StandAlone

35 INTRO

Travis - Connections Pastor Message - StandAlone

We celebrate the “self-made man or woman”.

We encourage and celebrate our ability to StandAlone

We emphasize individual effort and accomplishment

Chiefs V Bucs Superbowl > Tom Brady VS Patrick Mahomes as if it were a 1:1 boxing match, not a 53-man roster vs 53-man roster

Even in boxing or MMA, it is never truly 1 v 1. “The Corner” matters significantly.

The people in the corner provide strategic advice, manage cuts and swelling, ensure hydration and nutrition, offer mental support, maintain equipment, and make crucial decisions like stopping the fight when necessary. They are also responsible for analyzing the fight, assessing the opponent's weaknesses, and helping the fighter adjust their game plan between rounds. 

I don’t know about you, but when it comes to the battles I fight, I want some people in my corner. I need a corner.

I lose when it is Travis VS the world

And yet, many christians try to StandAlone

I have been guilty at times of trying to and priding myself on StandingAlone

But A StandAlone Christian is an oxymoron

But Travis that is why I go to church, so I can have community and therefore not standalone.

This is going to be ironic coming from the connections pastor but lets dive into this word community for a moment

Community

A group of people that live in close proximity to each other. This includes their land, social institutions, resources, and community institutions.

Now lets compare that to a “churchy” word that has been used less and less in Church.

“Fellowship”. Ill be the first to admit that I exchanged the word “fellowship” with “community” because community is less churchy and more modern, but throughout my study this week I stumbled on a definition that challenged me.

Fellowship

is participation, sharing, and communion around the embrace of the gospel by the people of God.

While you could make an argument that I am just playing with the semantics of these words, for todays conversation, go with me.

Compare Them

Community is based on your proximity to people who share your interests.

Fellowship is based on the collective participation of God’s people with the Gospel.

We love the community of TimberCreek. We love the communities of Monument, Co Springs, etc. Maybe you are a part of a Mom’s facebook group, or a country club, or scouts, or a business cohort, etc. Those are communities and community is a good thing, but…

We can be a community without fellowship

Tying this back to the boxing analogy, a community could be fellow fighters in this game of life or it could be fans or followers. But you fellowship with those in your “corner”

Oftentimes we have“community” but no “corner”.

We can standalone in community together. We could be a community of “StandAlone Christians”.

We have to let people within this community into our lives on a deep personal level

Having a corner is fellowship. It means you have invited people in to encourage, support, coach, correct, care, advise, fight alongside you.

Your community might watch you fight, but your corner is in the fight with you.

30 PRAY

Let’s look at some examples in scripture that could act as models for what it looks like to have people in your corner and to be in someones corner.

Paul & Timothy

Context

Paul: apostle, church planter, NT author

1st & 2nd Timothy: letters full of instruction and encouragement to Timothy

Timothy: Close companion and disciple of Paul. Leader in the early church. Pastor in Ephesus.

1 Timothy 4:11–16 ESV

Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.

“Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth”

Teach with authority

Speak and conduct yourself in such a way that your youth is not a hindrance to your teaching and example

“Do not neglect the gift you have”

Timothy is reminded of the occasion when he was anointed for ministry and is urged to take courage from it

Not to shy away from his calling or gifting but to embrace it

Not to “wait his turn” but to actively engage in the work of the Gospel, NOW

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching”

Paul is urging self-awareness of life and doctrine. The two things belong together. Right doctrine without a godly life is of no value; and a godly life without right doctrine is not possible.

Walk the walk and talk the talk and there will be fruit to show for it.

Paul saw something in Timothy maybe Timothy didn’t see in himself.

His encouragement reminded Timothy of his identity, legacy, and purpose.

Two obvious takeaways

For those that are older or more mature in faith, you need to be better with how you speak to and treat the younger generations and the newer believers

For those that are younger or newer to faith, you need to be better about receiving the challenge and instructions of the older generations and those that are further along in faith

Encouragement fans flames, criticism quenches them

1 - Who is your Paul?

For me, I feel blessed to have a big corner full of Pauls.

Whether it’s Matthew, Hinge, Dan, Josh, or others

processing scripture with me

texting me 1 Timothy 4 and other encouraging verses right when I need it

making themselves available to me as a safe place to process ministry, marriage, parenting

calling me to check in

reminding me of my purpose and identity

2 - Who is your Timothy?

