Our schedules are too busy. We’re trying to raise a family. Other people have hurt me. Life is safer alone. These are some of the things we might tell ourselves that keep us away from investing time in building community around us. But regardless of your personality, God wired YOU for community. And there is something incredible that happens in community that you just can’t get anywhere else. Let’s talk about what that is!

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MESSAGE NOTES

The Goonies is about a band of adventurous kids who take on the might of a property developing company that plans to destroy their home to build a country club. When the children discover an old pirate map in the attic, they follow it into an underground cavern in search of lost treasure but come up against plenty of dangerous obstacles along the way.

In the movie, we see how powerful it is when this group of kids get together because of a common interest.  

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.  A deep sense of awe came over them all, and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. 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— all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people.” [ACTS 2:42-47a]

“It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a
helper who is just right for him.” [Genesis 2:18]

“And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.” [Acts 2:47b]

“Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” [Matthew 28:18-20]
COMMUNITY DIRECTS YOUR LIFE

“Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” [Proverbs 13:20]

“And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour? For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you. And what value was there in fighting wild beasts—those people of Ephesus —if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, “Let’s feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!” Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning.” [1 Corinthians 15:30-33]

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 2:42]

Spending time with people devoted to the same things leads to a life
moving forward, closer to who God wants us to be.

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. [2 Corinthians 4:8-10]

Your community propels you forward.

YOUR COMMUNITY IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

God has made it part of our job description. It’s not optional.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ
loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body. As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. [Ephesians 5:25-32]

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. [Romans 12:4-5]

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to
display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and
authorities in the heavenly places. [Ephesians 3:10]

Why Church Matters by Joshua Harris – “The church community is where we learn to love God and others, where we are strengthened and transformed by truth from the Word; where we’re taught to pray, to worship, and to serve; where we can be most certain that we’re investing our time and abilities for eternity; where we can grow in our roles as friends, sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers. The church is earth’s single best place – God’s specially designed place – to start over, to grow, and to change for the glory of God.”

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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?