Series; Vital Connections
Connecting to Community
Introduction-
Hebrews 10:25- (NIV)
“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
(KJV) Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
This morning I would like to talk about vital connections in our life.
Connections being defined as things that are important to us.
Our families, our church and most important our relationship with God.
We live in a society that does not encourage connection. In fact, society encourages separation and isolation to freely do, say, act, and think anyway you want.
I want you to understand that there are 2 important connections that you must make in your life.
Most important, your relationship and connection with the Lord.
The second is your church family and your church. By design if these relationships are in right perspective, other relationships in your life will be in place.
We are coming out of a long winter (say Amen)
Isolation because of weather.
We are forced to slow down because of conditions beyond our control.
Why do most people look forward to spring?
Because it is a fresh start. A time to get out of routine and do something different. Spring is a time of new life!
I am going to stretch you a little bit this morning.
Relationship with the Lord is offered to each and every one of us, but it doesn’t come easy for us.
The church designed by God, blessed by Jesus is complicated because there is our idea of church and God’s idea of church.
We struggle to do things God’s way.
Our idea of Church
A place where good people come to hear a message from their pastor.
When all is said and done, we want to feel good and be happy until the next time we come in.
we expect someone (not us) to maintain, teach, support, and encourage us.
We expect a card when we don’t show up and a happy face when we do show up.
God’s idea of church-
Place of Redemption – A place where sinners can come and find that relationship with God that they are searching for.
Place of Discipleship- People from all walks of life at different levels of relationship with God can come a learn the things of God and allow God to change what is needed in their life.
Place of Commitment- A place where the people of God commit to the Lord and each other.
Place of Service- The Lord teaches, equips believers for service. We must realize that everyone of us plays a part in the kingdom of God.
Redemption, Discipleship, commitment, Service.
To most church is a building.
A place you come, but if you are really going to connect with the Lord, the church becomes an extension of our relationship with the Lord.
To most a relationship with the Lord is distant. It is purposefully kept at a distant as to not interrupt lifestyle or cause change.
So how do we have connection with God and Church?
What is expected after the connection?
(Show fingers together)
Connections are made between two connectors. If the two connectors aren’t tight, the connection is not tight.
One connector is the power source and one connector is the conduit connector that carries the power source for a special task.
So let’s start with our relationship with Christ
If the connection is to work;
Jesus is the power source and we are the conduit that He works through.
We are the redeemed and He is the redeemer. He don’t need saving, we do.
The power of God is supplied and is not stored. Meaning that we cannot survive on our own strength or power.
We must work on and maintain our connection or relationship with God.
Jesus desires a relationship
Rev. 3:20- “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.”
Jesus makes provision for a relationship
Romans 6:23- “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 1:8- “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
James 4:7- “Summit yourselves, then, to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded.”
John 3:16-
“For God so love the world that he gave his only Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Relationship was started by God. His love is for each one of us. The relationship grows stronger as we get plugged into God and we trust and depend on Him.
The biggest challenge of pastors in America today is convincing the church that they must have a active relationship with God and that everyone that professes Christ has to be about winning the lost to Christ. Other countries around the world do not struggle with that as much as the blessed nation of America. They get it! They experience the love of God and understand it comes with a cost of sacrifice.
“The experts” tell people that they don’t need God or that a casual relationship with God is accept able and enough. There is only one expert that I trust my soul too this morning, and His name is Jesus Christ. My redeemer and my Savior!
Experts said;
1899 that everything that can be invented has been invented already.
1927- “Who in the world would want to watch talking movies.”
1895 “heavier than air flying machines are impossible.”
Told Henry Ford that the car is a novelty, but the horse is here to stay.
Experts that don’t know God cannot connect with God. They cannot discuss relationship with a God that they do not know. (look like idiots)
They fail to understand the heart of God.
They fail to understand the life of Christ.
To them this book (Bible) is just words, but to those that know Christ it is life! It is a relationship that you would not trade for anything of this world.
Experts say that “it cannot be done”- you cannot know God.
Same experts that said that a train traveling at a frightening speed of 15 miles per hour would cause blood to come out of people’s noses and we would suffocate going into tunnels.
With God – “All things are possible”
Now let’s take a minute and look at the church
The churches in America instead of being a healing place and a place of ministry have become a Smorgasboard of information. There is nothing wrong with large churches and there is nowhere is scripture that says small churches are ineffective or doing something wrong. We are comparing ourselves to each other instead of making sure that we are doing what God has called us to do. Nowhere does Jesus tell his disciples to go off in a corner and study his word and come to the temple once in a while to hear a sermon and be energized.
He told his disciples to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” Your world may be the man at the grocery store, or your neighbor, but each and every one of us has been instructed to go.
If nothing is happening in church, we need to take a look to make sure we are wanting God to do something amazing and we are coming into His presence anticipating His anointing to speak to us.
Connecting with God and church we must understand the authority that Jesus has given His church. The church is not a building (that is a dwelling place) the church is each one of us.
Illustration
"Jesus was never interested in having fans. When he defines what kind of relationship he wants, "Enthusiastic Admirer" isn’t an option. My concern is that many of our churches in America have gone from being sanctuaries to becoming stadiums. And every week all the fans come to the stadium where they cheer for Jesus but have no interest in truly following him. The biggest threat to the church today is fans who call themselves Christians but aren’t actually interested in following Christ. They want to be close enough to Jesus to get all the benefits, but not so close that it requires anything from them." Kyle Idleman "Not a Fan" p. 25
I am winding down, hang in there- we talk about community, but to have community it takes you being involved.
You being involved with an active relationship with the Lord.
You being involved in a relationship with the Lord, you will be involved and loving your church family.
You love God, you love your church family, you have a Godly love for those in your community that are lost and need Jesus.
If our relationship with God is not right, all the rest will be affected.
You cannot love God and not want to be involved with the people that God loves.
As we close, think about this- We are designed to have an intimate relationship with our creator. The Lord has instituted the church to help us grow in that relationship and provide a place for those that are searching for that relationship to find it. As we grow, we are to have a hunger to show others the love of God and build the kingdom of God. It takes each one of us doing our part.
Amen.
