Ecclesiastes 4:7-16 Individualism and Community

Individualism and Community Oct 29, 2017

Selfish individualism leaves the person without a future. Working hard for personal gain and advancement loses sight of others. Most Americans live in their city and neighborhoods as tourists. They have no concern for improving their city and neighborhood but only interact for what they are able to enjoy and consume (). The consumer-view many Christians have of the church is also, “What am I getting out of the church?” Such a view fails to value community and particularly the community of the church. Our Savior God values community and by His Spirit unites us to His church ().

community and by His Spirit unites us to His church ().

I. Two Are Better Than One –

A. Two multiply their efforts –

1. They have a good reward for their labor

2. One can give up more easily if they are alone

3. Zacchaeus was delivered from a solitary individual to value others –

B. Woe to the one alone who falls –

1. And does not have a companion

2. He needs someone to help him up. We need a Christian brother or sister if we fail –

II. Three Are Better Than Two

A. Two are needed for warmth –

1. Israel gets quite cold

2. Two sleep closely together for needed warmth

3. Emotional warmth is essential, too

“As more people choose to live alone, delay, or forego marriage and recede into their smart phones, rates of loneliness are skyrocketing in the United States.” Business Insider, August 7, 2017

4. Christ’s church delivers us from narcissistic self-focus –

B. Two cannot be overpowered as easily

1. The Holy Spirit motivates interest in others

2. A church is not just for what I can get out of it but to serve Jesus Christ and value His people –

C. Community results often in messy relational problems

1. Community requires patience –

2. Jesus applies a process to reconciliation –

3. Christ dwells among us in His church –

III. The Loneliness of Celebrity –

A. Political fame is fleeting –

1. A popular president (king) or political ruler may have many followers

2. Yet the people will not think positively about such a popular person forever; opinion can change in a brief time

B. Better a youth taken from prison

1. Joseph in Egypt

2. Yet another king did not know Joseph and persecuted the children of Israel – ,

C. Jesus was adored by the Jews on Sunday –

1. But crucified and reviled Him on Friday –

2. Only the Crucified and Risen Savior can create genuine unity and maintain community

You need Christ’s church because:

1. As Christ’s church, we are able to build His church. We have a reward –

2. We have a brother to pick us up –

3. We have the warmth we need –

4. We will not be overpowered by Christ’s enemies –

We may never say of Christ’s church, “I have no need for you.”