Better Together Series

Every member of the body plays a role in supporting the others.

III. We protect each other.

Part of the role of a relationship is to protect each other.

“And on a cold night, two under the same blanket can gain warmth from each other. But how can one be warm alone? A 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 4:11-12

There is strength in numbers.

No one likes to be in scary or dangerous situations alone. I remember being in downtown Los Angels and going out to do street ministry in teams. I made sure that I got my friend Michael, a former Army Ranger as my partner. Numbers offer a certain sense of security for us.

There are different types of protection.

There is physical protection.

There is an aspect of our lives where we are willing to give up ourselves in protection of someone else.

The other night, not long after we had gone to bed, Alana and I heard a loud bang in our house. I immediately shot out of bed and began to search the house to discover what was going on. Dads, isn’t that a natural reaction? Don’t we immediately determine to put ourselves in harms way instead of our children?

Physical sacrifice is an aspect of love.

“This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends.” John 15:13 (The Message)

There is moral protection.

Part of our role as fellow Christians is to help protect others from moral failure.

“Dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong.” Galatians 6:1 (Living)

The term we use to describe this type of love is accountability.

We need to have people in our lives who can ask us the hard questions. We need people who will point out areas of weakness and give us honest input into our lives.

“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” Ephesians 4:15 (NIV)

Men, the enemy of your soul is out to trap you. And if he cannot get you to turn your back on God, he will try to isolate you and tempt you to destroy your family. The greatest thing you can do to protect yourself is get other men involved in your life who can lovingly speak the truth of God into you.

I want to invite you to a men’s group that meets every Tuesday morning at Cracker Barrel in Stuart. We are there at 6:00 to share, talk and encourage each other in our walk with God.

As Christians we are in the greatest danger when we are isolated.

Conclusion: We are better together. We accomplish more than we ever dream or imagine when we stand alongside one another and build one another up. Today, will you commit to live your life in honest relationship with God and others? Will you Will you seek out honest relationships to encourage you, strengthen you and protect you?