A Cord of 3 Strands is Not Easily Broken
I have seen God supernaturally bring a team of individuals together to start a church community. And wow. Can I tell you how beautiful it was when we were all leveraging our gifts and talents that God gave us to fulfill why he called us there in the first place? It’s truly amazing and something I know God wants, not only everyone to experience, but to live out constantly.
I have been thinking about this very topic for quite some time as I have found myself connected to community, but not fully invested or leveraging my gifts to really pursue my calling. What am I missing? Have I pulled away because of discouragement? Is it the age group I am now in? Is it where I live? Is it me? Is it a lack of commitment? The questions are endless and mostly left unanswered, as I know everyone craves community and needs friends, but our busy lives leave us not truly investing in others. Often times we drop of out bible studies and pull back in different seasons to isolate ourselves. We have a lot of obligations and excuses to not connect to a life-giving community and really experience all God has for us in it.
I have felt really blessed to be a part of several life teams that have seen my gifts, called them out in me, and encouraged me every step of the way into what God has for me. We prayed together, lived life together, fought for one another, cried together, laughed together, adventured together, lived life on mission all while keeping our focus on Jesus as we loved our community and told them about His great love.
We were walking in the same direction. We got real with one another and saw each other's flaws and loved each other all the more. We became family and I truly experienced what it was like to be adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven and gain mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters. From all around the world, at that. What a gift from our Father to live in community with one another.
Together we learn how to praise and experience God in new ways, watch closed doors open, receive fresh vision, serve in new capacities, get pushed to be uncomfortable, and stand together in awe of what God can do through one another. Is it messy? Yes, of course it is. Isn't family messy at times though?
Jesus calls us to community and scripture shows why it is so beneficial. I want to highlight Acts 2:42-47, because I love what a community of people who love and fear the Lord can do and look like when united in one common purpose.
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
So, what does it look like to build a support structure and leverage your community as you pursue calling? Acts gives us the ingredients above.
They all chose and wanted to be there. They were intentional in everything they did.
They devoted themselves to hearing the life-giving message of Jesus and they did it in community where they could safely ask questions and grow in deepening their relationship with Jesus. They were able to hear the word of God and see it played out in community.
They were filled with awe. Their labors were not fruitless. They were experiencing the Lord do miracles as a community and praising Him for it!
They had everything in common. Meaning they knew their purpose as a community and were walking in it. They were of one mind and one body, each using their gifts for the whole.
They were generous and meeting the needs of their community. They gave out of an overflow. For God loves a cheerful giver.
Everyday. Every day, they met together. They met to praise and worship God together. They fellowshipped together and were able to gain fresh perspective because they chose to put God first as a community.
They ate together. They did life together! They enjoyed each other's company and laughed together. They had genuine friendship and relationship with one another.
They celebrated each other's wins daily and rested knowing they were favored by the Lord. They were speaking life over one another and calling out God’s purpose in each one of their lives and as a community. I imagine them saying, “Look, look what all God has done in and through us! How highly favored we are!”
Wow, and the Lord added to their numbers daily. Why? Because they looked different! Why? Because they were pursuing the Lord and were intentional with one another. Out of the early church’s overflow, people came in droves because they never knew life could be so vibrant, so full of purpose. They didn’t know Jesus, but when they met this community all they could see was him and fell in love with their Savior. We should see people coming to meet their Savior in our communities. If we are not, we are doing something wrong.
Community is a blessing and gift from God. It is for you and will benefit you. So, I encourage you to fight for your community or get involved in one if you are not in one. It will be messy, but God promises always stand true and you will gain brothers, mothers, sisters, and fathers. You will gain much more than you could ever lose.
Scripture References for Community
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4-8-10
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. Hebrews 10:24-25
So, in Christ we though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:5
For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18:20
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Carry each other's burdens, an in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be on division among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 1 Corintians 1:10
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12