LIFE-GIVING TOGETHER
We learned last week that God is a relational God living in the triune community, and we are created in His image; therefore, we are relational beings. When we put our faith in Christ, we become children of God and belong to the family of God. We are meant to be together in a loving, incarnational community. Since we are God’s children and God’s Spirit dwells in us Godly community should be life-giving because God gave us life, breath, His presence, His Spirit, His love, His Word, His strength, and His Son; therefore, we are meant to be life-givers too. We ought to be careful to value and show love to one another since we belong to God and His family.
Main Scriptures: ACTS 2:42-47 (and various scriptures below)
Notes:
What do I mean by life-giving community?
Let me utilize Acts 2:42-47 to give you a quick, zoomed-out eye view of what a life-giving community looks like, and then I’ll zoom into the more nitty-gritty of life together.
Devoted to God, centered around Christ.
Devoted and generous to one another
Seeking the lost and ready to care for new believers
A life-giving community is fueled by THE LIFE of Christ in them. God has placed us in community so we can express His love and faithfulness to one another.
Zooming in…
Available and Present
Life-giving marriages, friendships, families, and churches are available and present. We need each other…
Consider the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes shows us the value and strength of not doing life alone, but having faithful spouses, friends, family, and a church that is available and present for one another. Our scripture reveals that in community, we are more productive. We have help when we get knocked down by the weight or harm of life. We are comforted when things get painful or uncomfortable. We have protection and someone to look out for us. We are even stronger in groups of three or more!
The basic expectation of any life-giving relationship is the availability and presence of another person. Therefore, the absence of a life-giving person can be detrimental.
God is omnipresent and always available to us through the Holy Spirit dwelling within us. And God is specifically available to us through prayer. We are not omnipresent; we can’t be everywhere, all the time. We should be present to our spouses, kids, friends, church family, neighbors, etc., but of course, this comes with boundaries and limitations.
If someone wants your attention and presence all the time, this is putting you at the level of God, which you are not, and reveals their inappropriate high view of you and concerning low view of God.
Over the years, people have reached out to me for support while I’m on vacation or in a long day of meetings. I will reach out to them when I return or later that day, and I find out God has already helped them. I always take time to celebrate that and encourage them to keep seeking God above me.
Loving and Selfless
Life-giving marriages, friendships, families, and churches are loving and selfless.
1 John 3:16-18 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
Romans 12:13 When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Epaphroditus - Philippians 2:25-30 Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. 26 I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. 27 And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another. 28 So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. 29 Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. 30 For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
Love is sacrificial in that it doesn’t seek its own interests, but seeks to meet the interests and needs of others. A healthy marriage is when the husband and wife love one another with service and sacrifice, going above and beyond for one another. There isn’t a deficit of love on either side because they are intentionally loving and care for one another. A healthy friendship isn’t one side takes and the other always gives, but there is a mutual interest in one another’s day and burdens, and so you care for one another. A healthy church is when everyone is giving of their time, talents, and tithes, and not just 10 or 20 percent of the church membership. Serve teams are full of volunteers, souls are being reached, and the bills, repairs, and kingdom-building projects are completed because all are devoted, not just a small percentage.
Honoring and Encouraging One Another
Life-giving marriages, friendships, families, and churches honor and encourage one another. In other words, speak life to one another…
Romans 12:10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
To honor one another means to show great respect and appreciation for one another. You can show appreciation verbally, in writing, or gifts. Giving quality time and our undivided attention is also a special way to show honor and make them feel important and special.
Similar to this is the life-giving act of encouraging one another.
Proverbs 12:25 Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
It’s so easy to see and point out negative things. We need to do better at recognizing and then expressing honor, compliments, gratitude, and encouragement in all circles of community (marriages, families, friends, and the church). We can lift one’s soul and spirit and bring joy in minutes.
Faithful, Dependable, and Reliable
Life-giving marriages, friendships, families, and churches are faithful, dependable, and reliable. God is faithful, dependable, and reliable; may we do our best to be the same.
Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
Ruth 1:15-18 “Look,” Naomi said to her, “your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods. You should do the same.” 16 But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. 17 Wherever you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us!” 18 When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.
Paul’s co-workers, Timothy - Philippians 2:19-24 If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. 20 I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. 21 All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. 22 But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. 23 I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. 24 And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Let me encourage us all to let your yes be yes and your no be no. James 5:12; Matt. 5:37 Teaches us not to swear as if to force yourself to follow through with your yes, instead, be a person of integrity and let your Yes be Yes or No be No. Sometimes it’s best not to promise anything. Being dependable and reliable is having integrity to fulfill your yes, so you don’t need to swear in the first place. The opposite of dependable is unreliable and unpredictable. This can range from not coming or following through, not communicating back, not showing up, constantly being late, or someone who goes back and forth.
Loyal, Trustworthy, and Honest
Life-giving marriages, friendships, families, and churches are loyal, trustworthy, and honest.
Proverbs 18:24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.
Proverbs 26:20 Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases.
Proverbs 11:13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
Proverbs 20:19 He who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid the one who babbles with his lips.
A secret that is destructive and hurtful should not be covered up. You should encourage that person to tell the truth or come clean and confess what is going on. Make things right. A true friend wouldn’t put someone in this position…
Colossians 3:9-10 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Lying is a quick way to damage trust in any relationship. Gossip also damages trust because if they gossip in front of you, how do you know they don’t gossip about you when you’re not around? This type of behavior is not honoring and encouraging others.
We’re called to give the love and faithfulness God has shown to us into our circles of community. There are dozens of qualities I did not mention that I would call life-giving or godly community. I pray that we will continue to learn and grow in these qualities with our relationships at home, with our friends, in our church, and our community.
Discussion
What is one thing from the message that resonated with you?
What does a life-giving community mean according to the sermon, and what would you add?
What’s one way you can apply this message to your marriage?
What’s one way you can apply this message to your friendships?
What’s one way you can apply this message to church life?
What is one way you can “give up your life” for someone this week?
What additional notes did you make during the sermon?
What can we pray for regarding the sermon? Do you have any prayer needs?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life, we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready, say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!