Stronger Together

Outline for Sunday Morning, January 3, 2020.

Even though it looked rough at times, God brought us through 2020 and into 2021. Now we must take stock of the things we learned in 2020, use the HINDSIGHT 20/20 and move forward into 2021 (Twenty-Twenty First) and realize that God is still God and is still a prayer working God!!!

We need each other, now more than ever before. On the news, all we hear is “listen to the science”  or “follow the science”; ok let’s do that. The science shows that a baby when born NEEDS and WANTS human touch and affection. This is the same for new Christians, they need others around them. As a person grows older, we find that money hasn’t bought happiness, we need human touch and affection. This is the same as the Christian grown, they need others around them.

This morning, I want to look into the Word of God and give us some reasons to get connected and stay connected with our Church Family in 2021 and show that we are STRONGER TOGETHER:

John 10:16 ESV

And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

1. We are called sheep and sheep do not dwell alone. Sheep dwell in flocks, under a shepherd.
2. Jesus Christ is that Good Shepherd:
3. Jesus knows His Sheep and they know Him. There is an intimate knowledge between Jesus and His Sheep.
4. Jesus knows the Father, the Owner of the Sheep.
5. Jesus will die for the sheep. Jesus will not flee when the enemy of the sheep comes.
6. Jesus worked to enlarge the fold.
7. One Flock One God One Jesus; here at CV, we are ONE Church that Worships ONE God and serves ONE Jesus. We are ONE Church Family.

 

Ephesians 1:23 ESV

which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

1. The gathered church is the BODY of Christ. One way to love Christ is to love His Body (The Church).
2. The church is called to be the Body of Christ. Christ needs the church and the church need Christ.
3. Christ needs the church to do the Work of the Father; if some in the Body of Christ are not going to do the Will of the Father, God will find someone who will and place them in that part of the Body.
4. We all, as part of the Body of Christ, part of the Church, have a function; what are you going to do in 2021 to fulfill that function?

 

Romans 12:4–5 ESV

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1. The gifts and the calling of God are meant to function in the gathered assembly of His Church. To function as a Christian, you must be connected to His Church.
2. If one part of the Body of Christ, the Church, thinks he is above the function he has been given, thinks highly of himself, God will remove that person.
3. We are to walk humbly before God and others in the Body of Christ, the Church:
4. What we are and what we have comes from God. God has given to every person the measure of faith.
5. God gifts to every person, not to just one person nor just to a few persons.
6. Genuine believers are one body in Christ.

 

1 Corinthians 12:20–26 ESV

As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1. A Body part cannot survive separated from the Body. A hand is useless disconnected from the arm.
2. Every member of the church is very important:
3. Each member is necessary.
4. Each member has an essential function.
5. Each member is set “in the body” as God wills.
6. Each member is distinct, but as part of the body, each member is STRONGER TOGETHER in the body.

 

Matthew 18:20 ESV

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”

1. Jesus promises a special presence when we gather in His name.
2. This passage is talking about correction and the power of united prayer.
3. Two things are absolutely essential to experience the power of united prayer:
4. “If two or three are gathered in my name” – the two must agree and be in complete accord.
5. “If two or three are gathered in my name” – the idea is close and intimate union with Christ.

 

1 Corinthians 11:12–27 ESV

for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered? Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God. But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.

1. There is a special intimacy that comes at Communion, an act only possible with the called out Body of Believers.
2. This passage refers to several items:
3. Relationship – essential partnership
4. Wisdom – common sense
5. Customs or Traditions

 

Matthew 18:19 ESV

Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.

1. Authority in prayer and over spiritual forces is promised most, not to the loner, but in the authority of believers coming together in agreement.
2. There must be unity in our prayers.