Getting Stronger By Being Connected

Why is being Connected so Important?

1. WE WERE CREATED FOR CONNECTIONS

Genesis 2:18 NLT

Then the LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

2. CONNECTIONS BALANCE OUR LIVES

"The More Connections You Have, the Larger Your Perspective Will Be."

3. CONNECTIONS INCREASE OUR STRENGTH

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 NLT

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

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The Only Connection that will Last Forever is with the Lord and the Body of Christ.

Ephesians 1:23 NLT

And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Church is NOT Something You do, it's a Family to Connect With.

Romans 12:5 NLT

so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

What Happens When You Connect to a Local Church?

1. IT CONNECTS YOU TO GOD'S ETERNAL TEMPLE

1 Corinthians 3:16 NLT

Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you?

Ephesians 2:21–22 NLT

We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.

All the Pieces of a Building have to be connected and fit together for the Building to Stand.

1 Timothy 3:14–16 NLT

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth. Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith: Christ was revealed in a human body and vindicated by the Spirit. He was seen by angels and announced to the nations. He was believed in throughout the world and taken to heaven in glory.

One of the Benefits of being connected is you get SUPPORT AND STABILITY

2. IT CONNECTS YOU TO CHRIST'S BODY

Ephesians 1:22–23 NLT

God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.

Ephesians 4:25 NLT

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Romans 12:4–5 NLT

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

Five Facts About the Church

1. It has many parts

2. Everyone is needed to make the body complete.

3. We Each Have Work to Do.

4. WE Belong to Each Other.

5. You Need the Other Parts of Christ's Body.

I CANNOT FULFILL GOD'S PURPOSE FOR MY LIFE BY MYSELF

Colossians 2:18–19 NLT

Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

What Happens to a Body Part that's Disconnected?

Colossians 2:19 NLT

and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

Connections Keep Us Growing

Another Benefit of Being Connected is You get LIFE AND GROWTH

3. IT CONNECTS YOU TO THE POWER OF JESUS

John 15:5 NLT

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

CONNECTIONS EMPOWER US

John 15:4 NLT

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

What Kind of Fruit is Produced when I am Connected?

Galatians 5:22–23 NLT

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Another Benefit of Being Connected is, YOUT GET POWER TO CHANGE!

4 Being Connected, CONNECTS YOU TO GOD'S FAMILY

A Christians without a Church Family is a Spiritual Orphan

1 Timothy 3:14–15 NLT

I am writing these things to you now, even though I hope to be with you soon, so that if I am delayed, you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.

When You are part of a church, your first responsibility is to LOVE the others.

1 Peter 2:17 NLT

Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.

John 13:35 NLT

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

Love is the Ultimate Connection

Colossians 3:14 NLT

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

ANOTHER BENEFIT - YOU ARE LOVED AND ACCEPTED.

LIFE IS ABOUT CONNECTING!

2 Corinthians 8:5 NLT

They even did more than we had hoped, for their first action was to give themselves to the Lord and to us, just as God wanted them to do.

A CHURCH FAMILY HELPS YOU CONNECT...

WITH GOD

WITH OTHERS

WITH TURTHS

OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES