Week 2 – Jeff Maness – January 19, 2020
No one is meant to live life in isolation. This is never more true than for those who believe in Christ. The reality is, you can survive without being connected, but you’ll never have the strength you need.
20/20: Community
“If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” – Zig Ziglar
Theme Scripture: Psalm 92:12-15 12 But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. 13 For they (the godly) are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. 14 Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. 15 They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”
Vision: We exist to guide people to experience life to its fullest, connect into meaningful relationships, and make a lasting impact.
Better Together — We become the most like Christ when we are connected together through Christ.
Romans 12:4-5 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ’s body (The Church). We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
Big Idea: You can survive without being connected, but you’ll struggle to have the strength you need.
Big Question: How does connection make me strong?
Main Scripture: Galatians 6:1-3
Galatians 6:1 1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.
1. In connection there should be safety
1 Peter 5:8 8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. I have been kept unharmed, like a green and flourishing tree – a tree protected in the very courts of God (The Church) – safe under the care and the eye of God. — Albert Barnes
Galatians 6:2 2 Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
“The Lord’s own house” refers to the Church. The godly are planted and fixed there, and incorporated with His people. Like the trees mentioned in verse 12, they shall remain green, extend their cooling shade, refresh many by their sweet and nourishing fruit, or support and adorn others by their useful qualities, and increase continually in grace and goodness. — Benson Commentary
2. In connection there should be support
You’re only as strong as you are honest. — Pastor Craig Groeschel
Romans 12:9a 9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them.
3. In connection there should be service
Galatians 6:3 3 If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
Philippians 2:6-11 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave (servant) and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Mark 10:45 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download