Embracing Community: The Power of Gathering Together

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound importance of community and connection within the church. We began by acknowledging the common feeling of being "peopled out," where the idea of social interaction can feel overwhelming. Yet, we recognized that despite these feelings, gathering together holds significant benefits for our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Scientifically, face-to-face interactions enhance mental health, reduce stress, and even lower the risk of dementia. These interactions are not just beneficial but essential for our holistic health.

Spiritually, the act of gathering is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. Hebrews 10:25 emphasizes the importance of not forsaking our assembly, especially in times of difficulty and persecution. The scripture encourages us to come together to worship, pray, and support one another, highlighting that our faith is strengthened in community. We are reminded that the Bible was written to groups, communities, and nations, not individuals, underscoring the communal nature of our faith journey.

We also addressed common reasons people might avoid gathering, such as individualistic spirituality, past church hurt, and time constraints. While these are valid concerns, we are encouraged to see beyond them and recognize the value of being part of a faith community. Gathering together is not just about filling rooms; it's about attracting God's presence and experiencing the power of collective worship and prayer. When we gather in His name, we invite His presence into our midst, creating an atmosphere where lives can be transformed.

Ultimately, gathering together equips and encourages us, allowing us to grow both individually and corporately. It provides a space where we can be vulnerable, share our struggles, and find support. As we commit to gathering, we are reminded that our time and priorities shape our future. By choosing to gather, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open ourselves to the transformative power of community.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Power of Gathering: Gathering together is not just a social activity; it is a spiritual discipline that enhances our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. It provides a space for laughter, support, and shared experiences that uplift our spirits and strengthen our faith. [32:43]

2. Biblical Mandate for Community: The Bible emphasizes the importance of community, as seen in Hebrews 10:25. Our faith is meant to be lived out in community, where we can worship, pray, and support one another, especially in times of difficulty. [41:32]

3. Overcoming Barriers to Gathering: While individualistic spirituality, past church hurt, and time constraints are valid concerns, they should not prevent us from experiencing the benefits of community. Gathering together is essential for our growth and spiritual well-being. [38:16]

4. Attracting God's Presence: When we gather in His name, we invite God's presence into our midst. This collective worship and prayer create an atmosphere where lives can be transformed, and we experience the power of God's presence. [50:09]

5. Equipping and Encouraging Each Other: Gathering together equips and encourages us, allowing us to grow both individually and corporately. It provides a space for vulnerability, support, and shared growth, helping us to become who God has called us to be. [59:43]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:00] - Introduction to the Series
- [10:15] - Upcoming Events and Announcements
- [15:30] - The Importance of Gathering
- [20:45] - Scientific Benefits of Community
- [25:50] - Common Barriers to Gathering
- [32:43] - Spiritual Significance of Gathering
- [38:16] - Addressing Individualistic Spirituality
- [41:32] - Biblical Mandate for Community
- [46:32] - The Role of Community in Faith
- [50:09] - Attracting God's Presence
- [54:44] - The Power of Collective Worship
- [59:43] - Equipping and Encouraging Each Other
- [01:03:52] - Commitment to Community
- [01:07:43] - Invitation to Faith and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Hebrews 10:25
- Matthew 18:20
- Ephesians 4:11-13

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Observation Questions:

1. According to Hebrews 10:25, what is the significance of not forsaking the assembly of believers, especially in times of difficulty? [41:32]

2. What are some scientific benefits of gathering together mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to our mental and emotional health? [32:43]

3. How does the sermon describe the role of community in the context of biblical teachings and the life of Jesus? [44:48]

4. What are some common barriers to gathering mentioned in the sermon, and how are they addressed? [38:16]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the biblical mandate in Hebrews 10:25 challenge the idea of individualistic spirituality? What does this suggest about the nature of faith? [41:32]

2. In what ways does gathering together attract God's presence, according to Matthew 18:20, and how is this reflected in the sermon? [50:09]

3. How does the sermon interpret the role of community in equipping and encouraging believers, as seen in Ephesians 4:11-13? [59:43]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between personal growth and community involvement? How does this align with the biblical passages discussed? [46:32]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt "peopled out." How did gathering with others impact your mood or perspective? What steps can you take to prioritize community even when you feel overwhelmed? [32:43]

2. Hebrews 10:25 emphasizes the importance of gathering, especially in difficult times. How can you make gathering with your faith community a priority, even when faced with time constraints or other barriers? [41:32]

3. The sermon discusses overcoming past church hurt. How can you begin to heal from past negative experiences in church and open yourself to new community opportunities? [38:16]

4. Consider the idea that gathering attracts God's presence. How can you intentionally create an atmosphere of worship and prayer in your gatherings to invite God's presence? [50:09]

5. Ephesians 4:11-13 talks about equipping and encouraging each other. Identify one person in your faith community you can encourage this week. What specific action will you take to support them? [59:43]

6. The sermon mentions the transformative power of community. How can you actively participate in your community to experience personal growth and contribute to the growth of others? [46:32]

7. Reflect on the statement, "What controls your time dictates your future." How can you better manage your time to ensure that gathering with your faith community is a regular part of your life? [01:03:52]

Devotional

Day 1: The Spiritual Discipline of Gathering
Gathering together is more than a social activity; it is a spiritual discipline that significantly enhances our mental, emotional, and spiritual health. In a world where social interactions can sometimes feel overwhelming, it is important to recognize the profound benefits of coming together. Face-to-face interactions have been scientifically proven to improve mental health, reduce stress, and even lower the risk of dementia. These interactions are not just beneficial but essential for our holistic well-being. Spiritually, gathering is deeply rooted in biblical teachings, emphasizing the importance of community in strengthening our faith. When we gather, we create a space for laughter, support, and shared experiences that uplift our spirits and deepen our connection with God. [32:43]

"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." (Hebrews 10:23-25, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when gathering with others uplifted your spirit. How can you prioritize such gatherings in your life this week?


Day 2: Living Out Faith in Community
The Bible emphasizes the importance of community, as seen in Hebrews 10:25, where believers are encouraged not to forsake assembling together. Our faith is meant to be lived out in community, where we can worship, pray, and support one another, especially in times of difficulty. The communal nature of our faith journey is underscored by the fact that the Bible was written to groups, communities, and nations, not individuals. In times of persecution or hardship, gathering together becomes even more crucial, as it strengthens our faith and provides the support we need to persevere. By living out our faith in community, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open ourselves to the transformative power of collective worship and prayer. [41:32]

"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 a faith community. How can you deepen your engagement to better support and be supported by others?


Day 3: Overcoming Barriers to Community
While individualistic spirituality, past church hurt, and time constraints are valid concerns, they should not prevent us from experiencing the benefits of community. Gathering together is essential for our growth and spiritual well-being. It is important to acknowledge these barriers and work towards overcoming them, recognizing the value of being part of a faith community. By choosing to gather, we invite God's presence into our midst, creating an atmosphere where lives can be transformed. The power of collective worship and prayer is undeniable, and when we gather in His name, we experience the transformative power of God's presence. [38:16]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a barrier that has kept you from fully engaging in community. What steps can you take this week to overcome it and reconnect with others?


Day 4: Inviting God's Presence
When we gather in His name, we invite God's presence into our midst. This collective worship and prayer create an atmosphere where lives can be transformed, and we experience the power of God's presence. Gathering together is not just about filling rooms; it's about attracting God's presence and experiencing the power of collective worship and prayer. As we come together, we create a space where we can be vulnerable, share our struggles, and find support. By committing to gathering, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open ourselves to the transformative power of community. [50:09]

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15, ESV)

Reflection: How can you intentionally invite God's presence into your gatherings this week? What changes might you need to make to create an atmosphere of worship and prayer?


