We Are Abundant
Community of Purpose
Pastor Jared Nieman
January 12, 2022
  • As we enter 2022, we felt impressed to talk about some of our beliefs as a church community.
    • We are a House of God, and like every house, we are built upon a foundation and on pillars!
    • John 10:10 I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly!
      • Original vision – “Teach my children how to live the abundant life my Son Jesus came to give them!”
      • As we draw close to abundant conference, we want to prepare you spiritually so you can get the most out of conference!

  • One of our core values as a church is that We are a Community of Purpose!
    • We all need people. We need to trust, rely, build, and enjoy one another.
    • God gave us each other to walk alongside, to encourage, to help, and to strengthen each other.

  • As Christians, we are meant to live in church community for 2 reasons:
    1. To learn and to grow in our relationship with God so our faith develops
    2. To begin to build our lives connected to a community of like-minded people
  • ***The second reason is of equal importance to the first!

  • What does the Bible say about community?

  1. Community is the heartbeat of God!
    • God is all about people – saving them, loving them, building them, helping them.
      • He does this through His church.
      • It is Community (God’s Church) – where His eyes are and His heart is always
      • Jesus is building community in the earth through His church.
        • Matthew 16:18 You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.
  2. Community is the foundation for our God-given purpose.
    • Romans 12:4-5 In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we’re talking about is Christ’s body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body.

  3. Community provides strength and protection.
    • Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 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? 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
      • There are so many things trying to attack our lives. (people, ideas, trends, sickness, messages, etc)
      • Community helps us draw the line in the sand for our lives and offers support and strength to stand strong and guard our hearts
      • Psalm 92:13-14 Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God.They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,
  4. Community offers support in hard times and so you can land in victory.
    • Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”
      • In hard times, we need to run to community. We need to gather in His Name!
        • Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times,And a brother is born for adversity.
          • Community offers Pastors, prayer teams, outreach, connect groups, recovery, etc – all here to walk you THROUGH adversity to victory!

  5. Community becomes the FAMILY we need!
    • This begins with our adoption into His family and continues as we adopt one another.
      • Romans 8:14-19 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba,Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
        • I believe part of our inheritance as Children of God is the FAMILY we find in our community when we get planted, get connected, and live life together.

  • How important is Community today? More important than ever!
    • Hebrews 10:25 This is not the time to pull away and neglect meeting together, as some have formed the habit of doing. In fact, we should come together even more frequently, eager to encourage and urge each other onward as anticipate that day dawning.
      • The enemy has waged war on the church world-wide!
      • Why? Because He recognizes the power of community, as a whole in the earth as for your lives individually!

  • Abundant is your Community and We are a Community of Purpose!
    • At Abundant, we don’t just gather to gather!
    • We gather on purpose for a purpose!
    • And, you are invited; and I believe called to be a part of that Purpose!

  • What is our purpose?
    • To advance the Kingdom of God!
      • Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
    • To love people
      • Jesus commanded us to love others as He has loved us!
    • To help people
      • James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
        • As a community of purpose, we practice what we preach!
        • We are blessed to be a blessing

    • At Abundant, one of core values is Extreme Generosity!
      • What the world needs today is an extremely generous demonstration of the Goodness of God!
      • And that is who we are and what we do at Abundant!

  • To be salt and light in the earth
    • At Abundant, we are not trying to fit in or look like every other community people can get connected to.
    • We are meant to stand out, not fit in – to show people what the Abundant life looks like