This story was related by Donald Grey Barnhouse. Several years ago, two students graduated from the Chicago-Kent College of Law. The highest ranking student in the class was a blind man named Overton and, when he received his honor, he insisted that half the credit should go to his friend, Kaspryzak. They had met one another in school when the armless Mr. Kaspryzak had guided the blind Mr. Overton down a flight of stairs. This acquaintance ripened into friendship and a beautiful example of interdependence. The blind man carried the books which the armless man read aloud in their common study, and thus the individual deficiency of each was compensated for by the other. After their graduation, they planned to practice law together. No believer is complete by himself, we are to minister to one another, as a family. (Source unknown).
Secret #10 - Abundant life is found in Community -
Christianity is meant to be lived in Community. There are no “Lone Rangers” in the Kingdom of God.
Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. The idea of Community flows like a river, throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
• It starts in Eden, when God says “It’s not good for man to be alone…”
• It follows in the preservation of Israel. Israel was preserved as a Nation.
*The feasts and fasts, celebrations, and sacrifices all revolved around bringing the people together in one place - preserving the unity of the Nation.
• In the New Testament when Jesus prepares His disciples for going out in ministry He pairs them up.
• Each time the Apostle Paul heads out on a missionary journey - he teams up with others to make the journey.
God designed us to work together in community and that community is the local church. When we look around or county we see so much contempt in churches, today, The number one reason for this is, the enemy works overtime to keep Christians upset with one another.
That is why people make accusations about the church and her members.
This statement is not pretty and it may seem hurtful but it is so true…“Most people who refuse enter the church won’t enter it NOT because of who Christ is but because of who we are…
All the enemy needs to do is keep us out of fellowship with other believers and he can keep us from the abundance that God has designed for us.
I talk to people all the time that say they will never again step foot back in any church. They watch TV preachers, they call me or send a message on our prayer group on “Face Book” they even send their tithes to us or some other church. They say they are happy but they are not living the abundant life God designed for them.
Reaching the abundant life that God wants for you is difficult enough but it is nearly impossible outside of fellowship with the local church.
Here’s why:
1. There is accountability in a Community:
It is in the local body of believers that we find accountability and challenge for our spiritual walk. King Solomon, known as the wisest man who ever lived, wrote in
Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.”
Paul tells us in: Galatians 6:1-2 - “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.”
One of the missing keys in the church today is accountability. Knowing if you get off track someone will come alongside to help you with your Theology, lifestyle, integrity. Not as disciplinarian but as brothers and sisters.
2. We find encouragement in a Community:
When we come into community we find encouragement to weather the difficulties of walking a Christian walk. This life we live is no bed of roses, and it’s in community with other believers that we find the encouragement we need to weather the storm. We pray with each other, counsel each other, comfort each other and challenge each other. The writer of Hebrews encourages us with these words. Hebrews 10:24-25 “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.”
3. We find Passion in a Community: Acts 2:46-47 - “Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
When we worship together we find the passion of our belief - the energy for service - and the strength to get it done. Through our worship together we find an enthusiasm for ministry that helps us live this life. Small groups, Christian friends, worship services, all help to fill our hearts with the passion to carry on.
4. In a Community we find our place of Service: I Cor 12:4-7 - “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”
Each one of us, at the moment of salvation, has been given something called spiritual gifts that when used will make this community complete.
You will never find abundance until you find your place of service.
Jesus said to His disciples after washing their feet at the last supper in John 13: 13-15 “You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. 14“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15“For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.”
Christianity can be found outside of the Christian community but the abundant life in Christ cannot be found outside of regular fellowship with other believers.
The world is conspiring against you - the enemy is battling on every front - it is in our community that we find the strength to fight the battle day by day.
Adapted from a sermon by Dan Cale