Bree and I are leading the Young Adults group, not because we are perfect or have it all together but because we recognize that as so many are Paul to us, we need to be Paul to others.

Shameless plug, if you are 18-25, sign up for our group! We may not be Paul, but we want to be in your corner.

It is so much easier to go stand in someones corner when you know there are people in yours.

Don’t StandAlone. Get people in your corner. Don’t let others StandAlone. Get in their corner.

24 Jethro & Moses

Context

Moses is not a young man at this point

Moses just recently led the Israelites out of Egypt

Jethro is his Father-in-law

Exodus 18:13–24 ESV

The next day Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood around Moses from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he said, “What is this that you are doing for the people? Why do you sit alone, and all the people stand around you from morning till evening?” And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God; when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone. Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God, and you shall warn them about the statutes and the laws, and make them know the way in which they must walk and what they must do. Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. And let them judge the people at all times. Every great matter they shall bring to you, but any small matter they shall decide themselves. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear the burden with you. If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace.” So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

“Why do you sit alone?”

I love that Jethro asked before giving advice. We can be so quick, especially in church, to judge one another on our circumstances without context. We have to seek to understand before we seek to advise.

We do not see Jethro speaking poorly about his son-in-law behind his back. What would our families and churches look like if we were quick to support others to their face instead of criticizing others behind their back.

“What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.”

Genesis 2:18 “Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone….”” From the beginning we have been incapable of StandingAlone.

Jethro saw Moses burning out and offered practical, godly wisdom.

“You are not able to do it alone” was a statement of care, not condemnation.

His advice set up a leadership structure that supported Moses and served the people better.

“So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.”

Any In-Laws in the room?

Do not weaponize this against your Sons/Daughters-in-law

The takeaway is not that they should do whatever you say…

Notice Moses’ response. I don’t sense pride, I sense humility.

He didn’t take “You are not able to do it alone” as an insult or a challenge which oftentimes we do when others try to council us

How we choose to receive council is equally as important to how people choose to give council.

Godly council can create success, prideful judgment can prevent it

Who is your Jethro?

A lot of those guys I mentioned earlier also act as a Jethro for me, not just encouragement but council.

I can think of conversations with Patrick, Cleve, Ethan, where they have given me specific insight on how to do ministry better, not just being a better pastor, but doing ministry in a healthier way for me, my family, and those I lead.

How to be a better husband and father. How to take better care of myself.

You have to seek and receive Godly council. You can not do it alone.

Who is your Moses?

I love what God is doing in our Men’s & Women’s ministries. Kids & Student Ministries & Life Groups.

People intentionally pouring into one another. Stories from women’s retreat earlier this year where ladies were providing council to one another. Older moms counseling younger moms. Older wives counseling younger wives. Women giving other women career advice, financial wisdom, and so on.

I know the men’s retreat coming up next month is going to produce more of the same if we approach it as Jethro’s & Moses’

We have to pass on the wisdom that God has granted us with care. Don’t make people do it alone or judge them when they try. Ask questions, make yourself available and counsel them.

There is nothing more frustrating than “mature” believers berating new or “immature” believers for what they don’t know yet. Don’t be a judge, be a counselor.

If you never take them under your wing, don’t get mad when they can’t fly.

They don’t need to StandAlone in the ring of life, they need you in their corner.

Receive the counsel of your corner. Give caring counsel from the corner.

16 Nathan & David

Context

Nathan was as a prophet the spokesman of God at the royal court

King David had just gotten another mans wife pregnant and then had him killed

2 Samuel 12:1–13 ESV

And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other poor. The rich man had very many flocks and herds, but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms, and it was like a daughter to him. Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man’s lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” Then David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.” Nathan said to David, “You are the man! …Then Nathan Nathan proceeds to tell David the repercussions of His sin. ——- David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

“And the Lord sent Nathan to David”

“Nathan said to David, “You are the man””

First and foremost you need to recognize that God will send people in your life to be a Nathan, if you receive them. We should be grateful that God would do this out of his love for us.

The purpose of the parable was not only to induce David to condemn himself, but also to portray vividly the realities of the situation.

He pointed out how greedy David had been. In addition to his wives, he had apparently taken Saul’s concubines as a symbol that he had taken over royal control from Saul.

Nathan did not hold back. But Nathan was not a critic in the stands, he was a confidant in the corner.

