Out Of Step: Embracing The Power of Community
Pastor Peter Gowesky
DISCIPLINE= THE ART OF MAKING
DISCIPLINE WITHOUT DESIRE IS DRUDGERY.
COMMUNITY.
18 The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” —Genesis 2:18
PT. 1 YOU WERE
7 I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. 8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. —Ecclesiastes 4:7-8
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. —Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
PT. 2 COMMUNITY MAKES YOU STRONGER
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2
17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. —Proverbs 27:17
PT. 3 COMMUNITY SHAPES YOUR LIFE.
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. 25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. —Hebrews 10:24-25
PT. 4 COMMUNITY KEEPS YOU ACCOUNTABLE TO GROWTH.
BIBLICAL ACCOUNTABILITY = GIVING AN ACCOUNT ACCORDING TO THE CLEAR STANDARD OF GOD’S WORD IN THE CONTEXT OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.
THE COMMUNITY YOU DEVELOP TODAY WILL DETERMINE THE STORIES YOU TALK ABOUT TOMORROW.