Connecting With Community Provides Hope Series

As we build up the community of Christ – our own hope increases. Paul said, “we tried very hard to come back because of our intense longing to see you again”

You and I have got to follow that “intense longing” for community that God put in our hearts. Invest your efforts spending time building the community of Christ followers and you will see the hope of others and your own hope increased!

The second habit I need to get into in order to build my hope, as seen in our Scripture text, is this:

HABIT #2: NOT GIVING UP ON COMMUNITY THOUGH SATAN OPPOSES ME.

The way that community is tied to hope is so very important that it carries great weight in the spiritual world!

What the Bible says in verse 18 is very insightful.

We wanted very much to come to you, and I, Paul, tried again and again, but Satan prevented us. 1 Thessalonians 2:18 (NLT) (Circle that phrase, “but Satan prevented us.”)

Satan knows how very powerful community is to your hope. Have you ever wondered why Satan battles you about coming to church? He knows the greater your connection with the body of Christ the greater your hope! So he constantly throws obstacles into the road to try and keep you from sharing the hope of community. He’ll tell you any lie he can to keep you out of church on Sunday or Wednesday or to keep you from starting or joining or participating in a small group. He’ll do anything to keep you from inviting others to your home or accepting their invitations, or being involved with others socially in Christian community.

He has various tricks. His biggest deception tool is flat out lies. Satan will tell you every lie in the book to get you to slowly pull away from other Christ followers. He wants nothing more than to see you disconnected from Christian community. Jesus said this about the devil:

“He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44b (NLT)

Satan tells lies to disturb the peace between believers. He lies and tells you that you can’t get along with others. He convinces you that others don’t really love you, that they have it in for you, that they don’t want you around. He lies and tells you that you need to go to another church where people aren’t so messed up. Do you know what’s wrong with that lie? All churches are made up of imperfect people.

He tells you that other people are weird and they say hurtful things and they do hurtful things and you just need to slink into your own little cocoon and protect yourself from getting your feelings hurt. “I don’t want to go to church today. Someone might snub me or ignore me or someone might embarrass me.

Let me tell you where that stinkin’ thinkin’ comes from. He has various names: Lucifer. Beelzebub. Satan. The devil. He will do anything and everything to cool our love for others. He tries all the time to break up the unity of the family of God. That’s why the Bible gives us this responsibility.

Work hard to live together as one by the help of the Holy Spirit. Then there will be peace. Ephesians 4:3 (NLV) Circle those two words, “Work hard.”