Day 5: Equipping and Encouraging Each Other
Gathering together equips and encourages us, allowing us to grow both individually and corporately. It provides a space for vulnerability, support, and shared growth, helping us to become who God has called us to be. As we commit to gathering, we are reminded that our time and priorities shape our future. By choosing to gather, we align ourselves with God's purpose and open ourselves to the transformative power of community. In this space, we can be vulnerable, share our struggles, and find support, ultimately growing in our faith and becoming more like Christ. [59:43]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you encourage and support this week? How can you be intentional about building others up in their faith journey?

Quotes



Gathering together with others. Now, hold on. Teaser. Cliffhanger. Stop. Here's the truth. Every one of the studies that I read on this made a point to exclude online interactions from this. And here's why they said. Because online interactions are fake interactions. They are not real. [00:35:04] (23 seconds)


And we have to understand context is king. So we have to understand why was Hebrews written? Who was it written to? All that stuff, right? Go to binge the Bible. We talk about this all the time. And the first thing that I want to point your attention to is 2 Timothy 3, 16. This says, all scripture is inspired by who? God. If you've been a part of our binge the Bible series that we do sporadically, you know that. So everything in the Bible is approved by God. It's there by God. And so God allows the writer of Hebrews to write this book to Christians, to disciples, to followers of Jesus, right? That are facing persecution and difficulty. [00:40:57] (35 seconds)


And he's writing this letter to people that are facing persecution and difficulty. And he's going, here's how you keep your faith. Here's what you need to do to keep your faith, to stand up and to stand up and to hear me. Your Facebook account getting banned is not persecution. [00:41:44] (13 seconds)


These people are facing real persecution. I mean like beheaded, loss of life, families being imprisoned, everything gone, persecution. And the writer's sitting there going, hey, I want to tell you a new way to live in the midst of that. And so Hebrews chapter 10, verse 25 actually says this, not forsaking our own assembling together. Now let's break this down. If he's writing to Christians, to followers of Jesus, and he says, not forsaking our own, that would be, to who? Followers of Jesus, assembling together as followers of Jesus, right? He says, as is the habit of what? Some. So here's what he says. Don't worry about what everybody else is doing. [00:41:45] (39 seconds)


You have got to not forsake gathering together. You've got to come together in like mind. You've got to come together to worship together. You've got to come together to pray together. You've got to come together to encourage each other. You've got, and the more Jesus is closer to coming, the more you should be filling rooms. [00:43:46] (15 seconds)


The more you should be gathering together. And hear me, let me just stop for a second, because I know there's this idea that comes with this. It's kind of like, well, you know, it's all about church growth and it's all about numbers. And I would just say, absolutely. [00:43:55] (12 seconds)


Oh, that got real quiet. Absolutely. How dare you say that? Let me tell you, every chair, every number is a person. Every person has a soul and every soul is going somewhere. And I don't know about you, but I'd rather get as many people into the presence of God and let him work his magic and let him do his life change and let him transform than anything. Right. I'd rather fill a room for the presence of God than fill it for an entertainer or an artist or somebody like that. Right. It's just, it's just the truth of the whole thing. So he's writing, he's going, don't forsake. Don't forget to gather. I know there's a lot of people that are going to, I know it's the habit of some to stay home and church is optional. [00:44:06] (40 seconds)


And you don't need to gather and pray together. You don't need to worship together. You don't need to read the Bible. You don't need to talk about this stuff. You don't need to serve the community together. You can do all this by yourself. [00:44:47] (10 seconds)


And the writer of Hebrews is going, no, no, no, no, don't fall for that. In the midst of persecution, you should actually gather together more. [00:44:57] (7 seconds)


You should actually gather together more frequently and more powerfully. So here's some reasons that gathering together matters, because here's the truth. We just read Hebrews 10, 25. [00:45:04] (9 seconds)


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Transcript
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