Everyone longs to be a part of a collective community all sharing a common goal. That’s why we often build community around sports teams, political parties, and our passions and interests. But often, we allow these things to influence our identity and purpose. But the Bible tells us that our purpose and identity is given to us and not created by us. So how do you find your purpose and identity? And once you discover it, what would have to change?

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MESSAGE NOTES

The greatest tool God has given you to persevere during hard times is other Christians. You being connected with other Christians brings God joy, makes your life easier, and it makes your life more fun.

 

7 I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. 8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. 9 Two people are better off than one, for
they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-
braided cord is not easily broken. [Ecclesiastes 4:7-12]

God designed you with a hunger for connection. A desire to have a community of people who share a common purpose with you.

God didn’t design you for quarantine. God designed you for community.

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. 42 All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship (Christian community), and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer. 43 A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. 44 And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. 45 They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 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 praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.
[Acts 2:42-47a]

God designed you to be part of a world-changing community.

Sociologists tell us that every single person longs to be connected to a collective community that shares a common goal. And if you don’t have that tribe of your own, there is a hunger for it. In fact, if you don’t
have that kind of connection, you might be experiencing what sociologists call… Collective Loneliness: hunger for a network, a tribe, or a community of people who
share in a common purpose together.

11Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. (Our purpose…) 12 Their responsibility is to
equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that
we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.
[Ephesians 4:11-13]

14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. [Ephesians 4:14-15]

16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special
work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and
full of love. [Ephesians 4:16]

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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?