We can never become the people God created us to be, the people Jesus redeemed us to become, without three different kinds of healthy relationships

• • Transparent Relationships (Growth Groups)
  • Social Relationships (Life Groups)
  • Communal Relationships (Gathering with Church Family)

We’re all loyal to something and to someone.

• Sociologists tell us that every person longs to be connected to a collective community that shares a common goal.
• If you don’t have that, you may be experiencing what they call “collective loneliness” – hunger for a tribe, a community of people who share in a common purpose together.
• Truth: these passions and pieces of ourselves are important but they were never meant to define who we are or what we’re created for

“Our purpose/identity is GIVEN TO us, not CREATED BY us.”

Is 45:9-12, “9 What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘How clumsy can you be?’ 10 How terrible it would be if a newborn baby said to its father, ‘Why was I born?’ or if it said to its mother, ‘Why did you make me this way?’” 11 This is what the Lord says— the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: “Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? 12 I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.”

Is 45:18-19 “18 For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in, not to be a place of empty chaos. “I am the Lord,” he says, “and there is no other. 19 I publicly proclaim bold promises. I do not whisper obscurities in some dark corner. I would not have told the people of Israel to seek me if I could not be found. I, the Lord, speak only what is true and declare only what is right.

Is 45:22-25, “22 Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. 23 I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me. ” 24 The people will declare, “The Lord is the source of all my righteousness and strength.” And all who were angry with him will come to him and be ashamed. 25 In the Lord all the generations of Israel will be justified, and in him they will boast.”

It’s in God, through his word, that we discover our identity, learn about our brokenness, celebrate our rescue and move toward our purpose

“God designed you to be a part of a World-Changing Community.”

Acts 2:42, “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper ), and to prayer.”

Acts 2:46-47, “46 They worshiped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – 47 all the while enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.”

“God has a role specifically designed for you in this church.”

Rom 12:6-10, “6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. 11 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”

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Application Questions

1. What stood out to you from this message and why?

2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?

3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?

4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?