The Blessing Of Relationships Series

The Blessing of Community

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; John 15:12-17

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Stepping into this world of unknowns fills us with both excitement and joy, yet also stirs a deep fear of isolation and potential suffering. We find comfort in life’s blessings—the celebrations of birthdays, family gatherings, new homes, and abundant meals. Yet, even with all the joys of this world, we remember that, according to Scripture, this place is not our true home (Hebrews 13:14). The world remains under the Curse and is decaying, as Romans 8:20-21 reminds us. Many have rejected the evidence of God’s eternal power and divine nature, revealed through creation’s beauty and order (Romans 1:20). Consequently, they’ve been handed over to depraved minds, following Satan, the prince of this world, and rejecting God’s children with hostility (John 15:18-19). Although we strive to put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20), we often find ourselves vulnerable to self-doubt, anxiety, and sorrow as we navigate life’s valleys. Today’s sermon is a call to recognize our need for God’s love and comfort, shared not only by Him but also among our families, friends, and church communities. We are not called to walk this Christian journey alone; we are called to walk it together.

God is Relational

In the opening verses of the Bible, we read, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). Through His spoken word, God brought forth light (1:3), formed the sky on the second day (1:6-8), and created dry land, seas, plants, and trees on the third day (1:9-13). On the fourth day, He placed the sun, moon, and stars in the sky (1:14-19), and on the fifth day, He filled the waters and skies with living creatures (1:20-23). On the sixth day, God brought forth animals and then declared, "Let us make mankind in our image" (1:26). Forming man from the dust, He breathed life into him but seeing that "it was not good for man to be alone," God created a "suitable helper" for him, forming woman from his rib as a companion and wife (Genesis 2:18-22). This creation story is a powerful reminder that relationships and companionship were integral to God’s design from the very beginning—our need for connection with others was always part of His divine plan.

This divine truth shines even more brightly in Jesus’ final testimony before the cross. When God said, "Let us make mankind in our image," He revealed the eternal communion of the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit—a unity we call the Trinity. In John 17, Jesus states, “All I have is Yours, and all You have is mine” (v.10), emphasizing that they share all things in complete unity. Their wills, actions, and purpose have always been perfectly in sync, free of any division or strife, bound by perfect love and harmony. In His final prayer, Jesus extended this divine unity to believers, asking that they be included in this holy relationship. Just as God is united within Himself, He calls us to a similar unity within His body, the church. Aware that the Devil would "prowl around like a roaring lion" to harm God’s people, Jesus prayed for the Father’s protection over them, securing them with "the power of His name" (John 17:11). Imagine—the same power that spoke creation into existence now guards us, His children! This protection is received not only by joining in the Trinity’s fellowship and being “sanctified by the truth” but also by uniting with other believers (John 17:11). Christians are called to be one body, for we share "one hope when [we] were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and in all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). So, we rejoice, knowing that even as we walk through dark valleys of trials and tribulations, we are led by our Good Shepherd and strengthened by one another in unity.

Reflection. Imagine going to a funeral, getting bad news from a doctor, facing bankruptcy, or loosing one’s job without the tender loving care and support of both the Good Shepherd and His sheep! Living in a broken and decaying world with joy within one’s heart is far from easy! We are not meant to carry the burdens life throws our way alone. We are truly blessed to have continual access to God’s throne of grace and the invitation to trade yokes with Jesus, who offers us a burden that is light! Let us remember to lean on one another, as well as on Christ, who carries us through life’s heaviest trials.

Relations Help us Bear our Burdens

As we seek to live faithfully in a world that often feels distant from our true home, we rely not only on God's love but also on the strength of community to bear the weight of life’s trials. When Paul exhorts the Galatians to fulfill the "law of Christ" by carrying each other's burdens (Galatians 6:2), we see this principle echoed throughout Scripture. Moses, overwhelmed with the task of judging Israel alone, heeded his father-in-law’s advice to appoint trustworthy men to share the load (Exodus 18:13-27). Similarly, in the story of the Good Samaritan, it is an unlikely helper—a Samaritan—who stops to care for an injured man, reminding us that compassion transcends social and cultural boundaries (Luke 10:25-37). Nehemiah inspired unity among the people, encouraging families, priests, nobles, and tradesmen to rebuild Jerusalem’s walls together, relying on each other’s strength and God’s protection. And even as Naomi felt hopeless after losing her sons, her daughter-in-law Ruth showed unwavering loyalty and love, choosing to stay by her side. These stories reveal that, driven by love for God and others, we are called to lift each other up, knowing that God’s comfort flows through our acts of kindness and support.