Two are better than one

Acts 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 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, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Eccl 4:7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. "For whom am I toiling," he asked, "and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?" This too is meaningless-- a miserable business! 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Meaningless That’s what a life alone is like.

I say a lot about the importance of the individual so that we will see the value that God places on us. But he sees us as so valuable that he adopts us into his family.

Help when I fall
Sharing my life
Protection from the enemy
Can handle stress better

Gen 2:18 … "It is not good for the man to be alone (bad). I will make a helper suitable for him."

When we look at the scriptures, they show us that to be a believer, saved, born again, whatever term you use there is an understanding and a truth that we must see. No one is saved to himself. We are actually saved from separation and joined to Christ and his body. The church! (Eph.5:23,29-30, Col.1:18,24)

Gal 3:26 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

To be in Christ is to be in his body, the church. You cannot be a Christian and stay alone. Christian is synonymous with community. We see that in the book of Acts with the first church.

Pastors are you trying to tell us that ALL Christians are supposed to go to church? YES!

Sheep John 10:16, Eph.4:15-16, The Body 1Cor.12:12, Household (Family) of God Eph.2:19
Living stones 1Pet.2:5 We are the Temple built together Eph.2:21-22
Like a marriage Eph.5:22-29

We share: love, intimacy, food, house, life, joys, pains, etc…
Z.b. I am married! Where is your wife? In Canada. I only see her when I feel like it or I have a need. Any children? Yeah but they live in America with their grandparents. Do you see them often? No just on Christmas and Easter.

Can we do this once a month? From different countries? Without communication, care, intimacy?

John 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. (NIV)

It is impossible to REMAIN in CHRIST and stay away from church!

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

John Wesley said” To turn Christianity into an individualistic religion is to destroy it.”