Included

Series intro

Included - Belonging to a community

Affirmed and blessed

Chosen and included

Related to desire to be chosen - selected and set apart.

Included is broader

to be included in fellowship with God and others

Greatest commandment

to belong to a community - something larger than ourselves

Genesis 12:1–4 “1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran.”

Gospels

Revelation 7:9–10 “9 After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. 10 And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!””

to belong to a community - something larger than ourselves

Jesus wants you in his community - but he won’t let you wreck it :)

How many groups do you belong to?

Might thing maybe one or 2

You are here today so we claim you!!

How many family & friend groups do you belong to?

How many community groups or clubs are you apart of?

quilters club

gym

fantasy football

How many Sport team jerseys do you own?

I think the issue is not how many, but how deep

Why are you not really involved in some groups?

What groups would you like to be more involved in?

Why Included matters

We all want to be a part of something larger than ourselves.

Provides social confidence

Emotional safety

Narcissistic culture

I know we over use this word, but compare a 1700 person to today

There is no group more important to be a part of then the Kingdom of God

What are Healthy Groups vs Unhealthy Groups

Healthy

Give opportunities to serve each other

Sponsor service projects

Missional reaching out to others

Acts feeding the widows - find people who help people

Unhealthy

Take from the members of the group

Excluded to feel important

Jesus makes the rules in our group…

Jesus includes everyone - do you pick Jesus

Jesus excludes people who are selfish.… Ananias and Sapphira Acts 5

What it looks like when you lack being included

Feel like an outcast

Everyone has at some point,

Kids - feel this way

Family, group, community

but core identity

Do I belong?

Do I have people who will help me?

Do people understand my and I can learn from them?

Will some have a shared experience with me?

What does included look like

Sense of belonging

Family - Adoption

Groups - Church

Community

Social Confidence

Being invited and welcomed reduces feelings of rejection

Builds confidence in social settings

Telling your testimony (wed nights)

Emotional Security

we can receive group support - Life Groups

Identity Formation

Belonging to a group strengthens our sense of who we are and where we fit

Pick what groups you are apart of - you show up differently

Spiritual Connection

Your true Identity comes from belonging to God and his people

You can be a Christian and not go to church like a marriage in prison

Glass phone call vs being

Peter and Paul - arguing

What does it mean to belong to the body of Christ?

Why would someone want to be in?

Hardwired to be connected at the fundamental level

Family

Adoption

Purpose of Identity

John 15:5–8 “5 “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. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.”

Jesus is what you are looking for!

Who can get in?

From the beginning God has already included you. Have you accepted Him - to the best of your ability?

The fact you are living is God’s grace

your best is a lifelong pursuit

John 3:16 “16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

John 14:6 “6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

2 Peter 3:9 “9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.”

Your way is not Jesus’ way

Jesus will protect the community and includes everyone willing to humble themselves.

What do we do when we are in?

This text speaks directly to both who can get in and what do we do when we are in.

1 Timothy 2:1–7 “1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.”

Pray for all people - & give thanks for them

Let God be the mediator and reconcile God and humanity

What is the message God has given you about him?

Your story, Heartbreak, pain, Joy?

Proclaim who Jesus is if faith and truth!

Series conclusion

We all have wounding.

If something was pointed out would set a calendar reminder every month to see how you are doing? Journal