Value of Connecting

Value of Connecting

Hebrews 10:24-25(NLT) "Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near."

Intro

We all seek out ways to fit in, in one way or another.  Even if it is decorating and accessorizing ourselves in order to make us “individuals,” but then you find all the “individuals” hanging out together in a group.  No one wants to be alone.  Yet at the same time we think those who want to “belong” somewhere are weak.  We like to pretend that we don’t need anyone.  That was my deal in HS.  I was full of Pride and had the attitude of “I’m not a joiner”  I saw all these other people running around joining these different clubs and stuff and I sneered at them.  4H, Scouts, youth groups, Key Club… never figured out that one…“key club, Like let’s go make some keys!”

I became Sr. Class president because I went up and gave a mockery of a campaign speech.  In my pride…I hadn’t found anything that I thought was worthy of me.  But I was living like a fool, who knows what God could have done had I yielded to Him my life at the time.  But no one had presented anything worth a second glance…and to me, God wasn’t enough.  I didn’t know that I could live free and radical for Him and have a great time doing it.  The Kingdom of God and living as a child of His is an awesome adventure, but even closer to home than that is Forerunner.  We are trying to make this ministry something that is worth a second glance.  I know it won’t fit everyone, and I know that there will continue to be those that mock, but I also know that God is getting ready to do something that will shake this region.  I also know that Jesus is coming back soon , and those that want to get on board need to do so soon, or chance missing it and being “Left Behind.”

Want to talk tonight about the value of being connected to something greater than yourself… because I believe that only by being connected to others in purpose and vision can you truly find all that God has for you.

*it stretches you and broadens your experience

*Keeps you on track with destiny

*help in time of need

Stretched

If you begin to follow Christ He will lead you into relationship with other Christians.  There are no Lone Ranger Christians, those that say you don’t have to go to church to be a Christian are ignorant of what God truly desires.  Christian means “follower of Christ”  He will lead you to be connected with other believers in fellowship and worship.  It’s stated very plainly in the Bible in several places.

One of the benefits of Christian relationships is the idea of accountability.  When you are screwing up you will have people ask you what’s going on…if you’re ok.  When you are trying to run from God, it can be a little frustrating.  But you have people that genuinely care about you. 

Now of course this doesn’t apply to those who come and sit back waiting for a special invitation and red carpet in order to open up and start connecting.  I always find it a little funny and sad when someone comes for a while, and they make an effort to sit apart from everyone, talk to no one and then stop coming because we are all a “bunch of fakes that don’t care”

You want some real friends?  Be one.

It will stretch you to your limits to be connected to people, cuz everybody got issues! 

After a while there will even come a maturing point where you get your eyes off of “you,” and you begin to pour yourself into others.

Being connected will stretch you, it will cause you to dig deeper into who Christ has called you to be.  It will broaden your views and challenge the way you think.  It will stretch so that you will need more compassion, more love, more character, and all the while you are being transformed into the image of Jesus regardless of your past or where you came from.

Target:  Destiny

“God has a plan for your life!”  Another great thing about being connected to Christ in Christian fellowship is that you come face to face with your destiny. 

There are so many peeps your age that are just doing whatever they feel like at the moment and it is killing them.  There is no direction, no hope, no purpose.  “party, get drunk, have sex, get pregnant…sure my calendar’s clear!” 

But when you have a teen or young adult that is on fire for Jesus Christ and they know that God has called them by name for a purpose, there is no dissuading them from that. 

The temporary highs are just illusions and counterfeits to what God has designed for your life.  They leave you feeling cheated and empty.  Those that thought they would find love and happiness apart from God’s will find themselves trapped in an empty existence. 

But know this now!  God has a plan for your life…place your trust in the one who created you and has your days laid out before Him.  Nothing will ever catch him unprepared or off guard…He has provided everything you will need.  But it is only found in being connected with Him and with other Christians.  God flows and works through relationships in the His Kingdom.

Edification, Stupid!

Kind of a joke…edify = build up…working on sarcasm and cynicism and told someone “edify stupid!”

Another huge benefit of living in connection with Christ and other Christians is that there is help in time of need.  When you find yourself spiraling down life’s toilet, a rescue team is dispatched.

Life is full of unkind and unfair things.  We know that because we live in a world that is broken by sin, that bad things can just happen.  Parents getting a divorce, loved one dies, abuse…you don’t have to go it alone.  And that can make all the difference.

Summary

Realize that we are not perfect…still growing. 

Not saying that everyone that chooses to walk through those doors and sit with us is the most mature Christian…everybody got issues!  That’s why Christ must be your foundation…you must be complete in Him cause people will fail you sometimes.