David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.”

While Nathan had the authority to act as critic and judge of the king, he still had to make the choice to do so with courage.

David was king. He could’ve had Nathan killed.

David could have got mad or defensive. He could have tried to justify his actions.

But he didn’t. He received the rebuke and repented. We see that in Psalm 51, which we well get to in a few.

You may not like what your corner has to say, but you have to consider it.

Oftentimes we get mad at those who rebuke us not realizing that they are rebuking out of obedience to God. Their obedience to rebuke oftentimes precedes our obedience to repent.

The rebuke of a friend leads to repentance, the condemnation of an acquaintance results in offense.

Who is your Nathan?

We have to give authority to and encourage trustworthy people to call us out. Those in your corner are not only there for encouragement and counsel.

I am in a marriage group with husbands and wives where we separate for men’s and women’s discussions, guys you know who you are, be a Nathan for me, please.

Ian and I have had conversations where he has called me out, despite me being older, married longer, etc.. I need Him to say what needs to be said. I can think of conversations where I did not like what He said, but I needed to hear it nonetheless and in time have become grateful for his loving honesty

The strength of a king/queen is often linked to the courage of their counsel.

Who is your David?

For those who have entrusted us, we have to be willing to call out sin. A good cornerman calls out what is causing you to lose the fight.

Matt Ilten who is not here but I have his permission to share this, and I have had a rollercoaster of a friendship over the last 4 years. He was at my house one night till 1-2am asking for council, just to ignore it and essentially waste my time.

He wanted a Nathan but was not ready to be a David. And honestly I probably was not the best Nathan. Fast-forward 1yr, he calls me out of nowhere and says “you have authority to say what needs to be said and ill do whatever you say”

To which I told him “that is too much responsibility and pressure. Please do not blindly do whatever I say, but rather as I lovingly and truthfully share with you, I ask that you prayerfully consider what I am sharing”

What is interesting now years down the road, Matt is close friend and confidant and because of difference in our experiences and season of life, yeah more often than not I am Nathan and He is David, but as we both grow and mature there are increasing moments where he is like a Nathan for me.

We are in each other’s corner. He needs me to courageously and lovingly rebuke him, and I need the same in return.

Be obedient and repent in the ring. Be obedient and rebuke from the corner.

KEYS COME UP

8 Repent

As I “StandAlone” up here, I have a “corner” encouraging, counseling and calling me out.

My corner is up there with the best of them. I would be the type of boxer where the broadcasters talk more about my cornerman than me.

Well Travis, we all don’t have a corner like you. Fair. 5 years ago, Ian was the only person I knew in this entire church, because we had met each other once. God has been building, actually in many ways, rebuilding, my corner from the ground up the last few years.

He can do the same for you.

Fellowship is based on the collective participation of God’s people with the Gospel.

Timothy, Moses and David had community, but it was the fellowship they had that made the biggest impact.

When we fellowship with one another, then we can embrace the gospel fully, which is not just, Jesus loves me, not just be an encourager and counselor, but that Jesus commands me to repent of and confess my sin.

Nathan didn’t flatter David—he confronted him for his sin with Bathsheba. It was risky, but you know what it led to?

David wrote Psalm 51 in response to this rebuke from Nathan.

Psalm 51:9–13 ESV

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Sin is deliberate ‘rebellion’ against the known will of God. We are all guilty of it and it is a barrier to fellowship with God.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We have to acknowledge sin and its consequences.

Then we need to trust in God to renew and restore.

Then we need to teach others to do the same

Your community might watch you fight, but your corner is in the fight with you.

4 Invite Prayer Team Up - Band Comes Up

We will either be a community who pretends and avoids honest repentance or we will be one that participates, shares and communes around the gospel.

Don’t let the fight you are fighting prevent you from having a corner you can fight that fight with.

So if it is addiction, you don’t have to StandAlone in this house.

Loneliness, Self-Doubt, Greed, Discouragement, Lust, Pride… we don’t StandAlone at TimberCreek Church.

We will either be a community who ignores the need to come to the altar or we will accept our need for repentance and approach the altar collectively.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed

This is a team sport. 

It’s not you vs the world, it’s not you vs sin.

You past doesn’t define you.

You are not too young.

You are not too messed up.

You have people in this community that you can fellowship with so you do not have to fight alone!

2 RESPONSE

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