduction to Today's Topic
[04:31] - Recap of Last Week's Message
[05:43] - Reading from Acts 2:41-47
[08:15] - The Importance of In-Person Fellowship
[09:33] - The Enemy's Strategy of Isolation
[10:57] - The Trap of Self-Centeredness
[12:12] - The Illusion of Social Media
[14:46] - Consistency and Faithfulness
[17:36] - Transparency and Authenticity
[20:18] - The Dangers of Pretending
[23:00] - Being Known by Someone
[25:27] - The Power of Confession and Prayer
[28:09] - God's Acceptance and Transformation
[30:23] - The Role of City Groups
[32:00] - The Story of David and Goliath
[33:22] - Final Thoughts and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Acts 2:41-47 (ESV)
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the four main activities the early church devoted themselves to according to Acts 2:42?
2. How did the early believers handle their possessions and resources as described in Acts 2:44-45?
3. What was the result of the early church's commitment to community and fellowship as mentioned in Acts 2:47?
4. According to the sermon, what is the enemy's strategy when it comes to isolating believers? [09:33]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is in-person fellowship emphasized as crucial for spiritual growth and accountability in the sermon? [08:15]
2. How does the practice of transparency and authenticity within a community contribute to spiritual growth, according to the sermon? [17:36]
3. What role does confession and prayer play in breaking the power of sin, as highlighted in James 5:16 and the sermon? [25:27]
4. How does the concept of being known by someone differ from being known for something, and why is this important for genuine relationships? [23:00]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current participation in church activities. Are you more engaged online or in-person? What steps can you take to increase your in-person fellowship? [08:15]
2. Think about a time when you presented a false image of yourself, either on social media or in real life. How did that impact your relationships? What can you do to be more authentic moving forward? [12:12]
3. James 5:16 talks about confessing sins to one another. Do you have a trusted group where you can be open about your struggles? If not, what steps can you take to find or create such a group? [25:27]
4. Consistency and faithfulness were highlighted as key to making a lasting impact. What is one area in your life where you can show up more consistently? How can you start this week? [14:46]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of being known by someone rather than being known for something. Who in your life truly knows you? How can you deepen that relationship? [23:00]
6. Reflect on the idea of taking off the masks and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through genuine community. What is one "mask" you need to remove, and how can your small group support you in this? [34:46]
7. The sermon emphasized the power of community in overcoming isolation and self-centeredness. How can you contribute to building a stronger sense of community in your small group or church? [09:33]
Devotional
Day 1: The Necessity of In-Person Fellowship
In-person fellowship is crucial for spiritual growth and accountability. While online church services are a blessing for those who cannot physically attend, they should not replace the face-to-face interactions that God designed for us. The enemy seeks to isolate us, making us believe that we can do life alone, but this is not God's plan. We need each other to grow, to be accountable, and to experience the fullness of life in Christ. When we gather in person, we can support one another, share our burdens, and celebrate our victories together. This kind of community is essential for our spiritual well-being. [08:15]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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 about a time when you felt isolated. How did it affect your spiritual life? What steps can you take this week to engage more deeply with your church community in person?
Day 2: The Value of Transparency and Authenticity
Real growth happens when we are genuine and transparent with one another. Social media often allows us to present a false image of ourselves, but true community requires us to be real. When we stop pretending and start being authentic, we open the door for genuine relationships and spiritual growth. Transparency allows us to share our struggles and receive support, which is essential for overcoming challenges and growing in our faith. By being authentic, we create an environment where others feel safe to be themselves as well. [17:36]
1 John 1:7 (ESV): "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin."
Reflection: Reflect on an area of your life where you have been less than authentic. How can you take a step towards greater transparency with someone in your church community this week?
Day 3: The Power of Confession and Prayer
James 5:16 emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins to one another and praying for each other. This practice helps us break free from the power of sin and experience healing. Community is essential for this kind of spiritual support. When we confess our sins and pray for one another, we create a space for God's healing power to work in our lives. This kind of vulnerability and support is crucial for overcoming sin and growing in our faith. [25:27]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Is there a sin or struggle you have been keeping to yourself? Consider sharing it with a trusted friend or mentor in your church community and ask for their prayers.
Day 4: The Impact of Consistency and Faithfulness
True impact comes from showing up consistently and faithfully. It's not about being the most talented or gifted, but about being reliable and committed. This kind of faithfulness transforms communities and lives. When we are consistent in our attendance, participation, and support, we build trust and create a stable environment for growth. Faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities and opportunities to serve. [14:46]
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV): "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."
Reflection: In what areas of your life can you be more consistent and faithful? How can you commit to showing up and serving your church community this week?
Day 5: The Need to Be Known by Someone
We all want to be known for something, but what we really need is to be known by someone. Real relationships, fostered through small groups, allow us to drop the pretense and be genuine. This is where true growth and support happen. Being known by someone means having people in your life who truly understand you, who can speak into your life, and who can hold you accountable. This kind of deep, personal connection is essential for spiritual growth and emotional well-being. [23:00]
Proverbs 27:17 (ESV): "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."
Reflection: Who in your life truly knows you? If you don't have someone like this, what steps can you take to build deeper relationships within your church community? Consider joining a small group or reaching out to someone you trust.
Quotes
1. "We're not inviting people to join a church. We're inviting people to the family of God and Jesus Christ, and so if that's what it takes just to get somebody through the door that normally wouldn't come to church, well, praise God, we got a day where we can get somebody to come through the doors of the church that normally wouldn't, and the promises of God's word are that his word will never go forth void, and we are going to share boldly the gospel of Jesus Christ." [02:20] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you are a Christ follower and you think you're going to do life by yourself and not with the body of Christ, we're setting ourselves up for failure in that. It's not in the Bible. And so the enemy will make us start thinking that we don't need the body of Christ, that there's no real need for community like that. As long as you got Jesus, you're all right. Well, look, yeah, yeah. As long as you've got Jesus, yes, but that's not his only design." [09:33] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Do you want to grow to maturity in Christ? Do you want to know what it's like to live the abundant life that Christ promised? Well, then you don't play by your rules. We do it by his. And part of the way that he's instituted and set up and designed the church is for us to do life together. Somebody say together with me, together." [09:33] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The moment that we start pretending, we stop growing. The moment we start pretending we are something we're not, listen, it affects our relationship with God. It affects our relationship with the people that are closest to us, our closest friends, spouse, our family, our parents, everyone around us, because we're busy trying to make somebody believe something of us that's not true." [17:36] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "We want to be known for something. But what we really need is to be known by someone. We need relationships where we can drop the pretense, where we can just be real. You don't have to bare your soul to everybody, but when you come short, you've got people that know you and care about you. And they're going to help you move forward beyond that, and not keep falling in the same rut over and over and over again. Because once you get real, you get known." [23:00] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We all want to be known for something, but we need to be known by someone. And you've got a story, and there is power in your story. Like we talked about David last week, King David. And if you're not a church person, you know the story of David and Goliath. And this is what I'm going to close with. I'm done." [30:23] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Culture says you've got to protect the image. Jesus says you drop that image and you allow him to go to work on you. And if you want to stop pretending, you want to start being real, you do it with God's people all around you. It's in the word. It's the way that he wants us to live. God help us. It's the way his church is supposed to operate." [32:00] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Give me a second. Just one time, our whole family was together. And we do that a lot. When I say our whole family's together, it's like 30 of us down here. And she looked at me and she said, Nate, you know what? You're the same person. You're at home as you are at the church. God, I beg you for your grace to always let that be true. And I pray that for every single one of you." [34:46] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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