Solitude and Community

I

What is more powerful.

an Atom bomb

or

A stream.

I want a faith like that...

A faith that shines through in the BIG MOMENTS and the small REPEATED moments.

A faith that shines through in the BIG MOMENTS and the small REPEATED moments.

Like Tom Enberg, Dave McDowell, gordie Westfield, Sadie Peterson, Stan elven, Lyle Ross, that through all stages of life and challenges we're sustained by a deep abiding relationship with Christ. It shines through

(far from perfect, but clearly different, clearly transformed) a River kind of faith.

Y

A deeply rooted thriving long lasting relationship with Jesus that changes and shapes your life (shines through). I want that.

This October.

the basic practices, the tool kit for following Jesus. Basic things CHristians have done for centuries to sustain a relationship with JEsus over a lifetime. T

to be transformed for teh BIG MOMENTS and the SMALL MOMENTS.

Praying - Acting

Feasting - Fasting

Giving - Recieving

today

Solitude - Communiyt

G - Jesus relationship w/ God was grounded in a practice of Solitude and Community

Trans: Christians have been practicing.... And the best example I could find is in the book of luke.

READ

The New International Version Chapter 5

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. e When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.”

15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

Jesus often withdrew, and Luke is not kidding....

On a quick skim i found 10 times throughout the book where Luke explicitly mentions Jesus withdrawing from others.

Jesus is CONSTANTLY disappearing...

which to me is strange b/c HE’s JESUS for crying out loud!

People keep trying to find him

Luke mentions it 10 times

why....

Jesus clearly seemed to think that during even the most crucial, busiest, and most significant time of his life it was imperative to be alone and to be with others.

Jesus seems to think that it is key to having a relationship with his father.

Jesus seems to think that it is KEY to his teaching, his healings, and even to the trials he is facing.

So important he brings his disciples along to see. So important it is NOTICEABLE to LUKE and others.

This repeated practice seems to be VERY important to Jesus. Getting away - Reconnecting - WIthraw - engage - Solitude - Community

I think there is something SO special in this rythmn.

When we neglect this practice

Why solitude helps -

Eliminates distraction

A context for relationship

In solitude you can better process and hear God’s voice. You build the RELATIONSHIP - Like writing Erin letters at camp. Its about spending time w/ God

But solitude is not enough....

In Communty you share what you hear.

You encourage others, they encourage you,

you serve others, they serve you,

you support others, they support you.

You are patient with others they are patient with you.

You see God in others if you look closerly, and they see him in you.

“Body of Christ”

Y - Twin practices

CHALLENGE: So how do we pracitice this.

are we supposed to just...

turns out our bible has something to help us in practicing solitude

Be Alone With God - Lectio -

What comes of our time in solitude with God is rarely JUST FOR US. All the good things in scripture, all blessings are meant to be SHARED. That is why you take those things, and reengage with others.

Share in Community -

I don't know where you find yourself with these.

W - Jesus in the garden

Throughout Luke Jesus had been keeping this practice, withdraw engage, solitude community. Over and over again.

As he got closer and closer to his final conflict in Jerusalem. withdraw, engage....

In Luke 21:37 he arrives and we read that each day he is withdrawing, retreating to the Mount of Olives to pray.

And its there on the eve of his crucifixion that he prays openly, desperately, and honestly. “Lord if you may take this cup from me!” We read that he cries tears of blood, and he draws strength from the father to face the Cross.

Connect to God, Connect to Ohters

When his disciples faced the same trials, jail, persecution, hunger, tragedy. They faced them in the same way he did. As people with a deep abiding relationship with Jesus. Who had BUILT trust that comes from a relationship, and relationships take time and intention.

We will never face the same kinds of challenges Jesus or his disciples faced. But make no mistake STORMS COME, trials come, challenges come. No spiritual or religious practice can prevent that.

I dont know about you, but when trials, tragedies, or those KEY life defining moments come. I want to have a strong relationship with Jesus. I want to find myself already close with God and other believers because of the habits of solitude and community practiced while the sun was shining.

Because that is how a relationship changes a life.

Lets pray.