Introduction

Good morning, dear friends! As we gather here today in the house of the Lord, let us remember that we are not solitary Christians - we are a community, a family, bound together by the love of Christ. Today, we are going to discuss how this divine design is not an accident, but a purposeful plan from our Creator.

Opening Scripture Reading – Our guide for today's sermon is found in the book of Romans, chapter 15, verses 5-7, and Hebrews 10, verses 24-25. The words of the Apostle Paul in Romans read, "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." And in Hebrews, we find, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

These verses remind us of the beauty of our faith, not just as individuals, but as a collective body of believers. We are designed for dependence on one another, we have a duty to disciple each other, and we are a part of the dynamic divine community.

Designed for Dependence

As we continue our discussion today, let's remember that we are part of a divine community. This isn't just a random gathering of individuals. No, we are a body of believers, intricately woven together by our Creator. We are designed to lean on each other, to support each other, to depend on each other.

A. Now, let's take a moment to think about that word - depend. It's a powerful word, isn't it? It implies a certain level of trust, a certain level of vulnerability. It means that we are not self-sufficient, that we need others. And that's not a bad thing. In fact, it's a beautiful thing. It's a reflection of our Creator's design.

God didn't create us to be lone wolves, to go through life alone. He created us for community. He created us to be interdependent, to rely on each other. This is evident in the way He designed the body of Christ. Each of us has a unique role to play, a unique gift to offer. We are not all the same, and that's a good thing. It's a divine thing.

Think about it. If we were all the same, if we all had the same gifts, the body of Christ would be incomplete. We wouldn't be able to function properly. But because we are different, because we each bring something unique to the table, we are able to complement each other. We are able to fill in the gaps for each other. We are able to depend on each other.

B. Now, this dependence isn't a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. It's a sign of unity. It's a sign of love. When we depend on each other, when we lean on each other, we are living out the love of Christ. We are embodying the unity that He prayed for in John 17. We are fulfilling His command to love one another as He has loved us.

C. But this dependence isn't just about us. It's also about God. When we depend on each other, we are acknowledging our dependence on Him. We are recognizing that we are not self-sufficient, that we need His grace, His strength, His love. We are recognizing that He is the source of all good things, that every good and perfect gift comes from Him.

So, as we continue to reflect on our role in the divine community, let's remember that we are designed for dependence. Let's embrace our need for each other. Let's celebrate our differences. Let's lean on each other, support each other, love each other. Because that's what we were created to do. That's what it means to be a part of the body of Christ.

Duty to Disciple

As we move into the duty to disciple, let's remember that we are not just dependent on one another, but also entrusted with the sacred duty to disciple each other ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO